Lanzarote

North Lanzarote

The north is the wild, unexplored part of Lanzarote, alive with more colour than the south as it gets the majority of the rain. There are no resorts but the coast is very popular for surfing, particularly Caleta de Famara which nestles at the bottom of tall mountains, and there are plenty of small villages like Arrieta and Orzola to visit instead. The Mirador del Rio viewpoint allows a birds' eye view of the coast and the Isla Graciosa, whilst the unique cave attractions Jameos del Agua and the Cuevas de los Verdes have been captivating tourists for years.

Central Lanzarote

With the western part of the island's centre dominated by the National Park of Timanfaya you could be forgiven for thinking that inland Lanzarote is all volcanoes and weird landscapes. Don't overlook the historic village of San Bartolome where islanders used to hide from pirates, or the former capital of Teguise, the oldest town in the Canaries which comes alive on Sundays for a huge street market. Cesar Manrique's former home and Foundation is also here in Taro de Tahiche.

Southern Lanzarote

The south boasts plenty to do from the capital Arreceife, where half of the island's inhabitants live, to the popular holiday resorts of Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen where beaches, sun and fun abound. Arreceife is a bustling town with great nightlife and shops as well as the International Museum of Modern Art, and the Archaeology Museum, both set in old castles. Also worth visiting are the beaches around Papagayo Point, the Los Ajaches Nature Reserve in the east and the wine growing region of La Geria.