Sites & Bites: Salt flats and Malvasia wine in Lanzarote

Timanfaya Volcanic Tour

This half-day tour is Lanzarote in a nutshell. You'll call in at El Golfo lagoon, journey through Timanfaya National Park and visit the Salinas de Janubio. We'll even throw in a wine tasting session to round off the tour.First up, you'll visit the waters of El Golfo - it's emerald waters have starred in many a Hollywood film over the years. But that's just an appetiser for the main event – the visit to Timanfaya National Park. Famed for its moonlike landscape is dotted with lava fields and black rocks, you'll see the ‘Fire Mountain', to name but a few.We'll continue the tour with a stop in La Geria for a sip of some local wine before we reach Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt flats in the Canaries. Snap a few selfies with the miles of cotton-white salt mounds as your guide fills you in on the history of this all-important island resource. You'll even get a chance to try some, too.

Tour of Teguise and LagOmar with a local guide

Two very different Lanzarote experiences share equal billing in this half-day excursion. You'll get to spend time mixing with locals in Teguise's Sunday market – the biggest outdoor bazaar in the Canaries – and lapping up the Hollywood stardust of the mythical LagOmar.

Lanzarote volcano tour with BBQ

Lanzarote's volcanic scenery comes into its own at Timanfaya National Park. This corner of the island is all peaks and craters straight from a sci-fi movie set. And it's all even more dramatic at sunset. So on this evening trip, you're in for a treat.

Lanzarote tour with Timanfaya National Park and El Golfo

This grand tour of Lanzarote leaves no stone unturned. ‘You'll unearth the secrets of this volcanic island through the eyes of someone who has made it their home,' says Daria, one of our expert guides. Discover the island's spectacular green north and the volcanic south, visiting Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua caves and a winery.

Northern Lanzarote tour with Green Caves and Jameos del Agua

Captivating scenery and natural works of art can be found in the northern corner of Lanzarote thanks to its extraordinary geology. During this tour, you'll visit the Green Caves, Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio, Haria, Mala and more. A hard-to-beat selection of must-sees.

Northern Lanzarote Tour with Jameos del Agua and Teguise

Mother Nature's imprint isn't the only one that looms large in Lanzarote. This half-day tour takes a close look at one of the island's most famous sons. You'll visit his Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Rio viewpoint. And you'll also discover the oldest town in the Canaries, Teguise. Cristina, one of our expert guides, says, ‘Local artist Cesar Manrique was to Lanzarote what Gaudi was to Barcelona. His architectural vision and activism left us a unique style in harmony with our volcanic landscapes and also helped preserve the island – he was opposed to high-rise hotels, so very few were built.'The discovery begins at the Manrique-designed complex built around the Jameos del Agua volcanic caves. He converted them into a nightclub in the 60s. The stage is still in use, but the stars nowadays are the rare white crabs in a saltwater pond. Next, we'll cut through dramatic volcanic landscapes to the Mirador del Rio – another Manrique masterpiece. At almost 500 metres above sea level, it offers unbeatable views over the island of La Graciosa and its volcanoes.After calling in at an Aloe Vera producer to learn the secrets of this versatile plant, you'll pass through a string of pretty villages en route to Teguise. As the former capital of the island, this history-steeped village boasts a number of eye-catching palaces, convents, chapels and churches – all within walking distance of each other. Enjoy free time to wander around and take snaps in the town's atmospheric centre.

Cesar Manrique’s Lanzarote tour with Cactus Garden and LagOmar

With its vine-laden lava fields, exuberant architecture and otherworldly landscapes, Lanzarote looks and feels like something from a sci-fi movie set. This exclusive half-day tour takes in the Cesar Manrique Foundation and his Cactus Garden, followed by a visit to LagOmar. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Manrique convinced his fellow islanders to invest in tourism without overdevelopment, making sure any human impact is in harmony with our volcanic landscapes.'Manrique was admired by many in his lifetime, and his influence on Lanzarote's culture lives on. He was a versatile artist producing paintings, sculptures and architectural works, bringing sustainability to the forefront of his creations, long before it became a buzzword. You'll first tour his Jardín de Cactus, where 1,100 species of sculptural succulents are grown. You can see instantly how Manrique's skill and vision enhanced the barren landscape. Similarly, the Fundacion Cesar Manrique demonstrates that harmony between the built environment and nature can succeed. A visit to the artist's home-studio, built into a lava field, is ample proof. Your final stop of the tour will be at LagOmar, a stunning spot that seamlessly combines nature and art. This unique place is set in a volcanic quarry and includes features like a cave-bar, restaurant, and a museum. Local legend has it that Hollywood icon Omar Sharif briefly owned it, only to lose it in a game of cards.

