History

The history of Lanzarote’s shipwreck

The Telamon, the large shipwreck that lies between Arrecife and Costa Teguise, came to Lanzarote in 1981 after suffering serious problems during a storm and has remained stranded just off the coast ever since.

How do they measure volcanic activity on Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is in constant motion, a volcanic island that is shifting and trembling all the time. These movements are constantly measured and monitored by specialists here and around the world. We recently visited the source of this information, the Lanzarote Geodynamic Laboratory, to find out more.

The man who designed Lanzarote’s first five-star hotel

Fernando Higueras was the visionary architectural genius who designed the first five-star hotel on Lanzarote – the Meliá Salinas – and helped César Manrique to transform Lanzarote.

The history of Ireland’s connection to the Canary Islands

The Canaries and Ireland share a long and sad history of famine and emigration, but Irish emigration to the islands first took place around 1651. Here’s the history of Ireland’s connection to the Canary Islands.

When Churchill planned to invade the Canary Islands

British tourists account for more than 50% of the island's visitors, but how many of them know that Churchill planned to invade the Canary Islands in 1941?

The man who changed Lanzarote forever

Manuel Díaz Rijo created the first island-based desalination in the world and changed Lanzarote forever.

When Lanzarote went to the Oscars

Arrecife-born costume designer Paco Delgado has worked on a number of huge films throughout his career which earned him two Goya Awards and two Oscar nominations.

When Lanzarote featured on the big screen

Lanzarote has featured in a number of films, TV and videos over the years. Here’s our list of some of the island’s most famous and memorable appearances.

The road to Salina

In 1969 a film crew arrived at the Hotel Lancelot in Arrecife to film a “suspense thriller” on the island. French director Georges Lautner had assembled a cast that included Robert Walker (who had appeared in Easy Rider the year before), and Mimsy Farmer, a young actress who had appeared in biker movies in the US and would go on to appear in several Italian cult films.

From a dirt track to the most important tourist resort

How a dirt track, a few rocks and a long-ignored beach became the first and most important tourist resort on Lanzarote?