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Lanzarote may well be a Spanish possession.  But the eastern most Canary Island is located just eighty miles off the coast of West Africa.  Boasting unique volcanic scenery that really is out of this world.

Lanzarote Background History

Lanzarote was first conquered by the Spanish crown back in the early 1400´s.
And rapidly emerged as a vital trading post for the growing empire – as Spanish galleons transported Inca silver and gold and African slaves across the Atlantic via the Canary Islands.  A lucrative trade that attracted the attentions of many famous privateers, such as Drake and Raleigh to name but a few.

During the 1730´s the island was subjected to a series of cataclysmic volcanic eruptions, lasting six years, which decimated much of the best agricultural land.  Burying around a quarter of Lanzarote´s surface area beneath a sea of lava.

Today, a little ironically, the Timanfaya Volcano Park is Lanzarote´s leading tourist attraction.  Featuring an eerie, raw landscape that is often likened to the surface of the moon.  Which draws in close to one million visitors every year.

Tourism on the island first took off in the 1970´s.  And today Lanzarote attracts around 1.5 million foreign visitors every year – the majority of them from the UK.  Drawn primarily by the islands clement year round climate and over 90 breathtaking beaches.

Hail Cesar – The Influence of Manrique

Despite this popularity Lanzarote remains surprisingly unspoiled though.  Especially in relation to some of the other major tourist destinations in Spain and the larger Canary Islands, such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Indeed, outside of the main resorts Lanzarote remains largely as nature intended.  A tranquil, rural island in the sun.  With the main resorts all well contained, and an absence of any high rise buildings or advertising hoardings.

This is all thanks to the influence of an island born artist called Cesar Manrique. Who fought to ensure that the evolution of tourism on the island was relatively restrained.

As an eminent and well known Spanish artist Manrique already had a good degree of influence on the island.  Which was further bolstered by a close friendship with the then leader of Lanzarote´s government – Pepin Ramirez.

Together the pair fought to ensure that Lanzarote would not become buried beneath a sea of hotels, water parks and golf courses.  Campaigning instead for an environmentally friendly approach that was really revolutionary in Franco´s Spain in the late 1960´s.
Their efforts were fully recognised in 1994 when Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO protected biosphere. The first island in the world to enjoy such status.

Getting to Lanzarote

Lanzarote is just four hours flying time from the UK and the island is serviced by a number of the leading low cost flight operators.  Flights to Lanzarote start from around £200 per week – depending of course on the time of year.

Places to Stay on Lanzarote

The best hotels in Lanzarote are located in the south of the island – in and around the newest resort of Playa Blanca.  The five star Gran Melia Volcan sets the benchmark – but there are plenty of good quality four star establishments too, such as the Rubicon Palace and The Princess Yaiza.

*Lanzarote Photos by James Mitchell

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