Lanzarote is such an intriguing island with its striking volcanic landscapes and impressive golden beaches. With many holidaymakers sticking to the same area for the duration of their holiday – you could be missing out on exploring all this fascinating island has to offer.
Make the most of your holiday with our car hire guide to Lanzarote, it will be a great way to see more of this beautiful island, follow our top tips for driving here along with the best places to visit during your stay. Don’t forget to send us a photo of one of the favourite places you visited.
Top tips for car hire in Lanzarote
- You will need to present your UK driving licence and passport as some companies may ask for a small cash deposit – this is fully refundable on return of the vehicle.
- You have to be over the age of 23 to hire a car in Lanzarote.
- Make sure you check the fuel policy and select the choice that’s best for your budget. If you choose the ‘full-full’ option, you will pick the car up with a full tank and you will be expected to return it in the same way.
- Before driving the car away check it for any scratches or dents, if you find any defects point them out to the car hire company before you drive the car away.
- Take your own child car seat and Sat Nav with you as chartered airlines don’t charge a fee to take car seats on board. This could save you £80 per week in hire fees.
Tips for driving in Lanzarote
- Drivers must carry their driving licence and passports at all times.
- Using a mobile phone while driving is against the law.
- It is illegal to wear flip flops when driving.
- Parking is free and there are usually plentiful at most of the main tourist attractions in Lanzarote.
- You will need to drive on the right and go round the roundabout anti-clockwise.
- You must stop at stop signs – even if the road is clear.
Top places to visit in Lanzarote
Mirador del Rio
A fascinating viewpoint that provides spectacular views of Chinijo, Archipelago, which consists of La Graciosa, Montana Clara and Alegranza as well as the islets of Roque del Esta and Roque del Oeste.
Jameos del Agua Caves
These caves are an amazing place to visit and feature a concert hall, interactive museum, gardens and a pool that all blends naturally into its landscape. You can also soak up the atmosphere when you dine in the restaurant.
Costa Teguise
Home to the biggest outdoor market in the Canaries, with the resort being well-known for its pretty churches and balconied mansions. It’s famous for its Sunday morning stalls which attract many tourists whole have honed their bartering skills – so be sure to practice yours. Work your way through the cobbled streets where you’ll be spoilt for choice with the treasure box stalls.
Rancho Texas Safari Park
The resident family theme park is fantastic, whether you turn up day or night, the safari park has something going on. There’s the incredible zoo, gardens, waterfalls and swimming pools. Don’t forget to watch the bird of prey and sea lion shows.
Timanfaya National Park
The most popular tourist attraction on the island with its colourful dormant volcanoes, with nearly a million tourists visiting this unique lava-scape every year. You can drive through the lava fields, see the geysers working, take a camel ride, wine tasting at Bodega and see the vines growing, it truly is a remarkable place to visit.
Playa Blanca
This upmarket resort has a posh marina full of luxury yachts and boats while at the eastern end of the resort has designer shops and boutiques.
From 8 June 2015 the DVLA – Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency – scrapped the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence and existing paper counterparts will no longer be valid. If you intend to hire a car when you go abroad you will need to obtain a special one-time use access code from the DVLA website beforehand. For those that do not have access to the internet, a phone number will be made available.