Visiting Timanfaya National Park in Lanzarote (2026 guide)

If you’re here, it’s because you want to go to Lanzarote and see the most beautiful thing it has to offer: Timanfaya park. And you’ve come to the right place! It’s the loveliest spot on the island — preserved and stunning. A cluster of still-active volcanoes with superb colours, between lava fields and sand dunes. And since I loved the place, I made the most of it (though not enough!), so I’m going to give you a few tips and looooads of photos! In short, you’re in the right place!

Speaking of photos, we’ll get to it a bit further down, but the buses have horribly blue-tinted windows, so taking photos is a little tricky — it’s hard to fix afterwards, hence their slightly odd colour!

What’s changing in 2026 at Timanfaya (important!)

Timanfaya has recently changed quite a few of its rules, and it’s a big deal. Here’s what you need to know before you come, or risk being turned away at the door:

• Online booking is now mandatory. Since 15 June 2026, there are no more on-site sales: you have to book your ticket AND your visiting slot (in 15-minute time bands) on the official website ventaonline.cactlanzarote.com. No more “first come, first served” and endless queues of cars — but no more improvising either!
• The ticket is valid only for the date and slot you choose, non-modifiable and non-refundable. Pick your day carefully by checking the weather.
• Prices have gone up a lot: 30€ per adult, 15€ for ages 7-12, free for the youngest.
• Download your ticket (QR code) before you leave: mobile coverage is almost non-existent in the park, and turning up without your ticket showing on your screen is a guaranteed drama.
• Turn up about 15 minutes before your slot at the entrance.

My advice: book several days ahead in high season, the morning slots go fast. And if everything’s full, there are still the organised tours (see below), which have their own access.

Timanfaya park, a journey through the volcanoes

Lanzarote is shaped by volcanic activity. A very large part of its territory (three quarters, in fact) is made up of lava fields, arid and harsh yet exceptional landscapes. It was in 1730 that the island changed its face, with the eruption of the Timanfaya volcanoes. Well, “eruption” — let’s rather say “appearance”, because there were villages in this spot.

When the earth split in two to bring these volcanoes to the surface, 10 villages disappeared. The lava flowed continuously for 6 years, covering the whole south of the island, and many more eruptions followed. From very fertile land, the island became a far more hostile place, with end-of-the-world landscapes and an agriculture that had to be completely rethought. The last eruption on Lanzarote dates from 1824, again at Timanfaya.

A few figures and dates:

• the first paved road was built in 1950 for a visit by Franco
• the area was designated a national park in 1974
• in 1993, the area and almost the entire island of Lanzarote were classified a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
• Nearly 2 million tourists are counted each year

What to do in Timanfaya National Park

As you’ll see, Timanfaya National Park is very tightly regulated, with very little room for manoeuvre. The interior is only accessible by bus/group/booking. This is done for several reasons, the main one being to preserve the park. Because letting a load of tourists loose among these volcanoes would honestly be a bit of a waste — and it would also be dangerous, since the lava fields are very unstable, in the sense that walking on them means risking wrecking your ankles with every step. But as we’ll see, there’s still quite a lot to do, enough to keep us busy for a while. And for the activities around it, the hikes, that’ll be in the next section.

The bus tour

It’s the highlight of the show, it’s what you come for, and it’s really worth it as you can see in the photos. Here are my tips to make the most of this superb tour.

Which side of the bus should you sit on?

Ideally on the right, near the window. But good news: once you’re on site, nobody checks anything, and no one will stop you doing the loop a second time — so you can do one loop on each side 🙂 Realistically, not being at the window is a bit of a waste, so be among the first to board the bus.

How do you take nice photos from the bus?

The big problem with these buses is the horribly blue-tinted windows. OK, it’s probably to avoid being dazzled by the sun, but it ruins the photos, which aren’t easy to fix afterwards! My tips: press the lens against the window to limit reflections, take one or two test shots and adjust the white balance. The photos in this article prove it: it’s fixable, but you have to put in a bit of time.

How long does the bus tour last?

