Don’t fancy booking a hire car for your next holiday on Lanzarote? No problem! The island’s buses – known locally as guaguas – unlocks the island’s most magical corners.

Embrace a more sustainable way to explore and let us guide you through genuine, exciting itineraries that will make you happy to leave the steering wheel behind for good.

Arrecife: The Island’s Capital

Starting your journey in the capital, Arrecife, places you at the heart of the action. You’ll wake up to views of one of the Canary Islands’ most beautiful marinas. The seafront avenue is a living museum of historical monuments, best admired on foot or by. Switch to ‘chill’ mode, let the ocean breeze guide you.

Birdwatchers, take note: the Kentish plover nests on the islet of Castillo de San Gabriel and is often spotted foraging in the rock pools. For a different perspective, the calm waters of El Reducto beach offer stunning views of the vast Atlantic horizon.

Direct Lines to Beach Paradise

The perks of the capital continue. Right on the seafront, near the city’s Cabildo (town hall), you’ll find the bus interchange. From here, guaguas depart to Lanzarote’s resorts, towns and villages. Simply pack water, a hat, and sunscreen, and jump on a line.

Remember: the journey is as important as the destination. Lanzarote’s landscapes are a unique spectacle. As former island resident José Saramago put it: “The journey never ends. The end of one journey is only the beginning of another.” The Arrecife interchange connects to almost everywhere, with the magnificent beaches of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, and Playa Honda just a short ride away.

Total Disconnection in the South

Don’t miss Playa Blanca, a fishing village that retains its seafaring soul, especially in the seafront restaurants specialising in local cuisine. An authentic ball of gofio blanched in fish broth, a plate of limpets, or fresh island rock fish are culinary pleasures from another world.

Playa Blanca’s bus station is a key hub with six lines connecting to Arrecife, the airport, Puerto del Carmen, and Yaiza. On Sundays, line 13 runs directly to the famous Teguise market, departing at 9:00 AM and returning at 1:30 PM.

Famara and Mala

The mythical beach of Famara is an Atlantic sanctuary guarded by its mighty cliff face, the Risco. Here, the horizon feels palpable, and the constant roar of the waves calms the walker’s mind. It’s also a world-renowned destination for surfing and other water sports, a place where the combination of powerful nature and absolute freedom is truly understood.

Please note: Famara beach is part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park, home to unique species. The Risco cliffs host around 400 endemic plants, and the nearby sandy areas are a nesting ground for the endangered Canarian houbara bustard. Respect for this fragile habitat is paramount.

From La Caleta de Famara, guagua line 20 connects to Arrecife on weekdays, passing through charming inland villages like Mozaga, Tao, and San Bartolomé.

For a unique experience, the naturist resort of El Charco del Palo offers natural pools and a liberating environment. Hikers can enjoy the beautiful 90-minute rural trail from Haría to the secluded pools of Mala (weather permitting).

La Graciosa

No guide to car-free travel would be complete without La Graciosa. The eighth Canary Island is a world benchmark for sustainability, having completely renounced asphalt. The handful of authorized vehicles are strictly regulated by the natural park. This is utopia made reality.

Reachable by frequent ferry from Órzola, Caleta de Sebo is your gateway. Rent a bike or simply walk to pristine beaches like Las Conchas or La Francesa. Immersing yourself in this community, where humans and nature coexist in perfect harmony, is a profound sensory experience. Put on your hat and leave the noisy world behind.

The post How To Explore Lanzarote Without a Car first appeared on Gazette Life.

Last month, Spain introduced a new prescriptions law aimed at reducing the cost of vital drugs and medicines for residents with lower incomes.

In Spain, there is no universal prescription charge. Most people who are prescribed drugs and other medicines from their local Farmacia are expected to pay a sum of money towards the cost of the drug, which will vary according to the product.

There are certain exemptions allowing free prescriptions for those on very low incomes, or the severely ill and disabled, but most users of the system will be expected to contribute to the cost of their medicaments.

The new law is aimed at reducing costs for middle-income individuals and families, with those with an income between €18,000 to €60,000 per annum having to contribute less than before.

The full range of income categories and rates is as follows:

Up to €9,000: Contribution remains at 40%, capped at €8.23 per month.

€9,000 to €17,999: Contribution remains at 40%, capped at €18.52 per month.

€18,000 to €34,999: Contribution reduced from 50% to 45%, capped at €61.75 per month.

€35,000 to €59,999: Contribution is reduced from 50% to 45%, with no cap.