Camel Ride and Minivan Tour at Timanfaya National Park

Sci-fi scenery and camels – this morning in Timanfaya National Park is no ordinary tour. On this fun-filled adventure, you'll explore Lanzarote's top attraction by both traditional and modern means. Star turns include the historic ‘Raven's Volcano', a visitors' centre, the hamlet of La Degollada and, of course, a camel ride. Marian, one of our local guides, says, ‘You get to enter a volcano crater – it's a truly spine-tingling experience – while the camel ride gives you time to absorb the lunar landscape.'First up is the Volcan del Cuervo, or ‘Raven's Volcano'. Located on the edge of Timanfaya National Park, it breaches from a landscape of jet-black soot. It was here that the volcanic eruptions that created Timanfaya began in 1730. Towering walls surround the crater but for a gap seared open by a river of lava, which allows you into the base. Next, we'll zip over to the Mancha Blanca Visitors' and Interpretative Centre. Have a poke around its multimedia displays and get the lowdown on the geology of the Canaries.Then it's time for the more light-hearted part of the tour – the camel ride. You'll be helped on to wooden seats harnessed to the single-humped camel as a handler guides you around. It's a laugh a minute as you scale the wild and wonderful volcanic lands. There's also a small museum dedicated to the Canarian camel, affectionately known as ‘tochas'. The tour ends at the hamlet of La Degollada, where you can take in panoramic views over the Femes valley.

Timanfaya Fire Mountains and Camel Ride Tour

Blistered and beautiful, Timanfaya National Park is the jewel in Lanzarote's crown. This spectacular destination is home to the Fire Mountains, a treasure trove of biodiversity and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Monica, one of our expert local guides says, ‘The Fire Mountains are so special because, first and foremost, they are home to an astounding variety of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Our aim is to ensure the conservation of its ecosystems while promoting sustainable use of natural resources.'Begin your adventure with a scenic drive through these jaw-dropping landscapes. Gaze at the lava fields, craters, volcanic cones, and geothermal displays that make this park truly out of this world. Capture unforgettable photos as you learn about the park's fascinating volcanic history from your guide. Next, visit El Diablo Restaurant where cooking takes a twist - meals are prepared using volcanic heat - no electricity or gas needed.Finally, saddle up for a relaxing camel ride amid the dramatic scenery of Timanfaya. Absorb the panoramic views and soak in the tranquillity of this extraordinary landscape. It's a very special National Park, and this is an experience that will get you right into the raw natural beauty and power of Lanzarote's Fire Mountains.

Guided wine-tasting tour of three Lanzarote vineyards

Lanzarote's mineral-rich volcanic soils are the key to its excellent wines. This morning tour takes you to three wineries to sample some of their award-winning organic wines. Plus, you'll also visit the Monumento del Campesino to see the famous farmer's monument. Teresa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Our island's wines are the fruit of our ingenuity in harnessing the destruction wrought by Mother Nature into an art – a common thread that weaves together islander and landscape.'After pick-up, you'll head straight for the Monumento del Campesino, designed by legendary Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique. Built in his trademark style that fused whitewashed structures with volcanic bubbles and exotic plants, it's a joy to explore. Then, it's off to the family-owned Bodega La Geria. Here, vines are shielded from the winds by horseshoe-shaped stone walls, while the humidity retained by the ash helps them grow in this harsh climate. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and taste some of its prized Malvasia wines.Next, just a few volcanoes up the road, is Bodegas El Grifo – the oldest winery in the Canaries. Housed in a colonial-style hacienda surrounded by cacti, it's been producing wines since 1775. Owned by the Garcia Duran family, its wines are regular prize winners. Rounding off the tour is Bodega Suarez, a charming winery that offers visitors an authentic taste of the island's unique wine culture. Here, you'll indulge in the perfect pairing of cheese with two wines.