LANZAROTE, VOLCANIC PARADISE. PART I: DREAMLIKE SUNSETS
My last photographic adventure took me to Lanzarote a couple of months ago and I fell in love with this volcanic island belonging to the Canary archipelago.
Lanzarote is the second oldest island of the Canary Islands and, for me, one of the most beautiful ones, with its inhospitable landscapes where extensive flat areas coexist with volcanic cones and cliffs.
In order to tell you in depth about my experience on this island, I thought it would be best to do it in parts... There is so much to tell and to highlight that it would be an endless post to do it in just one! So, after giving it a lot of thought, I have decided to start with my favourite part: the sunsets. Lanzarote has not only incredible landscapes but also a soft and warm light practically all day long that makes it very easy to capture the beauty of the island.
If we add to this the warm days with dust in suspension that act as a polarizing filter, we have the perfect combination.
Do you want to know more and locate each of the places I visited in Lanzarote at sunset so you don't miss them on your next trip? Let's get started!
EL RISCO DE FAMARA
If I had to choose one of those places on the island that leaves you speechless, it would undoubtedly be El Risco de Famara. In the north of the island, with quite difficult access by car, at the top of a cliff overlooking the beach and volcanic formations.
Here you will find the famous rock to take a photo, although I must admit that the most beautiful spot is at the end of the route, just past the rock.
It was the first sunset we saw when we arrived in Lanzarote and, before leaving, we repeated it. Why? I leave you some photos that will surely clear up any doubts you may have! ;)
CALETA DE FAMARA
One of the most beautiful beaches you will find in Lanzarote, it coincides with the coastline that we can see from the viewpoint of Risco de Famara and allows us to enjoy both the high cliffs and the sunset between volcanoes.
It is a beach mainly for surfers, so the chances of photographing silhouettes against the light are very high. Also, because of the low tide at sunset, it is the perfect place to capture the reflections of the cliffs on the sand in both golden light and blue hour.
This place occupies my Top 2 places to see the sunset in Lanzarote, it is definitely worth enjoying the last light of the day there.
LA ISLETA DE LA SANTA
A great discovery, this spot is not very well known. Serendipity was the key to coincide with the golden light. We had gone by with the camper at midday and except for the beautiful scenery it didn't tell us much. At sunset everything changed and the sky turned orange, leaving one of the most amazing sunsets on the island.
Perfect to go to see it by car or camper van with something cool and some beach chairs!
MIRADOR DEL RIO
One of the most typical places to watch the sunset overlooking the island of La Graciosa. To get there you will have to drive along winding roads around one of the most beautiful volcanic cones of the island: La Corona Volcano.
Also located in the north of the island, it offers much more than just panoramic views, an incredible light with no distractions on the horizon. Pro tip: you will need a wide-angle lens or build a panoramic image in Lr to be able to capture the whole island of La Graciosa. as it is really really close.
MONTAÑA BERMEJA
The truth is that this is not a sunset but a spot to start the day but I couldn't leave it out of this list because of the beautiful light you find there early in the morning. It is located in the south of the island and has nothing to envy to the best sunset in Famara.
One of the island's vermilion volcanoes, which gets its reddest colour when it rests in the soft light of dawn. It is also located on a black stone platform, which is beautiful to see!
The truth is that from anywhere on the island you can see spectacular sunsets, this is just a small guide of which ones you should not miss when travelling around Lanzarote.
An honourable mention should be made of the sunset that surprised us in La Geria where we could see the layers of volcanoes forming on the horizon and another one that we enjoyed in Punta del Papagayo watching the sun go down next to the sailboats.
I hope you have taken good note and if you know of any special place to see the sunset in Lanzarote that I have left out of this list, just share in comments!