Lanzarote Cruise Port Guide: Top Things to Do on the Island
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Black and golden beaches, whitewashed towns surrounded by volcanic landscapes, and surreal views that look straight out of another planet — that’s Lanzarote.
I’ve visited this island several times on a cruise ship, and each time it amazed me with its contrasts.
From the otherworldly Timanfaya National Park to the underground world of Jameos del Agua, and the laid-back vibe of Arrecife, Lanzarote never feels the same twice.
Cruise ships dock in Arrecife, the island’s small capital on the east coast, just a short drive from most major attractions.
Although it’s quieter than some of the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote offers plenty to see and do — whether you prefer exploring volcanic landscapes, visiting César Manrique’s masterpieces, or spending a relaxed day by the sea.
In this guide, you’ll find practical port information, how to get around, and the best things to do both near the ship and around the island.
Lanzarote Cruise Port Overview
Lanzarote’s cruise port lies in Arrecife, the island’s small capital on the eastern coast.
Once a quiet fishing village, Arrecife has grown into a lively port city with ferry links to mainland Spain, other Canary Islands, and nearby North Africa.
Cruise ships dock at two terminals: Muelle de Los Mármoles and La Boca de Puerto Naos, both equipped with taxi ranks, car rentals, and a small tourist information desk..
🛳️ Muelle de Los Mármoles
This is the main cruise pier in Lanzarote, where most large ships dock. It sits about 3–4 km (around 2–2.5 miles) from Arrecife’s city center and main shopping street.
While it’s technically walkable, the route takes around 40–45 minutes and offers little shade, so a shuttle bus or taxi is a much better choice.
Shuttle rides take under 10 minutes, and most cruise lines charge a small fee, though some include it for free.
You’ll find taxis waiting at the pier, along with a tourist information desk and car rental stands.
The terminal itself has seen some upgrades in recent years, improving passenger facilities and access.
🛳️ La Boca de Puerto Naos
If your ship docks at La Boca de Puerto Naos, you’re in luck — it’s much closer to the city center, about 1–2 km (0.6–1.2 miles) away.
The walk takes around 15–20 minutes and follows a pleasant, mostly flat route along the waterfront.
Cruise lines also run shuttle buses from this terminal (sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee), and taxis are readily available.
Just remember to bring water, sunscreen, and a hat, as shade can be limited on sunny days.
Getting Around from the Cruise Port
Getting around Lanzarote is simple and stress-free. Whether you want to explore the island or just head into Arrecife, you’ll find several convenient options right at the port.
🚕 Taxis and Shuttle Buses
If your cruise line charges for the shuttle bus, it’s often cheaper and faster to take a taxi.
Taxi fares are displayed at the terminal and are quite reasonable. A short ride into the city center usually costs less than a round-trip shuttle ticket.
Before arriving, check which terminal your ship docks at. If you’re at La Boca de Puerto Naos, the city is close enough to walk (15–20 minutes).
From Muelle de Los Mármoles, it’s about 3–4 km, so a shuttle or taxi is the better choice.
🚶♀️ Walking and Accessibility
Arrecife is flat, compact, and easy to navigate, making it ideal for exploring on foot. The seafront promenade is mostly flat, and many parts of the city are wheelchair-friendly.
If you decide to stay near the port, you’ll have no trouble getting around on your own.
🚌 Guided Tours and Excursions
If you prefer someone else to handle the driving, there’s a great choice of guided tours and shore excursions departing directly from the port.
You can visit Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, La Geria wine region, or combine several highlights in one day.
👉 Browse top Lanzarote tours and excursions on Viator and GetYourGuide — both offer reliable tours with flexible cancellation and detailed reviews.
🚗 Car Rentals and Driving Around the Island
One of the best ways to explore Lanzarote beyond Arrecife is by renting a car.
Rates are affordable, the roads are well-marked and maintained, and parking is generally easy to find. You can pick up a car directly at the port or in town.
👉 Check Lanzarote car rental deals
🚌 Public Buses
Lanzarote’s public bus system is reliable and a good option if you’re not renting a car.
From Arrecife, regular buses connect to the main resorts, including Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, and Playa Blanca.
Buses are modern, air-conditioned, and run several times a day. Check the Arrecife Bus Timetables for up-to-date schedules and routes.
💶 Currency and Payments
Lanzarote uses the euro (€), as it’s part of Spain and the European Union.
The Canary Islands are an EU VAT-free zone, meaning many shops sell duty-free goods.
Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are available throughout Arrecife.
🧭 More Travel Resources
👉 Book a private transfer to/from Lanzarote cruise port
👉 Find the best hotels in Arrecife
📘 Planning to explore more ports across the Mediterranean? Check out my Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide ebook — packed with practical tips, maps, and local insights from years of cruising experience.
Best Things to Do in Lanzarote Cruise Port
Lanzarote is famous for its volcanic landscapes, black beaches, and that wild, otherworldly feel you don’t find anywhere else.
It’s a small island, easy to explore and full of surprises, from fiery mountains to quiet seaside towns.
