Lanzarote plays host to many religious and cultural celebrations throughout the year that are a spectacle to behold. See the brightly coloured costumes and street parties at ‘Carnaval’ or catch Los Dolores Fiesta on 15th September. Here, locals dress up in traditional costumes and make their way to the Church of Delores to celebrate the lava flow changing direction. In true Spanish style, an all night party takes place after the pilgrimage!

The incredible National Park is a must see! Journey through the dramatic volcanoes and marvel at the enormous craters and lava tubes. You can really get a sense of the island's explosive past here. There's also the chance to see demonstrations of the tremendous heat that still lies beneath the ground's surface.

With one of the most famous ancient wine bodegas in the Canaries, the unique area of La Geria is not to be missed. You can visit the bodega and sample the delicious wines of the island, gown in volcanic soil. The excellent wine also makes for a great souvenir or gift.

The superb beaches of Lanzarote are the main attraction for the millions of holiday makers that visit the island each year. They range from the pristine, coffee coloured sand of Matagorda’s Blue Flag Beach to the 'white beach' that gives Playa Blanca its name. Most offer excellent facilities and water activities but you'll also find stunning rugged bays such as Papagayo Beach.

By day the ranch opens its doors to visitors in search of a fun family day out. With sea lions, pumas, bison, birds from all over the world, there's plenty to see. By night, Rancho Texas transforms into a Cowboys and Indians frenzy of line dancing, live music, family games and more!

Aside from the variety of watersports on offer such as windsurfing and scuba diving, Lanzarote is also an excellent destination for cycling and hiking. The smooth roads and undulating landscape make a fantastic challenge for outdoor lovers. For gentler pursuits, you could hire bicycles and enjoy a leisurely cruise along the coastline. Or, watch the elite in action during the annual Iron Man competition held each May.

There are a number of boat trips and excursions that can be enjoyed from both the harbour in Playa Blanca and at the opposite end of the resort at the Rubicon Marina. Puerto Calero also offers a fantastic yellow submarine experience. You can also hop aboard the ferry that runs between Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero - a lovely way to see the coastline!

Found just outside Puerto Calero, Lanzarote A Caballo is an excellent horse riding centre offering excursions and lessons suitable for all levels. There is also a restaurant and bar on site providing refreshments.

Found in Costa Teguise, just 10 minutes from the airport, Aqua Park is the largest water park on the island. With slides, toboggans, water zorbs and even a paintball centre, it's guaranteed to keep kids smiling.

The largest of Playa Blanca's 3 beaches, Playa Dorada is a wide crescent shaped bay protected by rock barriers. With calm, shallow waters and great facilities, it's an ideal setting for families. The resort's promenade is adjacent, so that ice cream or refreshing drink is never far away.

On the north east coast, close to the village of La Santa, Famara Beach is a top destination for watersports enthusiasts. With strong winds and over 3 miles of wide sandy beach, the conditions are ideal for surfing. The powerful currents and reliable wind mean swimmers and sun bathers should avoid this beach.

Found in Playa Blanca, this pretty sandy beach is overlooked by bars, cafes and shops. With a protective rock barrier that provides calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling, it's a family favourite.

In the south of the island near Playa Blanca resort, this wild sandy beach is well worth a visit. A scenic drive along an unpaved road leads to this breathtaking, natural bay backed by dramatic cliffs. You could also reach the beach by water taxi from Playa Blanca. There are no facilities but you'll find a small restaurant perched on the cliff edge - perfect for lunch with a view.

Playa Grande Beach is located in Puerto del Carmen, close to all the bars, shops and restaurants. The beach is long and sandy with excellent facilities including pedaloes, sunbeds and parasols. The main Avenida de las Playas promenade runs adjacent - perfect for picking up beach essentials such as inflatables and ice cream.

Used by the diving schools because of the abundant marine life, this small bay can be found in the west of Puerto del Carmen resort. It’s a great setting for scuba diving and snorkelling and has a restaurant overlooking the beach. The Old Town Harbour with its many dining options is also within walking distance.

This small beach is set close to the boardwalk in the centre of Playa Blanca resort, with easy access to bars and restaurants. It has fine golden sand with calm waters plus sunbeds and parasols available to hire.

Matagorda Beach is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. This calm beach is lined by a pretty promenade with an ample selection of restaurants, shops and laid back beach bars. It also has a parasol and sunbed service.

Located between Puerto del Carmen and Mataorda, Playa Pocillos is a wide, sandy beach. There's plenty of space for a game of football or volleyball here. Sunbeds are available to rent and the shops and restaurants of Avenida de las Playas are within easy reach too.

This long stretch of sandy beach is located in the resort of Matagorda, next to the airport. The promenade runs alongside it and is ideal for jogging and cycling. Facilities are limited here so be sure to pack a picnic. This area is also very popular with plane spotters!