Updated
Even surfers need a day off: sore shoulders, a flat day or friends who don’t surf. Lanzarote is small enough that almost everything is within an hour’s drive of Famara, and different enough that a single day can take you from lunar craters to white-sand coves. These are the seven plans we recommend most often to our guests, with realistic driving times and how long to allow.
The seven plans at a glance
Driving times are from Caleta de Famara by car and are approximate. For the full list of museums, viewpoints and beaches, see our things to do in Lanzarote guide.
| Plan | Area | From Famara | Allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timanfaya + El Golfo | south-west | ~35 min | half a day |
| Papagayo beaches | far south | ~1 h | a full day |
| La Geria wineries | centre | ~25 min | 2–4 hours |
| Jameos del Agua + Cueva de los Verdes | north-east | ~30 min | half a day |
| Los Charcones pools | south-west | ~50 min | 2–3 hours |
| Surf lesson | Famara beach | on the spot | 2 or 4 hours |
| Sunset | Famara | on the spot | an hour |
1. Timanfaya National Park
The eruptions of the 1730s left a landscape that looks more like the Moon than the Canaries. Access to the park itself is by the official coach route from the visitor area at Islote de Hilario, where you will also see the geysers and the restaurant that grills over volcanic heat. Go early to avoid the queues, and combine it with El Golfo’s green lagoon and the sea-carved lava of Los Hervideros on the way back down the west coast.
2. The beaches of Papagayo
In the far south, past Playa Blanca, a dirt track leads into the Los Ajaches natural area and a string of golden-sand coves with calm turquoise water: Papagayo, Mujeres, Caleta del Congrio. It is the opposite of Famara — no waves, warm shallow water, ideal for a lazy family day. There is a small charge per car at the entrance, bring water and shade, and arrive before midday in summer.
3. La Geria and a glass of Malvasía
Between Uga and Masdache, vines grow in thousands of pits dug into black volcanic ash, each sheltered from the wind by a small half-moon stone wall. It is one of the strangest and most beautiful farmed landscapes in Europe. Stop at one or two bodegas for a tasting of dry Malvasía and a plate of goat’s cheese — or leave the car behind and take a guided tour. We wrote more about the wine route through La Geria.
4. Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes
In the north-east, a single lava tube runs from the Corona volcano to the sea. Part of it is Cueva de los Verdes, a guided walk through underground galleries; the other end is Jameos del Agua, where César Manrique turned a collapsed cave into a saltwater lagoon, a white pool and a concert hall. They are five minutes apart, so plan them together with the Mirador del Río viewpoint above the island of La Graciosa. Manrique’s other works — his foundation in Tahíche, the Cactus Garden — are on the same side of the island.
5. The natural pools of Los Charcones
On the rugged coast north of Playa Blanca, the sea fills a series of rock pools in the lava. There are no facilities and the access is a bumpy track, which keeps it quiet. Go on a calm day at low to mid tide, wear shoes for the rocks and never swim in the pools closest to the open sea when the swell is up.
6. A surf lesson in Famara
If you are staying elsewhere on the island and have never surfed, a morning on Famara beach is one of the most memorable things you can do here. Our beginner surf lessons run as a two-hour half day from €50 or a four-hour day from €70 with hotel pick-up; if you are travelling with someone who already surfs, they can rent a board at our shop in the village. And if the wind is up, Famara is also a kitesurfing spot.
7. Sunset over the cliffs
End the day where it started. The sun goes down over the sea at Famara, lighting up the Risco cliffs and the island of La Graciosa, and the surfers stay out until the last light. We collected our favourite places to watch the sunset in Lanzarote — and the village has a few good spots for fresh fish afterwards, listed in our guide to Lanzarote food and drinks.
Plans in Lanzarote — FAQ
What is the best day trip in Lanzarote?
Timanfaya National Park combined with El Golfo and Los Hervideros on the west coast. It shows the island’s volcanic origin better than anything else and fits in half a day.
Do I need a car in Lanzarote?
It makes things much easier. Distances are short — almost everything is within an hour of Famara — but buses between villages are infrequent. Many sights also offer organised tours with hotel pick-up.
What can you do in Lanzarote when it rains or there are no waves?
Visit the lava caves (Cueva de los Verdes, Jameos del Agua), César Manrique’s foundation, the wineries of La Geria or the Castillo de San José in Arrecife.
What are the best beaches in Lanzarote for swimming?
The sheltered coves of Papagayo in the south. Famara is a surf beach with strong currents: if you are not surfing, stay in shallow water, ask the surf school about the conditions and never swim alone.
