Timanfaya National Park, as we know it today, owes its dramatic volcanic landscape to the eruptions that took place between 1730 and 1736, with a later eruption in 1824. These volcanic events were among the most significant in world volcanism, both due to their duration and the vast number of craters created. The eruptions shaped the landscape, resulting in over 200 km² of incredible volcanic terrain that remains one of the island’s most spectacular natural attractions.
Timanfaya National Park is located between the towns of Tinajo and Yaiza, approximately 30 minutes by car from Arrecife. For a more scenic route, we recommend taking the LZ-67 road, which passes through Mancha Blanca before arriving at the Timanfaya Visitor Center. From here, visitors will receive guidance on parking and how to access the National Park. The journey through the park offers a unique experience, as the impressive black lava fields and roads, blending seamlessly with the landscape, create an almost surreal atmosphere.
While public transport is available, it is not highly recommended as you will need to take a bus to Yaiza and then a taxi to reach the park.
At the heart of the Timanfaya National Park lie the Montañas del Fuego (Mountains of Fire), a series of volcanic cones surrounded by a spectacular sea of lava. The area still exhibits geothermal activity, and visitors can witness some of the park’s well-known "anomalies" at Islote del Hilario, where the temperature reaches 400ºC just 2 meters beneath the surface. A fascinating demonstration shows how Majorera gorse catches fire spontaneously, and if water is introduced into small holes in the ground, it creates a geyser-like effect, accompanied by loud sounds.
The El Diablo Restaurant is located in the park, built with a circular façade covered in volcanic stone that blends perfectly with the natural environment. Inside, you can see a well, about 5 meters deep, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 200ºC, which is used as a natural oven for cooking.
The park operates from 9:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., with daily bus services running between these hours.
On August 9, 1974, Timanfaya was declared a National Park, one of the highest categories of environmental protection in Spain. Covering an area of 51.07 km² in the southwest of Lanzarote, it is surrounded on all sides, except to the west (facing the sea), by the Los Volcanes Natural Park.
The park’s creation is the result of the eruptions that occurred between 1730 and 1736, and the area is still considered in the early stages of ecological succession. With about 180 plant species, primarily lichens, Timanfaya is a critical site for studying the colonization of volcanic landscapes by flora and fauna.
The park contains over 25 volcanoes, with notable ones such as the Montañas del Fuego, Montaña Rajada, and Caldera del Corazoncillo. The surface still exhibits volcanic activity, with hot spots that reach 100º-120ºC and 600ºC at a depth of 13 meters.
The islets of Timanfaya, located mainly along the southern and eastern borders of the park, were not affected by the last volcanic eruptions. These small elevations of land serve as refuges for plant and animal life, making them true oases. The islets are home to some of the park's most diverse flora and fauna.
The plant colonization process in Timanfaya is ongoing, with two primary fronts:
Successional Development: Algae, mosses, and lichens initiate the ecological succession. Lichens, a symbiotic organism of fungi and algae, are particularly resilient to extreme conditions and help create the necessary substrate for more complex plant life to establish.
Surviving Plants: Some plants, such as tabaibales and wild geraniums, survived the volcanic eruptions and have thrived on the islets, where they escaped the lava flows.
The fauna of Timanfaya is dominated by reptiles and birds. Notable reptiles include the Haria lizard and the rugoso (Majorero perenquén), which feed on insects and plants. Among the birds, Timanfaya is home to migratory species like the Cory's shearwater, which forms one of the most important colonies of migratory seabirds in the Canary Islands. Other species, such as the raven, common kestrel, and Egyptian vulture (known locally as guirre), also inhabit the park.
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