Let’s face it, whenever we visit any island on a summer holiday, we’re looking for more than just spectacular beaches to lie on the whole time. Even if that will be the main activity we can still think about getting the most out of our break by looking for amazing views as well. You have to admit that there is nothing better than finding a wonderful vantage point to sit down at and gaze out at the beautiful vistas before you.

Okay so it might sound like a dream and not reality, but you may just change your mind if you go to Mirador del Rio in Lanzarote. This has to be one of the most popular look out points on the entire island, and when you get there you will definitely see why.

The very name of this place tells you something about the venue – the word Mirador translates to mean lookout. But the view you get from here is very difficult to put into words. It’s more than just the view that will get you as well – the history of the place will add even more drama to the time you spend up there. Let your imagination take you back to the 16th century and imagine the Spanish residents of the island sitting in the self same place you will be sitting when you visit Mirador del Rio. They were watching for pirates and while you may not be watching for them, you can still see the same amazing view they would have done all those centuries ago. It’s quite something to think about for sure.

You will be able to see the archipelago of islands that pop out of the water just north of your position at Mirador del Rio. La Graciosa is the largest of them and you may even wish to pay it a visit on another day while you are enjoying your holiday in Lanzarote. But for now you can just enjoy seeing the land mass from your vantage point, gazing out at the sea beyond it as well.

In fact you may find it difficult to drag yourself away.

Even if your foreign languages aren’t that good, you may well guess that the above title means the Green’s Caves when translated into English. But whichever language you refer to Cueva de los Verdes in, you will still see the same amazing sight when you go to see these caves for yourself.

You may already know that Lanzarote is a volcanic island, and indeed these caves were formed as the result of an eruption that occurred in La Corona. It happened many years ago, around three thousand according to various reports.

So the caves were formed as the result of a dramatic natural occurrence. But they have also seen other dramatic events happen throughout the last three thousand years. Some of the residents who lived on Lanzarote in earlier times used to use the caves as a refuge when pirates arrived on the island. As such the caves saved their lives.

You might expect part of the caves to be of a green hue, since their name refers to green. But in fact this is not the case. Instead the name comes from the fact that the caves were once owned by a family called Verde, so they are known as the caves owned by the Verdes.

To call the cave a cave is something of an incorrect statement though. The cave is actually a lava tube and while part of it is open for the public to explore, much of it is closed off to visitors. Part of the tube is completely underwater and this section is still to be fully explored. Around two kilometres of the tunnels can be accessed by the general public however, so it is well worth going along to see the natural sight on your own.

Don’t expect to be greeted by the sight of nothing but a long tube though. Caves, galleries, alternate levels and much more besides await you at the Cueva de los Verdes. It is also lit by different coloured lights, which only serve to make the attraction even more amazing. Don’t miss this beauty of nature when you visit Lanzarote.

If you are visiting Lanzarote and you want to have a taste of Texas while you are there, don’t miss out on paying a visit to the Rancho Texas Park. It might seem a bit of an odd choice for a theme park on a volcanic island such as Lanzarote, but as you will see the park is a delight for all the family. Once you discover some of the treats it has in store for you, you will definitely want to add it to your holiday planner.

If you are staying anywhere near Puerto Del Carmen you won’t have too far to travel to reach the park either, as this is where it is located. It does have a Wild West theme too, which will make a nice change from any other venue you visit during your time in Lanzarote.

This is an animal park though, so it is more akin to a zoo in many ways than an actual theme park with rides and so on. But this shouldn’t put you off as it has some amazing species that are worth seeing. Everything from white tigers to cougars and right through to skunks and even donkeys can be seen here. It provides an educational and interesting day out for everyone in the family, but the kids should particularly enjoy seeing the animals and interacting with some of them as well.

There are shows taking place throughout the daily schedule as well, so it is advisable to find out when they are happening as you get there. You can then plan the rest of your day around the ones you want to see. The Birds of Prey show is particularly worth a look, but the parrots and the sea lions are also waiting to be discovered.

Another part of the Rancho Texas Park is the shows it holds at night. These are totally different to the shows featuring the animals, as you’ll see if you opt to be a part of one of them. With a country and western night on offer as well as a Spanish night, you’ll be spoilt for choice and having more fun than you might have thought too!

There is nothing quite like a beach holiday is there? No matter what else you do if you head to the Canaries or some other similar place on holiday, you will always find you have plenty to appreciate if you have a great beach nearby. You can get up, have a leisurely breakfast and then walk down to the beach to stake out your spot for the day. Just add a drink, a spot of lunch and a superb paperback book and that’s about all you need to truly unwind.

If that appeals to you as your favourite type of holiday abroad, check out the features and benefits that La Caleta de Famara can offer you in Lanzarote. You’ll find it on the northern coast of the island directly beneath Teguise, which is further inland on the map.