About 40 minutes, non-stop (you never get off the bus). There’s an audio guide running in several languages. Not necessarily super interesting — I’d say you don’t really listen to it and mostly keep your nose pressed to the window 🙂

El Diablo restaurant

It’s a classic: there’s a touristy restaurant in the centre of the park, where the buses leave from. But unlike what you usually get, it’s apparently very good! Being a bit of a clever clogs, I didn’t arrive at lunchtime, but its meat has a great reputation. What’s more, that meat is cooked using the heat circulating through the volcanoes. At the entrance you’ll notice a volcanic heat well, at over 300°. The restaurant also has the advantage of a bay window running all the way round, offering a great view. Downside, though: it seems to be pricey. We’re a long way from Lanzarote’s usual prices — more in the region of 25€ a dish.

Hiking in the park

It isn’t possible to hike freely in Timanfaya National Park. However — and this is a great tip few people know about — the park organises free guided hikes! Two routes exist:

• the Ruta de Tremesana (starting from Yaiza): around 3h in the heart of the lava fields, among volcanoes you can’t get close to any other way. In full sun, not a scrap of shade, so bring water and a cap.
• the Ruta del Litoral: the coastal version, longer (about 9 km), to see where lava meets the ocean.

The only (big) snag: places are limited to 8 people per outing and you have to book via the official website. Bookings open about a month ahead and go very fast — I couldn’t get a place, all the slots were already taken. Especially as the site isn’t the most reliable.

So, my alternative: you can go through this guided hike to discover Lanzarote’s volcanoes — an excellent alternative, without the booking lottery. It’s a licensed operator that takes you hiking in the park.

Hike into the heart of the volcanoes!

A camel ride

This one, I’ll admit I’m telling you about it without really enjoying it. A little south of the entrance you’ll find a spot where you can take a camel ride in the sand dunes running alongside the park. Reckon on about 20 minutes of riding, around 12€ per person (prices have gone up here too), two people per camel. The lines of dromedaries waiting in full sun aren’t my cup of tea, but it’s up to you.

What to do around Timanfaya

I talk about it in my general overview of Lanzarote, but you’ll find some lovely walks around the park. In particular:

• los Bardos Volcanes: a little back road to the west of the park, starting from El Golfo, takes you to the edge of the park. There are two volcanoes you can scramble up (lots of wind!) and a fantastic view. There’s no one around, ideal especially for sunset.
• Montaña Caldereta and Caldera Blanca: located north of the park, this superb walk through the lava fields lets you discover two really cool craters, including Caldera Blanca which offers a great view. It’s fairly long, you need good shoes, but it’s definitely worth it!
• Camino a las Malvas: a nice walk, a touch monotonous over time, but right above the park.

On the LZ-30 road nearby, you’ll find the bodegas offering tastings of their wine production, and it’s rather nice! That said, I don’t have a particular one to recommend.

The activities offered by agencies

If you’re not driving, or simply want someone to take care of everything, local agencies offer activities around Timanfaya park. I haven’t personally tested them all, but I’ve selected them based on customer feedback and their relevance. And a big advantage since the 2026 rule change: no need to handle the slot booking yourself, the agency takes care of everything. If the official slots are full, this is THE backup solution.

To help you find your way, here’s a quick comparison:

But if you want to know more about activities in Lanzarote in general, you can click the button below. There really are loads of them, and great ones! My two favourites are the walks in the volcanoes and the wine, because it’s pretty special.

Discover all the activities!

The map of Lanzarote

I’ve gathered all the most beautiful spots, the accommodation, the beaches and the practical info into a single map of Lanzarote, super handy.

⭐️ Click here to enlarge the map! ⭐️

4 recommended places to stay in Lanzarote

Find your dream accommodationin Lanzarote!

Practical information about Timanfaya

The visitor centre

5 km north of the park entrance you’ll find the visitor centre. You’ll find information about the activities around, but no booking is possible. I’ll admit I wasn’t blown away by the friendliness or the advice on offer — the feeling of being in a Parisian brasserie 😀 (words of a Parisian!). But inside, for a start it’s cool, and you’ll find information about the history of Timanfaya, the volcanoes, the rocks. It’s rather interesting. Open from 9am to 5pm.

