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Declared in 1974, the Timanfaya National Park has a total area of 51 km² . It occupies approximately one-third of the area that was buried by lava during the eruptions of the 18th and 19th centuries.
The 18th century eruptions lasted almost for six years, from 1730 to 1736, giving rise to 30 volcanic complexes along a 13 km long fissure and were the most significant eruptions in the history of the Canary Islands. In 1824, three volcanoes erupted along a fissure 13.5 km long, and the eruptions lasted for 3 months.
In the National Park, we find the only active volcanoes on the island. This does not mean that they are erupting, but that there are hot spots underground. This still hot magma got trapped, which is why we have geothermal anomalies in some areas of the National Park.
Visiting Timanfaya National Park is like taking a jouney to Mars. It’s a laboratory for scientists, where the natural evolution of life, landscape, and volcanoes are studied. The eruptions in the Canary Islands are fissural eruptions, and in Timanfaya National Park, we find 25 craters.
This area is of highest protection level on the island. It is strictly forbidden to leave the paths, roads, and designated parking areas, as well as to throw anything on the ground or take anything away. Violating these regulations can result in a penalty and fines ranging from €600 to €6000.
There are two places you can visit, and they are the only two parking spots available to get off and visit the National Park: The Fire Mountains and the Camel Parking Lot.
TIMANFAYA NATIONAL PARK ALSO KNOWN AS "FIRE MOUNTAINS"
It is the most visited Center for Art, Culture, and Tourism (CACT), and therefore it is recommended to go there on an excursion with a bus and guide or by taxi. The entrance ticket includes the geothermal demonstrations, the Volcano Route by bus, and access to the El Diablo Restaurant designed by César Manrique, as well as restrooms and a shop. The Route of the Volcanoes is a closed circuit where only buses can enter, and it is located in the tourist attraction of the Fire Mountains in Timanfaya National Park.
If you opt to go by rental car, you risk having to wait for up to two hours to reach the parking lot at Islote de Hilario, where you first can get off the car. In this place, geothermal demonstrations are held, and you have to take a “guagua” (bus) to be able to do the Route of the Volcanoes (only accessible by bus).
However, if you go on an excursion, you won’t have long waits and will do the visit and geothermal demonstrations with your guide and the Route of the Volcanoes with the same bus you are on the excursion with.
If you decide to take a taxi, there won’t be any waiting time at the entrance. That said, you have to take a “guagua” (bus) to be able to do the Route of the Volcanoes. (only accessible by bus).
SCHEDULES
Visiting hours (16 September- 30 June)
Daily: 9.30 – 17.00
Ticket office closing: 15.45 (last visit)
Approximate duration of visit: 90 minutes
Recommended schedule: from 9.30-10.00 and from 14.30-15.30
Restaurant: Daily: 12.00-15.45
Daylight saving time (1 July -15 September)
Daily: 9.30-18.00
Ticket office closing: 16.45 (last visit)
Approximate duration of visit: 90 minutes
Recommended schedule: from 9.30-10.00 and from 14.30-16.30
Restaurant: Every day: 12.00-16.15
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE VISIT
– Bring cash in case the card reader coverage fails.
– Wear a jacket.
– Bring water.
– Avoid going by car. It is better to go with an organized tour in order to avoid long waits.
NATIONAL PARK PRICES
Price: €20 adults / €10 children aged 7-12 / free for children up to 6 years old.
(Prices effective from 1/01/2024)
Savings: The vouchers from various centers are NO longer available (since January, 1st 2024)
Directly at the box office or online at the page https://feelinglanzarotetours.com/en/lanzarote-tickets/fire-mountains-timanfaya-national-park/
Payment method: cash or card, but it’s better to bring cash in case there’s no coverage.
CAMEL RIDING: RIDES
Parking where the camels-dromedaries are found, which take a ride of approximately 30 minutes. They can be climbed two at a time. These animals were brought from North Africa and raised here. They were traditionally used as a means of transportation and in agriculture, as they were ideal due to the water scarcity on the island until the 1970s. Nowadays, they are just another tourist attraction on the island. In the parking lot, there are restrooms, a café (cash payments only), and a museum with information about camels and the Timanfaya National Park.
