The location of my daughter’s first abroad vacation – and someplace we’ve visited repeatedly since – the combo of issues to do in Lanzarote with youngsters and the dramatic lava-blasted panorama makes it maybe my favorite island within the Canary Islands.
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And whether or not you’re visiting with a child or a toddler, as I’ve completed, or with older youngsters who’re searching for extra energetic pleasure, you’ll get the same old heat Spanish welcome in Lanzarote for households.
So in the event you’re planning any Lanzarote household holidays, take a look at my high issues to do in Lanzarote with youngsters, together with a number of the greatest family-friendly actions for all ages.
Go to Timanfaya Nationwide Park
In the event you solely get off your sunlounger to do one factor, make it this. I’m eternally fascinated by volcanoes, however everybody from toddlers to youngsters can be mesmerised by this lava-blasted panorama referred to as the Montañas del Fuego, created in volcanic eruptions practically 300 years in the past.
The magma underneath the floor remains to be so scorching, it turns water into steam in seconds – guides repeatedly display the trick and I by no means get tired of watching the sudden eruption of mist. You possibly can even order meals cooked within the volcanic warmth at El Diablo restaurant
Finest to do with older preschoolers and up, who’ll recognize extra of what you’re seeing, or with a child (at three months, my daughter was glad to snooze and gaze out of the window).
There are paths to wander and you’re required to affix the coach tour to discover additional, so it’s potential with toddlers however not fairly as simple.
You possibly can go to independently, purchase a ticket that features lodge pick-up or there are a number of day excursions together with entry to Timanfaya. There are additionally separate mountain climbing excursions of Timanfaya with a information – you aren’t allowed to get lost alone right here, however it’s an enchanting approach to discover with older youngsters and teenagers.
Questioning what to do in Lanzarote with a child? Take a look at my evaluate of our go to to Timanfaya with a child…
The very best seashores in Lanzarote with youngsters
In contrast to the volcanic black seashores throughout lots of the Canary islands (or the golden dunes shipped in from the Sahara), you’ll discover pure white sand on Lanzarote, and a alternative of nice seashores for households.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca within the south of the island has pure white sand, and breakwaters to maintain the waves calm as properly.
The promenade right here stretches round from the quieter part within the west previous the accommodations, eating places and outlets of the primary stretch and onwards to Marina Rubicon the place there’s a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays (nice for souvenirs and jewelry).
Alongside the best way, the protected stretches of sand are good for paddling, lounging or having fun with an enormous ice cream – in typical Spanish model, the workers all the time appear to soften on the sight of small youngsters, who find yourself with supercharged cones larger than the adults.
Playa Blanca Lanzarote: issues to do – for extra concepts together with the very best locations to eat, click on right here
Playa de Papagayo
Additional alongside from Playa Blanca itself, you may benefit from the extra remoted protected dunes of the Papagayo seashores – the Playa de Papagayo is a beautiful curve of sand surrounded by cliffs (with a restaurant on the high) and a carpark close by. There’s a mud observe to achieve it and it’s possible you’ll must pay a payment although.
Busy in summer season, it’s a stunning spot for households, though the stroll down is simpler with older youngsters than little or no ones.
For a quieter different, head throughout the headland to Caleta Del Congrio – you’ll discover even fewer services as at Papagayo, however you may as well escape the crowds right here
Playa de Famara
Playa de Famara is likely one of the longest sandy seashores in Lanzarote, stretching six kilometres alongside the island’s northern coast. Surrounded by volcanic cliffs, the massive golden sand seashore is a superb spot for teenagers to run round and play.
Attributable to its sturdy wind and waves, Famara Seaside isn’t the most secure for paddling or swimming with little ones. However it’s nice for taking older kids and teenagers to take pleasure in a day of water sports activities similar to browsing or windsurfing. There are a number of surf colleges and rental spots alongside the seashore.
Flamingo Seaside
In order for you white sand with all of the important services, Flamingo Seaside ticks the containers – there are eating places plus showers and bogs, deck chairs and sunshades to rent, plus calm clear waters to swim and snorkel in, together with guided SUP and snorkelling journeys.
Somewhat means alongside from the small seashores of Playa Blanca, there are outlets in strolling distance – not someplace to get away from all of it because it’s a highly regarded spot, it’s simple possibility with youthful youngsters although.
Playa Grande
In Puerto del Carmen, Playa Grande lives as much as its identify – huge seashore. Greater than a kilometre of golden sand, it’s unsurprisingly probably the most widespread seashores on the island and simply the preferred on this space.
For good motive: whether or not you’re trying to swim within the calm waters, sunbathe or take a stroll alongside the promenade to the bars, eating places and outlets – add in deck chairs and sunshades to rent, a lifeguard service, showers and a playground, and also you’ve obtained every thing you may want.
