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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Things to do in Lanzarote

19 replies

nappyaddict · 04/04/2013 18:29

I have been before but quite a few years ago so my memory is a bit hazy of things to do. I remember there was a market in Teguise on a Sunday, a smaller one in Playa Blanca on a Wednesday and Saturday. Also I remember there being a national park and an animal park/zoo type place but can't remember the names? I remember wanting to do a submarine trip and a trip to a waterpark in Fuerteventura but we didn't because they were quite expensive. Anyone done these trips recently and know the current prices? Oh and there was a restaurant in Puerto Del Carmen that had 4 poster beds outside, but again I can't remember the name.

Any other ideas?

OP posts:

specialsubject · 04/04/2013 18:45

Parque Nacional de Timanfaya - stunning landscapes, great walking
Jameos del Agua
Mirador del Rio
lots of other natural highlights.

years since I went but remember all these well. I hope they still ban high-rises to keep the place looking good.

Bunbaker · 04/04/2013 18:49

You aren't allowed to walk in Timanfaya national park. The only way to see it nowadays is by coach as they want to preserve the area. The tour is well worth taking though.

Anything to do with Cesar Manrique is really interesting as well.

Areyoumadorisitme · 04/04/2013 18:55

The cactus garden is impressive too (and I'm not into plants).

Original poster

nappyaddict · 04/04/2013 19:34

Can you still cook food over a volcano at Timanfaya NP?

It says there is a swimming pool at Jameos del Agua. Can you actually swim in it or is it just to look at?

Has anyone taken a boat to La Graciosa or Playa El Risco from Orzola?

OP posts:

specialsubject · 04/04/2013 21:47

can't walk in Timanfaya? Argh!

I see their point but what a shame.

Bunbaker · 04/04/2013 22:03

I think the swimming pool isn't open to the public. I have been there twice and never seen anyone in the pool. The volcano museum is interesting as well.

I have just found this about Timanfaya. It explains why walking unescorted in the park is prohibited.

BlueSkySunnyDay · 04/04/2013 22:03

If you do the evening BBQ in the restaurant on the top of Timanfaya they did stop and let us out of the coach for a small wander in the park. We actually found a seam of peridot/citrine in the rock and it was nice for the children to see it close up. The food was still cooked over the volcano.

Massive regret of mine that my camera was flat as the full moon over the volcanic landscape is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

Id still like to see the house Omar Sharif won as it looks beautiful.

Jameos del Agua pool cannot be swum in except by the King of Spain im pretty sure I was told, but it is beautiful, the albino crabs are fascinating and the theatre is lovely too. I does depend how "arty" you are though as some of our group just didnt "get" it at all.

The island has been a bit over developed now in my opinion which is a massive shame as their consideration for the environment was one of the things which made it special, at one point they were threatened with losing their unesco biosphere status.

Its still very special though once you get out of the resorts.

travellingwilbury · 04/04/2013 22:06

You could lie next to the pool smelling sulphur and wishing you were anywhere else in the world .

Bitter .....

Choccyjules · 04/04/2013 22:07

The zoo is a good daytrip as they have shows (sea lions, parrots, birds of prey) and a fab new water park (so take cossies). Called Rancho something I think.

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 04/04/2013 22:09

Thought Manrique's house was great, even the kids liked it (and that's saying something).
Hire a convertible/bike for the day and just SOAK up some sunshine.

crunchbag · 04/04/2013 22:20

Rancho Texas the zoo and waterpark is good
There is also a pirate museum in Teguise in Santa Barbara castle
The caves, cueva de verdes
Submarine safari

Original poster

nappyaddict · 13/04/2013 18:29

We saw Santa Barbara castle when we went to the market but didn't have time to go up and have a look at it. Will go and have a look if we go back. Do you know how much it is crunchbag?

We went to Timanfaya which was fab. We went on an excursion as we were told if you go in your own car you can wait anything from 1-3 hours to be allowed onto the car park and then you have to get on one of their own coaches anyway to go on the lunar route.

BlueSkySunnyDay What did you eat at the restaurant? Our guide said the food was very dried out due to how it's cooked. I did wonder if a rare steak would be ok though.

Anyone done:

The waterbus between Puerto Calero and Puerto Del Carmen
La Graciosa
Playa Blanca Market (Wed/Sat)
Arrecife Market (Sat)
Castillo de San Jose (Arrecife)
Church of San Gines in Arrecife
Charco de San Gines (the harbour)
Hired one of those 4 seater bikes (Evolution bikes and Fliston's bikes do them)

OP posts:

Foosyerdoos · 13/04/2013 18:38

You can get the ferry from Playa Blanca to Fuerteventura.

Foosyerdoos · 13/04/2013 18:41

I remember it being quite windy so towels blew off sun beds ( and dh's undercrackers off the balcony) take pegs!

RedNats5 · 13/04/2013 18:45

Timanfaya coach tour definitely worth doing

Ranching Texas is fun day for kids

Whereabouts are you staying? There is a new watermark in playa blanca it's not that big but perfect for small children.

El golfo for lunch is must. As is papagayo beaches. Famara is also good to watch the surfers but not that safe for swimming.

Boat trips to fuerteventura are ok too

Original poster

nappyaddict · 13/04/2013 18:46

Also apparently King's High Street in Arrecife is good for a spot of shopping.

We did some shopping at the Biosfera in Puerto del carmen - there's a nice toy shop, Zara and Okaidi plus another kids shop on the right hand side as you go down the hill. There's also a fab soft play area which is 4 euros for an hour and you can sit outside enjoying the sun. They don't sell food but you can buy food/drink from the Spar downstairs to eat up there. We walked down to the pueblo and harbour and had a drink there (there's a park outside for kids to play on) Then we walked along the sea front to La Ola which is a lovely bar/restaurant with the best sea views, sun loungers, a 4 poster bed and a small swimming pool. Their champagne sangria is delicious.

We also went to Costa Teguise which has another lovely seafront walk. There's a couple of decent shops - Vero Moda, Kidsland, Mini y Maxi, another children's shop on the same road as Vero Moda, a couple of surfy type shops round by the waterfront. For kids there is a bunjee trampoline (5 euros for 10 mins - cheaper than the one in Puerto Del Carmen), 2 parks by Playa Jablillo, some of that outdoor exercise equipment on the seafront walk just down from Playa Jablillo.

We went to Teguise market on an excursion as it was 4 euros each and for 3 of us the bus would have cost 14 euros return. The man that sold us the excursion told us not to bother with the submarine safari as the water is too cold to see anything decent and it's not a real submarine. He said it's one of the worst overpriced trips on the island but they have the best marketing.

OP posts:

Original poster

nappyaddict · 13/04/2013 18:50

Oh and remember to leave room in your suitcase to bring some Lanzarote goat's cheese back - it is delicious!

OP posts:

Original poster

nappyaddict · 13/04/2013 18:55

Also some 100% natural lanzarote aloe vera gel. It's about 10 euros for the completely natural one or you can pay 6.25 euros for one in Spar with a few added ingredients (think it's a bout 99%. The H&B one in the UK is 99.9% aloe vera and costs £6.99 so it's cheaper than that)

OP posts:

BlueSkySunnyDay · 17/04/2013 14:37

Sorry nappy took me a while to get back to this. Was a few years ago but as far as I can remember it was a set meal, I think some pork, spanish sausage & chicken with potatoes it was fine. For me the point of it wasnt the food really, it was being able to stand out in that landscape and then eat while watching the sun set over the parc.

My "must put in the suitcase" is Honey Rum.

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