Lanzarote is an island where responsible travel feels especially important. Its beauty comes from a delicate combination of black lava fields, dry farmland, wind-shaped coastlines, clear Atlantic water and carefully protected whitewashed towns. This is not a place built to be consumed quickly from a resort sunbed; it rewards visitors who slow down, look closely and leave as little trace as possible.
As a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote balances tourism, local life and environmental protection more visibly than many holiday destinations. César Manrique’s long campaign against high-rise development also helped shape an island where the landscape remains the main attraction.
Use this Lanzarote sustainability guide to make choices that support the island’s environment and communities without sacrificing the pleasures of a brilliant holiday. For wider planning advice on beaches, resorts, food, transport and major sights, see the complete Lanzarote travel guide.
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Table of Contents
Why sustainable travel matters in Lanzarote
Lanzarote’s volcanic scenery may look tough, but it is often fragile. Lava rock, crater rims, salt-tolerant plants and coastal habitats can be damaged by people straying from paths, moving stones or leaving rubbish behind. The island is also exceptionally dry, so water is a valuable resource rather than something to take for granted.
Tourism is vital to Lanzarote’s economy, but thoughtful visitor choices can help ensure that resort development, transport and day trips do not overwhelm the things that make the island special.
The central idea is simple: enjoy the island fully, but make choices that respect its limits.
Choose accommodation with care
The most sustainable hotel is not always the smallest, newest or most expensive. Look beyond marketing labels and consider the practical details.
When choosing where to stay, prioritise accommodation that:
- Provides refillable water stations or encourages guests to use reusable bottles.
- Uses towel and linen reuse policies rather than automatic daily changes.
- Has visible recycling facilities.
- Uses solar energy, energy-efficient lighting or water-saving fittings.
- Employs local staff and sources food locally where possible.
- Is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, beaches or public transport.
- Avoids unnecessary single-use toiletries and plastic packaging.
Staying in an apartment can be a good option for longer holidays, particularly if it lets you prepare some meals with island-grown ingredients. Rural stays around Haría, Yaiza or inland villages can also spread visitor spending beyond the main resort areas, although a car may be more necessary in these locations.
If you are staying in a hotel, small habits matter: switch off air conditioning when leaving the room, close windows while it is running, take shorter showers and reuse towels when they are still clean.
Treat water as the island’s most precious resource
Lanzarote has very little rainfall and relies heavily on desalinated water. Producing freshwater requires energy, so water conservation has a direct environmental benefit.
Simple ways to reduce your use include:
- Take showers rather than baths.
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
- Reuse beach towels for several days.
- Report dripping taps or leaking toilets to your accommodation.
- Avoid asking for daily bedding changes.
- Choose a refillable bottle instead of repeatedly buying small plastic bottles.
This does not mean avoiding the pool or skipping a holiday shower. It means recognising that a little restraint, multiplied across millions of visitor nights, makes a meaningful difference.
Get around with a lighter footprint
A hire car is often the easiest way to explore Lanzarote, particularly if you want to visit Timanfaya, La Geria, Haría, northern viewpoints and quieter beaches in one trip. It can still be used responsibly.
If hiring a car:
- Choose the smallest vehicle that comfortably fits your group and luggage.
- Consider a hybrid or electric vehicle where charging and availability make this practical.
- Combine nearby sights into one outing rather than driving back and forth across the island.
- Share a car with fellow travellers if appropriate.
- Stick to legal roads and parking areas, especially near beaches and volcanic landscapes.
- Never drive across lava fields, dunes, rough tracks or protected coastal land.
For resort-based holidays, walking is often the best option. Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise all have long seafront promenades, shops and restaurants within easy reach. Buses, known locally as guaguas, can work well for selected journeys and are a lower-impact alternative for days when you do not need a car.
Cycling and e-biking are also excellent ways to see the quieter inland roads, wine country and coastal paths. Be prepared for wind, sun exposure and occasionally steep terrain.
Respect lava fields, craters and walking routes
Lanzarote’s volcanic terrain is one of its greatest draws, from Timanfaya’s Fire Mountains to the Caldera Blanca route and the rugged coast near Famara. It can also be sharp, unstable and surprisingly easy to damage.
Follow these principles whenever you are outdoors:
- Stay on marked trails and established viewpoints.
- Do not climb barriers for photographs.
- Do not remove volcanic stones, shells, sand or plants as souvenirs.
- Avoid building stone towers; moving rocks can disturb habitats and spoil the natural appearance of a place.
- Pack out everything you bring in, including fruit peel, tissues and cigarette ends.
