12 + 1 Best Museums in Lanzarote

If you’ve previously explored its amazing volcanic landscapes or had enough of the shoreline, there are some amazing museums in Lanzarote that you should check out. There is something for everyone, so a museum is the best place to go if you have time and want to learn something new.

In this guide, I’ll convey to you everything necessary to comprehend regarding the top Lanzarote museums, comprising hours and admission fees. These cultural and educational centers grant you a closer viewpoint at the island’s more artistic and historical side. Plus, having a museum day is one method amongst the best activities to perform in Lanzarote on wet or windy days.

Also, if traveling as a family, there are entertaining exhibits the kids will enjoy. There are even free options, so if not wanting to spend a fortune on excursions in Lanzarote, can still get to know the island in depth.

Continue reading to discover the notable museums located in Lanzarote!

1. Timanfaya Visitor and Interpretation Center, the best museum in Lanzarote

The Timanfaya Visitor Center is an essential stop during your trip to Lanzarote. While it’s often overlooked by theVolcano Route tour, the visitor center has its own appeal, making it a must-see when visiting Timanfaya.

Here, you can acquire more knowledge about the island’s volcanic formations, which assisted in shaping its otherworldly landscapes. You’ll also learn intriguing facts regarding the park and have access to various photographic viewpoints.

The most astonishing thing about this Lanzarote gallery is the regular exhibit that replicates a volcanic eruption. In addition to being an riveting optical spectacle, it’s also instructional, as a professional guide explains all the geological procedures that come about during an eruption.

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• Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Entrance fee: Free (entry to Timanfaya National Park is €12 for adults and €6 for children)
• Location: Yaiza

2. Atlantic Museum, an underwater museum in Lanzarote

The AtlanticMuseum is an underwater museum in Lanzarote, located about 40 ft (12 m) beneath the ocean’s surface. Not only is it one of the most renowned attractions in Playa Blanca, but it was the first aquatic museum to open in Europe.

This unique demonstration features dozens of sculptures portraying people in various positions. The works were created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, who gave each figure a distinct facial expression. Over time, the sculptures have become surrounded by an ecosystem of marine flora and fauna, creating a beautiful sight.

Best of all, no prior experience as a scuba diver is necessary to enjoy this Lanzarote museum.This tour for non-divers is perfect for beginners and allows you to appreciate the Atlantic Museum and its creations with no prior experience required.

As for me, I have my PADI certificate, so I opted for this tour, which incorporated three guided dives down to the museum. My guide prepared me with a wealth of information before the dive and was by my side the entire time we were in the water. Not only was I able to appreciate this underwater art gallery, but I was intrigued by the aquatic landscapes of volcanic lava, caves, and colorful fish.

• Hours of operation: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Cost of Entry: Free (plus the price of the diving excursion)
• Location: Playa Blanca

3. César Manrique Foundation, one of the top museums in Lanzarote

The César Manrique Foundation is among the most significant museums on Lanzarote. It’s dedicated to the lifetime and work of the renowned Canarian artist César Manrique. The Foundation is situated in the residence Manrique inhabited for some of his life and holds many of his possessions and creations. For instance, here one can see among his best known paintings, the Buried Coccyx, produced with animal fossils, natural pigments, and inlays of the island’s volcanic flows.

There are numerous works by César Manrique in Lanzarote all capturing the artist`s signature style of blending art and nature. In the case of the Foundation, the house was built after Manrique discovered an ancient taro, a shelter for shepherds. This explains the design and layout of his home, which inspired the Tahíche Lighthouse.

Manrique aimed to preserve traditional architectural aspects of the building while seamlessly blending it into the landscape of Lanzarote. He fashioned a construction adapted from a lava flow bearing five volcanic cavities into separate rooms. The house likewise featured customary white walls, a swimming pool, and an recreation area.

• Operational Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Payment: €10 for adults and €3 for children
• Location: Tahíche

4. International Museum of Contemporary Art, an acclaimed art museum in Lanzarote

The Castillo de San José is an 18^th-century stronghold and one of the top attractions to see in Arrecife. Besides its historical significance and majestic appearance, it’s also the home of the International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC).

This ancient complex was renovated by César Manrique, who also launched a series of modern art exhibitions and one of the most excellent art museums on Lanzarote. Here, visitors can find works by local artists like Pancho Lasso from Lanzarote and Martín Chirino from Gran Canaria, as well as international masters like Miró and Picasso.

