There are lots of interesting towns, villages and attractions to explore on Lanzarote, the fourth largest of the Canary Islands.  Many of which are a bit off the beaten track away from the main tourist resorts.

Most visitors to the island book a car and hit some of the main sights, such as the Timanfaya National Park and the many ingenious creations of Cesar Manrique.  But one of the best ways to enjoy the island is too simply drive around at your own pace.  Encountering traditional coastal resorts such as Playa Quemada.  Which have managed to resist tourist development despite their coastal location and proximity to mega resorts such as Puerto del Carmen.

Playa Quemada means black beach in Spanish and this dark stretch of sand is just a few minutes away from the marina at Puerto Calero.  It remains something of a Canarian stronghold and as a result there is little in the way of tourist accommodation here.  However it is possible to rent Lanzarote holiday villas and apartments in areas close by.  

From Playa Quemada it’s just a short hop to the Balcon at Femes.  Which is a stunning lookout point with commanding views of the Rubicon plain and the south of the island.  Femes is really tucked away at the end of a steep and winding road.  But it is well worth the trip for the view and for the two restaurants here.  The best of which is Casa Emiliano.

Petrol and car hire in Lanzarote are both cheap so it makes sense to get out touring the island.  Femes is close to the Salinas de Janubio, a saltworks which has an important role to play in local island history.  As for a period this product was exported across Europe and was one of the islands economic mainstays.  The salt flats appear in unexpected colours and shades of deep red, coral and dusky pink.  Drop in and buy a bag or enjoy a meal at the restaurant here.

The nearby village of Yaiza is also well worth a visit.  It’s known locally as the miracle village as this is where the flow of lava from the volcanoes at Timanfaya finally halted after eruptions in the 1730´s.  It´s a pretty little village that is regarded as the capital of the south.  But don’t expect a bustling metropolis – more a lightly pulsating pueblo!

Why not visit Lanzarote this autumn when the weather is still fantastic?  Flights to Lanzarote are available online from as little as €100 return.