A guide to attractions in Lanzarote
As I've stated many times throughout the site, time is the major disadvantage for me so I've scouted around the net to find you what I hope are useful links to the main tourist sites and provided them below. I've also hopefully provided links to admission prices too so you can work out whether your tour operator is really taking you for a ride!
I will add my own personal reviews in time but I'll start with a few things that I've found interesting and worthwhile that are not generally appreciated by as many people as I'd like ( probably because they're free ) As an absolute bear minimum visitors must go to Timanfaya ( Fire Mountain ) as to miss the opportunity to go there would be a sad loss to those who've travelled so far. It is important though to pick a sunny day as the contrasting colours literally leap out at you when the sun lights them up. On a dull day the experience is less spectacular. Enjoy...
Here's a link which may help you:
http://www.turismolanzarote.com/spel/SPEL/published/en/detalle_rentacar.jsp?DS70.ID=6228
If the link doesn't work then copy and paste it in to the address space at the top of your page and press enter, making sure that the space is blank before you paste the link. If it still doesn't work then get one of the kids to sort it for you, lol:)
If it appears in Spanish then don't worry. Look to the top right of the page and find the word "Idioma" which is Spanish for language. Click it and you should see English pop up. How anyone English would know the word for language in Spanish is beyond me but there you go:)
I'll eventually research the main attractions and inform you of really good places to go and see ( it's all in the head ) but it's time to be honest. Have patience and bear with me!
Cheers,
Gazza.
Here's a really good one too:
http://www.centrosturisticos.com/centros/CENTROS/published_en/DEFAULT/Horarios_y_servicios_2188.html
Again, if this comes up in Spanish then look to the top right and it'll either say 'espanol' Spanish or 'idioma/s' Language/s. I actually complained to the Lanzarote Tourism people and they said yeah, it's only been up and running a while ( despite the island being a tourist destination for 30 years or so!!! ) and soon it'll be available in German ( I asked why it wasn't )
They did however provide this link to a site which gives prices, opening hours and a little info on the main tourist centers. There are other lovely little parts to this island but of course, they might not make the government money so they're not featured here. You can see why my blog on Reps becomes valid when you see that you can get a voucher for six attractions for only 30 Euros per adult and 15 for a child ( 7-12 years old ) I'm under the impression that kids under 7 get in free but please don't quote me on that just yet. I'll mail them today and ask.
Cheers,
Gazza
P.S. Yes, as of today December 1st 2008 kids get in free although that may change so please ask before visiting.
Here's something to link you with the other islands, just in case you've time to venture away from Lanzarote!
http://turismodecanarias.com/en/productos/naturaleza?gclid=CIS76f-8o5cCFU4e3godfHR2Iw
Again, I hope this comes up in English. If it doesn't then at the top left of the page you'll find the letters 'EN' click it and it should then be in English. Good luck!
List:
Ok, I guess it's better just to list some things I feel are worth doing/visiting ( completely off the top of my head ) and then do a write up at a later date. There will be more as I've yet to visit some myself!
1. Timanfaya National Park ( Fire Mountain )
2. Casa de Cesar Manrique
3. Cuevos de los verdes
4. Jameos del Agua
5. El Golfo Lagoon
6. Oasis de Nazaret ( LagOmar - Omar Sharif's Old House )
7. Salt flats
8. Camel Ride
9. Femes overlooking Playa Blanca
10. Playa Blanca Rubicon Marina
11. Puerto Calero Marina
12. Famara
13. Rancho Texas
14. Cactus Garden
15. Submarine
16. Guinate Bird Park
17. La Isla De Graciosa - Playa De La Concha
La Geria
http://spanish-wine.suite101.com/article.cfm/malmsey_lanzarotes_malvasia_wine
This is a link which will take you to a report on a beautiful wine region called La Geria. The scenery here, I think, is quite sensational and it inspires me to sit back and contemplate that every single stone semi circle was built by hand! Man can be ingenious and I use man to signify womankind as well:) It's inspirational and you can read about it here. I once watched an amazing sunset from a Bodega looking towards Playa Blanca. The sea was a light, almost transparent blue and the sun just threw shadows across our mystic landscape. It was sensational or it was the wine:) I don't know. Either way I'll never forget it:)
Mirador Del Rio
It annoys the hell out of me when, in my opinion, I can see a rip off and this is one such place. Listen, the view from Mirador del Rio which overlooks La Graciosa is incredible and the restaurant built in to the cliff face, designed by architect Cesar Manrique is the work of a genius but no one should have to pay for a view and no one should have to pay to get in to, what for me anyway, despite the ingenuity of the construction, is a restaurant. This is not something I'd be comfortable in recommending paying for although people do and enjoy the experience. To me you should ignore the no pedestrian sign at the side of the Mirador, climb over the little wall and see what nature has given you for free. It is stunning. Be very, very careful though that you do not and this relates more to the kids than anything else, stray too close to the edge. I wouldn't want to be responsible for anyone leaping to their death! BEWARE!!!
The drive down the coast road is a little tricky and nervy for the faint hearted but also well worth it. For the adventurous type there is a beach somewhere down the bottom and I've been told it's phenomenal but I've never had the guts to try and access it. The locals know the route and if you're lucky enough to befriend one then try going. Some camp down there during holidays. Stunning...
Mirador de Haria
Following the road down from Mirador del Rio should take you through Haria which is a beautiful little village, then you'll climb up again on a road that'll test your nerve before reaching heady heights once more. There was once a little cafe perched on the top of the hill there that was a regular haunt for me but sadly it's closed down. Why, I'm not so sure. You can still get to see a great view from the more commercialized restaurant further up which sadly lacks the feel of its smaller counter part. That's a shame as a Cortado con condensada was a must there:) Again, the view is breathtaking and free, enjoy.
