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• Lanzarote: your resort in the Canary Islands

  

  Located off the coast of West Africa, Lanzarote enjoys a fantastic climate all year round. Creating the ideal preconditions for a popular holiday destination - welcoming over 1 million foreign tourists every year. Outside of the three main resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise, Lanzarote remains relatively unspoiled. There are no high rise buildings or advertised hoardings - thanks to the campaigning efforts of a local artist called Cesar Manrique.

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5 Ways to Enjoy the Real Lanzarote

Leave the overcrowded resorts behind to discover an island that is rich in culture and atmosphere. Lanzarote at dusk has an eerie beauty that inspires even the most inartistic individual. Its moon-like volcanic landscape is washed with watercolor hues of orange, pink and purple, while the sky above deepens to the darkest indigo. 

Away from the loud and brash tourist resorts lies a relatively unknown and unspoilt island. Here are five ways for the more independent traveler to get to know the real Lanzarote. 

1. Rent an apartment or villa in the north of the island.

Timanfaya National Park

The north of Lanzarote is blissfully resort-free and the ideal place to rent an apartment or villa in one of the many small fishing villages, scattered on the northeast coast. When searching online use terms like "real Lanzarote" or "authentic Lanzarote" to find locally run businesses. 

Arrieta, around 40 minutes drive from the airport in Arrecife, is a pretty place with a good selection of local shops and restaurants and even more of the beaten track is Punta Mujeres.

In the summer it's a good place to mingle with the locals from the inland town of Haria, staying in their summer homes.

Close to the most northern tip of the island, is Orzola. Although very small, this town is renowned for its fish restaurants and is also the place from which the ferry to the tiny island of La Graciosa runs. 

2. When renting accommodation ask for a referral to a local car hire company.

The beautiful inland town of Haria

Hiring a car in Lanzarote is comparatively cheaper to other holiday places in Europe and fuel prices are also lower. This makes driving an inexpensive way to get to the many attractions this island has to offer.

When staying in the north of the island, travelers will find a wide range of popular and very worthwhile attractions like César Manrique House (former artist's dwelling), Jardin de Cactus, Mirador del Ri­o (spectacular viewpoint) and Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes (volcanic caves), all within a 15 to 30 minutes drive.

One hour's drive away, is the spectacular Timanfaya National Park, also know as Montañas del Fuego, where guided walks across the lava fields can be booked in advance.

The town of Arrieta is home to the Aloe Vera House where visitors can learn about the cultivation of this unique plant.

But simply driving around is an experience in itself, as the barren landscape serves as an open-air gallery for local Surreal artist César Manrique.

The small family-run businesses that rent out apartments and villas are the best place to ask for a recommendation for car hire. When arranged in advance travelers often get a better deal. 

3. Tour Lanzarote's wine country, La Geria. 

La Geria's landscape is unique to say the least. The horseshoe-shaped vine shelters, called zocos, in the black volcanic sand are a curious sight but they are essential to the island farmers' success and a testimony of their ingenuity. 

Lanzarote possesses an Appellation d'Origine Regulating Board and produces many excellent quality wines. You can taste them at the island's wine bars or Bodegas, which are scattered throughout this wine-growing region, bordering the Timanfaya National Park.

Most Bodegas offer guided tours and tastings when travelers make reservations in advance. 

4.Try the catch of the day in a local fish restaurant. 

Most restaurants in the small fishing villages serve fresh local fish. Often these dishes are served simply fried or barbecued. Accompanied by homemade green mojo (a green sauce made with coriander, cumin, olive oil, white wine vingar, garlic and sea salt), this simple food is genuine Canarian cuisine at its best.

It is definitely worth venturing out of the major resorts for an inexpensive, authentic experience. 

5. Go shopping in Teguise.

Not to be confused with Costa Teguise, a resort just north of the capital Arrecife, Teguise is the original capital of the island and one of the most attractive examples of a Spanish Colonial town in the Canary Islands. The cobbled streets are lined with lovingly restored buildings of historical interest. 

During the week the town is a quiet place to stroll and pick up a few unique handmade gifts in one of the many antique and arts and craft shops. On Sundays however, the place comes to life in a vibrant mix of music and folklore, when the tourist market attracts thousands of visitors from the resorts around the island. 

Lanzarote is so much more than just sun and sand. Take some inspiration from these five tips and discover the authentic Lanzarote experience.

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