Explore Timanfaya Volcano Park in Lanzarote

The small Canary Island of Lanzarote is home to a surprisingly large number of visitor attractions.  But the island’s biggest draw is undoubtedly the awe inspiring Timanfaya National Park.  Which is Lanzarote´s leading natural wonder and lies right at the heart of a series of enormous volcanic eruptions which rocked the island repeatedly during the 18th and 19th centuries.

These eruptions first started in 1730 – lasting for six years.  With a further major seismic shook occurring again in 1824.  These episodes totally remodelled the terrain in the south of the island.  Wiping out villages and farmland and replacing them with lava fields and over 300 new volcanoes.

At the time these events obviously caused enormous devastation and disruption.  Many Lanzaroteños lost their homes and livelihoods and were forced to flee – seeking a new life abroad in places such as central and Latin America.  Their movements have been carefully traced at Lanzarote’s Emigration Museum in Teguise – which provides a fascinating insight into these events.

The volcanic region was declared a National Park during the 1960´s – and a local artist called César Manrique was drafted in to help turn this into a workable tourist attraction. Discerning a route through the park for tour coaches and creating a highly imaganative restaurant in the centre of Timanfaya – known as the Devils Diner – which enjoys panoramic views of the Park.  And where visitors can enjoy watching their food cooked over a large grill powered by the heat emanating from a volcano below.

Timanfaya National Park started to welcome visitors during the 1970s and today it’s popularity has grown to such an extent that last year over 900,000 travellers toured the volcanic peaks and lava fields.  Which are often said to resemble the surface of the moon.  Such is their lunar appearance in fact that the Apollo 13 astronauts were even show pictures of the park before making their own moon landings.

Visitors can also view the outskirts of the Park on camel back – with regular trains departing from the Camel station just ten minutes down the road from the main entrance of Timanfaya.

The Timanfaya National Park is located in the municipality of Yaiza and is a must see for anyone spending their holidays in Lanzarote.  Located around fifteen minutes drive from the main resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca.  The Park is open daily from 10.00 to 17.45 and admission costs €8 for adults and €4 for children.

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