Cueva de los Verdes Lanzarote is one of the island’s most fascinating attractions: explore nature’s handiwork by walking 2 km through a lava tube formed 3,000 to 4,000 years ago!
This is one of the 2 caves on Lanzarote open to visitors.
Here’s our guide to help you plan your visit, with photos, tips and a map.
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Why visit the green caves of Lanzarote?
Is Cueva de los Verdes worth a visit?
Absolutely. If you’re mobile enough and not claustrophobic, this is an exceptional place. It’s cool enough to explore a lava tube, but artist Jesus Soto has installed lights along the way to intensify the experience.
Lanzarote’s green caves, Cueva de los Verdes, are one of the island’s main attractions.
The experience is completely different from Jameos del Agua because there are no human installations except light, and you’re completely underground, so no outside light comes in.
Rather, it’s about understanding the nature and power of the Earth that created the tunnel.
Lava tube formation
The lava tube was formed by the eruption of the La Corona volcano between 3 and 4,000 years ago.
The top of the lava river had cooled and solidified into a crust, and the inside was still flowing. Later, the stream drained away, leaving only the crust.
The tube is 6 km long inland and continues 1.5 km under the sea. It’s one of the longest tubes running under the sea, which is why it’s often called the Atlantis Tunnel.
In 20 places, the roof has collapsed, giving access to the lava tube. These caves are called Jameo.
2 sections of the tube can be visited. They are often referred to as the “caves of Lanzarote”:
- Jameos del Agua, where César Manrique designed architectural elements to complement nature(see our article).
- and the more natural, less accessible green caves we explore in this article.
Green caves installation
Unlike Jameos del Agua, the green caves have only one Jameo. This is where visitors enter and exit. The entire tour is underground.
This allows you to explore 2 km of lava tube.
In the 1960s, Jesus Soto was commissioned to install simple lighting in the tube so that archaeologists and scientists could work in complete safety. But he took the liberty of playing with her a little more. Apparently it was originally a music show where the lights went out, but it was deemed dangerous.
Today, we simply enjoy the lights and the ability to walk in this fascinating environment.
(according to Spanish sources, because many English sources say he’s been tasked with improving it for visitors…).
About the name – Cueva de los Verdes
According to our guide, this is the name of the “Green” family who used the caves to shelter their animals.
More pictures after the practical advice
Practical tips + Map – Cueva de los Verdes Lanzarote
Before we take you on a photographic tour of the Cueva de Los Verdes, here’s some information to help you plan your visit to Lanzarote’s green caves.
Location of the Lanzarote caves – Map
- The Lanzarote caves are located in the north of the island, on the east coast.
- They are on either side of the main LZ-1 road. Jameos del Agua towards the sea and Cueva de los Verdes further inland.
- There are good road signs. Easy to find.
How to get to Cueva de los Verdes Lanzarote – Map
- Both have ample parking
- At the Cueva de los Verdes parking lot, you’ll find a toilet.
- If you’ve rented a car in Lanzarote, you’ll need one:
- 25min from Costa Teguise
- 40min from Puerto del Carmen
- 1h from Playa Blanca
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Lanzarote
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- A small car is all you need.
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- Demand is high, so book early.
Excursions to Cueva de los Verdes
But if you don’t want to drive, don’t worry. Guided excursions depart from the 3 main seaside resorts. The green caves are combined with other attractions on Lanzarote (English-speaking guides). For example:
- César Manrique Day: discover several works by César Manrique around Lanzarote in addition to these caves – See the program and make a reservation
- Lanzarote Discovery Day: another full-day experience can take you to discover all about Lanzarote’s volcanoes – including Timanfaya National Park and the 2 sections of the lava tube – See the program and book
Cueva de los Verdes Tickets and Timetable
And to see for yourself:
- It is essential to buy your ticket online – no ticket sales on site.