€60,000 to €99,999: Contribution remains at 50%, with no cap.

Over €100,000 euros: The 60% contribution is maintained, with no cap.

Foreign residents living legally in Spain, including British nationals registered within the public healthcare system, are subject to exactly the same rules as Spanish citizens. The amount you pay depends on official income records, such as the annual tax declaration, and healthcare eligibility. It currently has nothing to do with nationality (although certain political parties intend to change that if they get into power).

Prescriptions can be picked up at any official Farmacia (look for the illuminated green cross outside) on presentation of your blue health card. The assistant will fetch your prescription, cut the bar-codes out with a craft knife for some reason, and then charge you the rate according to the table above.

The post Spain Introduces New Prescription Charges Law first appeared on Gazette Life.

Last year, Spain lifted the rule that prevented anyone who had spent more than six months in the UK between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood. We went to the Dr José Molina Orosa Hospital to try and leave a deposit.

The “British blood ban” followed the outbreak of vCJD (mad cow disease) in the UK in the late 90s, and as this disease could not be screened for, and may remain undetected for several years, it remained in place for over 25 years.

Now, however, several countries have revised their regulations, and will allow donors who spent time in the UK to give blood. This is fortunate, as there is currently a shortage of blood throughout the Canaries, which has occasionally led to postponed operations.

To give blood, you can book an appointment on 928 595 572 (option 3) or just turn up at the Blood Bank (Banco de Sangre) at the Dr José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife between 8.30 am and 1-2 pm (we’d advise arriving later in the morning, as parking can be difficult earlier on when scores of people turn up for blood extractions) . You’ll need to go into the outpatients’ department at the back of the hospital, and if you have an appointment, tap your NIE into one of the reception machines that will confirm you have arrived.

Although the hospital at Arrecife can be a bit of a maze, the Blood Bank is not hard to find, as there are large red strips on the floor with DONA SANGRE (Give Blood) written on them. These lead you to the stairs, and directly to the Blood Bank on the 2nd floor (British people should remember that the Ground Floor is the 1st Floor in Spain.)

Wait at the desk and an assistant will ask you to fill a digital online form. This is in Spanish, and includes questions about current medication, recent journeys abroad, any surgery you’ve had and other matters.

Once you’ve filled it in, the assistant will ask you to sign a consent form and a standard data protection form, on which you can choose to receive emails from the hospital and even birthday greetings. Shortly afterwards, a doctor will take you through to a private room, take your blood pressure and may ask more questions about the form you’ve just filled in. If all goes well, 450 mls (a pint) of blood will be extracted.

WHO CANNOT GIVE BLOOD

While the ban has been lifted on those who spent time in the UK, there are still several categories of people who cannot give blood. If you are pregnant, have recently suffered from flu, or have a history of heart failure, diabetes or cancer treatment, you’re likely to be turned down – this is for your own good, rather than recipients. If you’ve had a tattoo or piercing in the last six months, you’ll also be turned away.

The post Donating Blood on Lanzarote first appeared on Gazette Life.

Selling your property in Lanzarote? Erardo Ferrer of Lanzarote Abogados tells you how to avoid lastminute surprises with a legal review beforehand.

Selling a house on Lanzarote should be an exciting process, but for many foreign homeowners, the paperwork turns it into a maze of doubts. Often, the main problems don’t arise when you put up the “Se Vende” sign, but weeks later, when a prospective buyer finds discrepancies in the Land Registry or Cadastre. As a lawyer specializing in real estate law on the island, my goal is for you to sell with complete peace of mind and without unnecessary delays.

Why is it vital to review your property before looking for a buyer?

In Lanzarote, it’s common to come across properties with small (or large) administrative and urban planning irregularities that have gone unnoticed for years. Many homeowners don’t realize that what they’ve seen isn’t exactly what the documents state.

These are the critical points we can rectify for you:

– Land Registry-Cadastre Reconciliation: Are the actual square metres the same as those stated in the documents? If the numbers don’t measure up, the sale could be held up at the notary’s office.

– Urban planning compliance: We confirm that any extensions, swimming pools, or renovations have the necessary permits, or are properly established with the required certificates.

– Mandatory certificates: We handle everything from the Energy Performance Certificate to the Occupancy Permit (License of Occupancy). These documents are essential for the buyer to purchase with confidence and connect to utilities.

– Tax representation for non-residents: We advise you on capital gains tax and the 3% withholding tax applied to non-resident sellers, ensuring you don’t pay a single Euro more. Sell with the peace of mind of having everything “in order.”

