Lanzarote: A Canary Island on the Verge of Stardom

Lanzarote—the setting for part of the new Pedro Almodovar movie, “Broken Embraces”—is expected to play a leading role in many tourists’ travel plans next year.

For Travelojos readers, the island is more than just a pretty place—it shares close ties with Latin America.

By Nick Ball

One of the Spanish-owned Canary Islands located just off the coast of West Africa, Lanzarote´s dramatic volcanic landscapes have served as the backdrop for a number of big budget movies, including “One Million Years BC” and “Krull.” 

The New York Times “Intransit” blog said recently that it expects Lanzarote to appear on the hot lists of several travel magazines next year.

Strong Ties With Latin America. But for Travelojos readers, Lanzarote is more than just another pretty place. It shares some strong ties with Latin America – thanks to both their geographical location and patterns of migration over the last few centuries.

The Canaries were first conquered on behalf of the Spanish crown by a Norman Nobleman in the early 1400´s.  Over the coming centuries their strategic importance to the nascent empire grew.  As these seven islands provided not only a launching pad for Columbus’ famous voyage of discovery. But also provided a staging post for Spanish galleons traversing the Atlantic with African slaves and Inca silver and gold.

Lanzarote – the most easterly link in this chain – became rich on this trade.  The evidence of which can still be found in the historic former capital of Teguise.  Which is home to some fantastic example of colonial architecture.  Such as the Palacio Spinola – the huge mansion of a wealthy merchant which is today open to the public as a house museum.  As well as the three Castillo’s constructed to protect the island from frequent pirate raids.

Over 300 Volcanoes. During the 1730´s however this period of prosperity was bought to an end.  As Lanzarote was rocked by a massive series of volcanic eruptions.  Which decimated farmland and villages.  Replacing fields with carpets of lava punctuated by over 300 volcanoes.

This cataclysmic event forced many Lanzaroteños to flee the island and start a new life abroad.  With many sailing off to various locations across Latin America.  Including Cuba – where the islander’s cigar making skills were soon put to good use.

Today, Lanzarote is a very multicultural island as result. Boasting a mixture of Latin, African and Spanish influences.  As well as a large Colombian expatriate community.

The island now relies on tourism rather than trade and welcomes around 1.5 million foreign visitors every year.  The bulk of them arriving on flights to Lanzarote from countries such as the UK, Eire and Germany.

Unspoiled. Despite Lanzarote´s popularity it still somehow manages to remain largely unspoiled though.  Thanks to a strict planning laws which govern development and an island wide ban on high rise buildings and ad hoardings.

Tourism is concentrated in the three main resorts of Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca.  Which is where the bulk of the best Lanzarote villas and hotels are located.  Whilst rural tourism is also on the rise.

For information on air travel to Lanzarote, check out Cheap Flights to Lanzarote. For details on places to stay, go to Lanzarote Holiday Villas.

Special thanks to Lanzarote Guidebook for sponsoring this post. To find out more about Lanzarote, go to http://www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/