The island Lanzarote, one of the most populated in the Canary Islands, is Biosphere Reserve so its nature is just beautiful. It is one of the most tourist destinations in the area and throughout the year welcomes visitors with open arms.
Many of them visit Jameos del Agua , a wonderful space that combines nature, culture and art. Do we know it?
Jameos del Agua
As we said above here is combines nature, art and culture. In principle let's say that the word «jameo»Is of local origin and refers to a hole that is produced in the ground by the action of volcanic activity: an underground volcanic tube sinks and thus causes the subsequent subsidence of the ground.
Los Jameos del Agua, then, They are a product of the Corona Volcano, a 600 meter high volcanic cone that is already 21 thousand years old. In reality, its volcanic tube flowed to the sea and a part of it at some point sank generating caves or jameos. There are two very popular, Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes. Another part remained hollow but submerged, and this underwater beauty is known as the Tunnel of the Atlantic.
In the case of the Jameos del Agua they are closer to the coast and there are three in total, the Jameo Grande, the Jameo de la Cazuela and the Jameo Chico which is where we can enter the interior. But the truth is that these "caves" have not remained as nature produced them and scientists have reached out because they hide a lot of interest for science. And not only scientists but also an artist: Cesar Manrique.
César Manrique already died, in the '90s, but it was local painter and sculptor renowned. All his work revolved around the defense of the natural beauties of his islands. Based on an idea he had in 1968, he gave rise to the artist intervention of the jameos. The works began at the end of that decade but as the works progressed and the terrain began to show its characteristics, the project changed.
Around 1977 the general structure was completed and the Center for Art, Culture and Tourism. A decade later the auditorium was opened for 600 people and for the same date, and from then on, some works continue to house the scientific community dedicated to volconology.
Visit the Jameos del Agua
To the Jameos del Agua you enter through the Jameo Chico, through a small door. Then we descend by a spiral staircase carved in volcanic stone and reinforced with wood while we contemplate the characteristics of this small cave. It is not a bare cave, it is a cave with vegetation and some decorative elements that amaze the view. Also, here is a bar and a restaurant that overlook a lake.
Well yes, here too there is a natural lake with crystal clear waters with endemic fish and, for example, blind crabs in the background. As the cave is dark there is no pigmentation and thus this white crab is unique in the world and very small, just one centimeter long. With affection they are known as "Jameitos".
There is not just one bar but two, taking advantage of the gaps in the rocks, and also dance floors Well, a nightclub can work. The route continues along a walkway disguised in the environment that allows us to cross the lake and climb a green wall. This walkway takes us to Jameo Grande, which is where the Auditorium with capacity for 600 people is. The artist took advantage of the shape of the cave to create it, with an oblique cut and good acoustics, and it is the ideal end point of the walk.
This auditorium was closed for many years, until 2009, but since then it works and here they are presented classical music concerts and film screenings. When the stage ends, at the foot of the next and last bubble that we can access, is the Jameo de la Cazuela. At its end, salty water gushes out as if it were a spring.
Can you imagine enjoying these shows in this fairy tale environment? Wonderful! Then once you get out of these three caves you can visit the House of the Volcanoes. The building is modern and houses information relevant to the island of Lanzarote. There is a lot of volconology, measurement elements, for example, and it is here that from time to time specialists in the field from all over the world usually meet.
Practical information to visit the Jameos del Agua
- Location: Carretera de Órzola, LZ-1
- Hours: open from 10 am to 6:30 pm, and on Tuesdays and Saturdays at night from 7 pm to 2 pm. During the summer on Wednesdays it opens at the same time. The restaurant opens from 7 to 11:30 pm.
- On May 18, December 24 and 31 the center closes at 5:45 pm.
- Price: 9, 50 euros per adult (with 20% discount between 3 and 7 pm), 4, 75 for children from 7 to 12 years old, with the same discount, and for children residing in the Canary Islands, 3, 60 euros. Adult residents pay 7, 60 euros. If you enter after 7 pm you pay a Concert supplement of 2 euros. Children under 7 years old are free.
- There are special bonuses that you can take advantage of by saving money. The best bonus is the one that includes Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and the possibility of visiting the Cactus Garden or the Mirador del Río.
- Allow an hour for an unguided visit. There is a virtual guide that can help you organize it and from the website of the Centers of Art, Culture and Tourism you can download the brochure.
- There is a restaurant, a shop, free WiFi and parking for cars and bicycles.
- Try to wear comfortable shoes because it is volcanic land and if you go in summer, glasses, a hat and sunscreen.
- You cannot enter with a baby carriage so bring a backpack - kangaroo. Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs.
- Photographs are allowed.
- It is convenient to visit the Jameos from 10 to 11 am and from 3 to 5 pm. They are the best times to avoid waiting in high season, which is from July 1 to September 30 and also at Easter.
You can take advantage of a great experience and enjoy a dinner with a concert. Good food, good wine and a romantic and unforgettable atmosphere. Calculate about 40 euros per person, although children eat à la carte because the fixed menu is a bit too big for them. As you can see, the Jameos del Agua They are a place that you cannot miss if you visit Lanzarote.