El Golfo and the Green Lagoon, Lanzarote: viewpoint, Los Hervideros and Janubio

El Golfo, in Lanzarote, is a fishing village on the west coast and, next to it, a volcanic cone half eaten away by the sea that holds a vividly green lagoon: the Charco de los Clicos, which everyone calls Lago Verde or Charco Verde, the Green Lagoon. You can see it for free on a short walk, and it is rarely visited on its own: within a few kilometres the coast road links the Salinas de Janubio salt pans, Los Hervideros and El Golfo. With a car it is one of the best afternoons on the island; without one, it features on many Timanfaya tours.

What the Green Lagoon (Charco de los Clicos) is

The Charco de los Clicos is a seawater lagoon set inside a volcanic cone that the waves have gradually opened up on one side. The contrast makes the photo: green water, black sand, the crater wall in reds and ochres, and the blue Atlantic a few metres away.

There are two explanations for the colour, depending on who you ask. The Canary Islands tourism website puts it down to phytoplankton; the tourism site lanzarote.com, to an aquatic plant, Ruppia maritima.

One thing many people get wrong: El Golfo, the Green Lagoon and Los Hervideros are in the Parque Natural de Los Volcanes, not inside Timanfaya National Park. That is why there is no ticket, no opening hours and no time slots to book.

How to get to the Green Lagoon and where to park

You reach the viewpoint on foot from the north car park in El Golfo village. The old southern access, with its road and car park, is closed because of the risk of rockfalls, so don't trust sat-navs that send you that way. A short path runs from the north car park to the balcony above the lagoon.

Current situation: in July, Yaiza town council complained that Spain's coastal authority (Costas) had removed the steps down to El Golfo beach and that the ropes, signs, walls and steps around Los Clicos are in poor repair. It has been asking the Cabildo (the island government), which manages the natural park, to carry out works, and so far they have not been done. Before you go, check for updates in the Yaiza town council statement.

Neither the north car park nor the one at Los Hervideros, beside the road, has published charges. Bring some cash and a card just in case.

Without a car

No Intercity Bus Lanzarote route reaches El Golfo, Los Hervideros or Janubio. There is a free Cabildo taxi-bus linking El Golfo to the bus network on weekdays (booked by phone on 928 811 522), but it is designed for residents of the small villages and it is not clear whether visitors can use it: ask when you call. In practice, without a car the realistic option is a tour. More ideas in Lanzarote without a car.

West-coast drive: Janubio, Los Hervideros and El Golfo

The simplest way to do it well: south to north, late in the afternoon. Start at the salt pans, follow the coast road to Los Hervideros and finish at El Golfo with time for the viewpoint and dinner.

Coming from Playa Blanca, Janubio is on your way; from Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise the drive out is longer, and it is worth combining with La Geria or with Timanfaya in the morning.

Los Hervideros: where the sea boils among the lava

Los Hervideros is a stretch of lava coast where the swell surges into caves and arches and bursts back out, as if the water were boiling. There are marked paths and viewpoints on the rock, and the show depends on the sea: with a big swell it is spectacular; on calm days, much less so.

It is not in Timanfaya National Park either, whatever some websites say. It is free and has no opening hours.

Salinas de Janubio: guided tour price

The Salinas de Janubio salt pans are the only paid stop on the route, and only if you want to go in with a guide. From the road you can see the patchwork of pans beside the lagoon for free.

Construction began in 1895 and finished in 1945; they cover about 440,000 m² and once produced 10,000 tonnes a year; today they run at around 20% of that capacity. Salt is harvested from May to October, with hand tools. The company says they are the only salt pans in the Canaries to have kept working without interruption.

The guided tour lasts 90 minutes on foot, in Spanish and English, is easy and includes a tasting of flor de sal. It is not wheelchair accessible and sunglasses are a good idea: the white of the salt is dazzling. Book on the calendar on the salt pans' website. On Tiqets it costs from €22, with groups of up to 15 people and a rating of 4.8 from 54 reviews:

Tiqets

Guided Visit to the Janubio Salt Flats

4.8 (54)

from €22Check availability

Sunset at El Golfo and where to eat

El Golfo village faces west, so the sun sets over the sea right in front of the terraces. Arrive in daylight, see the lagoon and stay for dinner as it gets dark.

It is a village of seafront fish restaurants with terraces. Among the most talked-about on Tripadvisor are Casa Torano, Bogavante and Mar Azul Casa Luis. In high season, and especially at sunset, ring or drop by beforehand to ask for a table.