Don’t wait for the buyer’s lawyer to find a problem. Being proactive not only gives you negotiating power but also projects an image of seriousness and transparency that speeds up the sale. My Legal Housing Audit service is specifically designed for foreign residents seeking a trusted representative on the island who speaks their language and will protect their interests from start to finish.

Shall we talk? Let me handle the paperwork so you can focus on planning your next step.

The post Selling your property in Lanzarote? Here’s what to avoid first appeared on Gazette Life.

Visitors and new arrivals to Lanzarote have often wondered how safe it is to drink the tap water on the island. Last month, a group of experts provided the answer.

On Lanzarote, many residents prefer to drink mineral water, sold in all supermarkets in large plastic bottles. Many claim that this tastes better than the desalinated tap water, and the frequent water cuts in rural areas of the island have also contributed to the trend.

However, a round table event last month, organised by the Biosphere Reserve, gathered several experts to assure the public that tap water is perfectly safe, and to promote a “More Tap Water, Less Plastic” campaign.

Professor Rayco Guedes, head of Chemistry at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria stated that the reverse osmosis desalination process used on Lanzarote meant that tap water contained less plastic residue than bottled water, while the head of Canal Gestión’s laboratory, Sara Martín, described how the desalinated water is remineralised with calcium and magnesium, along with the addition of chlorine disinfectant within legal limits, as is normal in all European countries.

Lanzarote’s Public Health Inspector, Marta Betancort, described how regular sampling and testing took place at locations throughout the island’s mains system, ensuring that the water is safe to drink.

Javier de Quintana of the Plumbers’ Federation pointed out that occasional cases of discoloured water usually stemmed from aljibes and water tanks, and urged individuals and communities to maintain these in optimum condition.

The event concluded that tap water is cheaper, healthier, cleaner, and more environmentallyfriendly than bottled water.

WATER TIPS

• Ensure that aljibes (water tanks) and other deposits are regularly checked and cleaned by qualified professionals.

• If you have water filters, make sure they are also cleaned regularly.

• Levels of chlorine are safe, but if you’re still worried leave water to stand for a few hours so it evaporates.

• Keep a few bottles for emergencies, especially if you live in rural areas, but change the water every month or so.

The post Drinking tap water on Lanzarote first appeared on Gazette Life.

Erardo Ferrer of Lanzarote Abogados tackles the issue of squatting.

On September 5, 2025, we recovered a squatted villa in the Los Claveles residential area on Calle España in Playa Blanca – a beautiful villa with a pool and jacuzzi that had been occupied by five families (one in each room) and at least four children.

The recovery was a complete success, or rather, a miracle. This was thanks to many small factors, but mainly due to the rigorous professionalism and courage of the presiding judge of Arrecife’s Investigative Court No. 2; the superb experience and assistance of the Sergeant at Yaiza’s Guardia Civíl station, and, of course, thanks to our experience and exhaustive knowledge of criminal law.

The key to recovering a squatted house almost always lies in the initial moment of the occupation and the first steps taken. A badly prepared denuncia or a poor procedural decision can lead to a property never being recovered or to a significant delay in its recovery.

In this case, the house had initially been occupied by professional squatters, a genuine criminal organization, who then rented the villa to five different families once they had secured possession, earning a monthly profit of almost 3,000 euros. This is how squatting mafias operate in Spain.

The problems of recovering a squatted house lie in the fact that these mafias take advantage of the current Spanish laws on vulnerability, which protects the vulnerable, even when they illegally acquire possession of a home. This same law protects, on one hand, the legal tenant who has fallen ill or lost their job and who, of course, needs special protection, but on the other hand it protects criminals who forcibly occupy the owners’ homes. This is sheer madness and a true perversion of our legal system.

The truth is that currently, on squatting issues, the Spanish government and the Attorney General’s Office are decisively positioning themselves in favour of the criminal and against the legitimate owner, based exclusively on assumptions of vulnerability.

It may be the case that a common criminal, without a legal job, with multiple criminal records, who may be earning a lot of money from illegal activities, can occupy a luxury villa and cannot be evicted because they have no declared income and are declared vulnerable.

The spirit of vulnerability in Spanish law has been perverted, but the worst thing is that the Spanish government and the Attorney General’s Office are aware of this perversion and allow it. They protect and encourage criminal organizations that occupy the homes of respectable citizens with impunity and then rent them to vulnerable families.

