Lanzarote: A Guide to the Volcanic Land of Eternal Spring. Sleeping in a car on a volcano? Our miniB camper box test.

We want more Summer!!!

Another planet?

Lanzarote is an island born of fire and water, located in the Atlantic Ocean, closer to Africa than to Spain, although it belongs to the latter. It’s often called the “island of volcanoes,” which is evident at every turn. The island is also a land of eternal winds and lunar landscapes. It captivates with incredible “Martian” views we nicknamed the “great ashtray” – it’s what makes you feel like you’re on another planet. The view literally pushes you into your seat! Or rather – into the sofa from the miniB box, but more on that in a moment.

How does fly & rent & camp work? Our miniB in a rented SUV

Our journey began at the airport in Berlin (take a look at Kayak.com for low fare flight offers from your airport), and after a flight of just under 5 hours, we landed in Arrecife. Our “gray arrow” – a rented Jeep Renegade – was waiting for us. It’s worth booking a car online in advance to avoid wasting time searching upon arrival. We packed our belongings in the trunk, along with the miniB box, which flew with us smoothly and without any fuss, and so our nomadic adventure began. Lanzarote isn’t large, so getting anywhere takes a maximum of 40 minutes. This has its pros and cons. The pro is that you don’t waste time on long drives. The con is that charging your phone on the go is quite short. We learned from our mistakes – not having a power bank was our only trouble. But luckily, the miniB has space for various gadgets, so you just need to remember to make one of them a power bank!

Freedom, comfort and… a fairytale life

The best part of all this was that with our little house on wheels, we could stop practically anywhere, so the most beautiful and secluded places were open to us. The island, though small, gives you the feeling that it’s just you and your Jeep. And once you stop, you set up your camping gear and feel right at home. We would pull out the table and chairs from the miniB box, allowing us to eat amidst beautiful nature, and part of the bed served as a sofa that we took with us for the evening sunsets. We know, it sounds a bit like fluff, pink, and glittery unicorns, but why should we hide from you that life can be fabulous. Even the ubiquitous stones didn’t scare us. Freedom and comfort are such a good duo…

Aesthetics above all, a.k.a. Cesar Manrique

One of the things that captivated us on Lanzarote from the first moments is its incredible aesthetics. The island is exceptionally uniform architecturally, and the landscape is not marred by any billboards or advertisements. For someone who wants to rest not just their body, it’s a true paradise. Why is that? It’s thanks to a visionary, artist, and ecologist all in one – Cesar Manrique.

This unique man, fascinated by the island’s natural beauty, dedicated his life to integrating his works into the volcanic landscape, not destroying it. He convinced the locals to build all houses in the traditional style – with whitewashed walls and green or blue doors or shutters. Thanks to him, Lanzarote is cohesive and harmonious. Manrique was undoubtedly a colorful character and a visionary, and his works are scattered all over the island, inviting discovery. We encourage you to take a journey in Cesar’s footsteps. Whether it’s his private estate, a fort designed by his visionary mind (the views are seriously breathtaking), or the museum he created – all these places are worth your time. Our admiration for the aesthetics of Cesar Manrique is immense! We wonder what your impressions will be. tickets can be purchased here, for example: https://ventaonline.cactlanzarote.com/en/tickets-and-vouchers

Car Camping on a Windy Island

Volcanic landscape, eternal wind and… stone windscreens.

Lanzarote is a land of eternal winds. Although average temperatures range from 18°C in winter to 24°C in summer, the wind makes the perceived temperature lower. But don’t worry, because the locals have a brilliant trick for this – semicircular windscreens made of magma stones, which you’ll find everywhere, especially on the beaches. You just need to crouch behind such a shield to feel the blissful warmth of the sun’s rays. Luckily, in our miniB box, we have cool camping gear. A table and chairs are a must, so you don’t have to squat – save your legs!

Life in a car, though it may seem modest, gives a sense of total freedom. A few times, we happened to sleep in places so charming that they felt unreal. One such magical place was the natural rock pools, near the ruins of some old hotel. The sight of waves crashing against the rocks and forming small, private pools was simply out of this world. And the memory of being able to swim in those pools moves us to this day. It was there, thanks to the Park4night app, that we found our own little paradise. The app is very helpful, and we recommend it to relieve you of the stress of choosing a sleeping spot each day. Even in the dark, you’ll find places that turn out to be a jackpot in the morning. Take our word for it, such surprises are like winning the lottery.

The Tastes and Colors of Lanzarote

On the island, the soil is usually black, and volcanic gravel is used to cultivate its two most famous plants: grapevines and aloe. Vineyards are scattered throughout the island, and we highly recommend visiting one, combined with a tasting. It’s amazing how exquisite wine is born from such a harsh landscape! Also, remember that aloe is ubiquitous here, so it’s worth stocking up on local cosmetics made from this magical plant. You will see that against this black background, the plants look completely different – they inspire a sense of awe.

