Las Grietas: A Hidden Corner On Lanzarote.
I’ve been living in Lanzarote since 1993, and I like to think I know the island pretty well. Its landscapes, moods, and quieter corners have all become familiar over the years. But Lanzarote has a way of surprising you. Just a few years ago, I discovered LAS GRIETAS, and it instantly became one of my little favorite spots.
Even though it’s more known now thanks to social media, it’s still one of those places where you feel close to Lanzarote’s volcanic heart quiet, raw, and endlessly fascinating.
Las Grietas are natural volcanic fissures, formed when lava moved under the surface and cooled, slowly splitting the basalt rock. Walking through them, you don’t need a geology lesson the place explains itself. The layers of rock, the colours, the textures, all whisper the story of Lanzarote’s CREATION.
What I love most is how accessible it is. There’s no long hike, no entrance fee, no visitor center. You just arrive, step inside, and suddenly you’re standing inside the history of the ISLAND.
After visiting the fissures, I always suggest taking a few extra minutes to cross the road and walk up the small mountain opposite. It’s an easy walk, and from the top you get stunning views over the city`s of Arrecife and Tías. There’s something MAGICAL about moving from the intimate, shadowed cracks of Las Grietas to seeing the island open up around you.
Inside Las Grietas, the sunlight changes constantly, casting deep shadows and strong contrasts. The walls shelter you from the wind, and there’s often an unexpected sense of calm. It’s one of those places where you can simply slow down, take a breath, and let Lanzarote speak for itself.
What I love about living here is that even after decades, I can still discover new places. My good friends SHELDON & MARIE, who visit Lanzarote more than five times a year, are a perfect example. Every visit, I manage to show them a different corner of the island from hidden beaches to volcanic trails, there’s always something unexpected to explore.
And it’s easy to see why: even though Lanzarote is only 80 km long, it offers a surprising variety of landscapes, moods, and experiences. That’s one of the things I love most about this island is it always has more to reveal.
A gentle reminder here: Places like Las Grietas are fragile. Wear good shoes, don’t climb the walls, and leave it exactly as you found it. That’s all it takes to make sure these corners remain peaceful for everyone who comes after.
Even after years of living here, Las Grietas reminded me that Lanzarote never stops revealing itself. If you want to understand Lanzarote not just see it this little fissure in the volcanic rock has a lot to TEACH.
TO GET TO LAS GRIETAS FOLLOW THIS ROUTE:
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Take the LZ-35 road. This is the main asphalt road connecting Tías and San Bartolomé.
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If you are coming from Tías, head north/northeast on LZ-35 toward San Bartolomé.
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The access point / roadside parking is a small unmarked spot along this same LZ-35.
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From the parking area, you’ll walk a few minutes across a pedestrian tunnel under the road and up a short path to the fissures.