- Cueva de los Verdes Opening hours – Winter: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last departure at 5 p.m.) – Last departure in summer at 6 p.m. (see official website for latest times)
- Price: €15
- This location is included in the CACT (tourist centers)
Tips for walking through lava tubes
And to make sure you enjoy the experience, here are a few useful tips:
- The tour lasts 1 hour
- Wear appropriate shoes with rubber soles
- The cave isn’t cold
- We do not recommend a visit if you are very claustrophobic. However, the walk doesn’t feel too oppressive compared to other caves.
- There are many steps to climb and descend
- Don’t bring a big backpack. Some areas are narrow and low (not for long) and you’ll be annoyed by a big backpack.
- As you’ll see below, many photos are blurred. The light was poor and we didn’t have a tripod. We saw no sign that tripods are not allowed (compared to other caves in other countries) but you should follow the group so as not to slow down too much.
- For something different, check if there’s a concert in the cave during your stay – here’s the general calendar of events linked to CACT (tourist centers)
- No installation inside the tube. Toilets in the parking lot
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Lanzarote
Choosing where to stay:
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Entering the Lanzarote cave
Unlike Jameos del Agua, visits to the green caves are compulsory guided tours. You’ll have to wait near the entrance hole until the tour begins.
But it’s already fascinating to see the solidified lava and how it forms around the holes.
And then you enter the bowels of the Earth…
Unfortunately, the group is quite large, and it slows down immediately because access to the lower level is via a very narrow staircase:
Visit the green caves of Lanzarote
And then you discover the inside of the lava tubes. It’s not like typical caves with stalagmites and stalactites.
Remember, you’re in a lava tube.
Take time to admire the different layers of rock and their different colors.
You’ll pass through a succession of rooms of different sizes. Some sections are 50 m high and 15 m wide, while others are narrow and low.
Jesus Soto placed the light in interesting places to highlight the shapes created by the lava.
The different sections of the tube have interesting names, such as La crypte or la tête du monstre. We have to admit that we were so fascinated that we missed most of the guide’s explanations because we were lagging behind. But we were able to enjoy the space with just a few people around us who were like us, and realized the power of Nature.
These tunnels were used as sanctuaries in the 16th and 17th centuries. The islanders hid in these tunnels so that the pirates couldn’t find them.
WITH OUR GUIDE PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO lanzarote
All the information you need for your trip:
- 7 maps that make planning easier
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Concerts in the caves
Then you enter another, smaller tunnel before discovering the theater area, the natural auditorium where concerts are held.
You can test the remarkable acoustics.
SPOILER ALERT – Secret of the Lanzarote cave
After the auditorium, you climb the stairs to reach another area of the tube. The best part, in our opinion.
But STOP READING if you don’t want to spoil the secret you’ll discover on your tour of Cueva de los verdes!
SPOILER ALERT
At the end of the tour, the guide makes you stop and stand still as you approach what appears to be a huge waterfall with a lower tunnel beneath you.
You start to wonder why there are no fences, since it looks so deep and people are jostling to see.
And then the guide drops a rock and you feel completely stupid.
It’s a lake! It’s so still that it perfectly reflects the cave. The optical illusion is truly phenomenal. We’ve been had! It was great (although we were a bit scared because people were pushing behind).
Getting out of Cueva de los Verdes
And then you climb out of the tunnel to the light on the other side of the jameo…
Other caves: Jameos del Agua
If you’re looking for the other cave to visit in Lanzarote, it’s called Jameos del Agua. This is another section of the tube between several roof collapses. The space was transformed by César Manrique. This is where you’ll find the underground lake with the white crabs.
Read more about Jameos del Agua.
The 2 are a must-see. The experiences are completely different.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Lanzarote
- Best of
Most beautiful landscapes
Best things to do in Lanzarote
Most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful villages
Best boat tours
César Manrique’s attractions
Secret places, off the beaten track
Most beautiful hikes
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Lanzarote
How to get around
How to rent a car in Lanzarote
Driving tips
Where to stay in Lanzarote
Best hotels in Lanzarote
Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
