Car Hire Lanzarote

This intimate Spanish island is a pleasure to explore, at around 70km long and 25km wide, taking little more than an hour to drive from top to toe. It may be small, but it’s packed with adventures ranging from volcanic hikes to underwater museums.

Lanzarote Airport lies close to the island’s most prominent town, Arrecife. When you collect your hire car, follow the LZ-2 route eastbound and you can arrive in the town centre within 10 minutes. 

From Arrecife, venture north on the LZ-1 road, passing by extinct volcanos, cactus gardens and lush green golf courses. In around 40 minutes, you’ll come to the end of the road in Orzola, a coastal village. From here you can catch the ferry to the nearby island of La Graciosa – the perfect opportunity for a day trip.

In the opposite direction from the airport, the LZ-2 winds south-west through the island to the popular resort town of Playa Blanca. It takes approximately 30 minutes to get there, passing by the Timanfaya National Park on the way. This park is the heart of Lanzarote’s volcanic wonder, with lunar-esque expanses and black sand beaches combining to create an otherworldly landscape that’s totally entrancing.

In Lanzarote, as with mainland Spain, driving is on the right-hand side of the road. In towns and villages, the speed limit is usually 50km/h or lower, while on the major routes this typically increases to 80km/h or 100km/h. Limits can vary, so ensure you always check signs for the route that you are on. You must also wear a seatbelt at all times when driving.  

Parking in Lanzarote is often free, particularly in smaller towns and at tourist attractions, but you should always check when leaving your hire car. In Arrecife, the capital, parking spaces with blue lines require a pay and display ticket.

A sunny Spanish island off the coast of Africa, Lanzarote is home to bustling port towns, family-friendly attractions and well-established holiday resorts. Whether you’re looking for rest and relaxation or exciting adventures, this charming island has much to offer.  

Volcanic adventures

Timanfaya National Park is the epicentre of the island’s volcanic identity, home to otherworldly black sand beaches, striking mountains and remarkable craters – not to mention the possibility of a camel safari!

Make sure you visit the small village of El Golfo, nestled on the western coast of the park. This is where you’ll find the mesmerising green lagoon, known as Charco de los Clicos, which glints like an emerald amid the black sand.

At the opposite end of the island – just 50 minutes’ drive away – is Cueva De Los Verdes, an incredible volcanic chamber that hosts an extraordinary and utterly unique concert hall, carved into the rock. Check in advance for upcoming events, and you can watch singers and musicians take to the stage in this magical auditorium. Just a few minutes’ away is The Cactus Garden, where you can stroll in and around the rustic white windmill, admiring the black volcanic soil and a veritable maze of cacti.

Feast in Arrecife

This easy-going port town is the social hub of the island. Explore the local restaurant scene, known for its fresh-off-the-boat seafood, taking your pick from sophisticated waterfront eateries and quirky little venues with Spanish flair.

From this central location you can hop from village to village, discovering the charms of each unique location. Visit the local Sunday market in Teguise, feast in the tapas bars of Punta Mujeres and discover the Valley of 1000 Palms in Haría.

Castles and culture

Explore the colourful culture and fascinating past of Lanzarote at one of the numerous museums around the island. Close to the capital of Arrecife, the 18^th-century fortress Castillo de San Jose – built to protect the shores from pirates – has now re-emerged as a modern art gallery, featuring works by the likes of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso against the backdrop of sweeping hilltop vistas.

Dedicated to perhaps the island’s most famous son, the César Manrique Foundation is named for the renowned late artist and sculptor, and is a gallery 10 minutes’ drive out of Arrecife. Blooming flowers, palm trees and cacti decorate the pristine white villa, while inside the artwork and sculptures of Manrique take centre stage. 

Taking the crown as the island’s most unusual museum, however, is Museo Atlantico. Dive into this underwater attraction – the world’s first of its kind – off the coast of Playa Blanca, where coral-covered sculptures stand on the ocean floor. Truly awe-inspiring.

Life’s a beach

Lanzarote is part of an exclusive club when it comes to its distinctive and captivating beaches, where black sand sweeps along the shore. Go to Charco Verde and Quemada to walk along these otherworldly coastlines, where vibrant aqua waves lap against the jet-coloured sand.

There are also golden beaches by the bucket-load too, if you want something more traditional. Famara Beach is a hotspot for surfing, while Los Hervideros is the go-to bay for the best photographs, with craggy cliffs and crashing waves.

With all these attractions within easy reach of the resort towns, this beautiful and unique island promises a fun-filled holiday schedule. Organise car hire in Lanzarote and start planning your adventure now.