Travel in Lanzarote Spain by
Ispas Marin
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
holiday destination.
Lanzarote is remarkably different, not only
compared to the other islands, but to everything
else in this world This extraordinary landscape
seems to be of another world, and it has been
said that God probably forgot Lanzarote on
the Seventh Day of the Creation, however just
like all other islands in the canaries, Lanzarote
is Volcanic in origin.
Due to the recent eruptions during the 18th
and 19th Centuries, several parts of Lanzarote
appear alien, similar to a moon or lunar landscape.
The good effect in the area was used for filming
of the movie 'Planet of the Apes'. The residents
of Lanzarote have made great strides to cultivate
this land, and today you will find large plantations
of fruits and vegetables. Most surprising
is perhaps the region of Geria, with vineyards
in between volcanic craters.
The dry climate and subsequent lack of erosion
means that the volcanic landscape has been
unchanged since the last eruptions. Amongst
the many stunning volcanic features of Lanzarote
is the longest volcanic tunnel in the world,
named the Atlantida Tunnel, which is over
7 km long and includes the La Cueva de los
Verdes and Jameos del Agua.
Surprisingly, Lanzarote has several beautiful
white sandy beaches, which have been unaffected
by the volcanic effects such as at Playa Blanca
and Papagayo. Visionary artist, Cesar Manrique
was instrumental in persuading the government
to ban billboards and high-rise buildings,
leaving the Lanzarote skyline natural as possible
(with the exception of the Grand Hotel in
Arrecife).
He also designed many of the buildings that
are dotted about the island. They are epitomised
by simple stonewalls that incorporate the
natural environment and create a sense of
harmony, co-existing with nature, rather than
clashing with one another. (With the exception
of the Grand Hotel, Arrecife).
The island's capital Arrecife, has a population
of only 3,000 and is located on the eastern
coast of the island. Apart from having the
finest museum of the Canaries, this little
town does not have much to offer, but its
abundant supply of accommodation makes it
a good base for exploring the rest of the
island.
Puerto Del Carmen, with not a spectacular
town, is the largest tourist resort on the
island. It is better described as a scuba
diver's destination with the offshore reef
offering some of the best diving in the area.
Costa Teguise is one of the nicest places
which have a 16th century castle, the Castillo
Santa Barbara, and some of the finest gastronomic
delights in the Islands, for which it is famous.
Anyone visiting Lanzarote would do well to
spend a few days in Costa Teguise.
The typical Canarian cuisine is a blend of
Guanche, Spanish, and Latin American food,
with bananas and 'gofio', a staple grain which
plays a leading role in many menus.
Pizzerias and cheap restaurants are plentiful
around Arrecife, and finding a quiet place
frequented by the locals is easy and worthwhile
The National Park of Timanfaya is know as
the Fire Mountains, continues to erupt and
the landscape is a barren expanse of solidified
lava with colours of red and black resembling
some strange lunar vista. Visitors here will
leave well impressed. The volcanic eruptions
produced in 1730 (which lasted six years)
and those in 1824 created new craters, they
entombed whole villages and buried the most
fertile terrain on the island.
Travel by Taxis Taxis in Lanzarote are a
useful way to travel around the towns and
visit nearby sights and attractions. The taxi
meters starts at a basic fare, but additional
charges are usually made for luggage, night
time driving and travel on public holidays
in Lanzarote.
Driving Tips Citizens of EU member countries
require a national driving licence to drive
cars in Lanzarote Citizens from non-EU member
countries need an International Driving Permit,
as well as their national driving licence.
You must be at least 18 years old to drive
a car in Spain and have a valid driving licence
and car insurance. It is compulsory for the
driver and all passengers to wear seat belts
and children under 14 years old are not allowed
to travel in front seats
In Spain, cars drive on the right-hand side
of the road and give way to traffic coming
from the right at junctions and roundabouts.
Beware of what appear to be shortcuts on maps
- these often turn out to be unpaved roads
or mountain passes. Spanish fuel stations
supply most internationally known brands of
unleaded petrol (gasolina sin plomo) and diesel
(gas oil) .In rural areas, there are normally
only a few service stations, so when travelling
long distances, be sure to leave with a full
tank of fuel. Autopistas (toll motorways)
have various toll charges calculated by the
kilometre and some roads that lead into cities
also have fixed toll charges. 75 miles per
hour / 120 km per hour is the national speed
limit on motorways (autopistas) and 62 miles
per hour / 100 km per hour is the maximum
limit on autovias with four or more lanes
or three-lane highways.
Unless indicated, other major routes are
56 miles per hour / 90 km per hour and slower
speed limits of 30 miles per hour / 50 km
per hour are enforced in urban areas. It is
an offence not to carry some form of identification,
such as passport or driving licence.
Travel by Car Hire/Rental Driving in the
centre of busy towns and popular resorts is
best avoided if possible, as many of the streets
and narrow, with one-way traffic. Cars parked
alongside the pavements can also making driving
conditions difficult. However, a car in Lanzarote
provides a useful way to travel around the
island and a current map of the island's roads
is useful. There are many winding roads around
the island that offer some truly spectacular
views.
About the Author
For information on car hire or car rentals
visit Every Car Hire at Car
Hire Lanzarote Spain.
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