Timanfaya National Park: Lanzarote’s Volcanic Wonderland
Visitors come to Timanfaya, known locally as Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, to walk on what feels like another planet. Around 1.5 million people visit every year, drawn by fiery red craters, black lava fields and geothermal tricks you simply won’t see anywhere else in Spain. Set on the southwest coast of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, this national park formed after devastating eruptions between 1730 and 1736. Nowadays, it’s one of the island’s most iconic sights. If you love dramatic landscapes and a touch of volcanic drama, Timanfaya won’t disappoint.
What to see and do
Start your visit at the Islote de Hilario, where park rangers demonstrate the volcano’s raw power. Here, staff pour water into a borehole and watch it shoot back out as steam within seconds. It’s a striking reminder that the ground beneath your feet is still hot.
Right next door sits the extraordinary El Diablo Restaurant, designed by Lanzarote artist César Manrique. Chefs grill chicken and rabbit over a natural volcanic vent, using nothing but heat from the earth itself. Afterwards, settle in with a drink and soak up panoramic views of the lava fields through floor-to-ceiling glass.
From Islote de Hilario, hop aboard the Ruta de los Volcanes, a guided coach tour that loops through the park’s most dramatic terrain. Since walking is restricted here, this bus route is the only way to see the heart of Timanfaya up close. Expect jagged craters, swirling ash cones and colours ranging from deep red to golden ochre.
Before or after your visit, stop by the Echadero de los Camellos for a camel ride across the volcanic slopes. It’s a fun, gentle way to experience the terrain, and it gives you a completely different perspective on the landscape’s scale.
Just outside the park, don’t miss Los Hervideros, where crashing waves have carved dramatic caves and blowholes into black cliffs. Nearby, the emerald-green Charco de los Clicos lagoon at El Golfo offers one of the island’s most photographed views. Finally, the pink-tinged Salinas de Janubio salt pans make a peaceful final stop on your volcanic road trip.
Where to stay
Timanfaya itself is best visited as a day trip, since overnight stays aren’t possible inside the park. However, the surrounding area rewards a longer break, especially if you want to explore the rest of Lanzarote’s volcanic coastline. Base yourself in Lanzarote’s southern resorts for the shortest drive to the park entrance, and choose a hotel near the beachfront for easy access to restaurants and evening strolls.
Alternatively, stay in Costa Teguise if you’d like a quieter resort with golden sand beaches and a good range of family-friendly hotels. For something more low-key, the fishing village of Arrieta offers a relaxed base on the island’s northeast coast, with easy access to the Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes attractions. Book Accommodation.
How to get to Lanzarote
Flying is by far the easiest way to reach the island. César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport welcomes flights from across Spain and much of Europe, and it sits just 5km from Arrecife, the island’s capital. From there, Timanfaya is roughly a 30-minute drive south.
Since Lanzarote is an island, there’s no train service, so flying or taking a ferry from the Spanish mainland or another Canary Island are your only options.
Once you land, hiring a car is the best way to explore Timanfaya and the surrounding coastline at your own pace. Hire a Car.
If you’re driving from Arrecife, simply follow the LZ-2 motorway before joining the LZ-67, which leads straight to the park entrance.
Final thoughts
Timanfaya offers a landscape unlike anywhere else in Spain, shaped entirely by fire and time. Plan a full day, bring your camera, and prepare to be amazed by this extraordinary corner of Lanzarote.