The small Canary Island of Lanzarote attracts over 1.5 million foreign tourists every year.  Yet despite its popularity as a holiday destination the island still has lots of hidden secrets and off the beaten path attractions.   And anyone searching for rural accommodation will find that there´s a great selection of Lanzarote villas available away from the main resorts too.

Tourism on Lanzarote tends to be concentrated in the islands three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.  But the island also boasts a great deal of natural beauty – which is well worth exploring. 

Car hire in Lanzarote is cheap and affordable, whilst petrol also costs much less than in many other parts of Europe.  The island is also very small – measuring just 58km by 34km – making sightseeing easy and distances manageable.

The north of the island is home to the most spectacular scenery on Lanzarote.  Especially in and around the pretty village of Haria and the Valley of 1000 Palms.  Which provides a striking green contrast to the arid, volcanic vistas in evidence elsewhere on the island. Legend has it that local villagers here used to plant one new palm tree for a baby girl and two for a boy.  Creating a hugely atmospheric backdrop to the white washed village houses.

Drive north from Haria in the direction of the small village of Ye and follow the road that runs past the Guinate Tropical Park.  Then witness an incredible and little known view across to the neighbouring island of La Graciosa.  Which was reputedly the real life inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s children’s classic Treasure Island. 

Travelling back down the northern spine of the island visitors then encounter the ancient island capital of Teguise.  Which is the oldest settlement in the whole of the Canary Islands.  Dating back to 1408.  Teguise is home to the best examples of colonial architecture on the island – such as the Palacio Spinola. 

Many tourists do visit Teguise – but only usually on a Sunday when the market is in full swing and the streets are so crowded that it’s impossible to enjoy the space, peace and quiet that are the towns real hallmarks.

Heading away from Teguise in the direction of San Bartolome visitors can explore what is without a doubt the most breathtaking beach on Lanzarote – at Famara.  A huge horseshoe shaped bay with a stretch of sand that measures around 8km.

Despite its immense beauty Famara lies on Lanzarote´s oft neglected northern coast – on the opposite side of the island to the main tourist resorts.  But is well worth a visit – especially during the summer months when locals flock here in their droves.

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