An evening out?

There are plenty of things to do on an evening:  Perhaps stay at home, and dine alfresco as the sun goes down over Matagorda; perhaps dance the night away in the bars and clubs in and around Centro Atlantico in the centre of Puerto del Carmen.  The central area of Puerto del Carmen also has a casino.  Here is a suggestion that combines a little drink, food, a little walking and a couple of inexpensive taxi rides.

Take a stroll from Villa Rosa to Matagorda's shopping centre and have a pre-dinner drink in one of Matagorda's bars or restaurants as, depending on the time of year, the sun goes down.  (The sun sets at about 6:00 pm in the winter and 10:00 pm in the summer.)

Continue your stroll along the boulevard towards Puerto del Carmen, perhaps taking in another aperitif as you reach Los Pocillos.  Moving on, continue until the pedestrian area turns to road, cross the main road at the Los Pocillos roundabout turning left to pick up a taxi.  There is a taxi rank just along from the roundabout, or you can flag one down.  Take a taxi to the old town.

You can get dropped off anywhere in the old town area.  Maybe choose the new Biosfera Plaza at post office roundabout, or go down to the harbour.  Either way, pick a restaurant that takes your fancy.

When you have had your fill, wander back to Puerto del Carmen's main beach road, Avenida de las Playas, and make your way along the coast in the direction of Matagorda.  Call into one or two bars.  When your feet have had enough, perhaps in the general area of the casino, settle down for a couple more before flagging down a taxi to take you home.  Depending on the time, you could catch "last orders" in Matagorda shopping centre before retiring!

The 7 "official" attractions of Lanzarote

Lanzarote's Tourist Board promotes seven centres of art, culture and tourism.  If you have not already come across César Manrique, you will know all about him when you have visited any one of these attractions!

Casa Museo y Monumento al Campesino - House and Monument to the Farm Labourer

These buildings and monument are located north of San Bartolome just outside the village of Mozaga.  They were created as a tribute to the Lanzarote farmers who over the centuries evolved their own system of irrigation thereby overcoming adverse climatic conditions.  There is a restaurant, styled after a typical farm house, boutiques that sell traditional local artistic products, and Manrique's sculpture dedicated to the forgotten endeavours of the hard working farmers.

Montanas del Fuego - Fire Mountains, Timanfaya National Park

This area resulted from six years of intermittent volcanic eruptions from 1730-1736.  You can visit the Timanfaya National Park by car or by excursion coach.  There is an admission fee to the park, which includes a guided coach tour of scenery unchanged since the eruptions through of the area.  The multilingual tour allows visitors a clear picture of the staggering natural catastrophe that took place.  You can visit a restaurant where food is cooked on the heat of the volcano below, and the guides will demonstrate the heat in other ways.  If you wish, you can take a camel ride round the rim of an extinct cone.

Mirador Del Rio

Situated at the very north of the island, this Manrique viewpoint overlooks the little Isla La Graciosa and three tiny islets out to sea.  This old artillery post also has spectacular views of the multi-coloured salt ponds directly below on the seashore.  The uninterrupted views can be enjoyed from an indoor snack bar or an outdoor observation terrace.

Cueva de los Verdes - The Greens' Cave

The volcanic eruptions of Monte Corona, some 5,000 years ago, created a black landscape at the north of the island, similar to Timanfaya in the south.  The eruptions formed one of the longest volcanic tunnels in the world.  The Greens' Cave, named after owners called Green, forms a representative section of the 7.5 kilometre tunnel.  An hourly guided tour leaves on the hour.

Jameos del Agua

César Manrique turned this volcanic feature into one of the island's most interesting sights.  Originally formed when a stream of molten lava met the nearby waters of the Atlantic, the cavern contains an underground lake with albino crabs that are unique in the sea world at this depth.  There is an outdoor pool area with lush sub-tropical vegetation and a concert hall located amid an underground volcanic cavern.  Volcanic history is depicted in the upper level.  Breathtaking by day, folklore entertainment with buffet dinner takes place three nights a week.

Jardin de Cactus - The Cactus Garden

The Cactus fields around Mala Guatiza on the north east coast, were the centre of Lanzarote's cochineal industry with several hundred acres planted with the prickly pear or tunera cactus from which the cochineal beetle was collected for its dye.  Manrique's Jardin de Cactus is home to over 10,000 cacti and succulents of 1,450 different species growing in beds at ground level and in several levels of terracing.

