If you’re looking for an otherworldly adventure on Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park is the place to be. This volcanic wonderland feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet, with its vast fields of lava, rugged craters, and surreal red, black, and orange landscapes. But don’t worry, you won’t need a spacesuit to explore it.
Visiting Timanfaya is easier than you might think. Whether you’re planning to drive yourself, join a guided tour, or hop on a bus, there are plenty of options to suit every type of traveler.
Before you go, it’s good to know a few key details. Access to certain areas of the park is restricted to preserve its fragile environment, so you’ll want to plan your visit accordingly. Booking in advance for certain activities or tours can save you a lot of hassle. Oh, and don’t forget your camera — these landscapes are seriously photogenic.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or just someone curious about the raw power of volcanoes, Timanfaya National Park is a must-see. Get ready to be amazed by Lanzarote’s wild side!
How to reach Timanfaya National Park
- By Car – The most flexible option, allowing you to explore at your own pace. Parking is available near the entrance.
- By Guided Tour – Join a guided bus or minibus tour with a local guide providing insights into the park’s geology and history.
- By Public Transport – Limited options for direct public transport to the park. It’s recommended to combine public transport with a guided tour or a rental car.
💡 Tip – Book guided tours in advance during peak seasons to secure a spot. If driving, aim to arrive early to avoid crowds.
Practical tips for visitors
Information on entry fees and booking requirements
The entrance fee to Timanfaya National Park is €20 per person. Children under 7 are free and otherwise pay €10. You can buy your ticket in advance or simply when you drive up at the main entrance of the National Park.
The Ruta de los Volcanes is included in the entrance fee to the park. And after a short drive through Timanfaya you’ll reach the official parking lot where you have to leave your car. The only way to explore inside Timanfaya National park is to do so with the official bus tour.
The bus drive is around 30 minutes and every 15 minutes a new tour starts with information in English, German and Spanish.
💡 TIP – During the tour it is not allowed to leave the bus. The bus will make 5 to 6 stops in total but you’re not allowed to get off. I found the best way to take photos through the reflective windows was by pressing my camera completely against the window.
🚌 TIP – The best side on the bus is the right side (the opposite side of the driver). If you can snag the spots at the very front. This way you’ll also be able to take photos and videos through the front window!
Best times to visit and how to avoid crowds
The park can get quite busy, especially during midday and peak holiday seasons. To make the most of your experience, consider visiting later in the afternoon when crowds are thinner. Weekdays are typically less crowded than weekends and holidays. We once arrived in the morning and people were already lining up at the entrance at 8.30am.
We visited on a weekday and arrived around 3am. We had to wait about 20 minutes in total before we were able to drive up to the parking lot.
Opening Hours – Open daily from 9.30am until 5pm.
Essential items to bring
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain. The volcanic landscape can be rocky and uneven, so footwear with good grip is essential. Bring water to stay hydrated, especially during warmer months. Don’t forget your camera or smartphone — the striking colors and dramatic landscapes make for stunning photos.
💡 TIP – We brought our hiking carrier so César would be strapped in as well during the bus ride.
Top things to do at Timanfaya National Park
Explore Fire Mountain (Montañas del Fuego)
This is the heart of the park, where you can witness geothermal demonstrations, feel the heat radiating from the ground, and see how water instantly turns into steam. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the raw power of volcanic energy.
Join the Guided Bus Tour at Timanfaya National Park
The guided bus tour takes you through areas of the park that are off-limits to pedestrians. You’ll be driven through a stunning volcanic landscape while listening to an informative commentary about the park’s formation and geological history.
The Ruta de los Volcanes is included in the entrance fee to the park. The bus drive is around 30 minutes and every 15 minutes a new tour starts with information in English, German and Spanish.
Hiking in Timanfaya National Park
There’s only one way that you’re allowed to hike in Timanfaya National Park and that is with an official guided tour, also known as the Tremesana Route. This 3km route takes you through the National Park itself and has to be booked through the official website. The minimum age required is 16 years old and you have to be able to understand and speak English.
💡 TIP – This is a free tour with very limited spots, make sure you book well in advance (at least a couple of weeks) to secure your spot.
Due to the age limitations we weren’t able to join the Tremesana Route but we did find an excellent alternative!
We booked a hiking tour through Los Volcanos Natural Park which takes you right next to the Fire Mountains of Timanfaya National Park. Turns out this guided hike ended up being our favorite hike in Lanzarote!
Hiking Distance – 9km
Elevation – 50m
Route Type – Loop
Duration – 3 hours
Level – Easy
Parking Lot – We joined an official guide for this hike and I highly recommend it! This wasn’t a sponsored activity but one that we paid for ourselves and as you can see, this hike made it to number one 1 on the list!
Best time to visit – Lanzarote is a year round hiking destination
This hike leads you through the heart of Los Volcanes Natural Park and according to our guide it will soon only be possible to visit this trail with an official guide. The locals really want to preserve the nature of Lanzarote and I totally understand where they’re coming from after seeing some of the tourists behaving on the trails.
This particular hike in Lanzarote let’s you discover the many eruptions of the Timanfaya mountains that took place during the period from 1730-1736. This lead to the creation of all the varied volcanic geoforms that you can discover during this hike.
From walking next to a wall of lava, to climbing a volcano and hiking on a caldera. This hike really has it all and I was so happy that we booked it!
They’re only allowed to take a maximum of 10 people per tour and our guide, Ula, gave us plenty of time to take photos, besides providing excellent knowledge about the Los Volcanes Natural Park and its history!
Where to stay on Lanzarote
Lanzarote is a rather smaller island compared to Tenerife or Gran Canaria, so on average the driving distances will be a lot shorter. We decided to base ourselves in the centre of the island so most of the time we never had to drive more than 30 minutes.
Ever since César sleeps in his own room we prefer to stay at an appartement so we also have some time to ourselves in the evening.
I bumped into the gorgeous Alava Suites, which have the feeling of a small boutique hotel. I opted for their deluxe appartement which also came with a private terrace. Breakfast is included and was different and delicious every single morning. For our dinner we had our own kitchen to cook something simple.
The property also comes with a fitness and a shared swimming pool.
If you have any questions about how to visit Lanzarote, let me know in the comment section below!
More information on Lanzarote
How to visit Museo Lagomar, Omar Sharif’s home in Lanzarote
The Very Best 7 Day Lanzarote Travel Itinerary
Discover the best of César Manrique Attractions on Lanzarote
La Graciosa – The perfect day trip from Lanzarote
27x Beautifull Places on Lanzarote you can’t miss
The 5 Very Best Hikes in Lanzarote
All rights reserved © Charlies Wanderings. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc.), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.
Hi! We’re Charlotte, Christof & César!
Armed with our cameras & drone we’re always on the lookout for the next adventure!
We’ve been traveling together since 2020 and the best adventures are yet to come!
Read our full story here
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.