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• Operational Hours: Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Admission fee for adults was €4 and €2 for children.
• Location: Arrecife

5. Casa Museo del Campesino, a traditional Lanzarote museum

The Casa Museo del Campesino is an additional popular museum in Lanzarote where you can delve into the native traditions and local culture. This is another work by César Manrique, this time to pay homage to all the farmers who have worked the island’s volcanic soils. This is no small feat, as the landscape is not naturally suited to cultivation and production.

During your visit, you can tour Manrique’s workshop and see exhibitions highlighting farming equipment, camel saddles, and tools traditionally used by agriculturalists for manual labor.

There is also the iconic symbol representing fertility on the island, measuring approximately 50 feet tall. The structure was created from various ancient waste materials, making it all the more remarkable. The monument provides insight into Manrique`s artistic abilities and thinking process, as he identified a useful purpose for recycled water tanks, pieces of metal, and leftover concrete fragments.

During your visit to this Lanzarote museum, you can also go to the Plaza de los Artesanos. We were fortunate enough to go during a traditional braiding techniques class and found it highly informative. We also heard great things about the restaurant, but you must reserve your table at least 2 hours in advance, so we were unable to eat there.

• Operational Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Admission fee: Free
• Location: Mozaga

6. La Casa de los Volcanes, a unique museum in Lanzarote

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La Casa de los Volcanes provides information on Jameos del Agua`s historical background, geography, and interesting facts. Across ten rooms, various exhibits detail the volcanic eruptions that shaped the area`s geology and landscape into this artistic marvel.

To better systematize your visit, keep in mind that the exhibitions are divided into three main areas, which you can visit in any sequence. The first deals with the cave’s formation process, including how it transformed into the structure we see today. The second focuses on the history of the museum, and the last compares these volcanic landscapes to those of other planets in our solar system.

• Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Admission fee: €20 for adults and €6 for children (La Casa de los Volcanes is only included in the Jameos del Agua ticket)
• Location: Jameos del Agua

7. Lagomar Museum, a Lanzarote museum that’s immersed in nature

The Lagomar Museum is another museum located in Lanzarote that should not be missed. It is situated in Nazaret, one of the most beautifully constructed towns in Lanzarote with its own unique attributes and charm.

The concept for the museum is credited to British developer Sam Benaday, who dreamed of having a home on the Island of Volcanoes. To accomplish the undertaking, he commissioned César Manrique to develop the house. Manrique collaborated with another Canarian artist, Jesús Soto, to design the building within an antique volcanic stone extraction quarry.

As you tour the Lagomar Museum on Lanzarote, you can walk through the whole interior, including the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. In addition to walls made of volcanic tunnels and caves, there is a lovely garden with palm trees, a turquoise lake, and several pieces showing Arab influence. In fact, in the 1970s, Egyptian actor Omar Sharif bought this house, which is why many people refer to it as the Sharif House.

In addition to being an impressive architectural achievement, the Lagomar Museum also includes a restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean dishes, tapas, and cocktails. It also offers scenic views, making it an ideal spot to watch the sunset unfold.

• Operational Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Admission fee for adults was €6 and €2 for children.
• Location: Nazaret

8. Cesar Manrique House Museum, a Lanzarote museum dedicated to the famous Canarian artist

The César Manrique House Museum is another location dedicated to exhibiting the works of the artist. It was where the artist dwelled until his death in 1992, rendering it an informative and noteworthy place. Also known as the Casa del Palmeral (Palm Grove House), it’s surrounded by lush greenery. This is fairly uncommon, considering Lanzarote has generally desert scenery.

The genesis of this house is also thought-provoking. During one of his journeys around the island, Manrique found this structure in ruins on an agricultural estate. He opted to refurbish it while preserving its traditional Canarian architectural design.

The house incorporates numerous rooms, two patios, and a workshop, where you can view several notable works by the artist, and some unfinished pieces. There is also an exhibit featuring his personal belongings, handcrafted items, and art supplies Manrique used to create his iconic masterworks.

• Operational Hours: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Payment: €10 for adults and €3 for children
• Location: Haría

9. Museum of Piracy, one of the oldest museums in Lanzarote

Exploring the Museum of Piracy is akin to taking a journey back in time. This Lanzarote museum is situated in the island`s ancient capital of Villa de Teguise, specifically within the Castle of Santa Bárbara.

