Slow travel, which focuses on engaging and connecting with the local culture and environment instead of rushing through an itinerary, has grown in popularity in recent years.
Holidaymakers are increasingly looking for meaningful interactions and unexpected discoveries when travelling.
If you’re interested in a restorative, enriching escape, Lanzarote holidays offer a blend of natural scenery and wellness experiences that are perfect for embracing the ethos of slow travel.
Stunning Natural Landscapes Encourage Mindful Exploration
Lanzarote’s dramatic volcanic terrain was sculpted by ancient and more recent eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries.
On the island, you’ll find otherworldly lava fields and striking black sand beaches to explore at your own pace.
For a chance to witness geothermal activity in person and learn about the island’s history, head to the Timanfaya National Park, also known as the “Fire Mountains”.
The national park stretches over 5,000 hectares on the west coast of the island and offers camel rides to spot volcanic cones at a relaxed pace.
Eco-Friendly Travel and Sustainability Efforts
As one of the Canary Islands leading the charge in sustainable tourism, Lanzarote has made a conscious effort to protect its natural environment.
It became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and was the first destination to receive Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification.
As a visitor, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore the island responsibly. There are dozens of hiking spots you can reach without a car from Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen, and you can join a guided nature tour to learn more about local conservation efforts.
To do your part at your hotel or Airbnb, aim to cut your water use by taking shorter showers and reusing towels.
Peaceful Villages and Authentic Local Culture
Away from the tourist crowds at the beaches and resorts, you can discover the inland villages for a more authentic local experience.
Towns such as Teguise, the island’s former capital, and Haría, nestled in the Valley of a Thousand Palms, have a traditional Canarian atmosphere.
In the villages, you and your partner can sip coffee in a quiet plaza and people-watch in the afternoon or browse the selection of goods at family-run craft shops.
At the weekends, you can visit markets filled with local produce, from pottery to cheeses. Lanzarote cheese is a local delicacy, known for its thin rind and white colour, with traditional drawings on the edge made from braided palm leaves.
Wellness and Relaxation Opportunities
Rest and rejuvenation are key aspects of slow travel.
Lanzarote boasts a wide range of wellness retreats, yoga centres, and boutique spas that take advantage of the island’s mild year-round climate and allow you to unwind.
In the mornings, head to a beachfront yoga session or a meditation class with panoramic sea views. If you’re feeling stiff after a challenging hike or bike ride, try a volcanic stone massage.
The heat from the stones can penetrate deeply into the muscles of your back and shoulders, helping relax and loosen them.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy a slow holiday in a way that works for you, connecting with a local culture has never been easier, so what are you waiting for.
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