Planning a trip to Lanzarote
The Canary Islands are an autonomous region of Spain and therefore has the same visa requirements.
Fast Facts
Time Zone
Lanzarote follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), except between April and October, when the clocks are set forward by an hour, making the time GMT +1. So, most of the year, when it’s 9am in Los Angeles and noon in New York, it’s 5pm in London and Lanzerote.
Money
The decimal monetary system in Lanzarote is the euro (€), which is divided into 100 cents (written as “c”). There are 2€ and 1€ coins, as well as 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and 1c coins. Banknotes are issued for 500€, 200€, 100€, 50€, 20€, 10€ and 5€.
Telephone
The country code for Spain is 34, and the local code for Lanzarote is 928. To make international calls from Lanzarote, dial 00 and then the country code, local code, and telephone number. For example, if you want to call the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., you would dial tel. 001 202/588-7800.
When to Go
Weather
Lanzarote is part of the Canary Islands, or as they are sometimes known, the islands of eternal spring. It follows that the climate is warm year-round, varying from 16°C (61°F) in winter to 25°C (77°F) in summer. It rarely rains on Lanzarote, unlike the other Canary Islands it has no large mountains so even clouds are rare.
Lanzarote Calendar
Spain is a largely Catholic country and many of Lanzarote’s annual events reflect this tradition. In January Día de Los Reyes (Epiphany) is celebrated by bonfires across the island. Pick up a Roscón de Reyes, a fruit cake flavored with brandy and orange-flower water to share. If you are unlucky enough to find a broad bean in your slice the next cake is on you. Puerta Del Carmen celebrates its own Carnaval (usually in February) to mark the beginning of Lent with a parade of gaudy floats that bring the waterfront alive.
The biggest annual celebration that is marked across the island is the Dia de Canarias which takes place on May 30th. The event marks the anniversary of the Canary Islands being given autonomous status from Spain and is marked by parades and fireworks all over the islands. The summer (between June and August) sees almost every town and community celebrate its own local fiesta with parties and fireworks.
