Lanzarote is wild, sunny and full of surprises. Think black lava fields, bright green vineyards, local markets filled with delicious food, and blue skies that seem to last forever. It didn’t take us long to fall in love with the island.
From hiking to the rim of a volcano to sipping natural wines and collecting fresh eggs from chickens at our accommodation, here’s why Lanzarote deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.
A tiny sunny car that could go anywhere
Our adventure started the moment we landed. Picking up our rental car with Sunny Cars couldn’t have been easier. We collected the keys, jumped into our little Fiat 500, and hit the road.
The compact car turned out to be perfect for Lanzarote. It easily handled the island’s narrow village streets as well as the bumpy volcanic tracks leading to several hiking trails. Even better, knowing everything was fully insured meant we could enjoy exploring without worrying about the rough terrain.
Hiking to the largest volcanic crater on the island
Our absolute highlight was the Caldera Blanca hike. This 9.5-kilometre circular trail takes you to the largest volcanic crater on Lanzarote. We had read beforehand that walking the route clockwise was the better option—and we completely agree. The final climb is much less steep that way.
Standing on the rim of the enormous crater was one of those moments that makes you stop talking for a while. Around us stretched the endless lava fields of Timanfaya National Park, creating one of the most dramatic landscapes we’ve ever seen.
Fun fact: every mountain you see on Lanzarote is actually a volcano.
A wine region unlike any other
One thing that surprised us most was Lanzarote’s wine culture. Drive through La Geria, the island’s famous wine region, and you’ll notice that every single vine grows inside its own circular pit, protected by a small stone wall.
There’s a good reason for that. Lanzarote receives very little rainfall and is exposed to strong Atlantic winds. The volcanic ash helps retain moisture, while the stone walls shelter the vines from the wind. Thanks to this unique growing method, the roots are able to absorb the little moisture that the volcanic soil provides.
Because La Geria is a protected landscape, heavy machinery isn’t allowed in the vineyards. Everything is done by hand, making the winemaking process incredibly labour-intensive. The result? Small batches of exceptional wines, many of them natural wines, which happens to be exactly what we love. Along one scenic road you’ll find winery after winery, each with its own tasting room and story to tell.
Staying in an eco yurt at Lanzarote Retreats
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was our stay at Lanzarote Retreats.
Instead of a hotel room, we spent a few nights in a spacious eco yurt complete with an outdoor kitchen and a private bathroom featuring an actual bathtub. It felt like luxury camping—but with all the comforts you could wish for.
The property also has a swimming pool, a small honesty shop, a playground and even a little farm with donkeys and chickens. Every morning guests are welcome to collect fresh eggs themselves—if you’re brave enough to step into the chicken coop. We were.
Another bonus? Surfboards and other watersports equipment are available to borrow free of charge, and the beach is literally just across the road. We only stayed a few nights, but honestly, we could easily have spent two weeks here.
More than beaches
Lanzarote offers so much more than beautiful beaches. Spend your mornings wandering around local markets filled with artisan cheeses, homemade delicacies and local wines. Visit the island’s open-air attractions designed by César Manrique, the artist who shaped much of Lanzarote’s unique identity by blending architecture with nature.
Or simply enjoy driving across the island. Every corner reveals another volcanic landscape, whitewashed village or hidden vineyard waiting to be discovered.
Would we go back?
Without hesitation: yes. Lanzarote has a unique character that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s an island where rugged volcanic landscapes meet excellent food and wine, where adventure and relaxation go hand in hand.
Whether you’re hiking to volcanic craters, discovering natural wines or waking up in an eco yurt surrounded by donkeys and chickens, Lanzarote has a way of making you slow down and appreciate the simple things. And that’s exactly why we can’t wait to return.
