Auto Europe
Car hire in Lanzarote – Gateway to the Canary Islands
Dubbed the island of eternal spring, Lanzarote is the fourth-largest island in the Canaries and one of the most sought-after holiday hotspots in Spain. Located in the Atlantic Ocean some 130 kilometres (80 miles) off the African coast, it is quite compact in size and has a varied terrain with deserts, mountainous landscapes and long stretches of sandy coastline. The island’s Saharan climate ensures that there is little rain, while summers are hot with average temperatures from 25-30°C for long period of the year. Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993, Lanzarote became the first destination awarded the Biosphere Responsible Tourism Certification in 2005.
The most easterly of all the Canaries, this subtropical and very volcanic land-mass in the Atlantic is a beach paradise offering an extensive road network that facilitates fun-filled road-trips all over the island. You can book a car hire in Lanzarote for the purpose of seeing and doing everything with family and friends before recharging your batteries on one its long stretches of sandy beach. You can do a round-trip of Lanzarote in less than an hour whilst discovering its many natural wonders, including Timanfaya National Park and the amazing seven-kilometre-long volcanic tunnel of Cueva de los Verdes. When exploring the island by car, why not stop for a well-deserved lunch break in the picturesque fishing village of Puerto del Carmen, which also boasts one of the best beaches in Lanzarote.
A visit to the enchanting town of Arrecife (the island’s capital) offers travellers the chance to enjoy the local scenery and explore unique sights such as Castillo san de Gabriel (also known as the Fortress of Arrecife) and harco san Gines, a natural seawater lagoon sometimes referred to as the Venice of the Atlantic. Other highlights include the Museo Atlántico, Europe’s first-ever underwater sculpture museum out in the sea near Marina Rubicon that features cement figures and sculptures by the British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, all of which are slowly being colonised by the local marine life.
Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is a well-established car hire company offering dozens of convenient pick-up and drop-off points all over the UAE, including Lanzarote and Lanzarote Airport. You can confirm your reservation through Auto Europe's state-of-the-art booking engine in just a few clicks by selecting your dates and destination, after which you'll be presented with the cheapest deals available anywhere on the Internet. If you have any questions or need advice on planning your itinerary, please contact our rental specialists for assistance and they will be more than happy to assist you. Check out what some of our other customers had to say about the quality of their Auto Europe car rental on the island by visiting our Lanzarote car hire reviews page.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Lanzarote, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Lanzarote
By partnering with all the world's most prestigious car hire providers, Auto Europe is in a position to be able to offer you a wide choice of locations in and around Lanzarote, meaning that you can pick up your vehicle on the island and be on your way in no time at all. To help you make the right choice, our state-of-the-art booking engine allows you to do an extensive search to find the best vehicle and the most suitable pick-up point for your trip. Once you've keyed in your dates, an interactive map will come up with all the available car hire locations in Lanzarote.
Lanzarote Airport
Lanzarote Airport is located in San Bartolomé, approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) from the town of Arrecife. Originally opened in the 1930s as an aerodrome for connecting the islands, it soon became evident a new terminal was also needed for international flights. In 1970, the terminal was built alongside a control centre for domestic and international flights. As tourism started to grow, in 1999 a new terminal was built to serve international flights (Terminal 1), while domestic flight departures began to be handled from the old terminal (Terminal 2). The majority of car rental suppliers are in a location just beyond the luggage collection point inside the terminal building, while some offer a free shuttle service to their desks outside the airport. Flights from the UK are operated by numerous airlines from many different airports, including London-Gatwick, Bristol, Liverpool, East Midlands, Glasgow and many more.
Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
Website: aena.es
Address: Arrecife Ciudad, s/n, 35500 Arrecife, Las Palmas, Spain
Telephone: +34 902 40 47 04
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Lanzarote
Auto Europe is a topinternational car rental company that offers a comprehensive selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in more than 190 destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Lanzarote
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Lanzarote. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Lanzarote?
Yes. A credit card is mandatory when picking up your car rental in Lanzarote. This is because the local vehicle suppliers will require a security bond in order to ensure that the vehicle is covered for any loss or damage as well as any extra charges incurred during the rental period such as speeding fines, unpaid tolls and parking fines, etc. Additionally, credit cards (such as Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express) are also a reliable way for car rental companies to confirm that the driver is credit-worthy and not a risk. Some drivers wrongly assume that they can use a debit card when picking up their rental. Please note that debit cards can be used to book a vehicle through the Auto Europe search engine but you will always need a credit card in the main driver's name to collect the car when you arrive at your destination. For Premium- or Luxury-category cars, the supplier might request a second credit card (also in the name of the main driver) because of the high value of such vehicles and, thus, the extra security risk.
All information relating to which credit cards (and types of card) are accepted can easily be found on the Auto Europe website. When using the search engine to find the best car hire deals in Spain, please click on the blue and white info icon (i) and you will find all the necessary details there. Please consult our dedicated blog post for more advice on the credit cards and car hire deposits required for picking up your vehicle on arrival at your destination.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Lanzarote?
