Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park protects 5,107 ha (about 51 km²) of lava fields and volcanic cones in the municipalities of Tinajo and Yaiza, in western Lanzarote. The landscape was created mainly by the eruptions that began on 1 September 1730 and lasted until 16 April 1736, with a final episode in 1824. Visitors reach it through the Montañas del Fuego centre at Islote de Hilario, run by the Cabildo's CACT network: in 2026 an adult ticket costs €30 and includes the Ruta de los Volcanes coach tour.

Why is Timanfaya a national park?

It was declared a national park on 9 August 1974 and reclassified by law in 1981. It is also part of the Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve (1993) and a Special Protection Area for birds (1994). It is the only national park in Spain that is entirely geological, and most of its surface was transformed by the 1730–1736 eruptive period. Besides the coach road, there are only two footpaths, open exclusively with prior authorisation and a guide. Heat is still close to the surface; temperatures of 100 to 600 °C have been measured at 13 m depth.

How do you visit Timanfaya?

You cannot walk or drive freely through the park. The standard visit is the CACT ticket for Montañas del Fuego, which includes:

• the Ruta de los Volcanes, a coach circuit of about 35–40 minutes through the lava fields, leaving from Islote de Hilario;
• the geothermal demonstrations at Islote de Hilario, where the ground heat is shown at the surface;
• access to the viewpoint and the El Diablo restaurant, designed by César Manrique, which grills food over a 5 m pit where the natural temperature reaches about 250 °C.

Tickets are sold online only, by time slot. CACT asks visitors to arrive 15 minutes early; late arrival invalidates the ticket, and there are no changes or refunds. Children up to 6 enter free. Pets are not admitted, except assistance dogs.

What are the rules on the access road?

If you arrive by car, you must stay inside your vehicle on the stretch from El Taro to the Islote de Hilario car park. The car park is on a slope, so take care opening doors on a windy day. There is no box office on site.

When is the best time to go?

Opening hours are 09:00 to 15:45 every day of the year (2026). Earlier slots tend to have clearer light on the cones and less heat on the dark lava, which warms quickly under the sun. Shade is scarce, so bring water and sun protection. For a longer experience, CACT offers a guided "Experiencia Insólita" (€59.90 in 2026) on selected days.

How does it fit into a Lanzarote itinerary?

Timanfaya is in the west, while the other Manrique centres cluster in the north: Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and the Mirador del Río. For more on the coach tour itself, see the Route of the Volcanoes. If you are comparing volcanic parks, Teide National Park on Tenerife shows a much higher, older volcano with free walking trails.