Since we live on an island that is bathed in sunshine and surrounded by glorious blue sea, it’s easy for us to dismiss going on holiday to another island with a similar climate – after all, why spend the money for the same thing? Actually, it’s not the same thing and it’s all about the psychological change that we go through when we’re on holiday.

Just because the sun may be shining, when you’re at home you’re likely thinking about the load of laundry that needs to be hung up, the grocery shopping that needs to be done and the work deadline that’s looming ahead threatening to ruin your weekend. Where’s the fun in the sun?

That’s why we need holidays and that’s why holidaying to sunny island resorts is actually a good idea and not a waste of money. So where can you go? Have you ever thought of Lanzarote?

Ever-popular with the British tourists (English is widely spoken on the island and there are many expats who have settled there), Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands and is located in the Atlantic Ocean, just west of Africa. Despite its proximity to the African continent, it is actually a Spanish island lying 1,000 km away from the Iberian Peninsula. Lanzarote is the fourth largest island of the archipelago.

Lanzarote is larger than Malta and looks very different, mainly due to its desert and volcanic nature (it is often described as having a lunar landscape) and the notable lack of tall buildings.

It has very strict building laws and tall towers or apartment blocks are forbidden (there is only one tall building on the island, which is the Grand Hotel found in the capital, Arecife); houses can only be painted white or beige and apertures can only be blue or green.

Manrique and lanzarote are undeniably and inextricably intertwined... his vision will be influential to your visit

The person behind these restrictions was revolutionary artist Cesar Manrique, who was seeing the island being destroyed by tourism and spearheaded a campaign to preserve the island’s natural charms. He lobbied for height restrictions to be imposed on buildings and for natural colours to be used – and was successful in his mission.

In fact, Manrique is responsible for several of Lanzarote’s main natural attractions, including the wondrous Jameos del Agua and the Volcano Route at Timanfaya National Park.

Manrique and Lanzarote are undeniably and inextricably intertwined and his vision for the island will be influential to your visit.

These are some of the must-see spots to list on your itinerary.

Jameos del Agua

This is a volcanic cave system formed by eruptions around three to four thousand years ago. The word ‘Jameo’ refers to a volcanic cave with a collapsed roof, of which there are many in the north of Lanzarote. There are many of these natural ‘jameos’ which have been turned into an auditorium, swimming pool (where swimming is unfortunately forbidden), a restaurant and gardens – this was the vision of Manrique, to retain the natural beauty of the place and use it for other artistic means. There is also an underground salt water lagoon, Jameo Chico, which is home to a species of Blind Albino Crab, found nowhere else on earth. These crabs have been adopted as the symbol of the Jameos del Agua.

The Jameos del Agua forms part of the Cueva de los Verdes (Green Caves).

Heading down into a volcanic cave may be somewhat daunting as you leave the sunshine behind to delve into the darkness; but the other world that opens up to you is surreal and missing out on this would be a huge shame. This really is one of those places where words do no justice.

There is a one-hour guided tour where you will see the auditorium that is used for classical concerts and which was the venue for the 2010 premiere screening of Pedro Almodovar’s film Broken Embraces which was partially shot in Lanzarote.

The La Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua form part of the Atlantida Tunnel which is over seven kilometres long and is regarded as the longest volcanic tunnel in the world!

The Cesar Manrique Foundation

The César Manrique Foundation is located in the centre of Lanzarote... in the house known as Taro de Tahiche. This was the home of the visionary artist and as you walk through the rooms (which were volcanic bubbles) you can experience first-hand what Manrique’s ideology was all about – the marriage of nature and art where they both live together and complement each other. The house hosts much of his contemporary art which is displayed all over in the form of paintings and sculptures.

The Cactus Garden

This is a uniquely special place because of the sheer abundance of cacti that have been gathered in one area.. and because most of the plants don’t even look like the traditional cactus plant. There are over 1,400 species from around the world and the garden is easily identifiable from the road due to a giant metallic cactus sculpture. The garden is another of Manrique’s works of art.

Timanfaya National Park

Arguably, Lanzarote’s most popular tourist attraction, Timanfaya (meaning Fire Mountains) National Park is home to a myriad of dormant and spent volcanoes. Its landscape is so sparse and black that it is compared to a lunar landscape and is said to be what the earth probably looked like when it was first formed. Timanfaya came to be due to a series of volcanic eruptions which struck Lanzarote between 1730 and 1736 and then again in 1824.

Manrique got his hands dirty here too by discerning the optimum route through the park. He also designed the restaurant, El Diablo, which sits on top of the Islote de Hilario and which offers beautiful panoramic views and authentic, traditional Canarian food. Note that the kitchen closes early so it’s lunch that you’ll need to plan for.

You get around Timanfaya by coach, expertly driven around sheer drops and narrow volcanic roads (it’s gut-wrenching but part of the experience) and there are various stops for photo opportunities and a better look at the amazing views. There is a multi-lingual guide available throughout the tour.

The Beaches

It would be silly to visit an island where rainfall is scarce and not visit one of its many beautiful beaches.

Playa Blanca promises golden sand, clear water and blue skies and has a European Blue Flag for cleanliness. This is just one of the beaches in the town of the same name, though it’s Papagayo that is the most renowned of the lot. Access to the beach is limited as are the services provided, so it’s best to wear sensible shoes and take your own supplies.

If you keep away from the overtly touristy places and explore the true island, there is definitely a diamond beneath all that blackened lava

The beaches in Puerto del Carmen are the best to head to if you’re after kid-friendly amenities. Playa Grande is another Blue Flag beach and, as its name suggests, is the resort’s longest individual stretch of sand, at around 1.2km. The sea here is calm, thus making it safe for children and toddlers, but it’s also the busiest beach during peak months so be prepared for crowds.

There are other more private adult-oriented beaches scattered around the coastline – ideal if you don’t want tan lines – though it’s best to ask the locals for those directions.

Unfortunately, it’s due to the influx of British holidaymakers (often the rowdy kind) that Lanzarote suffers from a bad rep (and is sometimes referred to as Lanza-grotty). However, if you keep away from the overtly touristy places and explore the true island, there is definitely a diamond beneath all that blackened lava.