The Best Photography Locations of Lanzarote
Lanzarote – the Mars of Earth
Other than being a great place to spend a few days off, Lanzarote’s landscapes, arty architecture and authentic old villages are a gem for photographers. Many people would say that the small island looks like the planet Mars due to the predominance of red volcanic, rocky surface and lack of vegetation. Well I haven’t been to Mars, I’d certainly love to visit, but Lanzarote definitely does not fit the palm trees and coconut cocktails picture of the Canary Islands that I used to have in my mind. While there are thousands of great places photography locations in Lanzarote, this is a list of the most highly recommended ones. The order of appearance is random, it does not mean one location is better than the other, although not all locations are made equal.
Caleton Blanco
The white sandy beach surrounded by black lava fields and turquoise waters is ideal for a photoshoot. It is advertised as a family friendly beach and while it can get somewhat crowded, there are plenty of areas close by where you can get a few minutes of solitude. Early mornings are best for capturing the area’s charisma.
Telamon shipwreck
There is no need to look far for that shipwreck as it is located just outside of Arrecife. The ship started sinking on 31st October 1981 off the coast of Lanzarote and was towed to its current position where it sunk to the ground. It broke down in two and today only the rear 74 meters can be seen above the surface from what was a 136 meters long ship. The other part of the ship lies at about 18 meters depth. The stern is open and there is access to the inside although going in is not recommended and the bow is completely submerged at about 50 meters depth. Apart from being great for diving, it can also be visited by snorkelers, and if that’s the plan, afternoons are best.
Jardin de Cactus
The cactus garden hosts over 1000 types of cacti of different shapes and sizes. It is not big, but it’s very photogenic.
Famara beach
One of the best beaches for surfing in Lanzarote, arguably across the Canary Islands. What’s great about it from a photography standpoint is that, especially during low tide, when the waves subside, they leave behind a thin layer of water which serves as a mirror for the tall Famara cliffs above. It is located in the western part of the island, so sunsets are best, and on a clear day the small island La Graciosa can be spotted in the distance. A photography bonus are the small dunes behind the beach.
Los Hervideros
The boiling pots. It’s worth a visit since the waves crashing in the rocks can be quite spectacular. Visits are best timed with a sunset, a high tide and/or a full moon. When the water is calm there is not much action in the pots, but the coastline is still beautiful to observe.
Playa Papagayo
There is the collection of beaches called Papagayo and then there is the beach called Papagayo from that same collection. It is a famous photography location because it is surrounded by high steep cliffs which provide great views of the Papagayo beaches.
While the Papagayo beach itself is beautiful, I found what lies beneath the surface more interesting. The sheltered beach is a great place for snorkeling, and there are many kinds of fish that can be spotted in the shallows. Sunrise and sunset are best for photographing the area, and most of the day is good for fish photography keeping in mind that this beach gets very crowded which can ruin a good snorkeling day.
Mirador del Rio
Mirador del Rio is another art building at 400 m height whose terrace overlooks the small island La Graciosa and on a clear day provides excellent views.
Charco de los Clicos
The green lagoon was formed when an extinct volcano submerged in the Atlantic. It is famous amongst photographers because of the colorful landscape created by the lagoon’s green water (caused by algae), the black sandy beach, the blue sky and ocean, and the surrounding volcanic cliffs. As it is located in the western part of the island, sunset is the best time for photography.
Timanfaya national park
Timanfaya national park, aka “The Fire Mountains of Lanzarote” is a volcanic park and as such provides spectacular landscapes. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to take photos and depending on the angle in which the light hits the ground, the landscape will change its colors from red to black. Visits to the park should be properly planned as it is a very touristic location and the queue to enter the park could be very long. A guided walking tour can also be arranged here.
Museo Atlantico
I’m afraid you’ll have to go diving for this one. Museo Atlantico is located at around 15 meters under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean just off Playa Blanca. The experience itself is incredible, and it provides the opportunity to take plenty of creepy photographs of the sculptures surrounded by barracudas, rays, octopi, and sardines.
Cueva de los Verdes
Cueva de los Verdes is most famous for that surreal picture that pops up when you do a search for it online. There is actually a lot more to it and the tour down the lava tube is really interesting. Only a fixed number of people can go in at the same time so the queue grows quickly. Getting there early is essential to save time.
Vulcan el Cuervo
The walk to the volcano is short and relaxed, and there are usually just a few people on the track. You can also go inside the crater. Best to visit in the morning or late afternoon.
Jameos del Agua
Another architectural wonder utilizing the remains of a lava tube. My personal opinion is that the place has some great marketing but is not actually as exciting as it is advertised. It is usually crowded, so taking good photos is a challenge. I advise getting there as early as possible to beat the crowds.
El Grifo Winery (Museo del Vino)
This is a great place to see the famous Lanzatore grape vines growing out of the volcanic ash. As a bonus there is the wine museum, which is interesting to see, and the possibility to taste some great wine.
Visits depend on the museum’s opening hours although the vines can be seen from the road if you are aiming for an early morning or late afternoon photoshoot.
Teguise
There are several towns and villages in Lanzarote which are great to photograph because they all have these small white buildings and colourful doors.
What is famous about Teguse is that on Sundays its square transforms into this lively market where you can spend hours digging through all the stuff being displayed and sold.
Castillo San Jose
Castillo de San Jose is a renovated fortress is currently an International Museum of Contemporary Art. Not my cup of tea really. The tiny castle has a nice, arty vibe to it and if you walk around the back, there are sculptures of horses in the shallow water.
Museo Lagomar
The museum is private property built from the same volcanic rocks it is formed around. Natural caves are transformed into rooms and lava tunnels into corridors. Quite the architectural masterpiece, I’d say.
Playa Quemada
Playa Quemada is a small fishing village. It is a good place to stop by if you want to avoid tourists and enjoy some time on a beach which you are likely to have all to yourself. It is a black rocky beach and the currents are generally not bad, so it is good for swimming. You’d just need to keep your shoes on. Looks its best at sunrise.
