Sites & Saveurs : Salines, fruits de mer et vin Malvasia de Lanzarote

Nat Geo Day Tour: La Geria, Vineyards that Sprouted from Fire

When Timanfaya's six long years of eruptions ceased in 1736, the farmers of La Geria believed their fertile lands were lost forever under a thick layer of ash. But the local families needed to make the land productive again, and through sheer hard work and determination, they succeeded in creating the vineyards of La Geria. You'll start off with a scenic walk, following trails through private vineyards belonging to the family-owned bodega of Nacho Romero, opened exclusively for National Geographic travellers. As you soak up the unique character of these landscapes where vineyards are surrounded by volcanoes, the owner will explain how the layer of volcanic ash, known locally as ‘picón,' has shaped their cultivation methods, which are unique in the world. If you are lucky enough to find them ripe, you might even get to pick grapes straight from the vine as you hear Nacho or his wife Luisa, both winemakers, talk about the characteristics of volcanic wine. Back at the bodega after the walk, you'll be able to sample one of the artisanal wines that Nacho and Luisa make in their home winery. Next, you'll head to Bodega La Geria – another important component of the ecological wine making movement. The winemaker himself will show you around the bodega. Find out the secrets of the hollows, called ‘zocos' which shelter the vines from the wind, and discover the different varieties of grapes that thrive in Lanzarote's volcanic terroir. To finish, savour a tasting of one of the estate's renowned wines with local cheese and crackers.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Volcanic Beauty of Lanzarote, Photography Tour

Become a visual storyteller under the guidance of your National Geographic-trained photography guide. You'll pick up invaluable insights on capturing the perfect shot, be it in terms of composition, lighting, or narrative. After introducing the competitive element of the day, your guide will accompany you on the drive through Timanfaya National Park. During the tour, you'll get great views of Timanfaya's lunar landscapes, formed hundreds of years ago when a series of volcanic eruptions covered a quarter of the island in lava. Think rugged lava fields, brooding volcanic cones, and swathes of charcoal-grey ash. Stop at Islote de Hilario viewpoint to see the power of geothermal energy and enjoy the panorama. Travelling on to the fishing village of El Golfo, you will find a jumble of traditional buildings and bright boats which contrast with the black sand beach and the unusual green lake. It's a perfect location for capturing contrasting colour. Then, it's time to discover the ancient salt flats of Salinas de Janubio, another landscape saturated with drama and stark appeal. This area is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an important bird sanctuary – cameras at the ready. With a specialist photographer at your side, you'll gain new skills and fresh inspiration, plus a collection of striking images. As the day concludes on the terrace at Salinas de Janubio, unwind over a glass of wine or beer and a snack, while your photography guide reviews the day's photos and picks the winning shot.

Timanfaya Volcanic Tour

This half-day tour is Lanzarote in a nutshell. You'll call in at El Golfo lagoon, journey through Timanfaya National Park and visit the Salinas de Janubio. We'll even throw in a wine tasting session to round off the tour.First up, you'll visit the waters of El Golfo - it's emerald waters have starred in many a Hollywood film over the years. But that's just an appetiser for the main event – the visit to Timanfaya National Park. Famed for its moonlike landscape is dotted with lava fields and black rocks, you'll see the ‘Fire Mountain', to name but a few.We'll continue the tour with a stop in La Geria for a sip of some local wine before we reach Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt flats in the Canaries. Snap a few selfies with the miles of cotton-white salt mounds as your guide fills you in on the history of this all-important island resource. You'll even get a chance to try some, too.

Lanzarote volcano tour with BBQ

Lanzarote's volcanic scenery comes into its own at Timanfaya National Park. This corner of the island is all peaks and craters straight from a sci-fi movie set. And it's all even more dramatic at sunset. So on this evening trip, you're in for a treat.

Lanzarote tour with Timanfaya National Park and El Golfo

This grand tour of Lanzarote leaves no stone unturned. ‘You'll unearth the secrets of this volcanic island through the eyes of someone who has made it their home,' says Daria, one of our expert guides. Discover the island's spectacular green north and the volcanic south, visiting Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua caves and a winery.

Northern Lanzarote tour with Green Caves and Jameos del Agua

Captivating scenery and natural works of art can be found in the northern corner of Lanzarote thanks to its extraordinary geology. During this tour, you'll visit the Green Caves, Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Rio, Haria, Mala and more. A hard-to-beat selection of must-sees.