How much does entry cost, the different options

Now, watch out, this has changed a lot in recent years. The price has exploded and booking has become mandatory. Here are the current rates:

• 30€ per adult (yep, that’s 8€ more in a single year)
• 15€ for children aged 7 to 12
• free for under-7s

The ticket includes parking, the bus tour (the Ruta de los Volcanes) and the geothermal demonstrations at the Islote de Hilario. The CACT card you used to buy to visit several sites no longer exists — each site is bought individually. So no more discount, and a hefty increase.

Buying tickets: since 15 June 2026, online booking is mandatory, there are no more on-site sales. Head to the official website ventaonline.cactlanzarote.com: you choose your date and your 15-minute slot, you pay, you download the ticket. The upside is that gone are the days of arriving at dawn to queue. The downside is that in high season you need to sort it out a few days ahead.

Opening hours

The park is open every day from 9am to 5pm. Watch out for the trap: the last entry is at 3.45pm (that’s the time of the last bus). So don’t plan on rolling up leisurely at 4.30pm, you’ll have missed it. Reckon on about 1h30 to 2h on site to enjoy the bus, the geothermal demonstrations and possibly the restaurant.

The various restrictions

Well, there aren’t many. To be honest there’s just one, but a big one: walking around the park on foot is forbidden. Because the park is very fragile and because the lava fields are dangerous, like the rest of the island access is restricted and you can only visit the national park by bus or on the guided hikes. The various paths leading into the park have barriers blocking the way, rangers pass by regularly, and going past them means exposing yourself to heavy fines, so I’d advise against it even if it looks super beautiful and super easy.

What time to come

There are nearly 2 million visitors a year, and many people come with the various operators and by coach, generally in late morning or early afternoon. So I’d advise, if you can, booking a morning slot, for several reasons.

First of all, there are fewer people. So fewer people means less waiting to get a parking space, then boarding the bus more quickly. And once the tour is over, you can have lunch at the restaurant which, apparently, has very good meat. The sun beats down pretty hard on Lanzarote too, so for better light, arriving at the start or the end of the day is better if you want to take nice photos (which isn’t easy with the bus’s tinted windows!)

How to get to Timanfaya

Coming by car and parking

First of all, parking is included in the price. But since it’s limited, if it’s full you’ll have to queue as you enter the park. So it’s better to arrive early!

Coming by car is very easy. Access is on the famous LZ-67 road that crosses the park and the lava fields. It’s central and easily reachable (not counting the traffic jams!):

• 20 minutes from Playa Blanca
• 30 minutes from Arrecife
• 25 minutes from Teguise
• 40 minutes from Costa Teguise
• 20 minutes from Puerto del Carmen

After that, in practical terms, if you have a driving licence, driving in Lanzarote is very easy and cheap. The driving is calm, the roads in good condition (the paved ones, that is!). And a car rental will cost between 10 and 30€ a day. The two best companies are Top Car and Auto Reisen. Cheap, good cars, no nasty surprises and excellent reviews. Don’t hesitate to compare prices before booking! For my part, I check on Booking.com (formerly Rental Cars) and Discover Cars

That said, if I have to recommend one site in particular for renting, it’s Discover Cars because I used it on my last rentals, and I had no funny business. It’s clear, not especially expensive (particularly in Lanzarote, from 6€).

Rent your car at the best priceIn Lanzarote

Coming by bus

Here it’s simple: it isn’t possible to come to Timanfaya by public bus. There’s the number 161 bus that drops you at Yaiza, 10 km from the centre, or the 52 that drops you at Mancha Blanca, 9 km north of the centre. And then, coming on foot is impossible because walking along the road is forbidden (I got told off by the patrol) and there are no pavements. So at a pinch you can hitchhike and reach the entrance, but you’ll then have to walk up.
You can find all of Lanzarote’s bus routes on this site.

So if you want to visit Lanzarote without a car, then you’re left with the agency tours I already mentioned.

