Timanfaya: Day Trips and Tours from Lanzarote

Covering almost a quarter of the island, Timanfaya National Park is one of the most visited spots on Lanzarote. This is an area of outstanding geological activity and is home to over 20 volcanoes.

While on a day trip to Timanfaya from Lanzarote, you can watch steaming water shooting high into the air, hike among lofty mountains and discover the history behind the park’s string of eruptions.

Whichever type of excursion you choose, you’re bound to be awed by this natural phenomenon.

Here's all you need to know about Timanfaya, one of the most exciting day trips from Lanzarote.

How to get to Timanfaya from Lanzarote?

Timanfaya is a large national park located on the west coast of Lanzarote. It covers just over 50 square kilometers and is approximately 20 kilometers from the island's capital of Arrecife.

From Lanzarote to Timanfaya by car

The length of the journey to Timanfaya by car depends on which part of the island you’re traveling from. However, it takes around 30 minutes to reach the site from Arrcife and follows the LZ-20 north of the town. At Mozaga, you'll turn left onto LZ-409 before joining the LZ-46 toward the park.

Alternatively, if you’re staying in the popular tourist resort of Playa Blanca, you’ll travel along the LZ-2 northbound to reach the southernmost part of the park. From there, you can utilize the LZ-67 to make your way to the visitor center.

Guided tour to Timanfaya from Lanzarote

There are no public transportation options that stop at or near the park, which means that the easiest way to make the jaunt to Timanfaya if you don’t have access to a car is via a guided excursion.

These typically last between 4 and 9 hours, depending on the activities you participate in, and often meet at the operator's office, which you can see the location of before booking.

This allows you plenty of time to plan your route and arrange any transportation ahead of time. Lanzarote has a reliable network of buses, which makes navigating easy for tourists.

You can expect the majority of Timanfaya day tours to begin around 9 AM, returning sometime during the afternoon or early evening.

How much does the entrance ticket to Timanfaya cost?

The entry fee to Timanfaya is affordable, making it a great natural attraction for the whole family on a vacation in Lanzarote. You can pay in advance online or at the ticket office upon arrival.

• Adults: €12
• Children (aged 7-12): €6
• Children under 7: Free

What is the typical itinerary?

The itinerary varies between each Timanfaya excursion, depending on the activities you participate in or the additional destinations you visit. However, they all tend to meet at an easy-to-reach location around the island, such as Costa Teguise. Once you’ve boarded your vehicle, whether that’s a coach, electric car or e-bike, you’ll begin your journey toward Timanfaya National Park.

Upon arrival at the volcanic site, you’ll explore its grounds. You may do this by hopping between points of interest in your vehicle or you might instead don your hiking boots and participate in a trek across the barren lands. You’ll usually make a stop at El Golfo, which appeared in the 2015 Hollywood movie “In the Heart of the Sea” starring Chris Hemsworth.

Before ending your Timanfaya day tour, you may journey into the region of La Geria where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a wine tasting. Most Timanfaya day trips drop you back to your original starting point. However, several offer a hotel pickup and drop-off service so that you don’t need to navigate your way back to your accommodation after your adventure.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Timanfaya?

There are plenty of different Timanfaya day trips to explore. Some of these take place via bike, while others challenge you to an invigorating trek or visit a range of destinations across Lanzarote. No matter your travel style, you’re bound to find an excursion to suit you.

Guided tour to Timanfaya from Lanzarote

On this Timanfaya day trip, you’ll meet your guide and head to the natural attraction to discover its fascinating history as an area of volcanic activity. Here, you’ll learn about the Hollywood movies that have used the park as a set and witness the gushing geysers of the Islet of Hilario.

See the white-washed village of Yaiza, which is one of the most historic spots on the island, and travel along the jagged coastline that has been formed over the centuries by geothermal activity.

You’ll stop in the agricultural townlet of Mancha Blanca for lunch before continuing on. Drive past the iconic green lake of El Golfo before heading to La Geria to sample the local tipple at a renowned winery.

Hiking tour to Timanfaya from Lanzarote

On this half-day tour, you’ll get up close and personal with Lanzarote’s volcanic past by embarking on a hiking excursion through its geothermal areas.

You’ll work your way across the rugged terrain of Timanfaya National Park, exploring some of its many craters and tunnels as you go.

Feel the endorphins flow as you make your way through this challenging hike, learning about the background of the UNESCO-listed World Heritage site that encompasses the park.

Twizy day trip to Timanfaya plus from Lanzarote

Experienced drivers can get behind the wheel of a Twizy and speed their way through the magnificent landscape of the Timanfaya National Park. You’ll travel along the outstanding Volcanoes Route, passing towering mountains and captivating lava fields.

