In May 2025, I visited the Canary Islands for the first time and chose Lanzarote for one simple reason: its volcanic soul. I had seen photos of black sand, jagged cliffs, and rust-colored craters. I imagined a wild island, maybe even something close to Mordor from The Lord of the Rings.
But when I arrived, I discovered a different Lanzarote. One that was not only powerful, but also sensitive, welcoming, and unexpectedly gentle. The volcanic rocks shifted from deep reds to blacks, with soft hues of orange and ash in between. The beaches were raw and magnetic. Some of the sea caves felt like cathedrals carved by the tide.
And the light… it was everything.
A dream for any landscape photographer looking for contrast, minimalism, and mood.
In this article, I share the 5-day photography itinerary I followed. Not a rigid plan, but a flow guided by light, textures, and intuition. That’s how Lanzarote revealed itself to me, one image at a time.
Quick recap: key spots and links
➜ Volcán del Cuervo : golden light and textured lava trails
➜ Famara Beach & dunes : reflections, sand patterns, and moody cliffs
➜ La Cresta del Dragón Colorao : dramatic waves and volcanic formations
➜ Ciudad Estratificada : sculpted layers and wide-angle compositions
➜ Los Hervideros : basalt cliffs and long exposures at sunset
➜ La Geria vineyards : blue hour magic among volcanic vines
Day 1 – First Impressions of Lanzarote
We landed in Lanzarote in the morning and spent some time settling in at our hotel in Arrecife. By late morning, I couldn’t wait any longer and decided to head out to explore a few locations in the southern and western parts of the island.
Morning geometry at Salinas de Janubio
This was our first stop. The site itself was closed, but the views from nearby viewpoints like Mirador de Triviño and Mirador Salinas de Janubio were still worth it. I was drawn to the geometric lines of the salt pans. Abstract compositions were waiting for the right light. I noted it down for another visit, ideally in golden hour.
➜ Salinas de janubio view point
Harsh light and scouting at Los Clicos and La Cresta del Dragón Colorao
Late morning light was already too strong for photography, but I still wanted to see the famous green lagoon at Los Clicos under direct sunlight to observe its color. The intense sun made the green stand out vividly, and it was interesting to see how the lagoon reacted to the light. After that, we explored the cliffs of La Cresta del Dragón Colorao. Even in full sun, the rock formations were striking. Layers of volcanic sediment looked like ancient waves frozen in time.
➜ Car park
➜ Mirador del Charco de Los Clicos
➜ La Cresta del Dragón Colorao
Waves and basalt cliffs at Los Hervideros
We continued to Los Hervideros, one of Lanzarote’s most iconic seascapes. I had marked it as a potential sunset location, but we stopped to explore it early. That’s when I discovered a hidden side. A sea cave on the opposite stretch of cliff. The waves crashed against the basalt, creating a scene full of rhythm and contrast. I tried my first long exposure of the trip here. Wild water, soft light, volcanic strength.
➜ Car park Los Hervideros
➜ Sea cave at Los Hervideros
Moody skies over Famara from El Bosquecillo
In the afternoon, the skies grew heavy. Perfect timing to head toward the Famara Viewpoint above the cliffs. The dirt road to El Bosquecillo is narrow but manageable with care. After a short walk, we reached the Mirador. The view over Famara Beach was exactly what I had hoped for. Atmospheric, vast, full of wind and emotion. A great reminder that landscape photography in Lanzarote is not just about color. It’s also about mood.
➜ Car park
➜ Parque El Bosquecillo
➜ Mirador de Famara
Sunset glow at Los Hervideros, blue hour at Montaña Bermeja
Back at Los Hervideros for sunset, the cliffs lit up in golden tones. Even the distant volcanoes caught a soft glow. The sea was alive, crashing against the coast, and the light made the rock textures sing.
After sunset, we stopped at Playa de Montaña Bermeja for one last image. It’s a quiet corner, just next to the beach. Black rocks stretch into the sea. I set up for a long exposure during blue hour. The ocean turned into silk. The stones stood like sculptures. My favorite kind of scene. Minimal, moody, and peaceful.
➜ Car park Los Hervideros
➜ Car park Playa de Montaña Bermeja
Day 2 – Sunrise solitude and volcanic light
Early morning at a northern sea cave
For this morning, I had one clear idea. I wanted to create a panoramic self-portrait inside a sea cave tucked away on the northern coast of Lanzarote. I wore my red dress and arrived well before sunrise for two simple reasons: low tide and solitude.
