After Tenerife, a beautiful discovery of Lanzarote (page 2 of 4)

Thanks Fanny for this feedback on Lanzarote, our favorite island of the 4 we visited in the Canaries 🙂. The photos are stunning and really capture those magnificent volcanic landscapes 😎.

Thanks Isabelle! Lanzarote is truly a very pleasant island—I also prefer it for its small villages, its size, its more intimate feel, and its volcanic landscapes! But I also really love Tenerife for its more varied landscapes and its more spectacular hikes, though much less for its tourist development with those big hotel blocks.... What are the other 2 islands you visited, and how did you feel about them?

Yes, Tenerife is next on our favorites list: Mount Teide is stunning. The sight of it in the distance when arriving from the north and the arid landscapes on the way down to the south are amazing. We really love volcanic landscapes, which is why we prefer these two islands.

The first one we discovered was Gran Canaria, which we liked, but it’s very touristy and heavily built-up in the south. After that, we visited the other islands... and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Fuerteventura is the third island we went to—it’s very pretty too. Quite a bit of tourism in some areas, more desert-like, and ideal for a beach holiday.

We really love volcanic landscapes, which is why we prefer these two islands.

😎 same here!

The first one we discovered was Gran Canaria, which we liked but is very touristy and built-up in the south. Then we visited the other islands... and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Fuerteventura is the third island we went to—it’s really pretty too. Quite a bit of tourism in places, more desert-like, and ideal for a beach holiday.

Thanks 😉

Hello,

The first one we discovered was Gran Canaria, which we liked but is very touristy and heavily built-up in the south. Then we visited the other islands... and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Oops, I’m going there in 5 weeks. Hope I’ll have a different opinion when I get back ;)

Hi Jean Philippe, As I told Fanny, we loved Gran Canaria because it was our first Canary Island 😎. Everyone has their own references and expectations, though 😉. The very built-up areas are mostly in the south—places like Puerto Rico are really ugly. The greenhouse farms also spoil the landscape, but the rest of the island is really pretty. The inland areas and the rugged west coast offer beautiful scenery. Like anywhere else, you’ve got to seek out the nice spots 😛. Enjoy your trip and let us know how you feel about it 😉.

Thanks for your encouragement, Isabelle! 🙂

Hi Jean-Philippe

Darn, I'm going in 5 weeks. Hope to have a different opinion when I get back 😉

Have a great trip then 😎 looking forward to seeing your photos when you're back😉

Of course Fanny! 😉

Hi there, Having been to Lanzarote 3 years ago, I can confirm that hiking up to Caldeira Blanca is amazing, and it’s not as difficult as it seems. The hardest part is finding where to start, otherwise the approach walk is very long. Otherwise, we also loved the cactus garden!

Good evening Anne-France, and thank you. Yes, if we go back, it’ll definitely be on the agenda ;)

Hi Fanny, Just wanted to add my two cents to your trip to Lanzarote... A "finca" is a farm in Spanish (a term that contemporary architects have adopted to sell these types of homes at a premium), and those semi-circular stone walls can be found in several areas around the Mediterranean: Lanzarote, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Algeria, Southern Italy, and... in some parts of southern France like Provence, Hérault, and I think in Burgundy too. They’re not very well-known because they’ve been overlooked by Europe’s consumerist industrial population, but the return to "old-school values" (and the business that follows the trend) is bringing back what had survived thanks to some determined, courageous folks. It’s an ancient technique that also exists in some parts of France and even in Ireland, Scotland, and Cornwall. I’ve seen them myself. The shapes might differ slightly, but the construction and technique are very precise (solar protection and/or solar energy capture, water retention and filtration, drainage in case of excess water that could harm crops, habitats for small animals and bacteria essential for sustaining life...). I’m planning to see all of this in Lanzarote and the Canary Islands soon. Other trips in the works too! 🌍 Safe travels with your son—it’s the best school for life and sharing... I’m in the same boat with my kids... it’s absolutely amazing and brings daily happiness! 🌍😊🌳🦜🌿🍓

Hi Mariann, and thanks for all these details.

