The unique basalt landscape of Timanfaya National Park, as seen on TV shows like Doctor Who<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Why I went to Lanzarote
<\/strong>Having lived in Gran Canaria, another of the Canary Islands, for the best part of 2021, I decided it was time to give my itchy feet a workout. And what better place to explore in the region than the ever-popular island of Lanzarote. Around a 45-minute flight from Gran Canaria – and easily accessible from mainland Europe – Lanzarote is home to surreal lava fields, charming seaside towns and fascinating flora and fauna. I couldn’t wait to start exploring it.<\/p>\n

My highlight of the trip
<\/strong>Even before stepping foot on Lanzarote, I knew that the basalt landscape of Timanfaya National Park would be a showstopper. Used as the setting for films and TV shows like Doctor Who<\/em> and One Million Years B.C.<\/em>, the park stands as testament to the whopping volcanic eruptions that took place on the island between 1730 and 1736.<\/p>\n

Driving through the park\u2019s barren interiors was incredible, but the undoubted highlight was a demonstration of geothermal energy, where one of the park\u2019s guides poured water into a crevice – producing a geyser of steam.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, I couldn\u2019t resist stopping at the park\u2019s one and only restaurant. Located near to the visitor centre, the venue serves fish and steak grilled with heat from underground lava. It’s a unique dining experience.<\/p>\n

What else I love about Lanzarote
<\/strong>While Lanzarote\u2019s beaches are nothing short of spectacular, I decided to take the road less travelled and seek out the island\u2019s lesser-known attractions. First on my list was Har\u00eda, a hilltop village replete with whitewashed villas and soaring palm trees. The exotic enclave is home to the C\u00e9sar Manrique House Museum where the famed Lanzarote\u00f1o artist lived and worked until his death.
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Next on the agenda was a tour of Salinas de Janubio on Lanzarote\u2019s southwestern coast. With a backdrop of distant volcanoes, the salt pans and cones are quite a sight. It also offers an interesting insight into Lanzarote\u2019s history – the island\u2019s thriving salt industry came to an abrupt halt following the invention of freezers in the 1940s.<\/p>\n