Lanzarote is probably not a name you’ve heard very often, but it should be. This island is located in the Spanish Archipelago of the Canary Islands. It is approximately 330 square miles in size and is the 3rd most populated island out of all the Canary Islands, with over 150,000 residents. The island lies in the Atlantic Ocean off the coasts of northern Africa. In 1993, this picturesque island of white sand beaches and diverse wildlife was declared a UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve. It is also referred to as the Island of Eternal Spring, maintaining a subtropical climate throughout the year. This island is home to over 500 different species of plants and many unique and endangered animals. These pictures take you through all the wondrous sights that Lanzarote has to offer.    

1. The Atlantic Ocean as seen from Los Picollos

(By Xyzspaniel, Wikimedia Commons)  

2. Cueva de Los Verdes, a Cave lake in a lava tube that creates an attractive optical illusion 

(By Lviatour, Wikimedia Commons)  

3. Malvasia grapevines grown in topsoil in lapilli, in La Geria, the protected vineyards of Lanzarote

(By Yummifruitbat, Wikimedia Commons)  

4. The gorgeous Papagayo Beach 

(By Lviatour, Wikimedia Commons)  

5. A Lava field towards the Montañas del Fuego (the Mountains of Fire)

(By Stephan Schulz, Wikimedia Commons)  

6. A sunny afternoon at the harbor in Puerto del Carmen's Old Town

(By Mcgreggorsarmy98, Wikimedia Commons)  

7. Hacha Grande, a 2000 foot mountain that is part of the highest mountain range in Lanzarote

(By Frank Vincentz, Wikimedia Commons)  

8. The Caldera de Masián near the village of Femés

(By H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons)  

9. Erosion of tephra layers between the villages of Teseguite and Guatiza

(By H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons)  

10. Salinas de Janubio, the salt flats of Lanzarote 

(By Patrice78500, Wikimedia Commons)  

11. The beach at El Golfo (The Gulf), a town in Lanzarote

(By Lviatour, Wikimedia Commons)  

12. Charco de Los Clicos, the Crater and the Lagoon in the Volcanoes Natural Park next to El Golfo

(De Rauletemunoz, Wikimedia Commons)  

13. Volcanic layers and rocks at the Caldera El Golfo

(By H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons)  

14. Basalt formation and coast in Los Hervideros on the west coast of the Island 

(By Marc-Lautenbacher, Wikimedia Commons)  

15. Jardin de Cactus Kaktusgarten, the cactus garden in the village of Guatiza

(Wikimedia Commons)  

16. A cafe at Mirador del Rio, a 1500 foot viewpoint created by local artist César Manrique 

(By Cvdr Christian Freiherr von der Ropp, Wikimedia Commons)  

Don’t forget, Lanzarote is also home to a wide array of flowers that come in a plethora of pleasant colors, scattered all across the Island. Here are some highlights: 

17. The Coastal Ragwort (Senecio leucanthemifolius)

(By Chmee2, Wikimedia Commons)  

18. The Rose Geranium (Pelargonium capitatum)

(By JonRichfield, Wikimedia Commons)  

19. The Slenderleaf Iceplant (Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum) 

(By Pjt56, Wikimedia Commons)  

20. The Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)

(By Pjt56, Wikimedia Commons)  

21. Matthiola fruticulosa

(By Pjt56, Wikimedia Commons)  

22. Andryala glandulosa 

(By Pjt56, Wikimedia Commons)  

23. Aloe buhrii  

(By H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons)  

You can also find many fascinating animals in the complex ecosystem of this island. Some notable creatures include:  

24. The Blind Albino Cave Crab (Munidopsis polymorpha), the animal symbol of Lanzarote and a resident of the Island’s lava tubes 

(Wikimedia Commons) 

25. The yellow line arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis)

(By PabloMPancorbo, Wikimedia Commons)  

26. Lanzarote is also the location of one of the two surviving populations of the Canarian Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) 

(By Dibyendu Ash, Wikimedia Commons)