These are the top five attractions in Lanzarote according to in-depth island website Lanzarote Guidebook


1. Timanfaya Volcano Park

Giving the volcano park a miss would be like visiting Egypt and ignoring the pyramids. As the national park at Timanfaya is both unique and awe inspiring.

This is Lanzarote's most popular attraction and rightly so - as here you will find scenery like nowhere else on the planet. Timanfaya is often likened to the surface of the moon - but in truth this is more how the earth must have looked when it was first formed many centuries ago.
Witness the destruction created by the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption and marvel at the twisted lava shapes and colours.

2. Jameos Del Agua

The 8th wonder of the world according to old school Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth. And although this may be overstating the case a little the Jameos Del Agua is still a real jaw dropper.
A jameos is basically a collapsed lava tube - which island born artist Cesar Manrique turned into an underground grotto featuring bar and restaurant areas, great gardens, a lagoon that houses the worlds only albino crabs, a stunning auditorium and a swimming pool so beautiful that only the King of Spain is allowed in for a dip.

3. Mirador Del Rio

If you are a fan of breathtaking views then the Mirador del Rio is the spot for you. A mirador is basically a look out point and this used to be on old gun battery guarding the narrow waterway between Lanzarote and the neighbouring island of Graciosa.

It was transformed by Cesar Manrique into a stylish tourist attraction and offers really incredible vistas.

4. Cactus Garden

You don't really have to be a plant lover to enjoy the Cactus Garden. As the sight of over 1,000 different species of cacti on display makes an impact on most people. Like any plant family cacti are incredibly diverse - some flower, some climb, some just grow into giant species. So there's no shortage of weird and wonderful shapes, forms and colours to enjoy.

5. Cesar Manrique Foundation

You'll see the influence of island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique pretty much everywhere when you travel around Lanzarote.

So it's a good idea to visit his home in Tahiche - not least because much of it is built into five underground volcanic bubbles. His house feels a little like a scaled down version of the Jameos Del Agua - as there are the same trademark touches such as whitewashed floors and walls, organic shapes as opposed to straight edges, water features and lots of plants.

The Foundation also houses a Gallery exhibiting the artists highly acclaimed paintings.