Speaking of colors… Remember your sunglasses! The white walls, floors, and stairs reflect light with such intensity that on a sunny day, it’s impossible to survive without glasses. It’s like a laser penetrating your pupils! Fortunately, this is the only “negative” side effect of this beautiful white, which makes the landscape so clean and relaxing to the eye, and the light pierces right through you. We think it causes such a huge boost of vitamin D in the body that it helps you last in good shape until spring, and maybe even longer.

A Paradise for Surfers and other Wave Tamers

….aaaaaaa one more thing, if you’re a surfing/kiting enthusiast (it’s quite possible you don’t even know it yet), then Lanzarote is your paradise. The season for water madness seems to last all year here. In January, there was no problem finding a water sports school or equipment rental.

Warmth, water, and wind = You on the water from sunrise to sunset.

Just DON’T FORGET sunscreen for your face (SPF 50!!!).

It’s worth remembering that where there’s an ocean, there are also regular tides. This means that if you see a wide beach in the morning, inviting you to set up “camp,” after a few hours you will see, or rather feel, water surrounding you from all sides, eager to help itself to the book you put down for a moment, your half-drunk cup of coffee, or the stove with your simmering dinner. Be vigilant and don’t be caught by surprise – unless you can run faster than the tide, then do as you please.

7-Day Itinerary for Lanzarote – Sleeping in the Car

Here is our proposed itinerary that will let you fully experience the island’s atmosphere.

Day 1: Arrival and Volcanic Welcome

• Arrival at Arrecife airport, car pickup, and installation of the miniB box.
• Drive south towards Timanfaya National Park.
• Overnight stay near the Park to be ready for sightseeing in the morning. The Park4night app is a treasure!

Day 2: The Heart of the Island – Timanfaya Park and Cesar Manrique

• Timanfaya National Park: here you will see real volcanoes and witness firsthand how hot the earth is. The entrance fee is approx. €12 per person. It’s worth buying a voucher for several attractions, which we discuss below.
• Drive north, visiting the works of Cesar Manrique.
• Overnight stay near Jameos del Agua or Cueva de los Verdes.

Day 3: Underground Caves and the Cactus Garden

• Jameos del Agua: a magical complex in a cave, designed by Manrique. The ticket costs approx. €10. You will see unique, blind crabs here!
• Cueva de los Verdes: one of the world’s longest volcanic caves. Ticket approx. €10.
• Jardín de Cactus: a beautiful garden where you’ll find thousands of cactus species from all over the world. Ticket approx. €6. This is another of Manrique’s works, who created this place in a former quarry.
• Overnight stay near Famara.

Day 4: Beach Fun and Wind in the Sails

• Playa de Famara: ideal for surfers and kitesurfing enthusiasts.
• Rest, swim, or maybe a surfing lesson? The season lasts all year here!
• In the evening, dinner in the car using the camping equipment from the miniB.
• Overnight stay nearby.

Day 5: Charms of the North

• Mirador del Río: a viewpoint with a breathtaking view of the island of La Graciosa. Ticket approx. €5. Another of Manrique’s works, which he integrated into the cliff so that it’s practically invisible from the outside!
• Visit one of the local vineyards, e.g., in La Geria. A tasting of wine from vines growing on volcanic soil is a must!
• Overnight stay east of Arrecife, near Costa Teguise.

Day 6: Towns and Local Products

• Teguise: the charming old capital of the island. A large market is held here on Sundays!
• El Golfo: The Charco de los Clicos lagoon, also known as the green lake.
• Los Hervideros: The “Boiling Coast” – volcanic caves where the waves crash thunderously.
• Overnight stay in Playa Blanca.

Day 7: Relaxation and Volcanic Beaches

• Papagayo Beaches: several beautiful, small coves with bright sand. Perfect for a final swim and relaxation. There is a fee to enter the beach area – €3 per car.
• A slow return to the airport, car drop-off, and the flight home with a head full of memories.

Practical Tips and Useful Information

• Local products: try the local wine, goat cheese, and of course, the aloe the island is famous for. Local markets are a great place for shopping, e.g., in Teguise.
• Entrance tickets: Instead of buying tickets for each place separately, it’s worth investing in a voucher for 3, 4, or 6 attractions. The vouchers are valid for 14 days and allow for significant savings.
  • 3 attractions: 23,50 EUR
  • 4 attractions: 29 EUR
  • 6 attractions: 35 EUR
  • Vouchers can be bought online or at the first attraction you visit. (data from January 2025)

Pack what you love: with the miniB box you have everything in one place – a kitchen, table, chairs, a comfortable bed, and even a sofa. There’s no problem fitting a power bank and other essential gadgets that will make your life on the island easier. For every trip, we also recommend the best shoes ever for water where there are stones and for any excursion, even in the mountains – minimalist sandals from our friend at: https://shop.monksandals.com/gb/ for us, everything fits together – minimalism, less waste in production – versatility. and we don’t get a commission from them hahaha – this is an honest recommendation, just like this whole story.

Want to feel a similar freedom and independence? Check out the miniB camper box set that made this possible for us and discover how simple traveling on your own terms can be.

… see you somewhere, sometime – for us, life tastes better ON THE ROAD, what about you ???