Northern Lanzarote Tour with Jameos del Agua and Teguise

Mother Nature's imprint isn't the only one that looms large in Lanzarote. This half-day tour takes a close look at one of the island's most famous sons. You'll visit his Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Rio viewpoint. And you'll also discover the oldest town in the Canaries, Teguise. Cristina, one of our expert guides, says, ‘Local artist Cesar Manrique was to Lanzarote what Gaudi was to Barcelona. His architectural vision and activism left us a unique style in harmony with our volcanic landscapes and also helped preserve the island – he was opposed to high-rise hotels, so very few were built.'The discovery begins at the Manrique-designed complex built around the Jameos del Agua volcanic caves. He converted them into a nightclub in the 60s. The stage is still in use, but the stars nowadays are the rare white crabs in a saltwater pond. Next, we'll cut through dramatic volcanic landscapes to the Mirador del Rio – another Manrique masterpiece. At almost 500 metres above sea level, it offers unbeatable views over the island of La Graciosa and its volcanoes.After calling in at an Aloe Vera producer to learn the secrets of this versatile plant, you'll pass through a string of pretty villages en route to Teguise. As the former capital of the island, this history-steeped village boasts a number of eye-catching palaces, convents, chapels and churches – all within walking distance of each other. Enjoy free time to wander around and take snaps in the town's atmospheric centre.

Timanfaya Fire Mountains and Camel Ride Tour

Blistered and beautiful, Timanfaya National Park is the jewel in Lanzarote's crown. This spectacular destination is home to the Fire Mountains, a treasure trove of biodiversity and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Monica, one of our expert local guides says, "The Fire Mountains are so special because, first and foremost, they are home to an astounding variety of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Our aim is to ensure the conservation of its ecosystems while promoting sustainable use of natural resources."Begin your adventure with a scenic drive through these jaw-dropping landscapes. Gaze at the lava fields, craters, volcanic cones, and geothermal displays that make this park truly out of this world. Capture unforgettable photos as you learn about the park's fascinating volcanic history from your guide. Next, visit El Diablo Restaurant where cooking takes a twist - meals are prepared using volcanic heat - no electricity or gas needed.Finally, saddle up for a relaxing camel ride amid the dramatic scenery of Timanfaya. Absorb the panoramic views and soak in the tranquillity of this extraordinary landscape. It's a very special National Park, and this is an experience that will get you right into the raw natural beauty and power of Lanzarote's Fire Mountains.

Guided wine-tasting tour of three Lanzarote vineyards

Lanzarote's mineral-rich volcanic soils are the key to its excellent wines. This morning tour takes you to three wineries to sample some of their award-winning organic wines. Plus, you'll also visit the Monumento del Campesino to see the famous farmer's monument. Teresa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Our island's wines are the fruit of our ingenuity in harnessing the destruction wrought by Mother Nature into an art – a common thread that weaves together islander and landscape.'After pick-up, you'll head straight for the Monumento del Campesino, designed by legendary Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique. Built in his trademark style that fused whitewashed structures with volcanic bubbles and exotic plants, it's a joy to explore. Then, it's off to the family-owned Bodega La Geria. Here, vines are shielded from the winds by horseshoe-shaped stone walls, while the humidity retained by the ash helps them grow in this harsh climate. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and taste some of its prized Malvasia wines.Next, just a few volcanoes up the road, is Bodegas El Grifo – the oldest winery in the Canaries. Housed in a colonial-style hacienda surrounded by cacti, it's been producing wines since 1775. Owned by the Garcia Duran family, its wines are regular prize winners. Rounding off the tour is Bodega Suarez, a charming winery that offers visitors an authentic taste of the island's unique wine culture. Here, you'll indulge in the perfect pairing of cheese with two wines.

Sites & Bites: Salt flats and Malvasia wine in Lanzarote

Journey through Lanzarote's volcanic landscapes and culinary traditions on this tasty tour. Your adventure begins at Las Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt flats in the Canary Islands. Learn about how it's traditionally harvested, with techniques dating back to the 19th century. The white salt contrasting with the island's dark volcanic terrain makes this place perfect for practising your photography skills.Continue to El Golfo, a fishing village on the island's west coast. You'll stop by Lago Verde, a green lagoon in an old volcano crater that's coloured by the algae in the water. The lagoon is separated from the sea by a black sand beach, contrasting with the green water of the lagoon and the deep blue of the sea. During your free time in El Golfo, you can explore the town's plentiful oceanfront restaurants at your own pace. While food isn't included in this part of the trip, local favourites such as grilled fish and papas arrugadas, AKA wrinkled potatoes, are well worth trying. This Canarian specialty is boiled in heavily salted water until the skin wrinkles and forms a salty crust, typically served with a red or green mojo sauce.Finally, you'll visit La Geria, Lanzarote's wine region, known for its unique production methods. Vines are grown in pits dug into the volcanic soil and protected by stone walls called zocos. This helps the vines thrive despite the dry conditions and strong winds on the island, which then produces the island's renowned Malvasia wine. You'll wrap up your tour with a wine-tasting session, sampling the flavours Lanzarote is known for while taking in its volcanic views.