How To Plan The Perfect Lanzarote Road Trip

If you’re looking for a different way to experience the sun, sea and supreme natural wonders of the fourth largest Canary Island, this post will help you plan the ultimate Lanzarote road trip!

My honest opinion of Lanzarote is that it’s seriously underrated, if you do it right. The vast majority of visitors to Lanzarote will stay in resort complexes, and if you’re on a family holiday or relaxing couples’ break, you might just want to stay by the pool all day.

However, this Canary Island has so much more to offer beyond all-inclusive buffets and €1 pints of Stella. It really surprised us how much there is to do in Lanzarote outside the walls of a resort – especially if you hire a car and take a road trip like we did.

Because the island is so compact, you can easily explore Lanzarote by car with only a few days in the country. With five days at our disposal, we chose to base ourselves in Arrecife, road tripping around the island for three of the days and having two drive-free days of relaxation.

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Car rental in Lanzarote

We decided to rent a car in Lanzarote, so we could explore at our own pace and get into all the nooks and crannies of the island. There’s lots to see and do outside the main tourist hubs, and driving is the easiest and quickest way to get to many of the island’s best attractions. There’s no train service in Lanzarote, and although the public buses are cheap, it would take a lot longer to get around using those than driving the very short distances between points of interest!

The easiest place to pick up a rental car in Lanzarote is the airport, with the pickup spot just across the road from the terminal. For most rental companies there, you simply head to the booth in Arrivals, sort out your documents, then go and pick up your vehicle.

We used car hire comparison websites to find the best deal, with plenty of companies offering car rental in Lanzarote – including global and local operators. We used EconomyBookings to compare the best deals.

In the end, we went with TopCar, a Canary Islands rental company, for five days at a cost of £147 (approx. £29 per day). I can’t for the life of me remember the make and model, possibly a Renault Clio or similar – but it was in great condition and drove really well.

Driving in Lanzarote

Driving in Lanzarote is generally very easy, especially out on the main roads that link up the island’s cities, coasts and points of interest. The roads are generally in good condition.

There are two main highways to get from one end of Lanzarote to the other: LZ1 (Arrecife to Orzola), LZ2 (Arrecife to Playa Blanca). These are very quick and easy to drive, mostly wide roads with dual or single carriageway lanes.

Aside from these, there are smaller ‘green’ and ‘yellow’ roads. Generally, these are also well-kept, although some may be narrower and more winding so require a little more caution than the bigger freeways.

Driving in towns and villages can be a little more complicated, purely down to the fact that some of the roads can be pretty narrow, with an often slightly haphazard approach to parking. If you’re driving in Lanzarote’s more residential areas, take your time and don’t feel pressured by local drivers.

The average cost of petrol in Lanzarote at the time of writing is €1.54 per litre.

Rules and Regulations

Most of Lanzarote’s driving rules and regulations are similar to other countries in Europe. The main things to remember are:

• You’ll need a full valid driving license from your home country to drive in Lanzarote. Non-European visitors may also need an International Driving Permit.
• The driving age in Lanzarote is 18, however your rental company may have its own age restrictions for car hire.
• Lanzarote roads are right hand side traffic, which means roundabouts go counter-clockwise.
• Third-party insurance is compulsory, and will be included with your car rental.
• Speed limits are in kilometres per hour with a maximum of 50km/h in residential areas and 110km/h on main roads – all signposted with the red circle signs.
• The legal alcohol limit for driving in Lanzarote is 0.05% – even a glass of wine or a beer could take you over the limit.
• Seatbelts must be worn, and children under 12 aren’t allowed to sit in the front seat.
• It’s illegal to drive in flip-flops. Mobile phone usage and headphones are also a big no-no.

How long does it take to drive across Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is a super small island, and on a good traffic day it would take you a little over an hour to drive from Playa Blanca in the south west to Orzola at the northern tip of the island.

Arrecife to Orzola: 40 minutes
Arrecife to Playa Blanca: 35 minutes
Playa Blanca to Timanfaya National Park: 25 minutes

Parking in Lanzarote

Most attractions in Lanzarote have free parking for visitors, so you shouldn’t have a problem there.

Parking in Arrecife, the island’s main city, is probably the most difficult, as the roads here are small and the amount of locals with cars mean there are usually limited on-street spaces available. There are a few dedicated car parks around the city, with the most convenient being the underground lot underneath the Gran Hotel (Av. de la Mancomunidad, 35500 Arrecife), which costs a maximum of €20 per day. Further out, there’s free parking available to the west of Parque Temático.

Most central parking spots in resort areas such as Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca are on a pay-and-display basis, although these can also get pretty busy. We found it easiest to park on a more residential street a little further out, then take a short walk into town.

Where to stay in Lanzarote

You could base yourself in one location and take daily road trips around the island like we did; or if you want to immerse yourself in multiple locations, you could switch it up and find accommodation in different areas throughout your trip.

The main areas to find accommodation in Lanzarote are Arrecife (the capital city) and the resorts of Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen. Of the two, I definitely preferred the quainter vibe of Playa Blanca!

