La Cueva de los Verdes

La Cueva de los Verdes is a section of one of the longest volcanic tubes in the world, on the northeast of Lanzarote in the municipality of Haría. It was formed when lava from the Monte Corona eruption, thought to date to several thousand years ago, flowed down toward the sea. The outer surface cooled and hardened while molten rock continued to run inside, leaving a hollow tunnel when the flow drained away. The same tube continues toward the coast and includes the Jameos del Agua, a short distance away, where the roof has collapsed in places to create open pits.

The cave is part of the protected landscape of the Malpaís de La Corona, a young lava field covered in black rock and sparse green plants. The name is said to come from a local family called Verde, who once owned the land. Over centuries the tube served as a hideout for islanders during pirate raids, with communities retreating deep inside when ships appeared offshore. The interior is cool and stable, in contrast with the heat outside.

Only a section of the cave is open, and entry is by guided tour on a path with steps and uneven sections. The guides explain the formation of the tube, point out layers and textures in the walls, and describe how people used it. Lighting is carefully arranged by the island's most famous artist, César Manrique, who developed the cave for visitors in the 1960s and 1970s as part of his program of adapting Lanzarote's natural sites without spoiling them. The lighting follows the contours of the rock and gives the walls a range of reds and ochres.

A highlight is a large chamber used as an auditorium, with excellent natural acoustics and room for several hundred people. Near the end of the route, a trick of lighting creates an optical illusion that has fooled many first-time visitors. The visit takes under an hour, so it combines easily with the Jameos del Agua nearby, and with Jardín de Cactus and Fundación César Manrique on the same side of the island.

It suits families, geology curious visitors and anyone interested in Manrique's design legacy. Because tour groups are limited in size, queues can build around midday, so arriving early is the practical choice. Wear shoes with grip and a light layer, as the cave is cool and the floor can be damp.