Route round the Volcanoes
This route takes you by the famous fire mountains of Lanzarote, where the last eruptions back in the 18th century left their mark on the island. The local farmers in this area have had to adapt and develop special methods of cultivation here because of the dry volcanic soil.
We begin our journey in Teguise, the old capital of the island. The origins of its name stem from the last native princess, married to Maciot Betherncourt. A historical and monumental town, with stately homes and residential areas remaining from the era of the Guanche nobility. The most impressive monuments here are the 15th century Gothic church - Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the 18th century Espínola Palace, the 15th - 16th century Guanapay castle, raised up above the volcano's summit, the 16th century Virgen de la Candelaria church - reformed on various occasions and the Miraflores and Santa Domingo convents. One of the most spectacular and interesting views here are the Cuevas de los Verdes ( green caves ) and the los Jameos del Agua, both are made up of incredible tubes and channels of volcanic lava.
Now we carry on the Arrecife road where we take a brief stop in Tahiche to visit the lovely Fundacion César Manrique, the old lodgings of the well known artist.

We rejoin the regional road and carry on until we arrive in Arrecife, the islands lively capital. Conserving traces from the past with the impressive Castillo de San Gabriel, built with a floor of diamond points and situated on an islet to protect the town from the plundering, common during that era, another important monument here is the San José castle, constructed under the direction of César Manrique ( unfortunately he disappeared but the island is packed with examples of his works ). Here we can also enjoy a wonderful day in the warm Mediterranean sun on either the white sands of the Reducto beach or the Cable and los Pocillos beaches.

On the LZ-2 road we carry on to the locality of Tias, well known for its wine production, lovely enclaved houses typical to this area, pretty urbanisations, its beaches with either black volcanic or fine white sand, and the lively Puerto del Carmen, the most commercial area on the island. In the La Geria area you'll find the La Geria nature park, consisting of a plain covered in a blanket of black volcanic ash from the 18th century eruptions. Before we arrive at Yaiza, we take a brief stop at Uga, the oldest village on the island, and visit the San Marcial church.

We then take the local road to Yaiza, where you'll see the popular architecture of white washed houses with modern drawings. One of the most notable constructions here is the 18th century Remedios church. In the surrounding area you'll find the El Golfo and the Las Salinas de Janubio old coastal coves from before the volcanic eruptions. Nowadays the desalination plant is home to many species of birds. At the end of our journey we enter the Timanfaya National Park, via the town of Yaiza. The best examples of the lava flow are the more recent ones which didn't cover the original unique deposits here.