Lanzarote is the most north easterly island of the Canary Islands on a latitude of 29º North, with an area of 846km².  Though just 100 kilometres from the west coast of Africa, Lanzarote is no desert island.  The unusual landscape is largely a result of volcanic eruptions in the 1730s, and today Lanzarote's Fire Mountain in the Timanfaya National Park is an attraction that shows that the volcano is not quite dead!

Most of the buildings on the island, even modern ones, are white painted and low low-rise, an architecture largely dictated by César Manrique when he was given the task of shaping Lanzarote's future as a tourist island in the 1960s and 1970s.  Even the natural caverns at Jameos del Agua have been turned by Manrique into one of the island's most intriguing sights.  ..things to do, places to see.

Weather

The island enjoys an average of over 8 hours sunshine every day with average maximum air temperatures of over 24ºC all year round.  The sea temperature varies from around 17-18ºC in the winter to 23-24ºC in the summer.  Most of Lanzarote's resorts are on the south facing coast, sheltered from the predominant north easterly and north westerly trade winds.  Even so, the mild breezes experienced by most of the island can be quite welcome in Lanzarote's 29ºC mid summer temperatures.  The coolest months are December and January.  Although there is little overall rain, there can be short but heavy downpours in winter along with winter clouds.  The temperature rises from January onwards, peaking in August and September.  The sky is mostly cloud free from May to September.

Monthly Averages from January 1996 to December 2007
Data from www.weatheronline.co.uk

Current weather, forecasts and statistics

From EasyTide: Tide Tables - Next 7 Days
From EasyTide

Satellite pictures from Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia:

Facts and Figures

The time zone is West European Time (WET) during the winter, which is the same as GMT and West European Summer Time (WEST) during the summer, which is GMT+1.  The switch between summer and winter times is made at the same time as the the rest of Europe, in March and October, thus the time in Lanzarote is the same as the UK, Ireland and Portugal.

Lanzarote, along with the other Canary Islands, is Spanish territory - part of Spain.  Although part of the European Union, the islands have some different rules with regard to taxes and duty.  Lanzarote is "Duty Free", so goods bought on the island are treated as duty free purchases when brought into the UK, unlike goods bought in mainland Spain or other parts of Europe.  The Canary Islands are divided into two Spanish Provinces.  Lanzarote is in the Province of Las Palmas (de Gran Canaria), which is made up of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.  The other Province is Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which includes the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro.

You need a UK or other European passport to enter Lanzarote.

The UK Consulate is located on Gran Canaria at Las Palmas, but the consul visits Lanzarote four times a year.  You can, however, telephone on 928 26 2508 from inside Lanzarote.  (+34 928 26 2508 from outside Spain).  Office hours are 8.00am to 1.30pm.
email: laspalmasconsulate@ukinspain.com   The British Embassy has a website at: http://www.ukinspain.com/english in English or http://www.ukinspain.com in Spanish.

The Irish Consul is also located on Gran Canaria at Las Palmas.  Telephone: 928 491 212 from inside Lanzarote.  (+34 928 491 212 from outside Spain).
email: consuladoirlanda@step.es

The Spanish currency is the Euro.  Banking hours are normally 8.30 am to 2.00 pm, Monday to Friday.  There is some Saturday morning opening.

Spanish shops tend to open in the morning and early afternoon, and then close until late afternoon, opening until late evening.   This is true of most shops in Arrecife, Lanzarote's capital.  However, many shops catering for tourists stay open during the afternoon.

Electricity is 220 volts 50 Hz AC, using conventional European 2 pin plugs and sockets (large and small pin size).  GSM mobile phones operate on the island, on the 900/1800 network, the same as the UK.

The emergency telephone number is 112.

The national language is Spanish, with a dialect similar to that of South America.

Driving: Drive on the right and take care.  Lanzarote is well know for a high rate of accidents, although there have been many major road improvements in recent years, most of which are designed to reduce the number of accidents.  If you have not hired a car from the airport, there are car rental offices in Matagorda shopping centre, as well as at various places in Puerto del Carmen.

Seatbelts are compulsory for all.  The speed limit in towns is normally 60 kmph and 90 kmph on the major roads.  The use of mobile phones when driving is forbidden, even when using a "hands free" earpeice.  Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly illegal.  Drivers should carry their driving licence and rental documents.

Taxis are fairly cheap and are strictly controlled. A taxi available for hire shows a green light on the roof, and you can flag them down or use a rank.