Timanfaya National Park is undoubtedly one of the most impressive places to visit in Lanzarote . Its volcanic landscapes that seem to have emerged from distant planets are the most iconic image of a wild, arid, heartbreaking but life-filled island. If you are planning to stop by here on your trip to the Canary Islands , in this article we will tell you how to visit Timanfaya National Park and give you a few tips to make things easier for you 😉
When planning your trip, you will see that in several places Timanfaya is referred to as “ The Mountains of Fire ”. In reality, it is both the same and not the same: The Mountains of Fire would be the area of Timanfaya open to visitors and which is covered by a closed bus. In this article, we will tell you how to make this tourist visit and also about other places in the Timanfaya National Park that can be seen on your own.
1. Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is the only protected geological park in Spain. It covers an area of about 50 km² in the west of the island of Lanzarote and, although it may seem unbelievable, it was formed just a few hundred years ago.
The otherworldly landscape we see today, with fields of solidified lava, volcanic craters and ochre, black and red earth, is due to the 6 years of continuous eruptions that completely changed the morphology of the island. Between 1730 and 1736 this part of Lanzarote must have been the closest thing to hell itself. The earth never tired of spitting fire and the surface was filled with furious volcanoes that exhaled sulphur from their deepest depths.
In 1824 there was a new eruption, the last one, which finished shaping the Timanfaya National Park , to become one of the most incredible places in the Canary Islands .
2. How to get to Timanfaya
There is only one road that reaches the visitable area of Timanfaya: the LZ-67 , which goes from Mancha Blanca to Yaiza. Halfway along the road is the detour to the Islote de Hilario Visitor Centre , the epicentre for visiting Timanfaya (or rather, Las Montañas del Fuego).
Obviously you can arrive from the north or from the south , this will depend on your plans. But be careful, because the times we passed by this road in the middle of the morning the traffic jams that formed were considerable, especially on the access road from the south. So our advice is, if you can't get there early, it's best to try to get to Timanfaya from the north .
Once you take the detour, you will find the entrance gate in just a few metres . This is the time to buy the ticket (or stamp the combined voucher), either at the ticket window without getting out of the vehicle or through the workers who approach the cars.
From here you will have to drive along the last stretch of road where you may have to wait a while until a parking space is available. And finally, when you get the OK, drive to the parking space indicated by the workers, next to the building where the visits take place.
3. How to visit Timanfaya National Park
As we already explained, the Timanfaya National Park is a large area of land protected to preserve its unique characteristics. For this reason, the only way to visit it is by bus . They leave from the Islote de Hilario Visitor Center and follow the so-called "Volcano Route" along the epicentre of volcanic eruptions.
Once you have parked your car, head to the bus stop and join the queue. From what we saw, the buses leave approximately every 15 minutes. The route is about 14 km and takes 30 minutes to complete, making several stops (5 or 6) at the most important panoramic points. On the bus there is an audio guide with explanations in Spanish and English about the history of the park, its formation and interesting facts.
Important: You can NOT get off the bus , so you will have to remain in your seat throughout the entire journey. So which side of the bus is best for a visit to Timanfaya ? We believe that the right side of the bus has better panoramic views, although one of the first stops is at a volcanic crater which is left on the left.
After the bus tour of the park, you will be invited to attend three geothermal demonstrations. The first is an artificial geyser that gives you a few scares. The second is the burning of stubble in a shallow pit by simply touching the hot stone. And the third is a natural pit that uses the heat emanating from the earth (down there, temperatures reach 300 degrees!) to cook barbecues.
This well is used by the El Diablo Restaurant to prepare its specialties (pun intended). And where else on earth can you eat a chicken roasted in the heat of a volcano? By the way, the restaurant was designed by the popular local artist César Manrique . The building also has toilets, a viewing platform and a souvenir shop.
We think that the visit is super complete and you won't need to get on a camel for anything. It's true that they could put buses with better-equipped windows (like the panoramic buses in cities) but we think it's totally appropriate that you can't move around freely.
4. Visit the Timanfaya National Park on a tour
The ideal option in Lanzarote is to rent a car and explore the island at your leisure. However, if you prefer or need to take advantage of guided tours, here are some that include Timanfaya:
- Excursion to Timanfaya and Jameos del Agua (10 hours) TOP!