Thanks to the timing, the small beach inside the cave was accessible. I had the entire place to myself for thirty precious minutes. Just me, the ocean, and the sound of silence.
It was exactly what I had hoped for.
I carefully set up my tripod and took the time to compose a wide panorama in this natural cathedral. The soft morning glow gently illuminated the rocks. The result felt peaceful, raw, and quietly powerful.
Note: this sea cave is a fragile location. If you find it, please visit with care, and only at low tide.
A quick stop at Caletón Blanco
On our way south, we made a short detour to Caletón Blanco. This beach is known for its white sand, black volcanic rock, and unique coastal vegetation growing right in the lava. The contrast of tones and textures was striking, but the light had already turned harsh. I decided to simply enjoy the view and keep this location in mind for another time.
Cactus paradise at Jardín de Cactus
As a plant lover, this stop was a must. Jardín de Cactus is a bold and graphic garden designed by César Manrique. It is home to thousands of cacti from all over the world. If you love macro photography, strong shapes or just nature’s architecture, this place is a dream.
Giant cacti stood like sentinels. Tiny spheres created delicate patterns. The light danced across spikes and shadows. I didn’t take many photos here, but I left deeply inspired.
➜ Car park Jardín de Cactus
➜ Jardin de Cactus info
Sunset session at Volcán del Cuervo
After a restful afternoon by the pool, we left three hours before sunset to explore the trail around Volcán del Cuervo. Arriving early allowed us to scout compositions and enjoy the site in silence. We even had the entire caldera to ourselves for a while, which felt magical.
As the sun dropped lower, golden light began to spill across the distant volcanic ridges. I chose a spot near the start of the trail. The lava there was soft and powdery, almost like volcanic sand. I wanted to place this delicate texture in the foreground, contrasting it with the glowing sky and bold shapes in the distance.
➜ Car park Sendero Volcàn del Cuervo
Full moon rising over the lava fields
Just as I was packing up, I turned around and saw the full moon rising between Montaña Negra and another nearby peak. The sky had softened into delicate shades of pink and blue. I stood quietly, watching the moonlight settle over the land.
It was the perfect way to end this second day in Lanzarote. Quiet. Poetic. Bathed in a silver glow.
Day 3 – Volcanic trails and vineyard twilight
Guided hike in Timanfaya National Park
This morning was all about immersion. We joined a small group for a guided hike through Timanfaya National Park, a place where fire still seems to sleep beneath the surface. The 7.5 km trail led us across old lava flows and up the slopes of a volcano.
Along the way, we learned to read the land. Our guide explained the different types of lava, how the terrain was shaped by past eruptions, and how life slowly returns to these scorched plains.
Visually, it was fascinating. Every step revealed a new texture, a new shade of black or ochre. For anyone passionate about volcanic landscapes or nature photography, this place is a must.
➜ Get your guide : Hike Across Timanfaya’s Volcanic Landscapes
Scouting for blue hour in La Geria
After lunch, we headed to La Geria, Lanzarote’s most iconic wine-growing region. I was looking for a specific composition for later that day. Something simple and timeless. A single vine sheltered by a circular stone wall, with volcanic cones in the background.
We took our time, walking along the trails and exploring quietly without disturbing the land. Eventually, near Bodegas Rubicón, I found exactly what I had imagined. A peaceful spot where light, form, and tradition met in perfect balance.
Poolside break before sunset
After our scouting mission, we returned to the hotel to relax and enjoy some time by the pool. It felt good to unwind and soak in the slower rhythm of the island after the morning’s hike.
Blue hour among the vines
After dinner, we returned to La Geria just in time for sunset. The golden light slid behind the ridges and left the sky wrapped in cooler tones. I set up my tripod on the edge of the path, making sure not to step into the vineyard.
The composition was delicate. The stone wall was tall and curved, and it took a few careful adjustments to frame it just right. The last light faded slowly. The volcanic cones turned into silhouettes. The vine stood alone in the twilight.
Photographing this moment felt like capturing a conversation between nature and tradition.
A soft blue hour in the heart of Lanzarote’s wine country.
