Visit the Volcanoes in Lanzarote

Lanzarote may bring in the sun-seeking beach-loving crowd, but did you know that there’s a totally different side to the island too? Beyond endless stretches of golden sands and fancy all inclusives, lie incredible lava fields, volcanic cones and giant craters that make Lanzarote’s landscape pretty incredible.  

The easternmost of the Canary Islands is bursting with natural beauty, making it great not just for relaxing getaways but for fun-filled adventures too. Whether you fancy riding camels alongside craters or sipping wines made from volcanic soils, we’re here to prove that holidays in Lanzarote aren’t all about soaking up the sun.  

Here’s everything you need to know about Lanzarote’s volcanoes...

Volcanic landscape of Lanzarote

The landscape in Lanzarote is really diverse. Made up of beaches, desert and volcanoes, you can be swimming in the sea in the morning and hiking craters in the afternoon.  

Nicknamed the ‘island of 1000 volcanoes’, Lanzarote’s volcanic activity is a huge part of its history. The island was in fact formed by volcanoes over 15 million years ago and its previous eruptions are what make the landscape what it is today – extraordinary! Often referred to as lunar landscape, there’s everything from volcanic cones and craters to ash fields and solidified lava that together create this otherworldly setting.

It probably comes as no surprise then that the island’s volcanic areas have become one of Lanzarote’s most popular tourist attractions.  

How many volcanoes are in Lanzarote? 

Lanzarote may have got its nickname, ‘island of 1000 volcanoes’ but that doesn’t mean that it actually has 1000 volcanoes although that would be very impressive. The truth is, it’s difficult to know exactly how many volcanoes there are in Lanzarote although there are a lot!

It was said that over 100 volcanoes were created during Lanzarote’s first volcanic eruptions, and you’ll see that there are countless volcanic cones spread across the island. There are 25 identified volcanoes in Timanfaya National Park alone.  

When did Lanzarote volcanoes last erupt?

It has been quite a while since Lanzarote’s volcanoes last erupted. There has been only 2 volcanic eruptions on the island. The most recent of these happened back in 1824. The 1824 eruptions were focused on Nuevo del Fuego and lasted for about 3 months. Before that, there was an eruption way back in 1730. This eruption was huge and lasted a whole 6 years, forcing local residents to flee their homes.  

Are Lanzarote volcanoes still active? 

The big question is – are there any active volcanoes in Lanzarote? The majority of the volcanoes in Lanzarote are considered either extinct or dormant.  

However, there is still 1 active volcano on Lanzarote. This volcano is known as Timanfaya. So, will Lanzarote volcanoes erupt again? As Timanfaya volcano is still active, there’s definitely a chance that they could do. In fact, volcanic activity is still present today with surface levels reaching a whopping 120ºC in certain areas!  

But don’t worry, Lanzarote is a totally safe place to visit. The volcanic activity here is closely monitored by professionals and observed for any risks.  

What are the most famous volcanoes in Lanzarote?

There are a number of famous volcanoes in Lanzarote. We’ve put together a list of some of the most popular ones:

Timanfaya Volcano 
Timanfaya volcano tends to be the most famous volcano in Lanzarote.  It’s the island’s only active volcano, with its last eruption occurring in 1730. Due to it still being active, it’s arguably the best volcano to visit in Lanzarote too. Temperatures here have been recorded at around 600 °C just 13 metres below the surface level making it a great spot to see some geothermal activity!

Montaña Blanca 
Montaña Blanca stands out due to its white volcanic cone. At 595 metres, it’s one of the biggest volcanoes in Lanzarote and offers picture-perfect views of the other volcanoes in the area. Its white cone makes it noticeable amongst the black ash-covered landscape.

Caldera Blanca 
Located outside of the Timanfaya National Park, Caldera Blanca is famous for its huge white crater (it’s 1200 metres in diameter!) that makes it one of Lanzarote’s largest volcanic formations. With breathtaking views, the hike at Caldera Blanca is a popular one with tourists.  