SCHEDULES
Visiting hours (16 September- 30 June)
Daily: 9.00-15.30
Ticket office closing: 15.00 (last ride)
Approximate duration of visit: 45 minutes
Recommended schedule: from 9.00-10.00 and from 13.00-14.30
Museum and Café (closed on Sundays)
Summer schedules (1 July -15 September)
Every day: 9.00-16.00.
Ticket office closing: 15.30 (last ride).
Approximate duration of visit: 45 minutes.
Recommended schedule: from 9.00-10.00 and from 13.00-15.30
Recommendation: during school vacation periods, avoid going by car (better choice would be an excursion, avoiding long waits).
Museum and Café (closed on Sundays).
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE VISIT
– Bring cash in case the card reader fails.
– Wear a coat.
– Wear a hat or cap in the summer.
BUY TICKETS
Price: €11 per person/free for children up to approximately 4 years old as long as they sit on an adult’s lap (Prices effective from 1/05/2023).
Directly in the parking lot, to the workers of the Yaiza Town Hall.
Payment method: cash or card, but it’s better to carry cash in case there’s no coverage.
HOW TO VISIT TIMANFAYA NATIONAL PARK?
The Timanfaya National Park is a unique place in the world, and if you want to enjoy it to the fullest, we recommend booking a guided tour. There are different tours to visit this protected natural area in a half-day or full-day excursions. Most of the excursions are during the day, but there is the option to visit it in the late afternoon or evening when there are fewer crowds.
DAYTIME GUIDED BUS TOURS:
VISITS IN MIXED GROUP WITH BUS AND GUIDE
South of Lanzarote (long) – volcanoes route
- Guided tour by bus
Languages: ES, EN, DE
Monday and Thursday
7 - 8 hours
Pick up near your accommodation
Cancellation up to 24h before
South Lanzarote tour (short)
- Guided tour by bus
Languages: ES, EN, DE
Tue and Fri
5 - 6 hours
Pick up near your accommodation
Cancellation up to 24h before
Lanzarote Gran Tour
- Guided tour by bus
Languages: ES, EN, DE
Wed and Sat
9 - 10 hours
Pick up near your accommodation
Cancellation up to 24h before
PRIVATE GROUP VISITS WITH BUS AND GUIDE
Timanfayas´ volcanoes in private group
- Guided tour Private
Languages: ES, FR, EN, NL, IT, DE, BG
Monday to Sunday
5 hours
Pick up at accommodation or cruise
Cancellation up to 24h before
The best of Lanzarote in private groupe
- Guided tour Private
Languages: EN IT, BG, DE, ES , FR, NL
Monday to Sunday
8 - 9 hours
Pick up at accommodation or cruise
Cancellation up to 24h before
Bus and private guide per hours
- Guided tour Private
Languages: EN IT, BG, DE, ES , FR, NL
Monday to Sunday
5 - 10 hours
Pick up from your accommodation
Cancellation up to 24h before
NIGHT TOURS
VOLCAN GRILL:
Group excursion to the National Park in the afternoon with dinner at the El Diablo Restaurant designed by César Manrique while enjoying the sunset. Enjoy the National Park without so many people.
BY RENTAL CAR
If you opt to go by rental car, you risk having to wait for up to two hours to reach the parking lot at Islote de Hilario, where you first can get off the car.
EXCLUSIVE VISITS BY RENTAL CAR
TIMANFAYA “INSÓLITA” EXPERIENCE:
You can access this experience in your car, where you will be in a small group with a guide in Spanish and English (up to 18 people) and will be able to access some restricted areas. It includes a shared bus from Islote de Hilario, a guide in Spanish and English, the tickets and with a sample of local products and wine from Lanzarote.
Ticket prices: €45 adults / €22.25 children aged 7-12 / free for children up to 6 years old.
(Prices effective from 1/01/2024)
Schedule: 9.00 at the entrance.
GUIDED HIKING TOURS ORGANIZED BY THE NATIONAL PARK:
GUIDED TOURS ORGANIZED BY THE NATIONAL PARK:
The National Park offers two guided hiking routes for free on its website in Spanish and English: The Tremesana and the Coastal Route.
Book online by clicking here.
HIKING AT YOUR OWN PACE
The only trail accessible individually and without a guide is the Coastal Route that runs along the coast of the National Park. We recommend starting from the parking lot at the end of the village of El Golfo.
