Timanfaya National Park: what can you do there ?
The Timanfaya National Park is located in Spain, in the archipelago of the Canary Islands. Its ground is entirely covered with lava, following the eruption of several volcanoes in the 1700s. Lanzarote, the island on which the park is located, is the most volcanic of the archipelago.
The volcanoes of Timanfaya The volcanoes are still active, but have not erupted for 200 years, so it is accessible to tourists.
How to visit Timanfaya National Park ?
To get to Lanzarote and visit the park, you will have the possibility to choose between the ferry from Spain or the plane, if you leave from France. By opting for the ferry, you can take your vehicle with you, an ideal solution for your visit. Since 1950, roads have been built to allow tourists to visit the area safely.
If you are on one of the islands of the archipelago, you can only go to Lanzarote by ferry or boat. Only Tenerife airport connects to Lanzarote airport.
In advanceinside the national park of Timanfaya, the activities are varied. The visitor’s center is the starting point for a large number of excursions. The tour usually starts there.
You will also find a free museum where you will discover exhibitions on the history of Timanfaya and its evolution.
On foot, by car, or by bus, you decide
The next part of the tour takes place in the heart of the volcanoes, where you can admire the beauty of the craters and lava flows, by taking the Volcanoes Route. The volcanoes being active, you will admire the vapors coming out of the ground and see how hot it is.
The Timanfaya is not free of animals. Many game animals live there, as well as donkeys, birds and dromedaries. The ground being volcanic, the fauna and the flora could not adapt.
Only animals that were domesticated are still present today.
On the site, you will discover the Monumento al Campesino, the monument of the peasant, signed by Cesar Manrique.
A part of the park is accessible on foot, Accompanied by a local guide, for people who enjoy hiking. If you wish to be independent and not be guided, only the public road along the coastline will be open.
To continue the adventure in the heart of the volcanoes, camel rides are offered, except on weekends.
Practical information to visit the National Park of Timanfaya
The places being 51,07 km², it is strongly advised to go there by car. For those who do not wish to drive, it is possible to visit the park by bus, which offers a circuit of about fifteen kilometers. To do the whole tour, it is recommended to plan a whole day.
It takes about 10 hours to see everything.
The visitor’s center is open from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday to Sunday, and is located in the village of Mancha Blanca. You can start your visit by car or on foot. The visit on foot is only by reservation. (to be reserved in advance at the visitors’ center)
The prices to visit the park The price of a pitch is 12 euros per adult and 6 euros for children up to 12 years old. The visit to the Monumento al Campesino is free for children under seven years old.