There are also limited options for accommodation in smaller villages including Orzola, Arieta and Playa Honda.

Travelling as a couple or friends and looking for a more tranquil experience? Check out my guide to the best adults only hotels in Lanzarote!

Towns to visit on a Lanzarote road trip

Arrecife

Lanzarote’s capital, where we based ourselves, has a very different vibe to the rest of the island. It feels much more like a place where residents live and work than a tourist spot. Along the seafront you’ll find the Castillo de San Gabriel fortress, and if you’re interested in art, definitely check out the Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo.

Take a walk around the Charco San Gines, a natural lagoon, surrounded by old buildings and dotted with fishing boats. If you like beer (and aren’t driving afterwards…) you can also check out Lanzarote’s only microbrewery, NAO.

Playa Blanca

Although classed as a resort area, Playa Blanca has kept much of its seaside town charm, with plenty of spots to eat and drink, as well as some pretty beaches.

Puerto del Carmen

I was hesitant to include this on my list, because honestly, I wasn’t the biggest fan. Aside from the Old Town harbour area, this could be any tourist strip in the world, and I also really struggled to find a decent vegetarian food option that wasn’t a bean burger. The one thing it does have is plenty of cheap drinks.

Haría

A small village in the beautiful surroundings of the ‘valley of the thousand palm trees’. We had a really delicious local meal at La Puerta Verde here. On the outskirts you’ll find the home of renowned artist César Manrique, now a museum.

Teguise

One of the first settlements established in the Canary Islands, the old town of Teguise is charming and quiet – apart from perhaps on Sundays, when the famous Teguise Market takes over the town. Other notable sights here are Palacio del Marques, Lanzarote’s oldest building; the Museum of Sacred Art and the Casa del Medico.

Arrieta

A charming, sleepy fishing town, Arrieta is home to the curious and beautiful Casa La Juanita, a colourful house that stands out in its whitewashed surroundings. Enjoy freshly caught seafood here at one of the oceanside restaurants.

San Bartolomé

One of Lanzarote’s smallest villages, offering beautiful buildings amidst a mix of agricultural and volcanic landscapes.

Attractions to visit on a Lanzarote road trip

Timanfaya National Park

No Lanzarote road trip would be complete without a stop-off at the island’s most famous natural wonder. Timanfaya National Park’s spectacular volcanic landscapes were shaped by over six years of almost continuous volcanic eruptions in the 1730s.

It’s advisable to go between the hours of 9-10.30am or 3-5.30pm, as the traffic queue can build up. We ignored this and got there in the middle of the day, so had around a 45 minute wait. But with the views we had in the queue, we didn’t mind so much.

Mirador del Río

What’s a road trip without a drive up to a delicious viewpoint? Mirador del Río sits at the northern end of Lanzarote, along the scenic LZ-202 road, and offers spectacular views over La Graciosa and out to sea. You can pay €5 to access the official viewing deck, but driving up in the evening, parking nearby and taking in the sunset from the cliff alongside it is just as spectacular.

Jameos del Agua

This unique volcanic tunnel & cavern is home to an underground concert hall, as well as a restaurant. Alongside the natural cavern, you’ll also find the Art, Culture and Tourism Centre created by César Manrique.

Jardin De Cactus

Giving off desert vibes in the Canaries, Jardin de Cactus is a botanical garden home to around 450 species of cacti, spanning all five continents.

Cueva de los Verdes

Take a trip underground into Lanzarote’s volcanic heart, as you wind your way through tunnels and galleries formed by the eruption of the La Corona Volcano 4000 years ago. It’s an absolutely captivating experience, and one of my favourite things to do in Lanzarote!

Los Hervideros

A beautiful scenic spot in the Timanfaya National Park, where the Atlantic ocean waves crash against a rugged coastline.

Fundación César Manrique

Painter, architect and sculptor César Manrique’s goal was to make Lanzarote the most beautiful of all islands through his love of art and nature. At Taro de Tahíche, natural volcanic bubbles and traditional Spanish buildings have been transformed into a fascinating gallery dedicated to his work.

Papagaro Beach

A popular cove of white sand, great for kayaking and snorkelling.

Charco de los Clicos

A volcanic crater submerges into the Atlantic Ocean to create a mesmerising green lake. Head up to El Golfo for the best view, then head down the pathway to see it up close.

La Graciosa

Okay, you can’t drive here – La Graciosa is a small island just off the coast of Lanzarote, so you’ll have to drive to Órzola to get the 25 minute ferry over. On the island, you won’t find a single asphalt road and the whole island is very minimally developed. With beautiful sandy beaches, hiking routes and biking trails, it’s a wonderful and peaceful place to get close to nature!

Planning a Lanzarote Road Trip: Summary

Lanzarote is a super easy place to take a road trip in, due to its small size and good road conditions. There’s loads to see and do and the best way to get to some of the most interesting spots is by car. Whether it’s a few days away from your resort break, or a full on road trip itinerary, you’ll have a blast exploring the natural, cultural and historical wonders on this compact but charming Canary Island.