We love traveling during Winter – when London is wrapped in a chilly weather, finding a sunny escape feels like the perfect reset. And for us, Lanzarote was that little slice of winter paradise, just a short flight away.
While the cold bites back home, Lanzarote welcomed us with warm breezes, golden beaches, and surreal volcanic landscapes. It’s the kind of place where we could swap our scarfs for swimsuits, hike craters in the morning, drink local wine, and watch the sunset from a quiet cove by evening.
Ready to join us? Let’s dive into our 6 day guide to visit Lanzarote in Winter and why we will go back.
6 Reasons to visit Lanzarote in Winter
1. Warm weather ☀️
- While London is freezing, Lanzarote offers temperatures ranging from 15-20°C. During our visit, it even reached up to 25°C! Although the island is quite windy, the sun shines almost every day
- It only rains for about 2 weeks out of the entire year
2. Beautiful beaches 🏖️
- From the golden sands of Playa Blanca and Isla Graciosa to the volcanic black beaches, Lanzarote’s coast offers perfect spots to sunbathe and swim – even in the Winter!
3. Volcanic landscapes 🌋
- Timanfaya National Park looks like Mars!
- Explore craters, lava fields, and even caves
4. Local wine & food 🍷
- Try unique volcanic wine by visiting picturesque wineries like “El Grifo”, and seafood by the beach
5. Outdoor adventures 🌊
- Whether you are into surfing in Famara, hiking volcanic trails, cycling or diving, there’s a lot outdoor activities to enjoy
6. Relaxing vibes 😌
- Lanzarote has a slow-paced, peaceful atmosphere, with charming white villages shaped by the architectural influence of César Manrique. We’ll dive deeper into his work a bit later
- Extremely friendly and hospitable locals
Where to stay in Lanzarote?
The island isn’t too big, so it’s easy to pick one location and explore the rest from there.
Some of the most well-known places are Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Punta Mujeres, and Arrecife. However, you can also opt for a smaller town like Teguise or La Santa, for example.
We stayed just 5 minutes by car from Playa Blanca (on the south of the island), and it was a 30 minute drive from the airport.
Since we were looking for a place to feel at home, relax, enjoy barbecues, and take in the peaceful atmosphere and stunning island views, we decided to rent a villa.
Do you need a car?
We highly recommend it! Driving in Lanzarote is very easy, and the roads are in excellent condition.
Renting a car gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace and visit places on your schedule. Plus, it makes it much easier to reach beaches like Playa de Papagayo.
We rented a car for 1 week with full insurance though Europcar.
Day 1 – Playa Blanca and Papagayo
Stop 1 – Playa Blanca
Since we stayed near Playa Blanca, we decided to explore the area on our first day. It’s easy to park in Playa Blanca and then take a walk along the promenade. The waterfront is lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, offering beautiful ocean views.
For lunch, we dined at a restaurant called “La Taberna” – the tapas were delicious! On other occasions, we visited the fish market, “Cofradía de Pescadores”, or bought meat from “Carnicería D.A.K.” to make the most of our barbecue at home.
We found Playa Blanca to be quieter and more laid-back compared to Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise.
Stop 2 – Hike or drive to Papagayo beach
You can hike to Papagayo beach or walk along the other beaches from Playa Blanca. We checked online before setting out, but we must admit, google tricked us a bit. It’s a long walk, so be prepared! Also, there is no shade along the route.
Alternatively, you can drive to Papagayo Beach. The road is a gravel path – rough and uneven – but still accessible by car.
Papagayo Beach is part of a group of beaches within the Los Ajaches Natural Park. It’s famous for its crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and surrounding cliffs that form a peaceful, sheltered cove. It’s often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote.
Stop 3 – Montaña Roja
If you and your partner still have energy after exploring these two stunning locations, you can hike up Montaña Roja (Red Mountain).
🌋Montaña Roja is an extinct volcano, rising about 194 meters above sea level. It’s a perfect spot for a morning or sunset hike. The trail begins near Faro Park or Playa Blanca’s outskirts.
Day 2 – From Timanfaya National Park to Coastline
Travel time from where we stayed to Timanfaya National Park – 30 minutes by car
Stop 1 – Las Salinas & Janubio Beach
On our way to Timanfaya, we passed by Las Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt marshes in the Canary Islands, which have been producing sea salt for over a century.
You can stop for a quick photo or even buy some locally harvested salt. Right next to the salt flats, you’ll find Playa de Janubio, a wild black sand beach. The waves here are powerful – definitely a spot to admire from the shore rather than swim.
Stop 2 – Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya is a volcanic wonderland, shaped by massive eruptions between 1730 and 1736. The park is filled with dramatic lava fields, craters, and rugged, moon-like landscapes. Honestly, it feels like stepping onto another planet!
🚌 Explore by bus
Since the park’s ecosystem is fragile, driving around on your own isn’t allowed. Instead, a guided bus tour takes you through the heart of the volcanic scenery. Even though you can’t get off the bus, we still found the experience absolutely worth it – the views are incredible.
