Cheap Flights To Lanzarote

The easternmost island in the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is a tourist hotspot for a number of reasons. Referred to as the 'Island of Eternal Spring' due to its subtropical climate, the island sees very little rain. Indeed, if you visit in summer, it's almost guaranteed that you won't see any at all.

It's an island with a fascinating history. The Spanish colonised the islands in the middle ages, displacing the local aboriginals, though traces of their culture survive in place names and dialect words to this day. The landscape is a study in contrasts, with the broad beaches beloved of tourists giving way to rocky terrain inland, a legacy of the island's volcanic past.

The island's always been a tourist hotspot. But though associated with traditional beach holidays, there are many other things going on in Lanzarote to interest the traveller, from cultural offerings to a unique local flavour and exploring the amazing terrain.

Things To Do

• The Landscape

The beaches are what most people visit the island for, and with good reason. Family friendly ones in the resort towns have all the amenities you'd expect for a relaxing holiday, but get off the beaten track and you can discover some wonderful wild beaches, like the interlinked coves of Papagayo or the big surf at Playa de la Canteria.

Away from the shore, the island's rugged interior offers plenty of opportunity for hiking, with signposts to viewpoints or "Miradors" commanding incredible views. No visit is complete without a trip to the Volcano Park at Timafaya, a unique landscape sculpted by lava.

• Local Flavour

Get a taste of local life with a visit to one of the island's markets. These are regular events held in towns all over the islands where you can get out there, do some shopping, buy some local produce and engage with the local culture. The markets in Haria, Arrecife and Mancha Blanca are particularly good for getting a real taste of Lanzarote.

• Cultural highlights

Lanzarote is host to a wide variety of museums and galleries, from the history of island life in the Museo del Tanit to the contemporary surroundings of the Museum of International Contemporary Art in a converted castle in Arrecife. Particularly fascinating is the Palacio Spinola in Teguise, a restored 1730s townhouse which gives a unique insight into the lifestyle and furnishings of the period.

Calendar Of Events

With good weather all year round, there's no bad time of the year to visit, and whenever you do, you're bound to find something interesting happening.

• Carnaval: Canarians take their Carnival seriously, and the ones in Lanzarote are the most exuberant outside of Rio. Normally taking place in the last week in February, the visitor who attends Carnaval is guaranteed the mother of all parties.

• Dia de Canarias: Every May 30th there's a commemoration of the Canary Islands' independence from Spain. This celebration of local culture, food, wine and customs is a true flavour of the Canary Islands.

• Corpus Christi. In mid-June, islanders celebrate this religious festival with the creation of wonderful street art made of local sea salt. These gorgeous designs are only visible for a day before traditionally a procession passes over them.