Los Jameos

Los Jameos is the name often given to the string of volcanic openings on the northeast coast of Lanzarote, near the village of Órzola and the road that links Arrieta and Órzola. The best known of these openings is the Jameos del Agua, and the place is worth looking at from the geological side. The openings belong to a lava tube formed when the Corona volcano erupted several thousand years ago. Molten rock poured toward the sea, its surface hardened into a crust and the liquid beneath drained away, leaving a hollow tunnel. Later the roof collapsed in several places, and each of these skylights is a jameo, a word used in the Canary Islands for such a hole.

The same tube runs for many kilometres from the volcano toward the coast, and its inland part is the Cueva de los Verdes, a short distance away. Near the sea the tunnel dips below the water table and continues underwater. This submerged part, known as the Túnel de la Atlántida, the Atlantis Tunnel, is among the longest underwater lava tubes known. Divers have explored it, and the tiny white crab Munidopsis polymorpha lives in its lake, a species that has adapted to total darkness and is found in very few places.

Three openings matter most for visitors: the Jameo Chico, the Jameo Grande and the Jameo Redondo, a round skylight with a view of the sky. Each has a different character, and César Manrique used the contrast between rough black rock and white walls, green plants and still water to shape them into a cultural complex. The Casa de los Volcanes, a volcanology centre inside the grounds, explains the formation of the tube with models, samples and displays, which helps to understand what you see. A natural auditorium in the tube hosts concerts, and the lake, with its clear dark water, is the main sight in the interior.

Besides the general visit, which is done at your own pace and usually takes an hour or two, a guided option goes into areas that are normally closed, such as the interior of the auditorium and the Jameo de la Cazuela, and it includes a small tasting. The details and prices change, so check the official sources before booking.

The complex is on the northeast coast, about half an hour's drive from Arrecife along the northern road, and it sits close to the Cueva de los Verdes, the Mirador del Río and the Fundación César Manrique. It suits families, geology fans and anyone interested in landscape design. Visiting early in the day helps you avoid crowds.