Safe travels with your son—the best school of life and sharing... I’m in the same mov’ with my kids... it’s amazingly great and daily happiness

yeah, you’re totally right😎

Hi Fanny,

Thanks for these gorgeous photos! I’ve been to Lanzarote once before, but unfortunately it was a big family group trip and we didn’t get to see much 😕 Now you’ve really confirmed the impression I had—this island is definitely worth exploring! So many ideas for a little week-long getaway in the heart of winter ;-) Have a lovely evening

Vinciane

PS: Hi Jean-Philippe, Arnaud, and the others 😉

Thanks Fanny for this great travel journal! 🙂

Another destination to add to my wishlist. I really love arid landscapes with beautiful colors.

Plus, as you mentioned, it’s a great spot for a week-long stay.

Carmen

I’m traveling with my grandkids during All Saints' Day, so I’m really interested in this post. What do you recommend for a place to stay in Lanzarote, considering we’re also looking for a good swimming spot for the kids (ages 5 and 8)? Which village offers both practical access to explore the whole island *and* the charm of a pretty village, plus the sea nearby for the kids?

Hi Vinciane,

Thanks for these beautiful photos! I went to Lanzarote once, but unfortunately, it was a big family group trip, and we didn’t see much 😕 Now, you’re really confirming the impression I had—this island really deserves to be explored! Loads of ideas for a little week-long trip in the heart of winter

Yes, it really does deserve to be explored 😎. Happy if this post can inspire you and help you pick up a few ideas😉 Have a good evening, Fanny

Hi Carmen,

Thanks Fanny for this lovely travel journal.🙂

You're welcome😉

Another destination to add to my wishlist. I really love arid landscapes with beautiful colors.

Plus, as you mention, it's a great destination for a week-long stay.

Exactly! I can only recommend it😎Have a great evening! Fanny

Good evening Marie-Flore! The island is very easy to get around, so you can stay anywhere on it for your visits—it won’t be a problem! We stayed in Playa Blanca, at the Royal Monica. It was our first time trying this kind of all-inclusive setup! The best part: everything included (all drinks and meals unlimited)... nothing to do all week, no meals to prepare, no grocery shopping... we just made sandwiches for lunch from the morning buffet since we were out all day! The hotel was nice, the buffet was good, the pool was pleasant with a sea view (I swam every day in the late afternoon all by myself in that big pool—felt a bit VIP😉) and there were lots of little private spots with 3-4 chairs and a palapa by the sea 😎... The downside: the club/animation vibe, which we avoided... It scared us the first day because we hate the "Holiday Camp Paradise" atmosphere. Luckily, we quickly realized we could find peace and quiet by adjusting our schedule😉. We even ended up enjoying it because while most vacationers were at the pre-dinner games, the buffet was super calm and pleasant—much quieter than in hotels without animation😉!





Happy planning! Fanny

Thanks for the info, but I think I’ll struggle with all-inclusive...

I'm traveling with young grandchildren during All Saints' Day, so I'm really interested in this post. What do you recommend as a place to stay in Lanzarote, considering we're also looking for a swimming spot for the kids (ages 5 and 8)? Which village offers both practical access to explore the whole island and the charm of a pretty village, plus the sea nearby for the kids?

Hi Marie-Flore, Our trip to Lanzarote was back in June 2014, so I had to check my notes to remember where we stayed 😉. As Fanny mentioned, Lanzarote is a small island, so no matter where you stay, you can easily get around everywhere. Most of the hotels are in Playa Blanca, in the south of the island. We didn’t break the mold and stayed at the Iberostar Papagayo on half-board. Half-board is a good alternative to all-inclusive, but sometimes the price difference is so small that, like Fanny, we give in to temptation . That said, it’s not a small village—it’s very touristy.

As for swimming, I’m not the best reference since even at the end of June, I didn’t go in the water—the Atlantic is always too cold for me . However, there are some beautiful beaches in the south of the island where the kids can enjoy themselves because there are fewer waves than in the north.

I smiled when I read your message because when we were there, my husband and I said we’d come back with our grandchildren 😎. But we’re still waiting for ours 🙁. I hope you have a wonderful stay—it’s truly a beautiful island. Isabelle