- Wear sturdy shoes. Volcanic rock is uneven and sharp, while flip-flops increase the chance of injury.
- Bring a reusable water bottle, sun protection and a light layer for wind.
Popular locations can still feel wild, but they need visitor cooperation to remain that way. A dramatic photo is never worth trampling an unmarked slope or standing too close to a cliff edge.
Enjoy beaches and the sea responsibly
Lanzarote’s beaches range from sheltered Papagayo coves to the wide surf beach at Famara, while snorkelling, diving and boat excursions provide another perspective on the island.
Help protect the coast by:
- Taking all rubbish away, especially plastic wrappers, bottle caps and fishing-line-like items.
- Using a beach ashtray or avoiding smoking on the sand.
- Choosing reef-safe sunscreen where possible and applying it well before entering the sea.
- Never feeding fish, birds or other wildlife.
- Avoiding contact with marine animals, rock-pool creatures and underwater habitats.
- Keeping a respectful distance from nesting birds and coastal wildlife.
- Choosing licensed, safety-conscious diving and boat operators.
- Avoiding excursions that promote wildlife chasing, crowding or feeding.
For snorkelling, focus on observing rather than touching. Even seemingly empty rock pools and shallow seabeds support small creatures that are easily disturbed.
Eat and drink locally
One of the most enjoyable ways to travel more sustainably is to spend money on local food. Choosing Canarian dishes, locally caught fish and Lanzarote wine supports producers and reduces reliance on imported ingredients.
Look for dishes such as:
- Papas arrugadas with mojo rojo or mojo verde.
- Local goat’s cheese, grilled or served as a starter.
- Fresh fish including vieja and cherne.
- Canarian stews, seasonal vegetables and traditional desserts such as bienmesabe.
- Malvasía wine from La Geria.
La Geria is particularly important because its vineyards show how islanders have adapted agriculture to an extreme volcanic environment. Vines are grown in individual pits in volcanic ash and sheltered by semicircular stone walls. A tasting at a local bodega is not just a food experience; it is a direct connection with Lanzarote’s agricultural heritage.
Try eating in village restaurants in places such as Yaiza, Haría, Tinajo, Arrieta or Teguise, rather than relying entirely on familiar international chains in the main resorts. You will usually find more local character as well as a more direct contribution to smaller businesses.
Reduce waste from the first day
Holiday waste builds up quickly: takeaway cups, bottled water, snack wrappers, hotel miniatures and beach purchases can create a surprising amount of rubbish in a week.
Pack a few reusable essentials:
- Refillable water bottle
- Foldable shopping bag
- Reusable coffee cup, if you regularly buy takeaway drinks
- Small cutlery set for picnics or airport food
- Lightweight container for snacks
- Reef-friendly toiletries in refillable bottles
When shopping, choose larger containers rather than multiple small bottles where possible. Ask for no straw, extra napkins or disposable cutlery unless you need them. If your accommodation has recycling bins, take a moment to separate waste correctly.
Support Lanzarote’s culture, not just its scenery
Sustainability includes cultural respect. Lanzarote is more than a beach destination: its architecture, farming traditions, villages and art all reflect a distinctive island identity.
Visiting cultural sites, independent galleries, local markets and family-run restaurants helps distribute tourism income more widely. It also gives your trip more depth. César Manrique’s work is especially useful for understanding why Lanzarote has retained its low-rise, landscape-led character; explore the Lanzarote culture and history hub for more context.
At markets, buy thoughtfully. A locally made craft, food product or artwork can be a meaningful souvenir, while cheaply imported trinkets often offer little benefit to the local economy.
A low-impact Lanzarote day itinerary
A sustainable day out does not need to feel restrictive. This simple route combines local food, culture and scenery while minimising unnecessary driving.
Morning: Start with breakfast at a locally owned café near your accommodation. Carry a refillable water bottle and pack any snacks you need for the day rather than buying multiple single-use items.
Late morning: Visit La Geria and take a short walk or vineyard visit. Learn about the island’s remarkable volcanic farming methods and enjoy a tasting of locally produced Malvasía wine if you are not driving afterwards.
Lunch: Eat at a traditional restaurant in Yaiza, Tinajo or another inland village. Choose Canarian dishes, island cheese, seasonal vegetables or locally landed fish.
Afternoon: Walk a marked coastal or volcanic route, choosing one suited to your fitness level and the weather. Keep to the path, take all rubbish with you and avoid collecting stones or shells.
Evening: Return to your resort or village without rushing. Dine at an independent restaurant, choose tap water where available and skip disposable takeaway items.