All the rates for car rental in Lanzarote quoted through the Auto Europe search engine include liability insurance, theft protection and CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) either with or without excess, depending on the supplier. Please keep in mind that CDW in Lanzarote doesn't cover every part of the vehicle, which is why most drivers opt for our popular Full Damage & Theft Protection product for a small additional charge which can be easily added at the time of check-out.
Like the credit card info, you can find all the details relating to CDW, theft protection, liability insurance and other aspects concerning car hire coverage simply by clicking on the blue and white info icon (i) where all the coverage info exists. You'll also find it clearly stated in the Terms and Conditions when making an enquiry or finalising your booking.
Please bear in mind that some local car rental companies might try to sell you similar coverage when you arrive at the car hire desk to pick up your vehicle. Anything they offer you completely optional and Auto Europe will not be liable in any way to refund you the cost of any locally-purchased coverage, even if it is deemed unnecessary once the vehicle has been returned. More tip and suggestions relating to car hire coverage can be found on our dedicated blog post.
If you need to make a claim, please note that you must pay the car rental supplier first then claim the amount back from Auto Europe. When making a claim, it's essential that you provide all the required documents in order to receive your refund as quickly as possible.
How is the traffic in Lanzarote?
Driving your car hire in Lanzarote is generally a relaxed affair. There is usually little traffic, and even the wider roads on the island have only two lanes. Cars are left-hand drive and you must drive on the right side of the road. Roundabouts go anti-clockwise and traffic already on it has the right of way. The police maintain a strong presence on the roads and they can stop you to verify your documents, so ensure you have them with you at all times. Speed limits can change but are generally 20 kph in residential areas, 50 kph in built-up areas, 80 kph for country/national roads and dual-carriageways have a speed limit of 100 kph. For more information on driving on the island, please consult our general driving information guide for Spain. If you are used to busy rush-hour traffic on the UK’s roads, then you’ll particularly enjoy the driving experience because traffic jams are unheard of and petrol is cheap. Your car hire is more than affordable when consulting our easy-to-use booking engine offering all the best deals for car rental on the island of Lanzarote. However, be alert and look out for cyclists as you'll find more bicycles on the road in Lanzarote than in many other places. Usually they ride side-by-side, which means you'll have to wait for a moment when there are no solid lines and the road is clear to pass the cyclists. There are only three motorways in Lanzarote and you can drive freely without paying any tolls. The LZ1 and LZ2 linking Arrecife to the north and south along the eastern coast and the LZ67 which passes through the outskirts of Timanfaya.
Where can I park my car hire in Lanzarote?
Parking your car hire in Lanzarote is an easy process and free of charge in cities and at most major attractions. However, you must pay and display to park in Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife - these parking spaces are marked with blue lines and signposts. Underground parking, as well as other paid parking options are also ready available throughout the island and a good option if you wish to park your car hire more securely. Prohibited parking on both sides of the road is indicated with a sign with two arrows pointing in opposite directions. You should also be aware of scammers trying to pose as unofficial parking attendants.
Can I pick up my car hire in Lanzarote and travel with it to other islands?
Yes, buy only with certain car hire suppliers. For instance, travel between Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Fuerteventura is permitted if you book your car rental with Keddy, Interrent and Goldcar (subject to an additional fee which is paid locally). With Avis, please note vehicles may not be taken on to ferries without previous consent by Auto Europe. When approved, vehicles are not insured while travelling by ferry (which means extra coverage will need to be purchased) and travel is permitted only between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura islands. Travel off the island of Lanzarote by ferry or any other type of vessel is strictly not permitted with TopCar, Sixt, Hertz, Thrifty, Dollar, Budget and Europcar.
Lanzarote Travel Guide
Lanzarote is a warm, sandy wonderland just waiting to be explored on four wheels. This peaceful, volcanic hideaway in the Canary Islands is packed with palm-filled towns, whitewashed villages and some of the freshest fresh and seafood dishes you'll ever hope to taste. A trip around the island offers visitors the unique chance to marvel at its jagged lava formations, stark volcanic cones and striking craters, all of which create a unique and unforgettable landscape. Please note with Auto Europe you'll always have the option to pick up your vehicle in one place and drop if off in another with a one-way car hire.
Best day trips with my car rental in Lanzarote
The best way to discover every bit of this island is to rent a car in Lanzarote and hit the open road. Below, Auto Europe has selected some of the best day-trips that you can take around this splendid island dubbed Mars on Earth, giving you the opportunity to discover everything it has to offer. Why not take advantage of one of our excellent Free Additional Driver offers to share the driving at no extra cost.