Corona Volcano 
Located near the village of Yé, Corona Volcano was formed over 3000 years ago. The eruption created a sea of petrified lava also known as Malpais de la Corona, along with some of Lanzarote’s top attractions; Jameos del Agua (a series of volcanic tunnels) and Cueva de los Verdes (a volcanic cave). Here you’ll also find the Tunnel of Atlantis. Also formed by Corona’s eruption, this 1500 metre long tunnel is the largest underwater volcanic tube in the world.  

Cuervo volcano 
Cuervo was formed during the eruption of Timanfaya in 1730 and is surrounded by petrified lava. The walk here is super easy, making it a popular choice for visitors. And if you fancy a spot of wine tasting afterwards, La Geria is just a short way away. You can taste the local volcanic wines and see how the grape vines thrive in the rich volcanic soil – it's a totally unique experience!  

Montana Colorada 
Montana Colorada is another volcano that stands out, this time thanks to its vivid red colour, created by oxidised iron. Here you can also see the biggest volcanic bomb (formed by lava flying out of the volcano) in Spain!

Can you visit the volcanoes in Lanzarote?

The good news is you can visit the volcanoes in Lanzarote. And it makes such a fun and fascinating day trip! Timanfaya National Park tends to be the most popular spot to visit, with countless Lanzarote volcano tours on offer. See above for some of the best volcanoes to visit in Lanzarote.

Timanfaya National Park Lanzarote

Also known as 'Montañas del Fuego' or 'Mountains of Fire', Timanfaya National Park covers approximately 51 square kilometres and around a quarter of Lanzarote.  

Located in the southwestern part of the island, this protected nature reserve is a huge tourist attraction, bringing in over 1 and a half million visitors each year. And with its extraordinary landscape made up of dramatic volcanic cones and petrified lava, it’s easy to see why it attracts so many tourists. In fact, a Lanzarote volcano trip isn’t complete without visiting the Timanfaya National Park.

25 volcanoes have been identified in Timanfaya National Park including the active Timanfaya volcano. And although the protected area is restricted, there are plenty of Timanfaya National Park tours to choose from that allow you to experience this amazing place.

Timanfaya National Park tour

Booking a Timanfaya National Park tour is one of the best ways to spend your time in Lanzarote. There are different Timanfaya volcano tours available, ranging from half to full-day excursions depending on how much time you have to spare.

Guided bus tour: see all the craters and cones of Timanfaya National Park by bus. Buses are air-conditioned and come with an English-speaking tour guide for those all-important questions.  

Hiking: Perfect for adventure-seekers, hiking at Timanfaya National Park is an exciting experience. There are a range of guided walks you can choose from depending on your ability and how much time you have.

Camel rides: Why not hop on a camel and experience Timanfaya National Park from a totally different perspective? Camel rides take place next to the park at Echadero de los Camellos and are such a fun way to soak up the amazing views!  

As well as checking out the volcanoes, there are plenty of other things you can do at Timanfaya National Park too. These include:

Watching geothermal demonstrations at Islote de Hilario 
If you fancy seeing Lanzarote’s current volcanic activity, head to Islote de Hilario where you can witness amazing geysers!

Eating at the Lanzarote volcano restaurant 
Also known as the volcano restaurant in Lanzarote, El Diablo is a must-visit whilst on your Timanfaya National Park volcano tour. First of all, it’s in a pretty spectacular setting amid the volcanic landscape. Second of all, the food at El Diablo is cooked using the heat from the volcano for a totally unique experience. It’s definitely one for the bucket list!

Timanfaya National Park tickets

If you’re not booked on a tour, Timanfaya National Park tickets are available at the ticket office on a first-come first-served basis. They usually cost 20 euros for adults and 10 euros for children. For those booked on a Timanfaya volcano tour, the price of the tour usually includes the entrance fee.  

Ferries to Lanzarote

Lanzarote is easy to get to. There are plenty of flights to Lanzarote available all year round. You can also get ferries to Lanzarote from the other Canary Islands including Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Tenerife along with Cadiz in Spain. At Direct Ferries, you can compare prices and availability to find a ferry to Lanzarote to suit you.