Top Five Family Activities on Lanzarote Island

  Although the Spanish Canary Islands could have once housed the legendary Garden of Hesperides, these islands were mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his encyclopedia of the natural world. At that time, Lanzarote received the descriptor of a “purple island,” and the island’s name from the natives was Tyterogaka, meaning “one that is all ochre.”This was the location of the filming for original Planet of the Apes, and the island it is especially notable for its “Martian” landscape.  Today, people living on the island rely primarily on tourism and agriculture for their income. As is the case with any popular travel destination, there is plenty to see at this spot so here’s a list of some sights you should check out on your next visit.

Timanfaya National Park

Travelers will want to take advantage of the complimentary bus ride around the lava fields at this national park. Commentary on this trip is in three different languages including English, and the journey lasts about fifteen minutes. Hungry visitors should stop by the onsite restaurant which uses heat from the volcanos to cook the food that they serve. Our kids were fascinated with the process and watched it over and over again. Travelers should be aware that people arriving on organized tours get sightseeing priority over those that have made their own way to the site and make their plans accordingly. The park can be found about a half hour drive from the nearby town of Puerto del Carmen. Be sure to take a camel ride, because it is a once in a lifetime experience that your family will remember forever. Instead of riding on top of a blanket like in most countries, two people ride on each side of the camel in a basket. According to the tour guides, they only use female camels that are more friendly and less likely to bite visitors. The ride is twenty minutes along the uneven sand dunes, and we spent the first five minutes in fear of the camel tripping making us fall from the basket.

Autism Travel Tips:

• Be sure to try a meal cooked over a volcanic rock while you’re here but rest assured they also have  spagetti  on the menu for th picky kids.
• The national park is wheelchair accessible. Admission users get in for free, and some coaches are specially made to handle wheelchairs.
• For the camel rides, prepare your child, especially if they are afraid of heights.

César Manrique Foundation

This unique home was created using the natural lava bubbles found here as a design element. The building is now home to a tidy museum that houses the modern artworks of its’ former owner, including sketches by Picasso and Miró. As the video shown by the museum explains, Cesar Manrique was a visionary who tried to protect his island from the effects of rampant commercialism. The house itself provides travelers with an excellent view of the surrounding area. Visiting this spot will only take about thirty minutes, and the grounds also contain a place that sells snacks as well as a gift shop.

Autism Travel Tips:

• You can grab a cup of  hot  chocolate and churro  in the garden.
• This place is best for family members particularly interested in art and unique architecture.
• The home is small and easy to explore quickly. It’s recommended as a quick stop during your vacation rather than an all day excursion.

Papagayo Beach

Papagayo Beach is a beautiful area with fantastic views and a perfect blue sea. It’s not very crowded most days, and the area is considered by main to be “pure” and “unspoiled.” Most of the nearby facilities are away from the beach, but there are restrooms and restaurants where you can get a bite to eat if you haven’t thought to bring your own provisions. You can find some special eating areas inside the nearby volcanic tunnels.

Autism Travel Tips:

• You will need to rent a car to get to the beach. Part of the drive is down a dirt road so plan accordingly.
• Visitors will need to be able to maneuver up and down a flight of stairs to access the beach itself.
• It’s a rocky beach, nothing like the sandy beaches of the Carribean, and some people might not like walking in the rocky areas.

Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park

As a current holder of a Certificate of Excellence from the folks at Trip Advisor, this animal populated area in Puerto del Carmen is sure to delight young children. Some performances take place on the grounds, and these are well worth making an effort to see, particularly the sea lion and parrot shows. Tasty, good value meals can also be found on the premises as well. Toddlers under the age of two are admitted free of charge. The park is open every day from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm but it does open a half-hour earlier than usual on Fridays.

Autism Travel Tips:

• There is a Country/Western night that involves sitting with or next to strangers in proximity. If your child needs a lot of personal space, this might not be the best night to come.
• Teach your kids to be respectful and wary of the local animals by telling them not to get too close to or touch them.

The Devil’s Caves

This cool spot is a good place to get away from the blazing hot sun, particularly during the summer months. The caves are an excellent place to view the impressive white crabs that make their homes here as well as the usual cave features such as stalagmites and stalactites. The site is open between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm, with the last tour departing promptly at 5 pm. The tours themselves last a little less than a full hour.

Autism Travel Tips:

• Those coming here should be aware that the cave walls can be quite narrow in places and there are no elevators on the premises.
• The tour guides speak multiple languages, but their accents can be thick so keep this in mind when you and your family want to visit.
• In the caves, water can drip on your head at any point. Kids need to be aware of this.
• The caves are dark with uneven ground, and there is a strange smell because it is underground. Kids who are sensitive to any of these factors might have issues navigating the caves.

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