The small Canry island of Lanzarote is located just eighty miles off the coast of Africa. And has been a big hit with sun starved tourists from the UK and Nothern Europe for over forty years. Thanks to the fact that the island boasts a great year round climate, breathtaking beaches and truly unique and haunting volcanic scenery.
Lanzarote was in fact subjected to one of the longest volcanic eruptions ever witnessed in modern times. Which blasted the island for six years – from 1730 to 1736. Covering around one quarter of Lanzarote´s surface area in a sea of lava. This cataclysmic event occurred in what had been one of Lanzarote´s most fertile agricultural regions. So forcing many islanders to set sail for new lives abroad.
Today however Lanzarote´s volcanoes are one of her biggest and most popular tourist attractions. The area which was at the epicentre of the eruptions – Timanfaya – is now one of the most popular national parks in Spain. Attracting around one million visitors every year. And little wonder – as the terrain here is truly out of this world and is often likened to the surface of the moon.
Until the advent of tourism Lanzarote was essentially a peaceful rural island – relying on agriculture and fishing. But since the 1970´s the islands population has expanded rapidly – doubling over the last ten years alone, to 127,000 residents. Whilst tourism has come to account for around 85% of the islands GDP – with around 1.5 million foreign tourists arriving on flights to Lanzarote every year.
The islands year round climate and close primxitriy to markets such as the UK makes it one of the few genuine winter sun destinations in Europe. With flight times of around four hours from all major British airports.
But Lanzarote also has much more to offer than just beaches and sun shine alone. As the development of tourism on the island has been carefully controlled – ensuring that much of Lanzarote´s natural beauty has been preserved intact.
Much of the credit for this goes to an island born artist called César Manrique. Who campaigned for the controlled evolution of tourism as package holidays started to take off in Spain during the 1970´s.
Having seen the Costas buried beneath a sea of high rise hotels Manrique was determined to ensure that his beloved island didn’t suffer a similar fate. And he successfully campaigned for an outright ban on all high rise buildings and advertising hoardings.
As a result Lanzarote remains a largely unspoiled island – with tourism all carefully contained within the islands three main resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.
Places To Stay
The newest resort of Playa Blanca in the south of the island offers the best selection of hotels in Lanzarote. Including the five star Gran Melia Volcan and a number of excellent four star establishments such as the Hesperia Playa Dorada and the Rubicon Palace. With prices starting from around €80 per room per night for a typical double room.
Key Attractions
As well as campaigning for the controlled development of tourism Manrique also created a series of unique tourist attractions on the island. In order to illustrate that there were more natural alternatives to water parks and golf courses.
The Jameos del Agia is his best known creation – where he converted a collapsed lava tube into a stunning underground auditorium. Whilst the Cactus Garden and the Cesar Manrique Foundation are also a must for any visitor.