If you want to have lots to do during your Lanzarote holiday then La Caleta de Famara may not be ideal for you. But if you hanker after a break with peace and quiet involved to a large degree, it could be just the thing. There are lots of notable things about La Caleta de Famara but one of them is the fact that it has just one proper road. If that doesn’t attract you to a quiet and peaceful holiday destination here, nothing else will. And even this road isn’t always seen, such is the amount of sand that sometimes blows over it, so keep your eyes open!

There is a certain amount of facilities but don’t expect a fully fledged holiday setting. In fact this is why so many people decide to choose it, particularly those who want to back away from the usual busy and lively destinations favoured by other holidaymakers. Relaxation is available on a daily basis here, without the interruptions and noise you might get from other areas.

The beach that begins here is a delight to behold. As soon as you see it you’ll know why La Caleta de Famara is a popular spot that some would like to keep secret. Will you tell anyone else?

Would it surprise you to learn that 50% of everyone who lives on Lanzarote permanently lives in Arrecife? It may not come as much of a surprise when you discover that this is the capital of the island. It may not be the ideal place to head for when you want a beach based holiday and little else. But if you can spare a day or two to explore a different and more vibrant side of Lanzarote, you should certainly pay the capital a visit.

This is a friendly city to visit and it benefits from being right on the coast as well. As you would expect, you will be greeted by a built up coastline if you venture out to the beaches on offer here. But it still has a charm that is unsurpassed elsewhere, thanks to its status as the capital of the island. That heady mix of built up streets and bustling thoroughfares right on the edge of the water is certainly a refreshing change from the more laid back beaches elsewhere.

But arguably the real joys of Arrecife are slightly further away from the water’s edge. You can visit the main cluster of shops in the city and browse around in the largely pretty streets for hours. Be sure to stop and grab a bite to eat, taking advantage of some local specialities along the way. There are plenty of places in Arrecife where you can simply sit and watch the world go by, enjoying every aspect of life in this bustling city as you do.

Arrecife has a long history as a maritime port and indeed it still operates in this manner today. It could do with some sprucing up here and there but improvements are gradually being made. The Grand Hotel is one such example of the huge success that can be gained from improving on previously disappointing and sometimes derelict buildings. This is now one of the main and very attractive sights in the capital.

It may not be the most stunning capital city in the world, but Lanzarote’s capital can certainly hold the interest very easily indeed.

If you are off to Lanzarote on holiday in the near future, don’t be fooled into thinking that the island is all you have to explore. Make no mistake, Lanzarote itself is quite stunning and well worth taking the time to look round. But one of its most delightful surprises is to the north of the island itself – and just beyond it.

This is where you will find the tiny islet of Isla Graciosa, and what a gem it is too. You can even choose to base your holiday here if you wish, as there are a few properties here that are available for rental.

Many people choose to stay in Lanzarote itself and make the short journey to Isla Graciosa though. It’s easy to see why you would want to go too. For starters it is deliciously close to the mainland – just two kilometres separate the two. You can gaze across at Isla Graciosa while you wait for the boat to pick you up and take you there.

Be sure to pack comfortable shoes to wear for the trip too, because you won’t be able to catch a ride anywhere. Not that you would need to, because the island is so small. But there are no roads on Isla Graciosa and this is one of the most appealing things about it. It’s no wonder walkers and ramblers love the island so much.

Alternatively you can hire a mountain bike for the day once you reach the harbour. This is an ideal way to explore the entire island while you are there, and it is well worth doing so. Although if you would prefer staying on two feet, you might be surprised to learn you can walk the entire perimeter in a day quite comfortably indeed!

This is the charm and attraction that Isla Graciosa has to offer its visitors. Its size means it can offer things that no other part of Lanzarote can. Caleta del Sebo is where you will alight from your boat, and this is as busy and built up as the island gets. How much more delightful could it be than this?

Every country has some key sights worth seeing that cannot be missed off any holiday itinerary. In the case of Lanzarote there are several locations that are absolute must sees. But one of the best of the lot has to be a place called Los Hervidores.

This translates into ‘boiling waters’, and that should give you an idea of what to expect. The location is on the coast, and it is the unique marriage of the sea and the rocks that has created this must see location. You may already be aware that Lanzarote is a volcanic island, and its history of eruptions is what we have to thank for Los Hervidores itself.

When you visit the area you cannot go without taking a camera. The combination of the volcanic activity and the relentless might of the sea has created a process of erosion that has given us a stunning show to watch. As the waves have crashed against the shoreline over the centuries, they have gradually worn away the black lava that was thrown out by the volcanoes many centuries ago. The unique series of holes and eroded areas has led to a spectacular display by the sea, with the water being forced up through the holes to give a violent but beautiful sight.

The water almost appears to be hot as it comes through the rocks, because it throws up spray and appears to be hissing as it comes. If you can take a film of it so much the better – you will be able to relive it over and over again once you get home after your holiday in Lanzarote is over.

It is the volcanic nature of the island that has made it into what it is today. When you explore many of the features that Lanzarote has to offer, you will notice the volcanic theme threading its way through all of them. There is no doubt that Lanzarote is a stunning natural beauty of a location, which is probably why it has remained a popular spot for a holiday for such a long time.