Car Hire in Lanzarote
Car hire in Lanzarote
Explore this island of explosive beauty with Avis
With a flight time from the UK of just four hours, Lanzarote is best explored with four wheels. Drive through the fascinating volcanic landscape that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
Tour the major sights and much more besides with Avis car hire to really make the most of your holiday.
Popular car hire locations in Lanzarote
Avis offers a delivery and collection service for Lanzarote Cruises. If you plan to go on a cruise, let Avis get you there safely so you can enjoy your time and not worry about driving.
Exploring Lanzarote with Avis
This is an island famed for its stark lunar landscape, particular in the central parts. The northern areas are greener while the best beaches are reputedly found in the south. Papagayo, tucked away in the Los Ajaches nature reserve, is a truly stunning white-sand beach, and well worth the trip.
About 80 miles off the African coast, the island is just 37 miles long and 12 miles wide. Although small, it offers many attractions and car rental means you can enjoy the scenery at your own pace, stopping off whenever and as often as you like.
Timanfaya National Park
For starters there’s the Timanfaya (or ‘fire mountain’) National Park, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island. The volcanoes are thankfully now dormant, the last eruptions dating back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The lava landscape is uniquely surreal and out of this world – Apollo 13 astronauts studied photos of the terrain to prepare for landing on the moon!
El Diablo Restaurant
The amazing ‘El Diablo’ restaurant, with 360-degree panoramic windows, is located on top of one of the volcanoes. Diners can enjoy unbeatable views and at the same time watch their food being grilled on the heat coming from an opening in the ground.
The capital city of the island is Arrecife, a lively port with lasting reminders of its seafaring past and home to the Canaries’ largest fishing fleet.
International Museum of Contemporary Art
It is also home to the International Museum of Contemporary Art located in a historic fortress, the Castillo de San José. The strategic site of the Castillo was chosen in order to ward off British pirates. Rest assured that British visitors today are given a warmer welcome! The Museum is open daily and showcases an excellent collection of international work.
The Castillo
The Castillo venue is the brainchild of local artist and architect César Manrique, whose name is inextricably linked with that of the island. He was effective in holding back development on the island during the Seventies and Eighties and believed that tourist attractions should have genuine cultural and historic significance without spoiling the island’s natural attractions. He created a futuristic house out of lava in Tahiche, now the location of the César Manrique Foundation with a display of his works.
In the north of the island, at the foot of the Monte de la Corona volcano, you can see more of Manrique’s influence at the Jameos del Agua. He was the artistic power behind this incredible system of open-air caves and grottoes featuring tropical plants, water pools and lakes. After your fill of art and culture, you can also fill up in the stylish basement restaurant.
El Charco
At the heart of Arrecife, you’ll find another interesting and unusual feature. The inland lagoon of El Charco is an atmospheric area with an array of bars and restaurants. A newly-opened exhibition space, the Sala de Exposiciones de San Gines is open daily except Sundays and has free admission. The lagoon is also the venue for the Fiesta de San Gines, held in August. The merrymaking includes a fireworks display, traditional island sports events such as sailing and wrestling and even a contest to elect Miss Lanzarote.
Arrecife Market
Arrecife market is held on Saturdays in the old quarter of the city, including the El Charco area. It has stalls with arts and crafts, food and drink, and other items for sale. Local folklore groups will also be there for entertainment. You’ll find parking spaces right by El Charco.