Caleton Blanco
In the event you’re trying to head off the crushed observe and discover a household pleasant different to the primary vacationer seashores, Caleton Blanco within the north of the island is a beautiful spot.
With white sand, turquoise water and black volcanic rocks, it’s immediately eye-catching, plus you’ll discover a number of rock swimming pools for teenagers to discover at low tide. Common with locals, in the event you’re searching for a tranquil stretch of sand, you may even have this to your self!
Go to a waterpark
You’ll discover a number of waterparks in Lanzarote for teenagers, whether or not you’re staying within the southern a part of the island or close to Costa Teguise.
Aquapark Costa Teguise
The largest waterpark in Lanzarote, Aquapark is in Costa Teguise, with a complete string of rides and sights for teenagers and adults of all ages, nice in the event you’re searching for one thing to go well with the entire household.
For little ones, there’s a devoted kids’s lake, a splash zone for underneath 8s, and a few smaller slides for teenagers underneath 1.2 metres. In the meantime, larger youngsters and adults can benefit from the adrenaline-fueled Kamikaze or race towards one another on the Multipista.
In addition to all of the water rides, Aquapark additionally has an indoor paintball court docket, mini go-karts, and an thrilling journey path for youngsters. There’s greater than sufficient to do to fill a whole day trip!
It’s value understanding that Aquapark isn’t removed from Rancho Texas animal park – which has its personal waterpark areas in the event you’re searching for a Lanzarote zoo and waterpark in a single.
Aqualava Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is dwelling to 2 of Lanzarote’s smaller waterparks, together with Aqualava water park – not as huge as Aquapark, there’s nonetheless sufficient to maintain everybody entertained.
In addition to the slides, the waterpark has a wave pool and Magma lazy river to take pleasure in amongst its volcano-themed sights. Open year-round, there are additionally heated swimming pools utilizing geothermal power.
It’s value getting there early too as sunbeds do refill quick. There’s an choice to get a switch included together with your Aqualava entrance ticket in the event you’re not staying close by too, though there’s additionally a bus route working a number of days per week.
Dino Water Park, Playa Blanca
Not removed from Aqualava, Dino Water park is a part of the HL Paradise Island resort complicated – free for visitors, you may as well usually pay to go to even in the event you’re not staying there.
Smaller than the opposite two waterparks, there are round a dozen slides and splash space, all with a dinosaur theme. There’s additionally a small lazy river to take pleasure in.
Even the best ‘Kamikaze’ grownup slide is 12.5 metres so this isn’t someplace for severe adrenaline thrills, although there’s sufficient to maintain larger youngsters entertained, plus a separate kids’s space which is beautiful for youthful youngsters.
See Lanzarote Aquarium
Sat within the coastal resort of Costa Teguise, Lanzarote’s Aquarium is the biggest of its form within the Canary Islands, with 33 tanks holding over 1,000,000 litres of water, and an effective way to spend a day with youngsters.
The aquarium is dwelling to a powerful number of thrilling marine species, with every thing from sharks, turtles and rays to fireplace dragons, puffer fish, and hermit crabs. Children will love the interactive reveals too, the place they will contact creatures similar to sea urchins and sea cucumbers, whereas studying in regards to the species and their habitats.
A novel function of the aquarium is its “rubbish aquarium,” a small recreation of the present state of sure areas of our coasts, which goals to show kids in regards to the hazard of ocean air pollution and promote environmental consciousness.
Nice in the event you’re unfortunate sufficient to be confronted with a wet day in Lanzarote with youngsters too.
Head to the zoo at Rancho Texas animal park
Rancho Texas park is the closest factor the island has to a zoo – in reality, in the event you’re searching for a Lanzarote theme park, the selection boils right down to Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park and the water parks.
Themed across the US state, you’ll discover cowboys and a gold mine, together with animal exhibits, some water slides and loads of areas to play – you may as well discover skip the road tickets – and it’s very near the accommodations of Puerto del Carmen, or round 20-Half-hour from Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca
There are additionally dolphin exhibits and interplay experiences (in addition to with sea lions) – though I don’t personally advocate these.
For these additionally involved about animal welfare, the undertaking has been accepted by the European Program of Protected Species and people dolphins within the park have been born in captivity and can’t be launched into the wild).
Lanzarote boat journeys with youngsters
Lanzarote has a stunning shoreline, dotted with lovely seashores, quaint coves, rocky outcrops, and towering cliffs. And I all the time suppose the most effective methods to discover the coast is on a ship journey.
There are numerous boat excursions which can be good for households too, similar to this 90-minute dolphin and whale recognizing journey from Puerto del Carmen marina.
Or for one thing slightly longer, this chilled-out coastal cruise from Playa Blanca takes you alongside the southwest coast of Lanzarote to see the seashores of the Costa de Papagayo. Children can take pleasure in swimming, snorkelling, paddle boarding, and different water actions, whereas mother and father take part or sit again within the solar and benefit from the views. There’s even a tasty BBQ on board the boat for lunch.
