El Golfo in Lanzarote – Volcanic Lake, Lava and Fishing Culture

El Golfo is the only inhabited settlement within Los Volcanes Natural Park and is surrounded by lava flows from the eruptions of 1730 to 1736. Playa de El Golfo is located immediately next to the village.

Nature and Volcanic Landscape

Charco de Los Clicos is a green lake that formed in a volcanic crater. It is connected to the sea underground, which is why its water is salty. Charco de Los Clicos is designated as a nature reserve and belongs to the same protection networks as Los Volcanes Natural Park. The LZ35 El Golfo geosite is primarily of volcanological interest, as well as being of geomorphological and stratigraphic interest.

Beach and Viewpoint

The viewpoint of the same name is recommended for visiting Charco de Los Clicos. Mirador de El Golfo is connected to Playa de El Golfo by a path that leads down from the viewpoint. Swimming in Lago de los Clicos is prohibited. Playa El Golfo has dark sand. Playa de El Golfo is used by fishermen as shelter for their boats. The sunset can be viewed from some of the terraces in El Golfo.

The viewpoint, beach path and guided route can be considered different types of activities; the townscape and festivals provide a cultural perspective.

Getting Around

A narrow road with two turnoffs leads to the small fishing village of El Golfo. Playa El Golfo can be reached on foot and by car; the nearest roads are LZ-703 and LZ-704. The guided Ruta del Litoral desde El Golfo is 2.8 km long, takes approximately three hours and has a moderate level of difficulty.

Townscape and Culture

El Golfo has whitewashed maritime houses in the Lanzarote style, with flat roofs along narrow streets. Traditional Chalanería marked the closing of the Fiestas de La Pardela in El Golfo. During Chalanería, small boats and fishing equipment served as local symbols. Participation in the La Pardela festivities in El Golfo was open to the population of Lanzarote. The Fiestas de La Pardela in El Golfo included the documented edition of the Chinchorro y Salitre festival. The landscape around Charco de Los Clicos appears in Pedro Almodóvar’s film “Broken Embraces”.

Fish and Regional Cuisine

El Golfo has a cuisine based on fresh fish from the region.

Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in El Golfo can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective accommodation pages. This information structures the specific booking decision, while the landscape, coast, culture and regional cuisine can be considered independently of it.

Other destinations in this selection: Las Breñas, Playa Blanca, Femés, Las Casitas De Femés, Uga.

To the higher-level travel overview: Yaiza.