Tickets cost 40€ per couple. We bought ours directly at the entrance in the afternoon without any issues. Just be sure to check the park’s closing times beforehand.
🔥 Geothermal activity
At the park, you’ll find a restaurant called El Diablo. It offers stunning views over the volcanic landscape.
We didn’t have lunch there, but outside the restaurant, you can watch an impressive demonstration of the heat still simmering beneath the surface. Guides pour water into narrow holes, which shoots back up as steam! They even cook food over natural volcanic heat.
⭐Please click here to visit their website for more details ⭐
Stop 3 – La Santa
Travel time from Timanfaya –15 minutes.
🐟 Local vibes
La Santa is a fishing village that still holds its original charm. It’s much quieter than other parts of the island, with local restaurants serving fresh seafood alongside ocean views – a perfect spot to soak in the laid-back atmosphere. We only discovered this hidden gem thanks to a friend who lived in Lanzarote.
🏄Surfing
La Santa is famous for “El Quemao”, one of the most powerful and challenging waves in Europe.
Stop 4 – Teguise
Travel time from La Santa – 25 minutes.
🏘️ Historic charm
Teguise, Lanzarote’s former capital until 1852, is full of character. Its narrow, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. We wandered around, then stopped at a cozy local spot for some cheese and beer.
🎉 Sunday market
On Sundays, Teguise comes to life with the island’s biggest market. The streets fill with vibrant stalls selling everything from local crafts, clothes, and jewelry to delicious cheeses, wines, and other treats. If you get the chance to visit on a Sunday – don’t miss it!
Stop 5 – Sunset on Famara beach
Travel time from Teguise – 12 minutes.
The perfect way to end the day: head to the beach and watch the sunset 🌅
Famara Beach stretches for about 5 kilometers, with soft golden sand framed by the breathtaking Famara cliffs, which rise an impressive 600 meters above the shoreline.
✨ Pro tip: Bring a light jacket – it gets cooler and windy in the evening.
Day 3 – Caldera de los Cuervos, Jameos, Cueva de Los verdes and beyond
Travel time from Playa Blanca – 26 minutes.
Stop 1 – Caldera de los Cuervos
You can easily park near the area to start your walk. Try to go early in the morning – it gets busy later, and parking can become tricky.
🌋Also known as Volcán del Cuervo, this impressive volcanic formation is a powerful place to visit, knowing it was the starting point of the 6 year long eruptions that reshaped Lanzarote.
🥾 The hike
The trail is a comfortable, flat, 4 km round trip that takes you around the crater – and even inside it.
This crater marks the spot where the 1730 volcanic eruptions began, shaping much of the island’s rugged landscape. Walking into the heart of an ancient volcano is a surreal experience, surrounded by black volcanic rock, jagged lava fields, and steep crater walls towering around you.
Stop 2 – Jameos del Agua
Travel time from Caldera de Los Cuervos – 37 minutes.
🚗 Parking: Easy to find.
💡 Tip: Skip the queue by buying your tickets online. We didn’t book in advance – we bought them as soon as we arrived, and it worked perfectly.
🎟️ Ticket price: €32 for 2 people.
Jameos del Agua is part of an underground lava tunnel formed by the eruption of Volcán de la Corona. Remember when we mentioned César Manrique? He was a visionary artist and architect from Lanzarote, and his influence here is stunning. His goal was to seamlessly blend nature, art, and architecture and Jameos del Agua is the perfect example of that.
✨ What to see
- The restaurant – A peaceful, cave-like restaurant and bar set within the volcanic rock. The food was delicious, and the portions were generous.
- The Lagoon – A beautiful natural pool with crystal-clear water, home to tiny, rare albino crabs – endemic to Lanzarote.
- The Pool – Not for swimming though 😉 An iconic, turquoise-blue pool designed by Manrique. Looks tempting, but it’s just for admiring, not swimming 😉
- The Auditorium – A concert hall built inside the lava tunnel, famous for its incredible acoustics. Check for events before you go – if you’re lucky, you might catch a concert!
⭐Click here to book your tickets to Jameos del Agua ⭐
Stop 3 – Cueva de Los Verdes
Travel time – 3 minutes.
🌋 This 6 km volcanic tunnel was formed around 3,000-4,000 years ago by lava flows from Volcán de la Corona. It’s one of the longest lava tubes in the world, stretching all the way to the ocean and connecting with Jameos del Agua.
🎭 An underground experience
The cave is now a guided tour (about 1 km walk), leading you through illuminated tunnels, vast caverns, and incredible rock formations. The dramatic lighting brings out the cave’s rich reds, deep blacks, and smooth textures.
🎟️ Ticket price: €32 per couple. We booked ours online – highly recommended. Trust us, it’s worth it just to discover the cave’s famous “secret”… but we won’t spoil it for you!