One other enjoyable possibility is a ship journey from Lanzarote to discover one of many Canaries’ smaller islands, like this full-day crusing journey round La Graciosa. Decide-up included from across the island, in addition to the ferry from Orzola to La Graciosa.
Take a submarine safari
Dive, dive, dive – with out getting moist… For one thing slightly bit completely different out of your common boat tour of Lanzarote, you may dive to round 30m under the floor with out even dipping a toe within the water on one of many submarine safaris.
The hour-long expertise takes you right down to the ocean flooring to discover shipwrecks and uncover extra about a number of the marine lifetime of the Canary Islands.
The 106-ton Finnish submarine has TV screens to offer you completely different views, in addition to the primary submarine viewing ports, so that you received’t miss out on any of the underwater sights.
As a result of the cabin is pressurised to maintain it at regular atmospheric circumstances, it’s appropriate for pregnant ladies (in addition to these with coronary heart circumstances and ear issues). Children over two are welcome as properly.
In the event you’re visiting Lanzarote with youngsters aged 8+, there’s additionally the prospect to attempt an Underwater Sea Trek Expertise the place you may truly stroll on the ocean flooring
Go to the Jardin de Cactus
El Jardin de Cactus is one in all César Manrique’s works, the artist who helped form Lanzarote because it appears immediately – learn on to seek out out extra about that! As one of many greatest and most iconic works – to not point out faintly surreal – it simply deserves to have its personal part
Situated in Guatiza, the cactus backyard options 1000’s of cacti belonging to over 500 completely different species from all all over the world.
Wandering by the backyard, youngsters will really feel like they’ve set foot onto one other planet – or into an odd wild west film. Ensure you don’t neglect the digital camera – there are some nice household photograph ops!
Whereas the cactus crops are the primary draw, El Jardín de Cactus additionally has a historic windmill, some quirky artwork installations, a fish pond, and a restaurant with a stunning terrace boasting panoramic views over the backyard.
Wine tasting in La Geria
Whenever you consider a valley dotted with vineyards, you’re unlikely to image La Geria. However Lanzarote has a flourishing wine trade that dates again centuries, with excursions and tastings as properly.
Enterprise down into the cellars with their big barrels stacked to 1 facet, earlier than the distinctive sight of inexperienced shoots of vines towards the black volcanic earth, all surrounded by a protecting horseshoe of rocks.
Many vineyards have eating places if you wish to mix wine tasting with lunch – Bodega Stratvs has its personal cheese as properly. El Grifo is the oldest, whereas I’ve additionally visited Bodega La Geria, simply off the LZ30, and Bodega Rubicon.
Positively one in all my high issues to do in Lanzarote, and extra family-friendly than you may count on.
César Manrique tradition
Now we have this native artist to thank for serving to restrict excessive rises and encourage the standard white and blues of the structure throughout Lanzarote.
His model is characterised by the mixing collectively of nature, artwork, and structure in a inventive and trendy means, and his quirky and distinctive artworks are a sure-fire hit with youngsters of all ages.
You’ll uncover the artist has left his mark everywhere in the island, from the artworks you’ll discover throughout Lanzarote to quirky sculptures at most important vacationer spots, together with an enormous lobster close to Jameos del Agua and ‘wind toys’ dotted throughout the island together with roundabouts in Tahiche and Puerto del Carmen.
The Cesar Manrique Basis: Volcano Home
The César Manrique Basis is a museum situated inside one of many artist’s distinctive former houses, in Tahiche, not removed from Costa Teguise.
The home is about inside a collection of volcanic rock bubbles and showcases Manrique’s distinctive model – suppose retro-chic with a futuristic contact. In the present day, the museum is an enchanting tribute to the artist’s life and work.
You possibly can discover the galleries, which function a variety of Manrique’s work and sculptures, and study his life and legacy.
Mirador del Rio
Mirador del Río is one other excellent place to see Manrique’s work. Situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean, in addition to the massive viewpoint (scroll down for extra on what you may see) there are a number of sculptures and artworks, all designed by the artist himself.
Not solely are the views wonderful, however – in true Manrique model – all the viewpoint blends seamlessly into the character surrounding it.
Set within the northernmost level of the island, 474m up, don’t miss the sculpture by Manrique on the entrance representing a hen and a fish.
Head underground at Jameos del Agua
The crab-filled subterranean lake and underground live performance corridor with unbelievable acoustics at Jameos del Agua are one other of Lanzarote’s quirkier household sights.
Fashioned from lava tubes which collapsed throughout one other eruption to the one which created Timanfaya, you may wander from one cave (with a restaurant) previous the lake, which is dwelling to albino crabs, and onwards to the second cave housing the live performance corridor.
