Lanzarote in 7 Days

Settle into the villa, stock up at the supermarket, and ease into island time with a first dip in the pool. If you land early enough, a sunset walk along Playa Blanca marina is the perfect first evening.

The big day: Timanfaya National Park in the morning (book your time slot ahead), then the wine roads of La Geria for lunch and a tasting, before finishing at Los Hervideros and Lago Verde for golden-hour views on the coast.

Start at the César Manrique Foundation in Tahíche to understand the artist who shaped the island, then LagOmar in Nazaret, and the Jardín de Cactus on the way north.

Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes, back to back — they sit on the same lava tube, 2 km apart. Squeeze in Stratified City on the way, and finish at the Mirador del Río for the best coastal view on the island.

Ferry from Órzola to Lanzarote's car-free neighbour island. Hire bikes at the port and spend the day between untouched beaches — bring cash, water, and sun protection, there's very little infrastructure.

If it's a Sunday, start with the Teguise craft market — otherwise, the village is just as charming without it. In the afternoon, head to Arrecife for a wander around Charco de San Ginés.

Save the closest beach for last — Papagayo is 10 minutes away and makes for a relaxed final morning before packing up.

No excursions on landing day — settle in, let the kids explore the villa and pool, and take a short evening stroll around Playa Blanca marina.

Ten minutes from the villas, calm coves and shallow, sheltered water. Bring snorkel gear — there's plenty to see close to shore.

Two short, easy stops that don't demand much stamina from little legs — a giant cactus garden, then a free aloe vera plantation with a shop kids tend to enjoy exploring.

The blind cave crabs at Jameos del Agua are a genuine hit with children, and LagOmar's caves and tunnels feel like an adventure. Both are short, self-paced visits.

A full day at the villa or back at Papagayo. After four days of excursions, a quiet day makes the rest of the week feel far less rushed for everyone.

The bus tour through Timanfaya requires no walking, and the geothermal demonstrations are genuinely exciting for children. Keep it to a half-day and skip the longer stops on the way back.

One last swim, a relaxed breakfast, and time to pack without the stress of an excursion competing for the morning.

Ease in with the pool and a first exploration of Playa Blanca on foot — the coastal path toward Papagayo makes a good orientation walk.

Explore the volcanic fissures at Las Grietas, a genuinely under-the-radar spot, then reward yourself with an afternoon on the La Geria wine road and a tasting at one of the family bodegas.

The island's best independent trail — a roughly 10 km loop around Lanzarote's largest crater, through dramatic lava fields with views over Timanfaya. Start early, bring plenty of water, and proper shoes.

A wild beach beneath towering cliffs, with a laid-back surf village behind it. Book a surf lesson if you're up for it, or just walk the sand with the cliffs as backdrop.

Ferry over from Órzola and spend the day cycling between untouched, near-empty beaches on Spain's newest national park island.

Get to Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua right at opening to beat the tour buses, then take the back road past Stratified City on your way to the Mirador del Río.

A slow last day, finishing at the salt flats for sunset — the light turns the pools deep pink in the final hour before dark. A quiet way to close out the week.