Lanzarote. A Volcanic Gem with Something for Everyone

What a fantastic holiday! And we would never have found it without Melissa. All we knew was we wanted to go to the Canary Islands in August. We didn’t even know which of the islands to go to. Initially, we just asked Melissa to help us find a villa suitable for two adults in need of a break, plus three water-mad teenagers and their three friends. Not only did she find us the most fabulous accommodation, she looked after absolutely everything from booking flights and transfers to checking us in online and coming round with our boarding passes.

First Impressions

Having never been there before, we really didn’t know what to expect. First of all, Arrecife airport is right on the coast and, looking out of the plane window, it honestly feels as though you are about to land in the sea. One word of warning, if you are looking for pretty scenery and luxuriant, vibrant green foliage, Lanzarote is not the place. The landscape is dramatic and striking – but far more lunar than lush. Bursts of palm trees, cactus and aloe vera stand out against a sea of black, volcanic soil and a backdrop of dormant volcanoes (although you can still feel the intense heat below the surface at Timanfaya National Park). Lanzarote is also very breezy, which makes the temperature seem much more comfortable but beware of sunburn – it really is hotter than you think.

Las Caletas Village, Costa Teguise

The best holiday accommodation ever! Villa Coral at Las Caletas Village on the outskirts of Costa Teguise is about 15 minutes from the airport so transfers were quick and easy. We asked for somewhere with a pool, close to a waterpark and with access to a beach and watersports. This villa was absolutely spot on. It was very luxurious and, unlike many rental villas, had plenty of space, comfy sofas, quality loungers, crockery and cutlery for a party of 8. The kitchen was very well equipped for a large group and there was even a small utility room with washing machine. They had thought of everything, including a barbecue and all the tools. Even the washing powder was provided, along with a welcome pack of wine, water and fruit.

Private Pool

The best thing about this villa, without a doubt, was the private pool in the small but very well-planned garden. Perfect for a group of boisterous teenagers even if the water was a bit chilly. Pool floats, toys, and even a small inflatable dinghy had been left, presumably by other holidaymakers. As grass doesn’t grow in Lanzarote (much like our own grass this summer), the garden was covered in astroturf. It might sound a bit odd but we loved it. It looked lush and green and was soft on your feet. We are seriously thinking about putting it in our own garden.

Costa Teguise

The villa was around a 30-minute walk from the centre of town. There is a lovely seaside walk along a large part of the coast along here that takes you past a string of beaches. It’s paved and perfect for walking and cycling. So much nicer than walking along the main road, although you miss out a few shops along the way.

The town of Costa Teguise is lovely, centred around the Pueblo Marinero, a walled area of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Most open from lunchtime onwards but the whole place really comes alive as the sun goes down, with market stalls and street sellers, music and food everywhere you look. Make sure you explore all the little side streets, inside and beyond the Pueblo Marinero. We discovered a lovely little cake shop (called ‘The Cake Shop’) that did delicious breakfasts and brunches – and the best cafe con leche of the holiday.

Local Specialities

Something that you see all over Lanzarote is the aloe vera plant and the island produces a whole range of aloe products, with specialist shops dotted all over. We bought various lotions and potions to try and keep our suntans going for a bit longer. They seem to be doing a good job – you can still tell that we’ve been away and it’s mid-September. Another local speciality is cactus jam. Hmmm. We bought some at Teguise market and it looked lovely but it didn’t really taste of anything. Just sweet.

Teguise Market

Not to be confused with Costa Teguise, Teguise is in the centre of the island and used to be the island’s capital. It hosts a big market every Sunday with stalls crammed into every nook and cranny, selling everything from clothes and jewellery to local produce and freshly-squeezed juices (just what the doctor ordered after traipsing up and down the quaint, narrow alleyways). Needless to say, we got lost but, in doing so, discovered a fabulous cheese shop and a beautiful, shady courtyard serving drinks and tapas. No menu, just mixed tapas of the house, take it or leave it. We never did find out the name of it, or the cheese shop, unfortunately.

Aquapark Costa Teguise

Reviews of Aquapark Costa Teguise focus very much on the fact that it’s a bit past its best. So we went along, not expecting very much, and were pleasantly surprised – and with teenagers in tow, that is never guaranteed. They were old enough to go on anything they wanted to and we didn’t need to supervise. They had a whale of a time while we mooched about, sat in the shade and took a quick dip whenever we felt like it. Again, the water was chilly but it was fine once you were in. There seemed to be plenty to do for children of all ages and the food was better than average for this type of venue. Queues were long at lunchtime but what else would you expect?

Timanfaya National Park

We drove around the edge of the National Park on our way to Playa Blanca. We fully intended to book an excursion to see the park properly, go on a camel ride and watch the geothermal experiments – but we ran out of holiday. It is a spectacular place and I wish we’d seen El Golfo, a lurid green lake at the edge of the park. It’s on the list of places to go next time we visit Lanzarote.

Would we go again?

Yes, please! We loved the people, the place, and our villa was the best we’ve ever stayed in. There was so much more to do in Lanzarote but we just didn’t have time to do it all. We would definitely explore more of the island on another visit, probably on a guided tour but you can just as easily hire a car and drive yourself. Holidays with teenagers (and their friends) can be a minefield but Lanzarote lived up to everyone’s expectations. When can we go again?