Exterior, it’s a complete distinction with brilliant white environment housing the glowing turquoise of one other pool – supposedly solely the king of Spain can swim within the underground pool (though I’d favor to depart it to the crabs!) and there’s not swimming within the outside pool both. You possibly can go to as a part of day excursions together with the Cueva de los Verdes as properly.
Uncover how my go to to Jameos del Agua with a child went
Discover Cueva de los Verdes
For one thing much more energetic, you may as well scramble by the volcanic tunnels of Cueva de los Verdes, which stretch for round 5 miles from the crater to the ocean, with tales of native inhabitants hiding right here from pirates over the centuries.
Fashioned by La Corona volcano, there are no less than 16 lava caves – or Jameos – within the tunnel which leads all the best way underwater. You’ll want to affix a guided tour, and permit round an hour.
This isn’t one to attempt with infants or toddlers for sure, however it’s an important adventurous possibility for older youngsters and simply probably the most uncommon issues to do in Lanzarote.
You too can discover mixed journeys to go to Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua
See the lagoon at El Golfo
The right spot to take a seat and luxuriate in seafood proper on the ocean (so recent, I’ve seen somebody filleting fish on the seashore under our restaurant greater than as soon as), El Golfo is only a quick drive from Playa Blanca in the event you’re questioning the place to go in Lanzarote for a simple day journey out.
Get pleasure from a lazy lunch within the sunshine with improbable fish and seafood from a string of seafront eating places – all very child-friendly however you may uncover my favorite restaurant in El Golfo right here – then head off on a relaxed stroll to Charco de Los Clicos, the emerald lagoon.
Algae turns the water brilliant inexperienced towards the black sand seashore, only a quick stroll from the village, and you’ll uncover some fabulously dramatic shoreline on this a part of the island.
There’s a playground not removed from the primary seafront eating places to place in your listing of Lanzarote toddler-friendly actions too.
Discover pirate historical past on the Pirate Museum
The previous capital of Teguise is dwelling to the island’s pirate museum (in addition to an enormous Sunday market, so make your plans relying whether or not you’d favor to do each or keep away from the market day crowds).
Set within the Santa Barbara fort, the small museum mixes tales of the pirates which threatened the island with historical past about its inhabitants and whilst you solely want a brief go to, it ought to undoubtedly make the listing of enjoyable issues to do in Lanzarote with youngsters.
View the minor islands
There are 13 Canary islands in complete, and from the Mirador del Rio, you may look out onto La Graciosa, and even Montana Clara and Alegranza – there are telescopes on the viewing platform – or simply watch the boats zipping throughout the blue sea.
It’s solely round quarter-hour from the Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes, so it’s simple to mix with these slightly than making a particular go to to the north, particularly as most Lanzarote household accommodations are primarily based additional south.
In the event you’re unfortunate sufficient to time your go to for when a coach tour stops by – not unusual in peak season – you can additionally head 10 minutes away to Mirador de Guinate, which has its personal equally nice views with out the crowds.
In the event you’d love to do extra than simply look, the ferry to La Graciosa solely takes Half-hour, so it’s simple to go to for the day
See the Janubio Salt Flats
Whereas there have been as soon as salt flats all throughout Lanzarote, the biggest and most vital ones that stay immediately are situated on the south of the island. Often called Salinas de Janubio, these 120-year-old salt flats supply an enchanting perception into the island’s historical past of salt manufacturing.
You possibly can take a guided tour of the Salt Flats to study in regards to the conventional strategies of salt extraction and the significance of the salt commerce within the Canary Islands.
Children will take pleasure in seeing the weird salt ponds and studying in regards to the pure processes that make the salt crystals type. You possibly can even pattern a number of the website’s uniquely flavoured salts.
Take a day journey to Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is one other of the preferred Canary Islands, situated only a quick distance to the south of Lanzarote.
The 2 islands are separated by solely a 30-minute ferry trip that runs a number of instances a day, making it the perfect vacation spot for a day journey.
When you arrive in Fuerteventura, you’ll discover loads of issues to see and do with out venturing removed from the port. The ferry arrives within the city of Corralejo, which is dwelling to the Acua Water Park and the towering sand dunes of the Parque Pure de Corralejo.
You possibly can even take the speedy water taxi, or one other 15-minute ferry, out to Isla de Lobos. This tiny island is a tremendous nature reserve stuffed with strolling trails and charming hidden lagoons.
With a number of corporations working between the islands, you may evaluate ferry costs from Lanzarote to Fuerteventura on the Ferryhopper website.
For extra concepts, take a look at my information to the Canary Islands with youngsters
*First printed 2013, up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN LANZAROTE WITH KIDS
Photos: El Golfo lagoon/Playa Blanca/boats/Mirador view copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
Disclosure: This put up accommodates and affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions on the very best issues to do in Lanzarote with youngsters are my very own
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