Lanzarote

The first military enclave was set up in this zone, the first place of conquest and the first European, centre of the Canary Islands archipelago. It was known then as Rubicón, and by papal pronouncement the modest chapel of San Marcial de Rubicón became a cathedral and diocese of the Canary Islands in 1404.

Yaiza is at the southern end of Lanzarote, sharing with Tinajo part of the Timanfaya National Park, also known as the Mountains of Fire. This can be reached by car or by the well-known and picturesque camel treks, passing through the strange and unique landscapes on the fringes of Timanfaya National Park.

The Mountains of Fire, which can be reached by car or on scheduled excursions. It is also possible to travel part of the way by camel, contemplating the unique and astonishing landscape which unfurls around plains and valleys of volcanoes which remain today as they were left by the largest eruptions of 1730 – 1736 and later in the 19th century, notably in 1824.

The volcanic nature of the entire Timanfaya National Park is born out by the high temperatures of nearly 600ºC to be found 13 meters below ground level and some 120ºC sometimes at the surface.

With a total of 51 square kilometers declared a National Park in 1974 (the highest classification which can accorded within schemes directed at the protection and reservation of nature), the park contains a great variety of geological phenomena connected with its volcanic nature. The Park also has great biological diversity in a seemingly infertile land.

Other major points of interest are the excursions along the Route of the Volcanoes, demonstrations of geothermal anomalies, the well-known El Diablo restaurant (which uses the heat of the earth to make the island’s traditonal dishes) and the craft shop, on Hilario islet.

The village of Yaiza is the municipal core and one of the archipelago´s best preserved towns so much so that it has received several awards for urban embellishment work. Any visitor passing along its streets and past it houses well-adorned with a variety of plants and flowers can vouch for this. Yaiza is located on the edge of the area buried by volcanic eruptions that occurred in Lanzarote in the 18th century. In fact, the chronicle of the eruptions was essentially narrated by the then priest of Yaiza, Andres Lorenzo Curbelo.

Amongst the town’s tourist attractions – in addition to the great contrast between its black, reddish and sometimes even yellow desertlike soils are the Hervideros and El Golfo with its natural lake, both being physical features notable for the magnetic fascination they exercise over those contemplating them.

Crossing the tourist zone of Playa Blanca, we come to the famous beaches of Papagayo, a series of small enclosed and well-sheltered bays which remain in their natural unspoiled state. We must also visit the Salinas del Janubio, a traditional source of employment on the island and testimony to the islanders’ will to create a great industry when needed, simply by taking advantage of the natural resources at hand. The colours offered by the saltwater evaporation process is one of the effects which most captures the attention as the visitors passes through this specially protected natural setting.

Yaiza has two modern marinas: Puerto Calero and Marina Rubicon. Its diverse shopping and entertainment invites visitors to stroll and enjoy the marine environment.