One of our most spectacular visits on the island of Lanzarote brought us to the Cueva de los Verdes, the lava caves in Lanzarote’s north.
A vast volcanic landscape spreads out over the Malpaís de La Corona National Park in the Haría municipality. This is where the Cueva de los Verdes caves are.
How the caves were formed
These lava caves on Lanzarote were formed around 3,000 to 5,000 years ago during an eruption of the Monte Corona volcano. When Monte Corona spewed out lava, it flowed towards the sea. On the surface, the lava cooled quickly and formed a solid crust, while the liquid lava continued to flow under this crust. This created a lava tunnel, which is now known as Cueva de los Verdes.
The lava tunnel stretches over 6 kilometers, from the volcanic region to the coast. Part of the tunnel even runs underwater and is known as the Tunnel de la Atlántida – the longest known underwater lava tunnel in the world.
While Lanzarote was ravaged by pirate attacks, these caves were a refuge for several thousand people.
The cave got its name from the Verde families who lived in the area.
Visit to the cave
Today you can visit about 2 km of this lava cave on Lanzarote. The main passage of the cave is a huge lava tunnel, which is characterized by its incredible size. Overlapping galleries with vertical connections make it possible to discover ever new rooms.
The natural play of colors in the vaults is particularly beautiful, shimmering reddish due to oxidation phenomena on the basalt rock.
You are guided through narrow and often very low corridors for around 45 minutes. A short stop in the auditorium, where concerts are also held, and a truly amazing effect at the end (we won’t tell you!) round off the visit to the cave.
During our visit, the guided tours were only conducted in Spanish and English and, which bothered me a little, were very rushed! Our guide already began his explanation at many points, although most of the group had not yet arrived. The explanations and descriptions we received were very interesting and detailed. You are not allowed to visit the caves on your own!
Tip: The temperature in the cave is constant and pleasant (approx. 18-20°C), so no special clothing is required. Wear comfortable shoes, as some of the paths are uneven.
Exciting legends about the Cueva de los Verdes
The Cueva de los Verdes is not only an impressive volcanic formation, but also a place that is shrouded in fascinating stories and legends.
Refuge from pirates
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Lanzarote was frequently attacked by pirates who plundered the island and abducted its inhabitants. Legend has it that the Cueva de los Verdes was a safe haven for the inhabitants. Allegedly, entire families disappeared into the cave and were able to escape the pirates unnoticed. However, it is said that some pirates tried to enter the cave and got lost in the labyrinth of corridors – some are said to have never found their way out again.
The “gateway to hell”
The locals used to believe that the deepest and darkest areas of the cave were a gateway to the underworld or even hell. Sounds created by the wind or echoes in the cave intensified this fear. Some claimed to have heard voices or screams that they thought were calls from hell. These stories made the locals afraid to enter the cave for a long time.
The secret of the cave
One of the most famous legends of the Cueva de los Verdes revolves around a secret mystery entrusted to visitors to the cave. During the guided tours, visitors are promised a surprise that is only revealed once inside the cave. This “secret” is so fascinating that the guides ask guests not to reveal it in order to preserve the magic for future visitors. Of course, I won’t tell you exactly what the secret is.
Visitor information
Address:
LZ-204, 35542 Haría
Lanzarote
Arrival
By car
From Arrecife:
LZ-1 heading north (towards Orzola) until you reach the exit for Cueva de los Verdes. The cave is well signposted.
From Puerto del Carmen:
Take the LZ-2 towards Arrecife and change there to the LZ-1 heading north.
Follow the LZ-1 to the exit for Cueva de los Verdes.
By bus
There is only limited public transportation to Cueva de los Verdes. The nearest bus stop is in Punta Mujeres or Haría, but from there it is still a long walk to the cave.
Line 9 from Arrecife to Orzola as far as the Punta Mujeres stop
From there take a cab to the Cueva de los Verdes (approx. 5 minutes’ drive) or walk.
Parking
There is free parking for visitors with a valid admission ticket.
Opening hours
daily: 9.30-16.15 h
Entrance fees
Adults: 16 €
Children 7-12 years: 8 €
Tickets are only sold online for specific days and times.
Cynthia
These pictures are stunning, I imagine it’s even more so in person! Caves do make me slightly fearful, so I would prefer having the guide take me thru them rather than going on my onw.
Melody Pittman
I always enjoy visiting a good cave. Especially love the ones that are super cold inside. ;) This one is so huge!
Astrid Vinje
Wow, these lava caves look amazing! Our kids love visiting caves. I think this would be fun to visit if we’re ever in Lanzarote.
Candy
I’ve never heard of lava caves and now I want to go. The photos are amazing! I can imagine having a tour guide is important in navigating the cave.
Erica
Nice photos, I’ll defintely have to check this out the next time I’m in Lanzarote! I live in Gran Canaria and love that all of the Canary Islands are so different. We call Lanzarote the “Island of Fire” because of all it’s volcanic rock and cave systems created by lava. It’s such a unique destination!
Susanne Jungbluth
We liked it a lot. Since we normally travel outside of school, it was not so crowded. You could see everything well.
Yukti
The caves of Lanzarote are worth visiting as it erupted 5000 years ago. The different shades of red formed due to oxidising basaltic rock are looking very pretty.
Michael Hodgson
Volcanic tubes and caves are spectacular and your photos superb. I have heard of this area in the Canary Islands and also heard hordes of tourists visit via the busload to the volcanic tubes. How crowded was it when you visited? Did you hike around on the surface at all?
Susanne Jungbluth
less than 2km
Heather
I don’t think we visited the cuevas when we went to Lanzarote although I have gone inside some in Fuerteventura. The photos are really pretty What was the distance you covered in the caves in the 45 min tour?
FS Page
The lava caves of Lanzarote are amazing. I am surprised that the caves are big enough to have an auditorium. The 2 km long tunnel would be so exciting to visit! Thanks for the information. Would love to visit it some day.
Alison
These caves on Lanzarote look amazing. The colours are enough to make me hop a flight. I think I am glad to have to go with a guide! I wonder how many km of caves exist and if they have all been explored.