⭐Click here to book your tickets to Cueva de Los Verdes ⭐
Stop 4 – Punta Mujeres
Travel time – 6 minutes.
🌊Punta Mujeres is a peaceful, traditional coastal village with classic white Lanzarote houses and a relaxed vibe. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day full of exploring.
Stop 5 – Costa Teguise
At this point, we started to head back down the coast towards Costa Teguise. Travel time – 25 minutes.
🏖️Costa Teguise offers a mix of beaches to suit whatever mood you’re in:
- Playa de las Cucharas – Great for water sports like windsurfing.
- Playa Bastián – A quieter, more peaceful spot to relax.
👉 Choose the beach that matches your vibe!
Day 4 – El Grifo and sunset
As we were driving around Lanzarote, we became quite curious about the many “holes” we saw in the fields and along both sides of the roads. Eventually, we discovered what were they during our visit to El Grifo.
Stop 1 – El Grifo
El Grifo is Lanzarote’s oldest and most iconic winery. If you’re a wine lover (like us), this is a must-visit!
🍇 A Historic legacy
Founded in 1775, El Grifo has been family-run for generations and has survived volcanic eruptions, harsh landscapes, and time itself which makes every sip feel a bit more special.
🌋 Volcanic vineyards
What makes El Grifo truly unique is how the vines are grown. Lanzarote’s arid climate and volcanic ash covered soil prompted farmers to dig semi-circular pits, called zocos, to protect each vine from the wind and trap moisture from the morning dew. Those “holes” we mentioned earlier? That’s what they are!
🍷 The wines
El Grifo is famous for its Malvasía Volcánica, a grape variety that thrives in Lanzarote’s volcanic soil.
We took a wine tour and absolutely loved it! We had a knowledgeable tour guide who shared the fascinating history behind the wine production, showed us the wine museum, and let us taste a variety of wines. Highly recommend it!
Stop 3 – Sunset at Papagayo
Travel time from El Grifo to Papagayo beach – 40 minutes.
We’ve mentioned this beach before, but it’s a place we really enjoyed. It was near the villa where we stayed and offered a stunning sunset.
Day 5 – Exploring Isla Graciosa
La Graciosa Island is a little slice of paradise off the northern coast of Lanzarote! If you’re staying in the south of Lanzarote, like we were, the travel time is around 1 hour to reach Órzola.
🚤 Getting there
- The only way to reach La Graciosa is by a 30 minute ferry from Órzola
- Different timetables – the first ferry to La Graciosa departs at 8:30, and the last one back to Órzola leaves at 17:00. Bear in mind that the timetables may vary, so it’s best to confirm when you arrive
- Booking in advance wasn’t required
- Costs around 58€ per couple
🏝️ The island vibe
La Graciosa is part of the Chinijo Archipelago and is the eighth Canary Island (officially recognised in 2018). It’s tiny (only about 29 km²), with no paved roads, just sandy tracks.
🚶 Explore the island
- Caleta de Sebo is the only village. It’s a laid-back fishing village with sandy streets and a few restaurants
- Take food and water with you since there are no other restaurants or supermarkets on the island
- You can explore the island on foot, rent a bike, or even rent a 4×4. If you choose to rent a bike, we recommend an electric one, as can be exhausting (trust us on that!)
🌊 Beaches
There are several stunning sandy beaches to explore. We decided to spend the entire day relaxing at Playa de las Conchas. See for yourself – it’s beautiful!
Day 6 – César Manrique influence in Lanzarote
To celebrate our last day, we decided to explore Manrique’s house and learn more about his influence on Lanzarote.
🏡 The museum
The museum is actually Manrique’s former home. It’s more than just a museum – it’s a window into Manrique’s mind and his deep love for Lanzarote. The house itself feels like a work of art, blending volcanic nature with colorful, playful design.
🎨 César Manrique’s influence
In the mid-20th century, this incredible artist advocated for preserving the island’s natural beauty and traditional look. He promoted a unified aesthetic:
- White walls to reflect the sun
- Green, blue, or brown doors and window frames – inspired by the island’s landscape (green for palm trees, blue for the sea, and brown for the volcanic earth)
His vision became so influential that local authorities adopted regulations to ensure new buildings respected this clean and harmonious style. Thanks to Manrique, Lanzarote avoided the high-rise over development seen in other tourist destinations.
There are plenty more places to explore in this incredible island! You can enjoy one of the panoramic views from Mirador del Río, visit the Cactus Garden, explore Saramago House, or even visit Arrecife before your flight home.
⭐Click here to explore Lanzarote’s website and learn about other local events ⭐
Lanzarote – unique island
Today, many parts of Lanzarote still reflect César Manrique’s influence. In smaller towns and villages especially, you’ll see mostly white buildings – keeping the island’s unique, peaceful vibe intact.
It’s a beautiful balance of nature, culture, and design. It’s part of what makes Lanzarote feel so special – and one of the many reasons we’ll be coming back soon. Happy holidays!
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