It’s clear that none of this was done intentionally by our Attorney General’s Office and our legislators, as the idea was to protect the vulnerable, not the criminal. However, it is clear to me that despite the reality and current awareness of all this, the Spanish Government and the Attorney General’s Office are doing absolutely nothing to prevent it and are therefore fully culpable and responsible for what is happening.

On August 28, 2025, we obtained another ruling against a squatter, a first in Spain. This ruling condemns the squatter not only to return the house, but also to pay €5,100 in lost rental value of the house for the time it was occupied, as well as €2,000 to the owners for moral damages, and a fine of €180.

The post The Truth About Squatting In Lanzarote first appeared on Gazette Life.

Spain has created some terrific horror films over the years. If you fancy a fright on Halloween night, track down the following.

The Orphanage (2007)

A genuinely spooky, tragic tale of mischievous child ghosts in northern Spain, with a terrific central performance by Belén Rueda. The Grandmother’s Footsteps scene is unforgettably eerie.

The Devil’s Backbone (2001)

Before Guillermo Del Toro shot to fame, he made this ghost story set in another orphanage, this time with an unexploded bomb in the courtyard and the Spanish Civil War raging outside.

The Others (2001)

Alejandro Amenabar’s gothic version of Henry James’s Turn of the Screw is a classic spinechiller with Nicole Kidman on superb form and a breathtaking twist.

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)

Not strictly a horror film, But Victor Erice’s masterpiece is a haunting portrait of a young girl’s fears, with a central role for Frankenstein’s monster.

REC (2007)

Fast, furious and gory, rather than spooky, this terrific found footage film combines raging zombies with demonic possession and gave rise to four sequels of varying quality.

Veronica (2007)

Using a Ouija board during a total eclipse of the sun doesn’t seem like a good idea, and so it proves in Rec director Paco Plaza’s skin-crawling supernatural film that was inspired by a real case in Madrid.

Cold Skin (2017)

Two lighthouse keepers face up to nightly invasions by fierce sea lizards in this sci-fi thriller filmed predominantly on Lanzarote’s north coast.

La Cabina (1972)

British and Spanish people of a certain age still remember encountering this unforgettable short film about a man getting trapped in a telephone box. In Spain, Telefonica had to assure citizens that telephone boxes weren’t actually evil traps.

Can Kill A Child? (1976)

Another 70s classic in which a couple of British tourists head to a Spanish island that turns out to be populated by bloodthirsty niños.

The post Top 9 Spanish Horror Films first appeared on Gazette Life.

Here in Lanzarote, hiking is more than a pastime. To walk here is to do more than travel from point A to point B; it is to pause time, heighten your senses, and allow yourself to be humbled by an environment that transforms with every turn in the path.

Forged by volcanic fire and shaped by centuries of human resilience, these islands (Lanzarote & La Graciosa) offer a hiker’s paradise. Discover gaping craters, vast petrified lava flows, dramatic Atlantic cliffs, hidden ravines, and plains painted in salt and silence. Here, beauty doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

The Plant That Shaped an Island

Tucked within Lanzarote’s soil lies a story that defined the island’s economy and geography for centuries: the tale of the Canary Island barilla, or iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum).

This unassuming, hardy plant was a source of immense wealth during the 18th and 19th centuries, cultivated for its soda ash – a key component in soap and glass manufacturing. The arid slopes of Lanzarote became a patchwork of iceplant crops, perfectly suited to the climate.

This industry’s boom didn’t just fuel the economy; it sculpted the agricultural terrain. The terraces and structures from this era remain visible today from hiking trails, particularly around Guatiza and Los Valles. Though the trade vanished with modern chemical processes, the iceplant endures, a quiet testament to a legacy of ingenuity and adaptation.

The Flora and Fauna of the Trail

As you explore our extraordinary landscapes, you’ll encounter a world of silent, resilient, and surprising nature. Keep an eye out for these species:

• Tabaibas and Verodes: Hardy shrubs masterfully adapted to volcanic soil.
• The Canary Island Spurge: A sculptural, drought-resistant cactus.
• The Atlantic Lizard: A swift native often seen darting between sun-soaked rocks.
• The Egyptian Vulture: A majestic bird of prey soaring above cliffs and ridges.
• Shearwaters and Plovers: Coastal birds nesting in serene shoreline areas.
• The Canary Islands Stonechat: If you’re lucky, you might spot this small, endemic bird.

Hike Responsibly

With such a diverse and precious natural heritage, it is vital that we all tread lightly. Hiking here is a privilege, and it demands our respect.

