What a sight! A sea of black lava, mountains with crumbling peaks, ragged magma boulders and sandy plains as far as the eye can see. We are in the Timanfaya National Park and are about to discover the fiery mountains of Lanzarote.
The National Park was established in 1974 and covers an area of 51m². Here is were the biggest national disaster of the island took place. For six years, volcanos erupted and covered almost a quarter of the island with lava. Today, all of this has long been congealed and it is perfectly safe to explore this environment.
We decided to take a hire car to get here, but there are also buses and guided tours as an option to discover this area.
Go to the Park as early as possible. Only a limited amount of vehicles is allowed in the Park at any given time so that long queues form at around midday.
It’s a 3km drive from the entrance to the visitor centre. The admission fee includes access to all shows and a guided bus tour. Private cars are only allowed up to the visitor car park and cannot be used to make the tour through the National Park!
We started with the shows at the visitor centre. Quite impressive was the set up of an artificial geyser. Water was poured down a pipe that led deep inside the rocks to the hotter layers. About three seconds later a giant water fountain shot up in the air.
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The restaurant’s barbeque runs on geothermal energy. The hot air is enough to cook potatoes and meat. Holding a hand over the hole in the ground makes it easier to understand the unimaginable heat down below.
Next, we boarded one of the park’s buses. The tour included a pre-recorded audio guide in multiple languages. It gives information on the development and preservation of this unique landscape. You might have to wait a little while for the next bus, but you should absolutely not miss this tour. The tour takes about 45 minutes and covers a 14km long route through the park. Little photo stops (where you cannot leave the bus!) offer enough time to get some great shots.
A great tour through the firey mountains of Lanzarote.
Opening Hours:
09.00 – 17.45 (last bus for the volcano tour 17.00)
1st of July to 20th of September: 09.00 – 18.45 (last bus for the volcano tour 18.00)
Admission:
Adults: 10€
Children (7 – 12 years): 5,50€
Susanne Jungbluth
They tasted a bit smoky.But we liked it.
Mei and Kerstin
We wanted to visit Lanzarote last July, but ended up going to another Spanish island. But Lanzarote is still on our bucket list. It’s good to know that the National Park is opened between July and September, so that we won’t try going there when visiting Lanzarote during another period of the year! By the way, how did the meat and potatoes taste?
Shivani Sharma
Wow, I had no idea about this tragedy which is now a national park. The current day landscape looks incredible & kudos for them to set up an artificial geyser.
Inge
Wow! Such a surreal place!
I would love to visit Lanzarote one day! You captured it perfectly!
Janiel Green
I don’t know why but this reminds me of Pompeii……I clicked on it because I have heard of Lanzarote as a beach like a town with incredible beaches. I can’t believe that the photos I have seen before of this place are nothing like what I see here. I know as a kid I explored the lava cave tubes in Arizona, and really enjoyed it, but just remember how hot it was. Was it really warm in there?
Carmen Edelson
My family is from Tenerife, I haven’t been to Lanzarote as of yet. I definitely want to go visit the island. It’s like being on another planet.
Mohana and Aninda
The landscape is so dramatic and I love your description– volcanic ash, magma, looming mountains– of it. I hadn’t heard of this national park in Spain but it sounds like an interesting place and I’d like to visit someday.
Jenn and Ed Coleman
This totally looks like someplace out of Lord of the Rings. I want one of the geothermal BBQ’s. It’s pretty dang hot in Florida and it’s just now starting to cool down, so maybe I don’t want a geothermal BBQ at MY house. Maybe down by the pool so I could could a steak and some potatoes while I swam. Yeah. That’s the ticket.
Susanne Jungbluth
Your right. It is not allowed to walk around in the national park.
We had been in Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fueteventura.
Lara Dunning
Lava creates such interesting landscapes. I spent some time in Oregon hiking the trails and had such a great time. It is something you don’t want to fall on tho! Interesting that you can only experience the park by guided tour and that they create an artificial geyser.
Punita Malhotra
Volcanic ash and magma! Wow. So you went around in a bus. Looks like they don’t allow people to walk around. Which other parts of Canary Islands did you visit?
Candy
This place looks so interesting. I would love to go on a tour here. I was especially fascinated by the restaurant’s geothermal energy! Will definitely remember to book early to beat the long lines.
Susanne Jungbluth
It is not allowed to hike in the area, sorry. But there are some camels for a ride at another place.
The potatos taste very smoked and the beef was brilliant!
Heather
I actually go to the Canary Islands every summer (this was the first year in 10 years I haven’t been actually) and one year I went to Lanzarote. It was so different from the other islands and I enjoyed the lava rock, the green lagoon and the restaurant’s bbq that runs on geothermal energy!
Ray
That’s interesting! I have been only in Tenerife, but next time when on Canary Islands, Lanzarote is on my list! Have heard many good stories!
The hiking around the park is not allowed too? Only bus tours?
How did the lava grilled food tasted? Any special flavor? :)