If you have 4 days in Lanzarote, that is enough to see the essentials without rushing, as long as you plan your route by area. We live on the island, in San Bartolomé, right in the centre, and this is the route we recommend to our guests: one day for the volcanoes, one for César Manrique’s north, one for the beaches of the south and the last one for La Graciosa or for Teguise and Arrecife.
Important since June 2026: tickets for the Fire Mountains (Timanfaya) and the Cueva de los Verdes are only sold online, on the official website of the Lanzarote Centres of Art, Culture and Tourism (cactlanzarote.com), with a set entry time. Without a ticket bought in advance, you won’t get in. Book them as soon as you know your dates.
Day 1: Timanfaya, La Geria and the El Golfo coast
Start with the most spectacular part of the island, and go early, when there are fewer people and more parking spaces.
Fire Mountains (Timanfaya National Park)
The visit includes the Route of the Volcanoes, a coach tour of about 35 minutes through craters and lava fields (you stay on the bus), and the heat demonstrations at Islote de Hilario, where the ground is still hot just a few metres down.
- Ticket: €30 for adults; children under 7 go free. Online only, with a time slot.
- Opening hours: every day, 9:00 to 15:45. The full visit takes about an hour and a half.
- Tip: arrive 15 minutes before your slot and keep your ticket downloaded on your phone, because mobile signal is patchy up there. The car park is small: first thing in the morning there are no queues.
From our cabins, Timanfaya is about 30 minutes away.
La Geria
On the way back, drive through La Geria, the valley of vines planted in hollows dug into the volcanic ash, each one sheltered from the wind by a small stone wall. Many wineries offer tastings: try the volcanic Malvasía. If you’re drinking, let someone else drive.
El Golfo, Charco de los Clicos and Los Hervideros
In the afternoon, head down to the west coast. Charco de los Clicos is a green lagoon next to a black-sand beach (you see it from the viewpoint; you can’t go down to swim). A few minutes away are Los Hervideros, where the sea crashes into lava caves, and the viewpoint over the Janubio salt flats. Stay for a fish dinner in El Golfo at sunset.
Day 2: César Manrique’s north
The north is home to Manrique’s best-known works and some of the best views on the island. They are close to each other, so you can see them comfortably in one day.
- Jardín de Cactus (Guatiza): Manrique’s last great work, an old quarry filled with thousands of cacti. €9, 10:00 to 17:00.
- Cueva de los Verdes: a lava tube you explore with a guide in about 50 minutes, with a surprise at the end that we won’t give away. €17, 9:30 to 16:45. Online only, with a time slot.
- Jameos del Agua: a few minutes from the cave, a lava tube turned into an auditorium, garden and lake, home to a tiny blind, albino crab found nowhere else in the world. From €17, 10:00 to 18:00. About 35 minutes from our cabins.
- Mirador del Río: high on the Famara cliffs, with La Graciosa at your feet. €9, 10:00 to 17:00.
Tip: book your Cueva de los Verdes slot first and plan the rest of the day around it. If you have time left, have lunch in the Haría valley, known as the valley of a thousand palms.
Day 3: Papagayo beaches and the south
A day to relax in the golden-sand coves of the south, inside the Los Ajaches Natural Monument.
- Getting there: from Playa Blanca, a dirt track of about 5.5 km. There is a €3 charge per car, card only, and the car park is open from 9:00 to 19:00.
- Which coves: Playa Mujeres is the widest; Papagayo, the most famous; and Caleta del Congrio, the quietest.
- What to bring: water, food and some shade, as there are very few facilities.
- On foot: if you fancy a walk, there is a coastal path from Marina Rubicón, about 6.5 km long.
Later in the afternoon, stroll around Marina Rubicón and Playa Blanca, with Fuerteventura across the water.
Day 4: La Graciosa, or Teguise and Arrecife
Option A: a day trip to La Graciosa
The ferry leaves from Órzola harbour and takes about 25 minutes to reach Caleta del Sebo. Two companies run the crossing: Líneas Romero and Biosfera Express. There are no paved roads or hire cars on the island: you get around on foot, by bike or by 4×4 taxi. Playa de las Conchas is stunning but has strong currents: swim with great care, or just paddle at the water’s edge.
Option B: Teguise, Famara and Arrecife
If it’s a Sunday, start at the Teguise market, held in the morning in the old town. Carry on to Famara beach, with its cliffs and surfers, and end the day in Arrecife: walk around the Charco de San Ginés and visit the Castillo de San José, home to the International Museum of Contemporary Art (€5.40, 11:00 to 18:00).
Tips for your trip to Lanzarote
- Hire a car. It is the easiest way to follow this route.
- Book online: Timanfaya and the Cueva de los Verdes (compulsory) and, if you can, the other centres too.
- Sun and wind: even when you don’t feel the heat, the sun is strong all year round. Bring sunscreen and a layer for the wind.
- Eat local: papas arrugadas with mojo, goat’s cheese, fresh fish and gofio.
- Stay in the centre. From San Bartolomé the airport is 10 minutes away, Timanfaya 30 and Jameos del Agua 35, so every day starts close to everything.
Prices and opening hours checked in October 2026. They may change, so confirm them at cactlanzarote.com before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Are 4 days enough to see Lanzarote?
Yes, for the essentials: volcanoes, Manrique’s centres, the southern beaches and La Graciosa. With a week you can add hikes and beach days with no schedule.
Do I need to book Timanfaya in advance?
Yes. Since June 2026, tickets for the Fire Mountains are only sold online and with a time slot. In high season, book a few days ahead.
Where is the best place to stay to explore Lanzarote?
In the centre of the island, so you don’t waste time on the road. Our cabins are on a farm in San Bartolomé, among hundreds of trees and 10 minutes from the airport.
Keep reading
More guides to plan your trip to Lanzarote.
