Amongst the many other delights that visitors to the island of Lanzarote will enjoy (for those who take the time to explore) is the radical difference between the north and the south of this holiday island.

As you fly over the Canary Islands and come in to land it is almost unimaginable that the top and bottom of this delight holiday destination can be quite so different.

What Is Different?

Lanzarote´s two separate faces become obvious when you begin to tour the island.  All of the accommodation such as Lanzarote holiday villas, hotels, apartments are concentrated in the three main holiday resorts.  Whilst the northern half is largely the preserve of local residents.  And where agriculture still plays a very prominent role. Travellers on a tight budget are well  catered for as there are plenty of For travellers there are a number of independent websites featuring a whole host of apartments in Lanzarote from which to choose.

This other side of the island can be easily discovered by driving away from Puerto del Carmen along the LZ1 in the direction of the airport and the capital city of Arrecife. Take the ring road which skirts past this conurbation and then the junction for Tahiche.  The gateway to the north of the island, as well as the location of the former home and studio of the famous local artist César Manrique.  Who built an incredible edifice here over the empty bubbles in the lava flow.  A sight which is well worth making a stop off for. From Tahiche there are then two options, one heading north to the former island capital of Teguise.  Which is home to some very historic buildings, such as the Castillo de Santa Barbara and the Palacio Spinola.  Or along the coast in the direction of Arrieta, which is the main beach destination in this part of the island and hugely popular with locals.  There are also a couple of good quality restaurants here right on the beach which make it an ideal spot to stop off for a spot of lunch.

This part of the island is also where tourists will find Lanzarote´s main tourist attractions.  Which were all created by the islands favourite son César Manrique.  These include the stunning auditorium at the Jameos del Agua, the celebration of cacti at the Cactus Garden and the remarkable look out post at the Mirador del Rio.  This part of the island is also much more verdant than the south, especially evident in the Valley of 1000 Palms.

By contrast the south is very arid and offers little in the way of vegetation.  But it still has some beautiful scenery in the form of the islands volcanic region.  Which was created in the 18th century and which is home to hundreds of now dormant volcanoes and twisted lava fields.

More information about Lanzarote places to visit is available here.

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