Jameos del Agua
A striking cave and cultural venue created by artist César Manrique inside a collapsed volcanic tunnel, featuring a natural lagoon and concert space. It's a masterful blend of natural wonder and artistic design unique to Lanzarote.
Things to do
- See the Jameo Chico lagoon — Admire the crystal-clear turquoise pool inside the collapsed lava tube, home to the famous tiny blind albino crabs (jameitos).
- Visit the Casa de los Volcanes auditorium — Explore the surreal concert hall carved into the volcanic rock, renowned for its extraordinary natural acoustics.
- Walk through the tropical garden terraces — Stroll among Manrique's landscaped white walls, black volcanic rock, and lush palms that blend architecture with nature.
- Explore the House of the Volcanoes exhibition — Learn about Lanzarote's volcanic geology and the island's unique cave ecosystems through interactive displays.
- Spot the endemic blind crabs — Look closely into the lagoon's dark waters to find the rare, translucent crabs unique to this cave system.
- Enjoy a nighttime cultural event — Check for evening concerts or performances held in the cave, when the space takes on a magical, otherworldly atmosphere.
Food to try
- Papas arrugadas con mojo — Try Lanzarote's iconic wrinkled potatoes served with spicy red mojo picón or green mojo verde at the on-site restaurant.
- Fresh grilled Canarian fish — Sample locally caught fish such as vieja or cherne, simply grilled and seasoned with island herbs.
- Gofio-based desserts — Taste traditional Canarian gofio (toasted grain flour) used in mousses or ice cream for a distinctly local flavor.
- Malvasía wine from La Geria — Pair your meal with a glass of Lanzarote's volcanic-soil malvasía wine, grown just a short drive from the site.
Local customs & good to know
- Respect the quiet cave atmosphere — Keep noise levels low near the lagoon, as sound carries strongly through the volcanic tunnel and can disturb the crabs and other visitors.
- Photography without flash — Flash photography is discouraged near the lagoon to protect the sensitive, light-averse blind crabs living there.
- Visit early or late for fewer crowds — Jameos del Agua is a major tour bus stop, so arriving at opening time or in the late afternoon offers a more peaceful experience.
- Remember it's a protected natural site — The cave and its ecosystem are protected, so swimming in the lagoon and touching the rock formations are strictly prohibited.