Lanzarote Mini Guide:

Lanzarote is one of the most popular destinations for year-round sunshine holidays and it's easy to see why. Situated to the northeast of the Canary Islands, the compact volcanic island not only boasts golden sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages and resorts, but also a desert-like climate and an unspoilt nature reserve. Lanzarote offers plenty of scope for hire car touring.

Things to See/Do in Lanzarote:

Lanzarote is an island of extreme contrasts. One of the best ways to explore the island's fascinating intricacies is by hire car. A drive to the north of the island will take you to the Monte de la Corona Volcano and its underground system of caves called La Cueva de los Verdes. The underground grottos are open to the public and can be explored for a low cost.

A visit to Timanfaya National Park is another worthwhile experience. The nature reserve is home to over 180 plant species, as well as a volcanic field, complete with steam vents and geysers. Lanzarote's capital Arrecife offers a range of interesting cultural attractions including The Museum of Modern Art, which features a collection of works by such artistic luminaries as Picasso, Miro, Damaso and Botero.

No trip to the city should be complete without a visit to Arrecife's fabulous El Reducto blue flag beach. Other beaches of note around the island include Playa de las Cucheras in Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen Beach, Matagorda Beach and Papagayo in Playa Blanca-all can be easily accessed by hire car.

Eating Out in Lanzarote:

Eating out on a thrifty budget is easy in Lanzarote. The island's restaurants cater to European tastes, offering low cost meal deals and special offers for families. It's possible to get anything from cheap Chinese and Italian to high quality, fresh seafood. British style fish and chip shops are also to be found in the major resorts. The resort of Puerto del Carmen offers probably the best dining experience on the island. Top restaurants in Puerto del Carmen include La Cascada Puerto, Tomatisimo and Montmatre.

Day Trips/Events in Lanzarote:

A hire car gives you the freedom to explore the island of Lanzarote at your leisure. A number of theme parks are definitely worth a journey. Lanzarote Water Theme Park in Costa Teguise and Rancho Texas in Puerto del Carmen offer fun for all the family. Meanwhile, a drive south of the island by hire car takes you to the pretty whitewashed village of Uga.

The island of Lanzarote hosts a number of colourful festivals and events throughout the calendar year including Corpus Christi festivities in Arrecife in June, when locals hold a fiesta featuring sea salt designs on the pavements surrounding the Church of San Gin's. Teguise Carnival is another colourful event, which takes place in March.