But if you’d rather stay close to the ship in Arrecife, there’s still plenty to enjoy right around the port.
⚓ Best Things to Do Near the Ship in Arrecife
If you decide to stay close to the port, Arrecife is perfect for a relaxed day ashore. The city is flat, easy to walk around, and filled with lovely spots, from quiet lagoons to local cafés and oceanfront views.
Charco de San Ginés
This picturesque lagoon lined with fishing boats and whitewashed houses is one of Arrecife’s most charming corners.
It’s a great place for photos or a quick coffee at one of the waterfront cafés while watching the locals go about their day.
Church of San Ginés
Just a short walk from the lagoon, this 17th-century church dedicated to the city’s patron saint stands out with its white stone and black volcanic rock design.
Step inside if it’s open — it’s simple, quiet, and worth a look.
Castillo de San Gabriel & Puente de las Bolas
Connected to the mainland by a stone bridge with two cannonballs on top, this small fortress once protected Arrecife from pirate attacks.
It’s a short and scenic walk from the town center, and there’s a small history museum inside.
👣 Explore Arrecife with a Local
If you want to see a bit more than the main sights, join a local walking tour. It’s a nice way to learn about Arrecife’s history, everyday life, and hidden corners while hearing a few stories from someone who lives here.
👉 See Arrecife walking tours
Calle León y Castillo
Arrecife’s main shopping street is lined with cafés, boutiques, and perfume stores. Since Lanzarote is VAT-free, prices are lower than on the mainland.
On Saturdays, the nearby handicraft market brings together locals and visitors with handmade souvenirs and Canarian crafts.
Oceanfront Promenade & Playa del Reducto
A long, palm-lined promenade runs along the coast, perfect for a leisurely walk with sea views.
At one end lies Playa del Reducto, a calm, sandy beach ideal for swimming or relaxing.
For a stunning panoramic view of the city, head to the rooftop bar at the Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa.
🌋 Top Things to Do Around Lanzarote
If you have a full day in port, it’s worth venturing beyond Arrecife. Lanzarote may be small, but it’s packed with unique places, from fiery volcanoes and underground caves to vineyards growing out of black lava soil.
Here are some of my favorite spots to explore across the island.
Timanfaya National Park (Fire Mountains)
If you’re visiting Lanzarote for the first time, Timanfaya National Park should be at the top of your list.
Covering a huge part of the island’s southwest, this volcanic landscape was shaped by massive eruptions in the 1700s — and it still feels alive today.
The park is home to more than 20 volcanoes, with Timanfaya being the only one still considered active. The colors, the silence, and the heat coming from beneath your feet make it feel like walking on another planet.
You can only visit the main area on a guided bus tour, which starts from the visitor zone at Islote de Hilario.
Here you’ll see the famous fire and steam demonstrations, and if you’re hungry, stop at El Diablo Restaurant, where food is grilled over volcanic heat — quite literally.
A camel ride across the Fire Mountains is a fun, optional add-on (a bit touristy, but the views are worth it).
If you prefer something quieter, visit the Timanfaya Visitor Center in Mancha Blanca to learn more about the island’s eruptions and geology.
💡 From the Arrecife cruise port, it’s about a 35-minute drive (29 km / 18 miles) to the park. You can go with a guided tour from the port or rent a car if you’re comfortable driving — roads are excellent and parking is free.
However, keep in mind that only part of the park is open to private vehicles; the main area is restricted to bus tours to protect the landscape.
Jameos del Agua
About 30 minutes from the Arrecife cruise port, Jameos del Agua is one of Lanzarote’s most incredible places — part cave, part art, and completely unique.
Created by local artist César Manrique, the complex blends volcanic formations with design elements that make you feel like you’ve stepped into an underground oasis.
Inside, you’ll find a natural salt lake, the bright White Pool, and even a small auditorium carved into the lava.
A visit usually takes around an hour, and most organized tours combine it with nearby sights like Cueva de los Verdes or Mirador del Río.
Roads are excellent, and if you’re driving, there’s free parking right outside.
👉 Explore the top-rated Jameos del Agua tours
Mirador del Río & Views of La Graciosa
In the far north of Lanzarote, about 35 minutes from the cruise port, Mirador del Río is one of César Manrique’s most stunning creations.
Built into a 475-meter-high cliff, it blends perfectly with the volcanic rock and opens up to an incredible view of La Graciosa Island and the smaller islets of the Chinijo Archipelago.
From the terraces and glass-walled café, you can spot Salinas del Río and the wild Playa del Risco far below — it’s easily one of the best viewpoints in the Canaries.
There’s a small entrance fee, usually included if you join a tour.
Bring cash for the café and gift shop, just in case cards aren’t accepted.
👉 Explore the top-rated Mirador del Río tours
Puerto del Carmen
About 20 minutes southeast of the cruise port, Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s main resort town and one of the best places for a beach day.
The long Avenida de las Playas runs along six kilometers of golden sand, lined with cafés, restaurants, and bars that stay lively well into the night.
For a quieter spot, wander down to El Varadero, the old harbor with local seafood restaurants and a small marina.