From there, you’ll swap your vehicle for a comfortable seat aboard a bus to journey along the twisty Lunar Route, filled with unique rock formations.

Hopping back into your electric car, you’ll drive out of the national park and into the La Geria region where volcanic ash has helped vineyards to thrive, and produce thousands of liters of wine from the Malvasia grape.

Day tour to Timanfaya plus Jameos del Agua from Lanzarote

You’ll start off your Timanfaya day tour by journeying to El Golfo where you can explore the unique green crater lake, located directly next to the vibrant turquoise sea. Moving on, you’ll have the opportunity to hop on the back of a camel and ride through the wilderness, bonding with your mammalian friend along the way.

Then, you’ll spend time discovering the most remarkable sights in Timanfaya before rounding your tour out with a visit to Jameos Del Agua — a collection of lava caves that formed approximately 4,000 years ago after the explosion of Montaña Corona.

E-Bike tour to Timanfaya from Lanzarote

On this biking tour, you’ll meet your small group in the seaside resort of Costa Teguise, located on the East Coast, and head in the direction of Timanfaya. You’ll travel through Lanzarote’s wilderness without breaking a sweat on your convenient e-bike, passing by prickly pear cacti as well as pristine vineyards and endemic plants.

Once you reach Timanfaya, you’ll guide your bike around the rim of an ancient volcano and make your way up to a vantage point for a spectacular golden Canarian sunset. As you sit and admire mother nature’s daily miracle, you’ll sip local wine and enjoy traditional snacks before ending your excursion.

How much does a day trip to Timanfaya from Lanzarote cost?

Timanfaya day trips cost approximately €40 per person and include admission to the park, as well as the services of a professional tour guide and a winery visit. A Lanzarote hiking tour to Timanfaya also costs the same.

An excursion that includes Jameos del Agua in its itinerary costs between €50 and €60 each, while day trips that occur in a Twizy cost approximately €60 per vehicle. You can fit up to two people inside each Twizy, reducing the cost per head to around €30.

Alternatively, you can expect to pay €120 per person for an e-bke tour. This type of experience includes the rental of your vehicle, as well as safety equipment and a tour leader.

What will you see and do?

Timanfaya is a geological national park in Spain that has been shaped by a series of volcanic eruptions, the last of which happened during the 19th century.

However, the park’s most notable explosions happened in the first half of the 18th century, when a domino effect caused many volcanoes in the region to erupt over a period of 6 years. This procession of volcanic activity caused much of Lanzarote’s population to relocate.

After 1736, the volcanoes of Lanzarote appeared to lay dormant for a period of time, however, in 1824, three explosions took place. It has been documented that during this period of eruptions, over 2,000 million cubic meters of lava covered the landscape.

In total, there are 25 volcanoes within the national park, almost all of which are now considered dormant. However, Timanfaya Volcano — after which the site is named — is still active and closely monitored. Tourism in Timanfaya is controlled and visitors cannot roam the site freely at their leisure. Instead, they can make their way along several designated roads to explore part of the area.

Tourists on a day trip to Timanfaya will stumble upon a spot where they can take a break from admiring geysers and lava fields to participate in a camel ride. They can also explore the visitor center, which was designed by the Canarian artist César Manrique and showcases the area’s transformation throughout the ages.

What are the opening times?

Timanfaya is open to the public from 9:30 AM to 3:45 PM every day of the year.

When is the best time to visit Timanfaya?

You can plan a day tour to Timanfaya at any time of the year, however, you may choose to visit in the summertime when temperatures hover around 28 degrees Celsius. This means you can enjoy the heat while wandering through the park and see the landscape in the dazzling Canarian sunshine.

If you prefer a balmier climate, you may plan your trip for the spring or fall months when temperatures range from 14 to 23 degrees Celsius. You’ll find activities, such as hiking, to be more pleasant at these times of the year.

As the national park is one of the main tourist attractions on the island, it can become congested with tourists. If you wish to avoid the crowds on your Timanfaya day tour, you should consider arriving when the site first opens or after 3 PM when other visitors have moved on.

Are there any tours to Timanfaya from other regions in the Canary Islands?

Yes, there are tours departing from other regions in the Canary Islands:

• Day trips to Timanfaya from Fuerteventura

Travel tips

• Check to see whether your chosen Timanfaya day trip includes the entry fee to the park before booking.
• If your tour includes hiking, be prepared for the rough terrain by wearing hiking boots or sneakers with good grip.
• Lanzarote experiences a hot and dry climate during the summer months so bring sunscreen, a sunhat, and plenty of water with you on your tour.
• Food options are limited in the national park, so bring snacks with you to ensure you stay full throughout the day.