If you are driving, plan this as one loop rather than several separate journeys. If you are staying near a resort promenade, make the evening car-free by walking to dinner.
Sustainable travel tips for families
Lanzarote is a very family-friendly destination, and travelling responsibly with children can be straightforward. In fact, the island’s volcanic landscape makes it a wonderful place to teach younger travellers about nature, geology and water conservation.
A few family-friendly approaches include:
- Bring refillable bottles and let children be responsible for keeping them topped up.
- Make a “leave no trace” beach game: see who can spot and collect their own litter first.
- Choose shorter marked walks instead of attempting difficult trails in midday heat.
- Visit cultural and natural attractions at quieter times, when children can explore without crowds.
- Explain why stones, shells and wildlife should be left where they belong.
- Pack reusable snack containers for beach days and excursions.
- Choose activities centred on learning and observation rather than animal interaction.
For a more relaxed holiday, do not try to see every corner of the island in one week. Picking a few places and enjoying them properly is usually more enjoyable for children and lighter on the environment.
Responsible travel for hikers, cyclists and active visitors
Lanzarote’s trails, quiet roads and Atlantic conditions attract hikers, cyclists, surfers and divers. These activities can have a relatively low impact when undertaken with care.
Hikers should check conditions before setting out, carry enough water and avoid routes during extreme heat or high winds. Keep to designated paths and do not assume every volcanic-looking track is open for public access.
Cyclists should use established roads and trails, give pedestrians space and avoid riding across fragile terrain. Wind can be much stronger than expected, so e-bikes can be a sensible choice for less experienced riders.
Surfers, paddlers and swimmers should pay attention to local safety information, currents and changing sea conditions. Choosing an appropriately managed school or guide is worthwhile, particularly if you are new to the sport or unfamiliar with Atlantic beaches.
The most sustainable adventure is one that is safe, well prepared and respectful of both residents and the environment.
Travel in the quieter months where possible
Visiting outside the busiest school-holiday periods can help spread tourism demand more evenly throughout the year. Lanzarote’s climate makes it appealing in every season, with mild winters, warm springs and pleasant autumn weather.
Quieter travel can mean:
- Less pressure on roads, beaches and popular attractions.
- Better availability at smaller, locally run accommodation.
- A more relaxed experience in villages, restaurants and museums.
- More opportunities to visit natural places without crowding trails or viewpoints.
If you do travel during peak periods, plan ahead. Book activities and restaurants in advance, visit popular places early or later in the day, and be patient with busy local infrastructure.
Small choices, lasting benefits
No holiday is impact-free, particularly on a small island with limited resources. But sustainability is not about achieving perfection. It is about making better choices where you can: carrying a reusable bottle, respecting a trail boundary, staying longer in one place, eating from local producers and supporting businesses rooted in the community.
Lanzarote’s landscape has been shaped by volcanoes, wind, sea and generations of islanders who learned to live creatively with limited water and difficult terrain. Travelling with that same sense of care helps protect the island for residents, wildlife and future visitors.
FAQ: Lanzarote Sustainability Guide
Is Lanzarote a sustainable holiday destination?
Lanzarote has strong sustainability foundations, including its Biosphere Reserve status, protected volcanic areas and low-rise development policies. However, visitors still need to use water carefully, reduce waste, respect natural spaces and support local businesses.
Can you drink tap water in Lanzarote?
Tap water is generally safe for basic use, but its desalinated taste is not always appealing to visitors. Check with your accommodation about drinking recommendations, and use a refillable bottle rather than buying many small plastic bottles.
What is the best way to get around Lanzarote sustainably?
Walking is ideal within resorts and towns, while buses can be useful for selected routes. If you need a car to explore rural areas, choose a small, efficient vehicle, share journeys and combine attractions into one route.
How can visitors save water in Lanzarote?
Take shorter showers, reuse towels, avoid daily linen changes, turn off taps when not in use and report leaks at your accommodation. Water conservation is particularly important because Lanzarote has a dry climate and relies heavily on desalination.
Can I take volcanic rocks or shells home from Lanzarote?
No. Leave lava stones, shells, sand and plants where you find them. Removing natural materials damages the environment, can be illegal in protected areas and takes away from the experience of future visitors.
Is it better to stay in a resort or a rural village?
Both can be responsible choices. Resorts can make walking and public transport easier, while rural stays may support smaller communities and offer a closer connection to local life. Choose accommodation with credible water, energy and waste-reduction practices.
How can I support local businesses in Lanzarote?
Eat in independent restaurants, buy locally made crafts and food products, visit village markets, choose local guides and try Lanzarote wine, Canarian cheese and seasonal island produce.