The town’s Blue Flag beaches: Playa Grande, Playa Chica, Los Pocillos, and Matagorda, are great for swimming and water sports.
Families can visit Rancho Texas, a nearby animal and water park just 15 minutes from the cruise port.
👉 Explore top-rated Puerto del Carmen tours and activities
Los Hervideros
On Lanzarote’s southwest coast, about 40 minutes from the cruise port, Los Hervideros is a dramatic stretch of volcanic cliffs where waves crash into caves carved by lava.
It’s one of those places that shows just how wild this island really is.
The site is free to visit and there’s parking nearby, but no facilities around, so bring water and wear good shoes.
Even on calm days it’s beautiful, and if you catch it during rough seas, it’s truly spectacular.
Nearby, you can also stop at the Salinas de Janubio salt flats or the fishing village of El Golfo for fresh seafood with a view.
👉 Explore the top-rated Los Hervideros tours
Aloe Vera Farm (Lanzaloe Park)
About 35 minutes north of the cruise port, near Mirador del Río, you’ll find Lanzaloe Park, one of the island’s best-known aloe vera farms.
The volcanic soil here is perfect for growing aloe, and you’ll see the green fields stretching toward the distant volcanoes — it’s a beautiful setting.
When I visited, the hosts gave a short demonstration on how aloe is grown and used, and even showed how to apply it directly from the plant.
There’s also a small shop selling local skincare and cosmetic products at good prices.
The visit takes about 30 minutes, and it’s easiest to come as part of a guided tour, since the farm is quite remote and not well signposted.
👉 Explore the top-rated Aloe Vera Farm tours
La Geria Vineyards
About 25 minutes south of the cruise port, La Geria is Lanzarote’s main wine region and one of the most fascinating landscapes on the island.
Instead of traditional vineyards, the vines grow in volcanic ash pits, each sheltered by a semicircular wall of stones to protect them from the wind — it looks like nowhere else in the world.
The most common grape here is Malvasía, used to produce Lanzarote’s famous sweet wines.
I visited Bodega La Geria, a family-run winery where you can taste local wines, enjoy a few tapas, and pick up a bottle to take home.
There are also several other wineries nearby if you have more time.
👉 Explore the best Lanzarote wine tours
Lanzarote Cruise Port FAQ
❓ Can you walk from Lanzarote cruise port to Arrecife?
Yes, but it depends on where your ship docks. From La Boca de Puerto Naos, it’s about a 20-minute walk. From Muelle de Los Mármoles, it’s around 3–4 km, so it’s better to take a shuttle or taxi.
❓ How far is Timanfaya National Park from the port?
About 29 km (18 miles), or a 35-minute drive from Arrecife. You can visit on a guided tour or by renting a car — the main area is only accessible by bus tour once inside the park.
❓ What’s the best beach near the cruise port?
Playa del Reducto in Arrecife is the closest — calm, sandy, and perfect for swimming. It’s only a short shuttle or taxi ride from the pier.
❓ Are taxis and shuttles available at the port?
Yes. Both terminals have taxis waiting outside, and most cruise lines provide shuttle buses to Arrecife city center (sometimes free, sometimes for a small fee).
❓ What currency is used in Lanzarote?
The euro (€). Lanzarote is part of Spain and the EU but has duty-free status, so shopping is usually cheaper than on the mainland.
❓ Is Lanzarote wheelchair-friendly?
Yes. Arrecife is flat and easy to get around, with accessible pavements and a smooth promenade along the waterfront.
❓ What are the top things to see on the island?
The most popular spots are Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua, La Geria vineyards, Mirador del Río, and the resort town of Puerto del Carmen.
Helpful Resources for Lanzarote Cruise Port
🌐 Useful Websites
- Find the exact location of Muelle De Los Marmoles cruise terminal and La Boca de Puerto Naos cruise terminal on Google Maps.
- Lanzarote Cruise Ship Schedule
- Lanzarote Port Authority
- Lanzarote Tourism Office
- Local Weather Forecast
⚓ Other Ports Often Included in the Same Itinerary
Planning a stop in Lanzarote? Many cruises also visit other Canary Islands, Madeira, or ports along the Iberian Peninsula, so you get a great mix of beaches, history, and culture.
- Tenerife, Gran Canaria & La Palma – sunny all year, with volcanic landscapes and great beaches
- Madeira (Portugal) – green hills, gardens, and winding coastal roads
- Cádiz (Spain) – gateway to Seville and Andalusian white villages
- Gibraltar – famous for its views from the Rock and British vibe in southern Spain
- Lisbon, Vigo & La Coruña – historic cities along Portugal and Spain’s Atlantic coast
- Málaga – great base for visiting Granada and the Alhambra
- Barcelona & Southampton – often used as starting or ending ports for Canary Islands itineraries
You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, USA & Canada, Middle East, Australia & New Zealand
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great insights for a person who likes to explore the authentic …. the beautiful photographs, must be after the aloe !
Hi Richard! Thank you, I enjoy taking photos and Lanzarote is just perfect for that 🙂