The structure was constructed at the beginning of the 14th century to defend the island from pillagers and private armed ships whose crew used the Canarian archipelago as a strategic stop while journeying to America. The museum features different exhibits about the battles that occurred in Teguise, such as the battles of the Callejón de la Sangre, and you can learn all about the exciting and eventful history of the structure.

It’s amazing to consider that history was unfolding precisely at this fortress site. Best of all, this is a museum in Lanzarote that’s ideal for all age groups. Both children and adults will marvel at the antiquated weaponry on display, including sabers, cannons, and armor.

• Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Admission fee: Free
• Location: Teguise

10. Aloe Museum, one of the free museums in Lanzarote

The Aloe Vera Interpretation Centre is an additional complimentary museum in Lanzarote that I propose if you wish to travel economically around the island. It possesses diverse places throughout Lanzarote: Yaiza, Punta Mujeres, and Teguise.

Each location offers detailed information about the aloe vera plant, an ancient species that thrives in Lanzarote’s hostile environment and is recognized for its beneficial properties. Indeed, the Canary Islands are the largest producers of aloe vera in Europe!

During your visit, you’ll be provided access to informative displays, documents, and audiovisual presentations. The museum educates attendees on topics like the history of aloe, how it`s produced and cared for, and its various applications. Additionally, there is a store on site where you can purchase aloe vera items to bring home.

This Lanzarote museum was declared a Site of Cultural Interest, so I recommend checking out at minimum one of the locations during your trip. We went to the Yaiza center and thoroughly enjoyed it.

• Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Admission fee: Free
• Location: Yaiza, Punta Mujeres, and Teguise

11. Casa José Saramago, a great museum in Lanzarote for literature lovers

The Casa José Saramago is a museum of history in Lanzarote situated in the prior residence of renowned Portuguese author José Saramago, who gained the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. This house is where he spent the final 18 years of his life and penned some of his last works.

Saramago’s professional career was full of both accomplishments and controversies, as one of his novels led to a banning from presenting it. You can gain knowledge about this and the particulars of his life by touring the museum. Your visit incorporates a guided tour of his bedroom, extensive private library, and magnificent garden, complete with olive trees he transported over from Portugal.

If you’re considering delving deeper into this author’s life beyond his literary career, this is the perfect museum for you. Just be aware that you must book one of the guided tours, which are offered every half hour.

• Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (guided tours every half hour)
• Cost of Entry: €8 for adults, free for children 16 and under
• Location: Tías

12. Tanit Ethnographic Museum, one of the best cultural museums in Lanzarote

Another fascinating museum on Lanzarote is the Tanit Ethnographic Museum. Here, visitors can learn about the early history of the island`s inhabitants while touring an 18th-century mansion and historic vineyard.

Given that the Canary Islands are fairly detached from the rest of Europe historically, maritime transportation was limited. The museum helps visitors gain a deeper understanding of how the settlement of Lanzarote unfolded and how culture and traditions developed over time.

The museum exhibits a splendid selection of records, pictures, and old relics that grant a glimpse into vintage lifestyle. There is also an assortment of maritime charts, telephones, scales, and even tapes from the pioneering airport at that moment in time. You can also tour the old airport control tower, which makes this a fun and interesting Lanzarote museum to visit as a family.

• Operational Hours: Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Admission fee: Free
• Location: San Bartolomé

12 + 1. Aeronautical Museum of Lanzarote, a fun museum in Lanzarote

Finally, the Aeronautical Museum of Lanzarote is a fun and convenient museum in Lanzarote that you can visit whether you’re spending a few days on the island or simply have a short stay. This is because the museum is in the initial terminal at Lanzarote Airport.

By the end of the twentieth century, air travel truly evolved, marking an important turning point for the island. Inside the museum, you can learn about the initial flights to the Canary Islands, explore the old control tower, and walk through the previous halls that formerly welcomed the first air passengers to Lanzarote.

In addition, there is an exhibit full of models, employee uniforms, and perfectly preserved boarding passes, creating quite an engaging stopover during your trip to the island.

• Operating hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Admission fee: Free
• Location: Lanzarote Airport

That’s a wrap on the top museums worth visiting in Lanzarote. Prior to embarking on your expedition, download this map pinpointing all the museum venues to facilitate planning your itinerary:

If you have any inquiries or wish to share your experience visiting one of these Lanzarote museums, please leave a comment below. I’d appreciate hearing about your trip to one of the best Canary Islands!

Spend your time exploring the volcanic landscape of the islands!