Visit Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is a volcanic park on the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. This volcano park is Lanzarote's biggest attraction and is visited by around one million people every year.
Explore Timanfaya National Park
Between 1730 and 1736 a series of volcanoes erupted on the island of Lanzarote. These volcanoes are known as the Fire Mountains (Montanas de Fuego) and are one of the most important parts of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve which covers the whole of Lanzarote.
The Fire Mountains are in the Timanfaya National Park which has been set up to protect this unique area.
When the volcanoes erupted nearly half of the inhabitants of Lanzarote ended up having to leave and most of the arable land of Lanzarote was covered by the lava crust.
Luckily no-one was killed as mountains appeared overnight, earthquakes shook the island and lava and hot ash covered much of the island.
More than 100 volcanoes were involved in this cataclysmic event!
The entrance to the park is near the village of Yaiza. Once in the park you can take a short camel ride up one of the volcanic slopes for views across the parks. There are parts of the park that you can drive through to view the eerie alien landscape up close.
Then when you get to Islote de Hilario, where there is a visitor centre, you can take a coach trip around parts of the park inacessible to cars (the price is included in the entrance fee).
Guides at Islote de Hilario demonstate that one of the volcanoes, the Timanfaya volcano is far from extint. Branches pushed into crevises burst into flames and water poured into boreholes errupts as steam. Touch the ground and it still feels hot!
There is also a restaurant, the El Diablo restaurant, with fabulous views over the park. Cooking at the restaurant is done using the heat of the volcano - a cast iron grill is placed over a hole in the ground! Food is typical Canary cuisine.
Views are spectacular from the restaurant, especially at sunset. All in all quite an experience!
There are a couple of walks that you can do in the park, these are guided walks and you need to book in advance.
The route around the volcano park was determined by a local artist César Manrique and he also designed the El Diablo restaurant.
Places to visit nearby
The village of Yaiza is nearby and has been voted one of Spain's prettiest villages.
Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote's most popular seaside resort and has some great beaches. A great contrast to a day spent exploring the lunar landscape of the national park.
Costa Teguise is another popular resort and has a resort complex designed by the same artist, César Manrique, who designed the restaurant and route round Timanfaya National Park.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Lanzarote guide and the Eastern Canary Islands guide.
Map of Timanfaya National Park and places to visit
Timanfaya National Park places to visit
Yaiza
Yaiza has been voted the prettiest village in Spain several times though lucky to still be here as it is very close to the volcanoes at Timanfaya.
Yaiza guide
Lanzarote
Lanzarote with its volcanic landscape is the most unusual of the Eastern Canary Islands.
Lanzarote guide
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the most popular of Lanzarote's resorts. It has an attractive old town and harbour.
Puerto del Carmen guide
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a small fishing village which has been expanded into a family based resort.
Playa Blanca guide
Teguise
Teguise was the island's capital until 1852. It has some very attractive buildings. Visit the town on Suday, market day.
Teguise guide
Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is a purpose built resort near the island's old capital, Teguise. It is one of the best resorts on Lanzarote.
Costa Teguise guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Eastern Canary Islands