Arrecife
This small port city is the capital, with many resemblances to North Africa to be seen in its architectural style. With many sights to discover, don't forget the Telamon shipwreck visible from the path from Costa Teguise to Arrecife. The lovely fortress of Arrecife is surrounded by tiny beaches and located on the Islote de Los Ingleses, The English Islet. For a relaxed afternoon, we advise you to visit an old fishing port called Charco San Gines, which is also known as the Venice of the Atlantic. As Charco grew, it became the main port for provisions and goods supplying the island. It is an area full of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops, plus it also hosts a Saturday market.
Playa Blanca
The southernmost town in Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is about a 40-minutes drive from Arrecife and has a breathtaking bay divided into three smaller ones. Its geographic location means that the beaches are sheltered and ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Marina Rubicon is one of the biggest ports in the Canary Islands and has a market every Wednesday and Saturday morning. From Playa Blanca, there are three ferry lines to Fuerteventura.
César Manrique legacy
Born in Lanzarote, the painter, sculptor, architect and multi-disciplinary artist studied in Madrid and thereafter lived in New York during the 1960s when it was a global artistic centre. Two years later, he returned home and set out on his most ambitious project by using the island as his canvas and his artistic ideas to protect the environment. In 1978 he was awarded the World Prize for Ecology and Tourism. By using part of a volcanic tunnel, he created an auditorium alongside a palm garden and an artificial lake called Los Jameos del Agua. If you want to visit a lovely garden, try the Jardín de Cactus, home to 1420 species of cacti and a restored windmill which provides a window onto the surrounding landscape. The Lago Martiánez is a wonderful example of coastal architecture with a lagoon over 355,200 square-feet shaped like an emerald with restaurants, bars and event venues on its five islands. Here you can swim in one of its four pools for adults and children and a casino opened there in 2006.
La Graciosa
On the north-east coast there is a little island called La Graciosa. Covering approximately 11 square-miles, this small island has a proud coastline full of coves and untouched beaches, the best-known being La Francesa which is notable for its fine white sand contrasting with the turquoise ocean. You can access this paradise on earth by a 25-minute ferry journey from Órzola. There is a campsite on the island, supermarkets, a pharmacy, medical centre and bars and restaurants, so you can enjoy a full day on this mesmerising island.
What to do in Lanzarote
Are you on the look-out for activities in nature along with plenty of sunshine and fabulous beaches? Then Lanzarote is your top pick! The excellent climate all year round makes this unique island perfect for diving, surfing, windsurfing, golf, hiking and much more. With multiple leisure areas, it is possible to go horse-riding, explore fauna and flora, discover the underwater world and taste local food and wine. Hop in your car rental in Lanzarote and let the fun begin!
- Eating out: Lanzarote's cuisine might come as a surprise to many visitors. Canarian food is influenced by Latin American, Spanish and African flavours. Local dishes like Pescado a la sal (fish baked in salt) and Sancocho Canario (dried fish stew with potatoes) are some of the best examples. However, all fish dishes are a delight, like Dorada (sea bream), Vieja (parrotfish) and Cherne (sea bass).
- Wineries: If you are a wine lover, get ready for a real delight and revelation. Wine production is an important part of the Spanish economy and the Malvasia wines produced here regularly win international prizes. Usually, the wine has a light fruity flavour and is crisp and dry, making them the best accompaniment for many traditional fish dishes. You can visit the protected landscape of La Geria and its vineyards where rows of pits and stone walls shelter the vines.
- Timanfaya National Park: Covering almost 20 square-miles, this parkland is entirely made up of volcanic soil demonstrating extreme surface temperatures, between 400ºC and 600ºC. All of these characteristics made it an ideal testing ground for NASA’s extra-terrestrial projects. Due to the rarity of its flora, UNESCO classified this park as a World Biosphere Reserve in 1993, but not all parts are open to the public. There are four routes that you can take with a guide. The shortest is 1.30 miles and the longest 8.70 miles. It is also possible to take a 20-minute tour on the back of a dromedary. Don't forget that it might be necessary to pre-book your guided tour through their website. Inside the park, there is a restaurant but no picnic areas are available.
- Green Caves: Cueva de Los Verdes (as the site is known in Spanish) consists of several caverns the size of cathedrals and secret Lord of the Rings-esque passageways. This guided tour takes one hour and includes a visit to the auditorium inside. La Cueva de Los Verdes is the biggest lava tunnel in the world and was used as a place of refuge in the past to escape from pirate attacks.
- Green Lagoon: On the west coast a crater of an extinct volcano submerges into the Atlantic forming a lagoon known locally as the Charco de Los Clicos. It has been declared a Natural Reserve and algae at the bottom cause the green colour that contrasts with the blues from sea and sky and the black sand on the beach. We advise you to visit the viewpoint at El Golfo late in the evening to fully appreciate the silent and peaceful atmosphere. There is also a unique trail that will take you to this one-of-a-kind volcanic landscape where you can enjoy a wonderful sunset from the beach.
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