Castillo de San José - International Contemporary Art Museum

Built as a fortress in 1799 to protect the harbour from pirates, the interior of this castle, located between Arrecife and Costa Teguise, was converted in 1974 to house an important exhibition of modern art in the upper halls and stairs.  The lower level has César Manrique's contribution, a glass walled restaurant and bar.

The César Manrique Foundation

The César Manrique Foundation is situated in the house that the artist occupied, located at Taro de Tahiche.  Built in 1968 over a lava river from the eruption that took place on the island in the period 1730-36, it takes advantage, at its lowest level, of the natural formation of five volcanic bubbles, to create an impressive living space, an example of architectural integration with the environment.  However, the upper area and the outside of the house are inspired by traditional Lanzarote Architecture.

Today, the building is used basically as a museum. The reforms, almost all of which were carried out by Manrique himself, were intended to convert the building into a museum open to the public. The basic structure of the original building remains unchanged.  The outside garden, including a pond and a mural, was completed between late 1991 and early 1992.  The museum houses the Foundation's contemporary art collection which belonged to its founder.  It is a small sample of contemporary art from the Canary Islands and includes three halls dedicated to Manrique.

Puerto Calero

Puerto Calero, just down the coast from Puerto del Carmen, is one of Europe's most beautiful marinas.  Even if you are not of the boating fraternity, you can enjoy a peaceful environment while dining in one of several restaurants which offer a wide range of international and local cuisine and watching luxury motor cruisers and fabulous sailing boats make their way across the harbour.  You can take a trip on a yellow submarine to see the underwater world, take a cruise to go deep sea fishing, or cruise the golden beaches of Papagayo on a catamaran.  If you fancy a taste of real sailing on a luxury 50ft skippered yacht then check out Yachtaholic.

Puerto del Carmen

Once a sleepy fishing village, Puerto del Carmen is now the liveliest and most popular resort on the island.  One kilometre from Matagorda, at Los Pocillos, the Avenida de las Playas loses its pedetrianised status and becomes the resort's main road at its north eastern end.  As well as having a large selection of shops, bars and restaurants, Puerto del Carmen is also a centre for some of the popular water sports and sea excursions.  From the harbour in the old town you can take an underwater excursion and enjoy a fascinating close-up view of varied marine life and natural treasures of the undesea world, or take a cruise on a catamaran (1) (2).  The harbour is also the home to some big game fishing boats.

Aqua Park - Costa Teguise

Costa Tequise, north east of Arrecife, boasts the island's only Aqua Park on Avenida Teguise.  There are gentle options for the younger children as well as white-knuckle rides.  There is also a bouncy castle, children's slides, boats, shops and restaurants.

Sports and Leisure

Lanzarote is a popular watersport destination, and with numerous training organisations on the island, it is ideal for experienced and beginners alike.  Lanzarote's trade winds make parts of the island excellent for windsurfing.  Locally, Matagorda has favourable conditions, while spots around Costa Teguise are probably the best known.  The sea around Jameos del Aqua and Famara on the north west coast provides some tough surfing.  The experts advise that October-April is the best serious surfing season and that a short-sleeve fullsuit and booties is the appropriate amount of rubber and protection for the average winter surf session.

Lanzarote offers some of the best diving in the world.  Highlights include close encounters with various varieties of fish, wreck and cave exploration, and views of marine life rich reefs.  There are plenty of diving schools on the island, including many in Puerto del Carmen and one in Matagorda.

Lanzarote has facilities for on shore and off shore fishing.  Expeditions are available from Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero.

Puerto del Carmen also has facilities for parasailing and jet skiing, as well as non water based sports such as tennis and squash.

Moving away from the water, there is an 18 hole golf course in Costa Tequise, to the north east of Arrecife.  The course, built in 1978, has leafy palm trees, cacti and volcanic lava.  Equipment can be hired.  There is a driving range in Puerto del Carmen and a second golf course is currently under construction between Puerto del Carmen and Tias.

If you are a budding racing driver, Lanzarote has two go-kart tracks, the Gran Karting Club being quite near to Villa Rosa.

For serious sporting, the Club La Santa sports complex on the north coast, is open to the public.

If you feel energetic, hire a bike from one of the numerous bike hire shops. (1) (2)

For an interesting day or evening out you might visit the Rancho Texas theme park on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen.  Rancho Texas also has horse riding facilities.