➜ Car park la Geria
Day 4 – Sand, stone, and reflections in Famara
Morning light on the white dunes of Famara
I started the day with a visit to the white sand dunes near Famara Beach. I arrived around 8:30, just in time to catch the low sun sculpting shadows across the sand. The texture was soft, almost untouched, with delicate ripples catching the light.
I had two images in mind. One was an abstract close-up of the sand patterns. The other was a wide-angle shot placing the dunes in the foreground with the volcanic cliffs rising in the background. The light was clean and crisp, the kind landscape photographers dream of.
➜ Car park at Famara dunes
➜ Famara dunes location
Exploring Las Grietas
Later that morning, we drove to Las Grietas, a series of deep volcanic fissures near the center of the island. The most photographed crevice was crowded, but I climbed a bit higher and found quieter passages above. The light filtered down between the walls, bouncing softly from one side to the other.
It reminded me of a miniature version of Antelope Canyon. But in this raw, volcanic form, it had its own beauty. Another example of Lanzarote’s sculptural power, perfect for abstract compositions and light-play.
➜ Car park Las Grietas
➜ Las Grietas location
Red dress and volcanic drama at Ciudad Estratificada
In the early afternoon, we headed to Ciudad Estratificada Los Roferos, near Teseguite. I had planned an autoportrait there, hoping for a slightly overcast sky to soften the contrasts.
The clouds arrived just in time. Wearing my red dress, I wandered among the layered cliffs, searching for the right spot. The formations were surreal. Stone arches, sculpted ash, and dramatic textures stretched in every direction. After some time walking, I found a natural frame and set up quietly. It felt like standing in a painting made of rock and wind.
➜ Car park
Sunset reflections and blue hour at Famara Beach
For sunset, we returned to Famara, this time down on the beach. I had checked the tides earlier in the week and knew that timing would be key. We arrived two hours before sunset and explored slowly, letting the ocean guide us.
As the tide came in, the wet sand turned into a mirror. The cliffs, the clouds, the light. Everything reflected in soft motion. I chose a low angle and waited for the right wave to wash in and retreat.
Just before sunset, golden light burst through a break in the clouds and lit the ridges above Caleta de Famara. After the sun dipped, the sky shifted into cooler shades. The beach became quiet. I stayed long after most people had left, capturing that painterly transition from fire to calm.
Day 5 – Wind, waves, and volcanic textures
Morning at Playa de Papagayo
We started the day in the south, at Playa de Papagayo, one of the most popular beaches in Lanzarote. From the cliffs above, the view was beautiful. Curved bays, golden sand, and clear turquoise water stretched below.
The light wasn’t ideal for photography, but that was fine. We took time to enjoy the view and walk along the trail that links several beaches in the area. Sometimes, it’s good to be a traveler before being a photographer.
A peaceful afternoon by the pool
After several sunrise missions and active days, we decided to take it slow for the afternoon. Some time by the pool gave us a welcome break and let us recharge for the evening shoot.
Sunset and blue hour at La Cresta del Dragón Colorao
For our final evening, we returned to La Cresta del Dragón Colorao, where I had scouted earlier. The wind was strong, the waves were wild, and the volcanic cliffs stood like sharp teeth above the ocean.
As the sun dropped, golden light swept across the landscape. The sea was loud, textured, alive. I shot fast to catch the glow before it faded, then waited through twilight to take a long exposure. The light softened. The wind calmed slightly. The volcanic lines and the blur of the ocean met in a final, quiet balance.
➜ Photo spot at La Cresta del Dragón Colorao
Day 6 – Last light before goodbye
It was our final morning in Lanzarote. Our flight was scheduled late in the morning, so there was no photo mission planned. I simply opened the curtains, watched the soft light touch the sea, and let the silence of the moment settle in.
Over breakfast, I thought about everything this island had given me. Textures, contrasts, colors, and quiet. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew I would. With a full memory card, and the desire to return already blooming.
Lanzarote is more than a destination
It’s a place where fire, wind, and silence shape the land and the way you see.
Over these five days, I found not only landscapes to photograph, but also a rhythm to follow. Slow mornings, soft light, and strong textures. The kind of atmosphere that invites you to listen, wait, and feel.
Whether you’re looking for the best photo spots in Lanzarote, or simply hoping to reconnect with nature and light, I hope this itinerary inspires you to explore the island with curiosity and care.
Published on August 17, 2025 by Jennifer Esseiva
