The most beautiful places on the island, all within about an hour of Casa Karen
Fire Mountains and turquoise coves, white villages and black vineyards. Lanzarote is small enough to explore in a few days, and varied enough to keep you coming back.
Tías lies in the middle of the island's south. From Casa Karen, most of the sights are less than an hour away, and many are within half an hour. Here are the places you should not miss, with plenty more tips on our three themed pages.
Most of the photos on these pages were taken by our friend Martin Manolito Maiwald on his travels around the island. You can see more of his work at photo-maiwald.de.
The Fire Mountains are the heart of the island. Between 1730 and 1736 a lunar landscape of craters and lava was formed here, and below the surface it is still hot enough to send water shooting up as a geyser of steam.
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueLittle coves with pale sand and turquoise water in the Los Ajaches nature reserve. For many, the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands.
More on our page BeachesThe artist's former home, built into five volcanic bubbles. This is where you understand how Manrique fused nature and architecture.
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueVines growing in black hollows of volcanic ash, sheltered by semicircular walls. La Geria begins just above Tías and is famous for its Malvasía volcánica.
More on our page Tías and SurroundingsA fishing village on the wild west coast and, right next to it, the Charco de los Clicos, a vivid green lagoon in half a volcanic crater beside a black beach.
More on our page Volcanoes and César Manrique
The island's old capital, with white houses, churches and quiet courtyards. On Sundays the town turns into one big market, while Santa Bárbara castle keeps watch from a volcano above.
In the island's capital, fishing boats are mirrored in a small lagoon lined with cafés and restaurants. At the Castillo de San José, the museum of contemporary art shows works by Manrique and his contemporaries.
Kilometres of beach beneath a mighty wall of cliffs, surfers in the waves and a fishing village with sandy streets. Famara is the wildest place on the island.
More on our page BeachesManrique's most famous work: a lava cave with an underground lake that is home to tiny white albino crabs, plus a white pool beneath palm trees and a concert hall carved into the rock.
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueA lava tube several kilometres long, softly lit in ochre, red and green. A surprise awaits at the end of the guided tour.
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueA viewpoint hidden in the cliffs high above the sea. Through its huge windows you look straight across to La Graciosa.
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueA green valley full of palm trees in the north. César Manrique spent his final years here, and today you can visit his house and studio.
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueThousands of cacti from all over the world in an old quarry near Guatiza.
North-east, approx. 30 minutes
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueThe little neighbouring island with no tarmac roads. The ferry leaves from Órzola and the crossing is short.
To Órzola approx. 45 minutes
Salt pans like a mosaic between the lagoon and the sea, shimmering white, pink or grey depending on the light.
South-west, approx. 30 minutes
More on our page Volcanoes and César ManriqueApproximate driving times from Casa Karen.
After a day full of new impressions, come back to the garden at Casa Karen, pour yourself a glass of wine and let the evening unfold under the pergola.
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