Lanzarote is situated just 70 miles off the coast of Africa and is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. The island is 37 miles (60km) long and 12 miles (20 km) wide, making it the fourth largest island in the Canaries.
Lanzarote enjoys a mild dry climate with average daytime temperatures ranging from about 21°C in January to 29°C in August. Annual rainfall is just 140mm (5.5 inches). This makes Lanzarote the perfect year-round destination. As with the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote is Volcanic in origin. Due to the recent eruptions during the 18th and 19th Centuries, many parts of Lanzarote appear to be from another world, often described as 'lunar' or 'Martian', so much so that parts of 'Planet of the Apes' were shot here. The dry climate (and lack of erosion) means that the Volcanic Landscape appears much as it did just after the eruptions.

In the main, sporting activities tend to be related to the sea, Lanzarote is perfect for windsurfing, swimming, diving, surfing, and fishing. In Puerto del Carmen there are numerous diving schools, deep sea fishing excursions, jet ski hire, parasailing and much more. Also in the resort there are professional gyms providing sporting facilities including squash and tennis The resort of Costa Teguise is famous for its excellent windsurfing conditions while Famara and La Santa, in the west, have some of the best surf in the world. Other popular sporting activities on the Island include hand gliding, Trekking, Climbing, Caving, cycling and golf. Puerto Calero is a wonderful leisure Marina, where you can participate in numerous nautical activities. Lanzarote is such a popular sporting destination that every summer it is host to the Ironman competition, which is one of the most famous triathlon events in the world.

To speak of gastronomy in Lanzarote, is to speak of the Canary Island gastronomy. On these islands in Spain, the world famous "mojo picon" and fish should be savoured. It is the heart of the canary diet.
In Lanzarote it´s gastronomy is mostly based on fresh fish. The fact that it´s an island with a great volcanic surface and not very fertile lands, historically looking at the sea, is the reason for it basing it´s dishes on fruits from the sea.
The most typical dish in Lanzarote is boiled fish with the famous mojo picon sauce. This dish is called Sancocho and is absolutely delicious. Besides the traditional Canary Islands, Spain cuisine, there are also many other international restuarants for those of you who enjoy a cosmpolitan offer when choosing your restaurant.

The Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) were created between 1730 and 1736 when more than 100 volcanoes, covering more than 50 km², rose up and devastated this part of the island (including several villages). The last eruptions were in 1824, however due to the low rainfall (and therefore lack of erosion) this area appears much the same as it did just after the eruptions.
In 1968 the area was declared a national park, Parque Nacional de Timanfaya. This part of the island is a must for any visitor to the island because of its unique 'Martian' landscape and rare plant species. After you arrive at the visitors Car Park you will witness several demonstrations of 'how hot' the area is (temperatures just a few metres below the surface reach between 400°C and 600°C). Dry brush thrown into a hole in the ground catches fire immediately, while water poured into a bore hole erupts seconds later in the form of steam - like a mini-geyser.
The 'El Diablo' restaurant provides an impressive backdrop to all of this and serves Canarian food which is cooked using geothermal heat (A cast-iron grill placed over a large hole in the ground). It is advised to arrive here early if you would like to sample the food, since the Kitchen closes at 3.00pm. While it is not possible to just wander freely around the Volcanoes, a Coach Trip around the National Park (La Ruta de los Volcanos) is included in the entry fee. The Tour features an Audio Commentary that includes excerpts from the diary of a local Priest who was an eyewitness to the devastating Eruptions.
It is also possible to take a Camel ride across the Volcanic landscape (not included in the entry fee).

The Cueva de los Verdes or Green Caves is part of the Atlantida underground Cave system formed some 3000 years ago during the eruptions of Monte Corona. The original inhabitants, the Guanches, used to shelter here from Pirates that once tormented the island. The tunnel is over 6 km long with an additional 1.6 km under the sea and is the longest Volcanic Tunnel in the World (the underwater section has not been fully explored), although only about 2 km are open to the public. The cave measures more than 15 meters wide and 15 m high. Jameos del Agua Jameos Del Agua, located in the north of Lanzarote, is part of the Atlantida volcanic cave system formed by the eruptions of the Corona volcano about three to four thousand years ago. This larger cave system with it's centre in Haria also includes the Cueva de los Verdes.
The word 'Jameo' refers to a volcanic cave with a collapsed roof, of which there are many in this part of Lanzarote. The Lanzarote-born artist César Manrique has helped to create this spectacle, where these natural 'jameos' have been turned into an Auditorium, Swimming pool, Gardens and Restaurants, while still blending into the surrounding volcanic landscape. The natural Auditorium has seating for 600 and is renowned for its excellent acoustics.
There are regular shows put on here, which include Folklore Music (the traditional music of the Canary Islands), AudioVisual displays and a Disco on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Lanzarote has a large variety of wonderful beaches. From the beautiful white sands of the North to the dark volcanic sands of Puerto Del Carmen, one will be amazed by this contrast that is unique to Lanzarote.
The main beach in Puerto Del Carmen is known as Playa Grande. This is a long beach facing the busy resort. There are numerous beaches in the area running from Arrecife airport, Guacimeta, right through to the old town of Puerto Del Carmen. Adjacent to the old town lies a beautiful picturesque beach, Playa Chica. This beach is host to a wide variety of sporting activities. Here one can take diving lessons, rent jet skis, go Parasailing or do a touch of Snorkeling.
In the South of the Island near the resort of Playa Blanca lies the most beautiful beach of all, Papagayo. This fantastic white beach is a must for beach lovers and although nudist bathing is common it is by no means compulsory.
For those who love surfing and Body Boarding the beaches of Famara and La Santa, in the West, both present fabulous opportunities. Famara is world famous for its surf but would not be recommended to the fainthearted.
La Santa Sports Complex, as well as being the training ground for international sports stars, is also surrounded by a beach and Wind Surfing lake.
At the North of the island, near Orsola , there are a number of white sandy beaches. The sand is blown over from the Sahara desert. The beaches are isolated but can be accessed by foot.
In the Northeast lies the Resort, Costa Teguise. The main beach here is known as Las Cucharas and is famous amongst the windsurfing community. In fact it has been the breeding ground of international champions.
Finally, Arrecife, Lanzarote's capital, has a wonderful golden beach, El Reducto. This beach faces a number of Canarian bars where one can have traditional coffee, Cortado, or a relaxing cocktail.

From the windows of its domes, one can contemplate the views that are offered to the visitor at this height: the Atlantic Ocean and the Chinijo archipelago - La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste and Roque del Infierno - a marine reserve area.
El Mirador is built into a place where previously a battery of canons was installed for use in the war between Spain and the U.S.A. over Cuba in the C19. It was built in 1973, at a height of 479 metres above sea level. It is not simply an excavation in the cliff, but rather a building with two enormous buried domes, so as to hide the construction. It was conceived by the artist, Cesar Manrique, with the collaboration of Jesus Soto and the architect, Eduardo Caceres.
From this beautiful place, one can contemplate the beach at Risco, which can be reached by boat or on foot following the cliff path - one should not forget that returning to the cliff top is a steep climb and one must go prepared to spend the day.
From the Mirador one can also see Las Salinas del Río; the oldest salt plains of the archipelago, which have been used since Roman times. Lastly, and to satisfy the most curious, the name of Rio, or river, comes from the thin stretch of sea of approximately two kilometres which separates La Graciosa and Lanzarote.