Famed for its buzzy resorts, year-round sunshine and glorious beaches, Lanzarote has long been a firm favourite when it comes to classic Canarian getaways. But if you’re after something unusual, completely away from the norm, then it ticks that box too!

From unique dining experiences to out-of-this-world scenery, Lanzarote boasts a long old list of unique things to do. Ready to check them out?

Sample a cactus burger at Jardin de Cactus

Has the sound of this intriguing meal spiked your interest? If so, then making a stop at Jardin de Cactus on the east coast is a must. Guatiza’s fascinating cactus garden is home to more than 4,500 cactuses! In fact, in this part of Lanzarote, there are more cacti than people – how’s that for a statistic!

The garden was designed by Lanzarote-born artist and architect César Manrique and helps to showcase the diverse landscapes that Lanzarote has to offer.

On to the most interesting part – the cactus-based food and drink on the restaurant menu! Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy panoramic views across the gardens as you take a bite out of your prickly pear-topped burger or salad. The best bit? You can wash it all down with a refreshing glass of cactus juice too!

See natural volcanic geysers shoot up into the sky
The Mars-like landscape of Timanfaya National Park is unlike anywhere else in the world. More than 100 dormant volcanoes make up this 5,000 hectare UNESCO-protected park which boasts a unique colour palette of all kinds of black, orange, ochre, red and grey hues.

Just ten metres below the ground, the temperature reaches a scorching 600°C. And to demonstrate the heat, park rangers pour cold water into holes in the rock, which just seconds later, spurts back out into the air as hot steam! If after all that excitement you need to refuel, there’s a café at the top of the volcano which cooks food on the ground using only geothermal energy!

Tour a beautiful bodega and sip the local wine

Bodega in Spanish translates as wine shop or wine cellar, so if you like to sample the local tipple while you’re away, then you’ll love it here in Lanzarote. Dotted across the island, you’ll find traditional wineries that have been working for decades to perfect their craft.

Lanzarote’s unique terrain surprisingly works wonders for vineyards to grow the best grapes in the business. The volcanic ash gets to work as a natural fertiliser and the intense heat of the soil adds a rich flavour to the grapes.

Join a vineyard tour and see the process of winemaking from start to finish, then why not treat yourself to a tasting session afterwards too? Bodega el Grifo is one of the oldest wineries on the island and also home to a tiny museum if you want to learn about its history. Close by, you’ll find Bodega La Geria which produces a whopping 300,000 litres of wine every year!

Explore an underground ancient lava tube
Retrace the footsteps of pirates as you head beneath Lanzarote’s sun-drenched surface at Cueva de los Verdes. These fascinating caves and grottoes were formed more than 3,000 years ago when the Monte Corona volcano dramatically erupted. It stretches for more than 6km, ending in the Atlantic Ocean, meaning it’s one of the longest volcanic galleries in the world!

Wander from one chamber to another, watching your footing as it can get quite dark and remembering to look up to spot staggering stalactites dangling from the ceiling.

Stroll through the Valley of 1,000 Palms
Both stunning and sustainable, this lush green part of Lanzarote was born out of the tradition of planting a tree to celebrate the birth of a child. Haria, to the north of the island, is surrounded by the Risco de Famara, Lanzarote’s tallest mountain range. The town of Haria itself is relatively small but the huge number of palm trees speckled between its buildings make it one of the island’s most well-known places to visit.

Dine at the bottom of a volcanic crater
Love nothing more than unique dining experiences? Then look no further than Jameos del Agua. This is another stunning spot designed by César Manrique, who set out to create a totally unique and beautiful restaurant and nightclub setting. The maze of caves brings art and nature together and houses various bars and restaurants. You can climb down the large wooden staircase which will take you to the bottom of the lagoon where you can see stunning light reflections on the water.

Gourmet menus feature local produce and high-quality ingredients and are paired exquisitely with local wine. Regular concerts are also held in the cave to make the most of the stunning acoustics.

How's that for unusual? Intrigued to uncover a different side of Lanzarote yet? Us too!