- Visit to Timanfaya, the Cave of the Greens and the Jameos del Agua (8 hours)
- Tour to Timanfaya National Park and La Geria (6 hours)
5. How much does the entrance to Timanfaya cost?
The price is €20 for adults and €10 for children aged 7-12, payable at the entrance or online on the official website (valid for 3 months and no day or time of visit is required). It includes the bus ride to and from Islote del Hilario, parking and the exhibitions.
Previously there was a tourist pass that included various attractions in Lanzarote, which could save you a bit of money, but they must have withdrawn it because it no longer appears anywhere on the website.
→ More information about tickets to Lanzarote attractions .
6. Mancha Blanca Visitor and Interpretation Center
Before or after visiting Timanfaya National Park, you should stop by this visitor centre, located 2 km south of the town of Mancha Blanca ( point on the map ). There you will find very interesting exhibitions about the formation of volcanoes, a great model of the park, a viewing balcony overlooking the lava flows and an activity that recreates the eruption of a volcano . To experience it, you will have to sign up at the ticket office at the entrance (they do it every hour).
Obviously you can also ask any questions you may have, both about Timanfaya and the rest of the island. Opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00.
7. Sculpture of “The Devil of Timanfaya”
It is the symbol of the national park and one of the icons of the entire island of Lanzarote. This little devil holding a sign was also designed by Cesar Manrique and you will find it at different points as you approach Timanfaya. The last one is right at the turnoff to the Islote de Hilario, but there are others along the road, for example just outside the town of Yaiza or in front of the Mancha Blanca Visitor Centre.
Before stopping, check that the place where you are parking is not a danger to other traffic, and be careful when entering the hard shoulder , because the jump is usually quite large and you can hit the underside of the car.
8. More tips for visiting Timanfaya
Plan your visit to Timanfaya National Park with these last tips:
- As this is one of the busiest tourist spots in all of Lanzarote, it is important to arrive early . The opening hours are from 9:30 to 17:00, with the last bus leaving at 16:00, so if you can be there first thing in the morning, even better. We recommend confirming the times before arriving.
- Can you enjoy Timanfaya without riding camels ? Without a doubt YES!
- As we already told you, the right side of the bus is better.
- The souvenir shop has cooler things than in other shops in the other tourist areas of Lanzarote.
- Official website of Timanfaya National Park
9. Free trails in Timanfaya (and surroundings)
Although we tell you that the only way to access the Timanfaya National Park is with the bus tour, there are some options to take a trail on foot, for example the one that reaches the Tremesana Volcano , or the one that runs along the Coastal Route, but with a guide and prior reservation.
Lanzarote also has an ace up its sleeve: the Volcanoes Natural Park . Technically, it is not part of Timanfaya, but we could consider it an extension of it. The landscapes are the same and you will have the opportunity to go on some hiking routes on your own.
These are the most recommended hiking routes in the area:
› Tremesana Route
It is a short 3 km route that runs through a restricted area of the National Park and therefore must be done with a guide and obtaining a place in advance. To do so, you must go to the Mancha Blanca Visitor Centre or call by phone. More info .
› Coastal Route
This may be one of the most unique routes as it runs along the coast, where the sea and lava meet. It starts from the north of the town of El Golfo and is about 6 km long, although it can be extended. Unlike the previous one, this one can be done with or without a guide. If you decide to do it on your own, keep in mind that it is somewhat difficult and you need to be well equipped. More info .
› El Cuervo Volcano Trail
An easy route that takes you into the crater of this volcano. From the parking lot it is 1.5 km, so you can choose to return or take the circular route around the volcano (approximately 4.5 km in total).
› Caldera Blanca Trail
This is probably the most complete route of all, taking you to the top of the crater with the largest diameter in Lanzarote. It is about 11 km in total, but be careful because it is a bit demanding and the wind blows quite strongly up there.
→ Caldera Blanca Route: information and tips
On all routes, please only walk on marked trails and do not break or pick up volcanic rocks.
10. Map of Timanfaya National Park
Here is a map with the most important points to plan your visit to Timanfaya:
Do you now have a better idea of how to visit Timanfaya ? We hope that with our advice you will enjoy a spectacular day in one of the most magical places we have ever been!