Follow these essential guidelines to ensure your adventure is sustainable and safe:

• Leave No Trace: Always carry a bag for all your waste, no matter how small.
• Stay on Marked Trails: Venturing off-path damages fragile flora and erodes the volcanic soil. The network of PR (white and yellow) and GR (white and red) trails is clearly marked for your journey.
• Take Only Photos: Do not pick plants or remove stones. The island’s beauty lies in its completeness.
• Keep Noise to a Minimum: Remember you are sharing the environment with wildlife and other visitors seeking tranquillity.
• Absolutely No Fires or Smoking: The fire risk is extremely high and the damage would be irreversible.

The post Guide to Hiking in Lanzarote first appeared on Gazette Life.

There’ll be plenty of Halloween celebrations in the resorts and towns next month, but why not take a trip further afield to enjoy some of the most evocative, mysterious corners of the island?

Teguise

Teguise is Lanzarote’s oldest, most historic town, and its maze of narrow white streets, churches and colonial mansions has a special atmosphere after nightfall, especially when a full moon can be seen sailing near the Castle of Santa Barbara.

La Torrecilla

The strange white building, with its small tower and turrets, is one of the most evocative sights on Lanzarote, especially when the mists are rolling down Monte Corona onto it. There are a few rumours that it is haunted, but these seem to be inspired by its eerie appearance rather than any genuine occurrences. It’s also on sale for €2 million.

El Jable de Arriba

On such a small island, it’s amazing that you can still find places that seem almost entirely deserted, but there are several. El Jable de Arriba is the upper part of the sand corridor that runs from Famara to Güime – a bleak, desolate plain from where the cliffs of Famara can be seen in the distance. Several centuries ago, the original natives of Lanzarote lived here in small houses built around holes in the ground, and you can still find the limpet shells they used as spoons and tools scattered around.

Timanfaya

Where else in the world can you enter a wild volcanic landscape guarded by prancing devils? César Manrique’s visual joke about the “hellish” landscape has inspired a dubious “legend” about the devil of Timanfaya, but it’s the sheer force of nature and the knowledge that several villages are buried under those volcanoes that really puts a shiver down your spine.

The Telamon

At twilight, or on the very rare occasions when sea fog rolls in from the south, The shipwreck between Arrecife and Costa Teguise looks just like a ghost ship. It’s also dangerous, long closed off to intrepid explorers. Plans to scrap the wreck have never come to fruition, and this imposing landmark looks set to remain for some time.

The post Top 5 Spookiest Places on Lanzarote first appeared on Gazette Life.

The launch dates are firming up for the introduction of the EES and ETIAS schemes, which will change things for non-EU citizens entering Spain, including Lanzarote’s most important market, the British.

The European Commission recently announced an increase in the charge for the ETIAS scheme from €7 to €20, making it slightly more expensive than the equivalent ETA scheme which requires that all non-UK citizens must pay £16 to enter the UK.

Right now, there’s no need to do anything, but here’s how things will change:

EES

This is an automated Entry/Exit Scheme that will replace passport stamping and is due to be introduced in October. Once introduced, it will require all non-EU travellers to submit fingerprints and facial scans for ID purposes. This will be carried out at airports by specialised scanning machines, so don’t worry about ink pads and stained fingers.

There’s no charge, but the EU has warned of the possibility of longer waiting times at airports while the system gets off the ground.

ETIAS

ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System and is a visa waiver system for non-EU nationals. It will be introduced in the last quarter of 2026, so there is no need to do anything about it just now.

When it is introduced, non-EU members will have to fill in details online or via an app and pay a fee of €20 before they will be allowed to enter the Schengen area. It is likely that airlines will check this on departure, rather than permit passengers to fly to destinations they may be turned away from.

If you are a British citizen registered as a resident in Spain, you will be exempt from the scheme as long as you are travelling to Spain (and are carrying proof of residency such as a TIE card). You will also be exempt if you are travelling to other countries in the Schengen area for short stays of fewer than 90 days in a 180-day period.

In fact, the ETIAS scheme only applies to short stays. The “90 Day Rule” that has prevented many British holiday homeowners from fully enjoying their properties will remain unchanged by the scheme.

Ireland is not a part of the Schengen zone, so non-EU passengers will not require an ETIAS when visiting that country. As EU members, Irish travellers will also be exempt from ETIAS requirements.

The post Guide to Spain’s new EES and ETIAS schemes first appeared on Gazette Life.