Visiting Timanfaya park with an agency

As we’ve seen, getting to Timanfaya without a car is slightly complicated. It’s probably to favour the agencies, which can therefore offer plenty of outings from the island’s main seaside resorts, but the good thing is that prices are fairly reasonable and the deals very decent, from 50€ for a half-day. You’ll find a dedicated Timanfaya outing. 5h in and around the park, excellent value for money.

The agencies also offer full-day tours or sometimes half-day ones with plenty to do, like the must-sees El Golfo, Yaiza or the caves. From 40€. So it’ll depend on what you’ve already seen and your timing.

Discover Timanfaya

Where to stay nearby

Well, given the size of the island, the location of your accommodation isn’t the most important thing for visiting Timanfaya. That said, I’d wanted to be close to the volcanoes, mainly for the setting — it appealed to me more than the beaches. So I based myself in Uga, right next to Yaiza, which is just south of the park and really pleasant. A small all-white village surrounded by volcanoes. You’re a long way from the buzz of the touristy towns like Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise, but there’s something for every taste! 🙂 Otherwise, just north of the park, there’s Mancha Blanca, very well located and very quiet, and Tinajo, which is nice (with a few good restaurants!).

• Find a very complete selection of places to stay in Lanzarote

When to go to Lanzarote

Lanzarote really can be visited in any season. It’s never too hot, never really cold, there’s never bad weather and it’s never overcrowded. In the following article, I tell you which is the best time to go to Lanzarote depending on what you want, with the details month by month.

Frequently asked questions about Timanfaya

Do you need to book to visit Timanfaya?

Yes, it’s been mandatory since June 2026. No more on-site sales: tickets and visiting slots are booked exclusively online on the official website ventaonline.cactlanzarote.com.

How much does entry to Timanfaya cost in 2026?

30€ per adult, 15€ for ages 7-12, free for under-7s. The price includes parking, the bus tour and the geothermal demonstrations.

Can you visit Timanfaya in your own car?

No. You come by car as far as the car park (included in the ticket), but the interior of the park can only be visited by bus. It’s to protect the site — and your ankles, the lava fields are treacherous.

Can you hike in Timanfaya park?

Only via the park’s free guided hikes (8 places per outing, booking on the official national parks website, very much in demand) or a paid guided hike on the fringes. Walking freely is forbidden and the fines are steep.

How long does the visit last?

Reckon on 1h30 to 2h on site: 40 minutes of bus, the geothermal demonstrations, and possibly lunch at the El Diablo restaurant.

What’s the best time to visit Timanfaya?

Early morning or the end of the day: fewer people and nicer light for photos. Avoid the 11am-3pm window, that’s the time of the tourist coaches.

How do you get to Timanfaya without a car?

Public buses don’t serve the park (they stop 9-10 km away, and finishing on foot is forbidden — I got told off by the patrol!). Without a car, the only real option is the organised tour, from 50€ for a half-day.

Conclusion

And there you have it, you know everything! Although very tightly regulated, Timanfaya remains the most spectacular place in Lanzarote. Young and old alike should be captivated by the beauty of these volcanoes, so easily accessible from everywhere (the advantage of small islands!). So if it’s your first visit to Lanzarote, don’t miss it, even if the price has climbed a lot. In peak season, just plan to arrive early or at the end of the day to avoid the crowds. And don’t hesitate to do a few walks around the park, the views are truly insane!

• Discover ALL of Lanzarote – what to do, where to go, here’s the essential info
• Who to rent a car from in Lanzarote – discover the best agencies
• When to go to Lanzarote – what’s the best time? I tell you everything!
• Discover the island of La Graciosa – what to do on Lanzarote’s little sister
• Where to sleep in Lanzarote – discover the best accommodation and places to stay
• The most complete map of Lanzarote – an interactive map with the most beautiful spots
• Lanzarote is a family destination! – discover why it’s perfectly suited to children!
• If you’d rather not drive, Lanzarote can also be visited without a car

If you want to visit it, then read this article that tells you what you can do in a week in Gran Canaria!

• here’s also the information on cheap car rental in Gran Canaria
• and if you can’t make up your mind, here are the best holiday accommodation in Gran Canaria!

If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask me by clicking here 🙂How can I help you ?