Easter in Lanzarote: ten plans you’ll want to repeat

Choose a mix of culture, sun, hikes, sport, beach and gastronomy for your spring holiday

If you think it’s impossible to leave everything behind and forget about daily life during a short getaway, then you don’t know Lanzarote. We’re sharing ten plans for Easter week that take in the beach, sport, the landscape, health and local cuisine.  Whether you’re coming on your own, in a group or with your family, we can guarantee you’ll enjoy some relaxing down time.

1 – Bathing in the sun and the sea

Let’s face it – after months of urban routines and chilly weather, your dreams are filled with images of  lying on the sand, under the spring sun, relaxing to the lullaby of the waves and the sound of the sea breeze. In Lanzarote the beaches are so many and so long that you’ll feel like you’ve got paradises such as Playa Grande, Famara, Papagayo or Caletón Blanco all to yourself. Choose your spot and enjoy being Robinson Crusoe in the immensity of the Atlantic.

2 – Wine route among volcanoes

If you come with friends, La Geria offers fantastic evenings in some of the area’s different wineries. Conversation flows best in this unique wine-growing landscape, in the company of a wine made from the volcanic Malvasia grape. On route you’ll find the Bodegas El Grifo Museum, the oldest winery in the Canary Islands, whose covered wine press was built in 1775. Visit its unique muscatel “chabocos“, holes dug into the layer of lava which shelter old vines, some dating back to the 19th century.

3 – Northern landscapes

The diversity of the island’s landscape and its accessible size mean the visitor can move between continents and seasons in just a few minutes. In spring, the north of the island is flooded with flowers or carpeted in green, as is the case in Haría, in the valley of a thousand palm trees; and in Guatiza and Mala with the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), the cochineal-producing cacti that cover large areas of land. On the same northern route is one of Lanzarote’s jewels, the Cactus Garden, designed by César Manrique, with no less than 4,000 species, some in colourful spring bloom.

4 – Fresh fish: a must, in an environment with such a wealth of marine life.

What sort of getaway doesn’t involve sampling local delicacies? We admit that on the islands it can be very difficult to choose among so much variety, but we suggest you take a leap over to La Graciosa and enjoy its 27 square kilometres of unspoilt paradise. Being in the Chinijo Archipelago, few gastronomic events can compete with a plate of fresh fish on a terrace overlooking the sea in Caleta del Sebo. Don’t forget your swimsuit though because a visit to La Graciosa is a complete sensory experience.

5 – Express your inner sea dog

Maybe you’re missing the sea and you want to surf the waves during your stay in Lanzarote. Nothing could be easier on this Atlantic island. If you’re usually a landlubber, why not jump aboard a catamaran to explore the stunning volcanic coastline or explore the seabed by submarine? If action is more your thing, try your hand at kayaking or take windsurfing lessons at Las Cucharas (Costa Teguise), one of the best spots in the world. Nothing is set in stone on your express holiday to the island packed with opportunities for nautical enjoyment for all levels.

6 – Market among stones replete with history

Sunday is the day for socialising par excellence and in Lanzarote we do it among the stalls of the flea market in La Villa de Teguise. We put on our comfortable shoes to wander the cobbled streets of the historic centre and take the opportunity to buy small pots of aloe vera, handmade cheeses and maybe even a work of art. Afterwards, it’s obligatory to eat in one of town’s typical taverns or perhaps go to the Casa-Museo del Campesino, just a few kilometres away in San Bartolomé, to sample the island’s traditional dishes to the rhythm of the folkloric groups that liven up the evening.

7 – Arrecife: shopping and seaside promenade

Since the mid 19th century, the capital of our island paradise has been Arrecife, a quiet but populous city with one of the most spectacular marinas in the Canary Islands. Its seafaring history is evident in every alleyway around the Charco de San Ginés, the inlet that serves as a meeting place for the locals. A perfect way to take the pulse of the city is to walk along Calle Real, the seafront promenade or the Plazuela, nosing around the city’s shops and restaurants, and enjoying a drink on a terrace or in the bar on the 17th floor of the Arrecife Gran Hotel, taking in the spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of the capital and its bay.

8 – The coastline by bike

Here’s an idea for a very healthy way to explore the island this Easter: get on your bike and ride along one of the cycle paths that cross the island’s territory. If you come with your family, the coastal cycle path is perfect, with its 26 kilometres making it the longest in Europe. You can cycle along the route from Costa Teguise to Puerto Calero, enjoying the view of Arrecife, the salt flats of Puerto Naos or the Castle of San José… Or you can take a break by the sea on a terrace in Las Caletas, La Concha, Playa Honda or Puerto del Carmen and take a dip before continuing on your way. Don’t forget to make a stop at the airport, whose runway runs parallel to the cycle path. You’ll find yourself mingling with spotters from all over the world, all keen to get unique images of the aircraft flying overhead.

9 – Carmela García’s Galería de Sueños

If you’re interested in art, until the end of May you’ll have the opportunity to discover the work of the Lanzarote-born artist Carmela García, one of the most promising photographers on the national scene. The Castillo de San José Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting the exhibition Galería de Sueños (Gallery of Dreams), an exquisite selection of the artist’s work on female identity and lineages. Don’t leave without visiting the museum’s permanent exhibition, largely made up of works from Manrique’s personal collection. Finally, we’d like to make a suggestion: there’s no better way to bring a cultural morning to a close than by sampling one of the dishes on the restaurant’s menu, recommended in the Repsol Guide, while enjoying the exceptional views of Arrecife’s port.

10 – Landscapes from another world

If you really want to imbibe the energy of Lanzarote, take a hike along some of the trails that wind through its strange and beautiful backdrops: from Yé to Guinate, along the Famara cliffs overlooking the coast; through Tinguatón, traversing the Volcanoes Nature Reserve; from El Golfo to Charco de los Clicos, the green lagoon that inspired Almodóvar’s Broken Embraces; and, of course, Caldera Blanca, a safe, signposted lava walk, particularly suitable if you’re travelling with children. At the end of the walk, you’ll understand why Lanzarote was the first island to be declared a Biosphere Reserve in its entirety by UNESCO.