Sunset time varies a lot through the year, from around 18:00 in December to about 20:50 in June:

If you fancy watching the sunset from a boat or another viewpoint, compare the options in sunsets in Lanzarote.

El Golfo and Green Lagoon tours

El Golfo features on many coach tours on GetYourGuide and other platforms, almost always alongside Timanfaya. Before booking, check two things: whether the route includes Los Hervideros (not all stop there) and whether the Montañas del Fuego ticket is included. The Green Lagoon costs nothing, so what you pay for is transport, a guide and Timanfaya.

Which tour to choose

1

Staying in a hotel and want Timanfaya and the Green Lagoon in one day

A full 8-hour day with pick-up; includes the Green Lagoon and offers an optional camel ride. Rated 4.2 from 886 reviews, weaker than others.

GetYourGuide8 hours

Lanzarote tour: Timanfaya National Park & Lago Verde

4.2 (886)

from €65Check availability

2

Cruise passengers in Arrecife

Built around the ship's schedule: Timanfaya and the Green Lagoon in 2.5–5 hours. Rated 4.6 from over 2,000 reviews.

GetYourGuide2.5 - 5 hours

Arrecife: Timanfaya and Green Lagoon for Cruise Passengers

4.6 (2,155)

from €49Check availability

3

Cruise passengers who prefer a slower pace

A 4.5-hour morning with Timanfaya and El Golfo; rated 4.6 from 1,076 reviews.

GetYourGuide4.5 hours

Timanfaya And El Golfo For Cruise Passengers (Mornings)

4.6 (1,076)

from €61Check availability

4

Small groups by minivan

A 7-hour VIP tour with Timanfaya, the Green Lagoon and the Mirador del Río, from €75. Still has few reviews (11).

GetYourGuide7 hours

Lanzarote: VIP Tour to Timanfaya, Lago Verde & Famara Beach

4.4 (11)

from €75Check availability

If you are arriving on a cruise, our guide to cruise excursions explains how to fit around the ship's times. More options including El Golfo:

GetYourGuide8 hours

Lanzarote tour: Timanfaya National Park & Lago Verde

4.2 (886)

from €65Check availability

GetYourGuide2.5 - 5 hours

Arrecife: Timanfaya and Green Lagoon for Cruise Passengers

4.6 (2,155)

from €49Check availability

GetYourGuide4.5 hours

Timanfaya And El Golfo For Cruise Passengers (Mornings)

4.6 (1,076)

from €61Check availability

GetYourGuide7 hours

Lanzarote: VIP Tour to Timanfaya, Lago Verde & Famara Beach

4.4 (11)

from €75Check availability

GetYourGuide8 hours

South Tour: Timanfaya National Park

4.4 (74)

from €82Check availability

GetYourGuide4 hours

Lanzarote: Timanfaya, El Golfo and Los Hervideros Tour

No reviews yet

from €189Check availability

See all on GetYourGuide →Prices checked on 5 October 2026

Our view: with a car, do it yourself in the afternoon; tours pass through El Golfo in daylight and head back before sunset and dinner. Without a car, the tour with Timanfaya is the most practical way to see it.

Walking at El Golfo: the free guided coastal route

From the same north car park at El Golfo, next to the playground, the Short Coastal route (Ruta corta del Litoral) sets off: a free guided walk run by Timanfaya National Park along the coast towards Playa del Paso. It is about 2–3 km in around 2.5–3 hours, moderate, for over-16s and in groups of up to 8. There are Spanish- and English-speaking groups, booked as separate activities.

Book on the National Parks booking website; places open a month ahead and go fast. Walking boots and water are compulsory; bring your ID card or passport and your booking number.

For experienced walkers, the Long Coastal route (Ruta larga del Litoral) (Playa de la Madera–El Golfo, 9.75 km, difficult) is open and needs no permit, but there is no signal on many stretches. More routes in hiking in Lanzarote.

Tips before you go

• In strong wind the west coast takes the brunt, and the spray at Los Hervideros will soak you. Check the forecast in our guide to Lanzarote weather.
• Don't take stones or volcanic sand: it is prohibited.
• If you want a beach to swim at, this isn't it: see the best beaches in Lanzarote.
• If you are doing Timanfaya the same day, buy the timed online ticket in advance and leave El Golfo for afterwards.

FAQs

Volcano countryTimanfayafrom €49 Volcano countryLa Geria wineriesfrom €24 Volcano countryTimanfaya camel ridefrom €59 SouthPlaya Blancafrom €30