The easternmost of Spain’s Canary Islands, off the south coast of Morocco, Lanzarote is defined by its natural drama. Eerily beautiful volcanic peaks, wind-lashed cliffs and vineyards of ashen soil give way to a rocky, lavashaped coastline sprinkled with natural pools and deep-gold beaches. The island is protected by UNESCO as both a Biosphere Reserve and a Geopark, and it’s in the wild north that all this natural beauty shines brightest.
It’s impossible to fully grasp modern Lanzarote’s identity without understanding the huge influence of celebrated 20th-century local artist and environmental campaigner César Manrique, who played a major role in keeping the island’s development sensitive. The handful of tourism-driven beach resorts that many associate with Lanzarote make up just a small part of the island — mostly in the south. In recent years, northern Lanzarote’s rich arts heritage, adventure opportunities and lively watersports activities have started to pull in growing numbers of travellers. The local food scene is flourishing, too, while creative designers and artists are restoring heritage buildings as boutique hotels.
DAY ONE VILLAGES, ART & VINEYARDS
Morning
Begin at the Fundación César Manrique, on the edge of the town of Tahíche.
