Driving in Lanzarote.

Lanzarotian Art in Teguise

Grasshopper and I were pleased we'd hired a car for the fortnight.  Not only did it cost about the same for the hire as it would have done to get a taxi to and from the airport, we could explore Lanzarote and discover the many treats it offers inquisitive holiday makers.  I found the roads easy to drive on, in good condition and well marked.  They are not too busy, apart from in and around Arrecife in the rush hour.   Car parking was free everywhere we went!  Fuel is much cheaper than in the UK.  We booked the car in advance from Goldcar Rental and picked it up (with no fuss from a pleasant English speaking assistant) at Arrecife Airport on arrival.  It gave us no bother the whole time we were there and the drop off on our return to the airport at the end of the holiday was also conducted pleasantly and easily.  Hire cost was very reasonable as was the cost of additional insurance.  Go to http://www.goldcar.es/

In between pick up and drop off, we enjoyed stress free drives to numerous places of interest including the fishing villages of Arrietta and Orzola in the North, peaceful Haria and Teguise in the mountains, Timanfaya National Park, the fertile central wine growing region, and some of the varied artistic, historic, architectural and natural attractions that Cesar Manrique was involved with. 

Inland Teguise, once the capital of Lanzarote, is a picturesque small town with 17th century buildings and cobbled streets.  We loved it. Interesting individual shops and galleries cluster off the tiny square, where  the main church - Neustro Senora de Guadalupe is situated.  In the square we visited the Palacio Spinola (also renovated by Cesar Manrique.  Is there anything he didn't have a hand in?).  As well as being a beautiful building, it houses the Timple Museum.  The Timple is a small Canarian stringed instrument.  We enjoyed the videos being shown.  One of the instruments being lovingly made, and another of musicians playing wonderful music.  Other beautifully crafted similar instruments from around the world are also displayed.  Entry is free.

A quiet corner in the Palacio Spinola

The Sunday Market takes place in the huge square on the outskirts of the village.  Below is a photo of the market square.  We visited midweek and as you see it was very quiet.  There are very clean public toilets in this square.  With only a couple of exceptions, loo hygiene is splendid everywhere on the island. 



The Spacious Market Square in Teguise