Guide Lanzarote
Jameos del Agua & Cueva de los Verdes
Guide to La Corona volcanic lava tube: Jameos del Agua, blind albino crabs, César Manrique's cave auditorium and Cueva de los Verdes tours.
Contents
Around 21,000 years ago, Monte Corona volcano erupted in northern Lanzarote, triggering a massive basalt lava outflow that reshaped the island forever. The surface of molten rivers cooled upon contact with air while liquid magma underneath continued draining into the sea, eventually emptying completely. This process carved the La Corona Volcanic Lava Tube, one of the longest and most intricate underground lava passages on Earth, measuring 7.6 kilometres in total length.
Today, this monumental subterranean corridor houses two of the Canary Islands' most celebrated cultural sights: Jameos del Agua, César Manrique’s spatial masterpiece integrating art and nature, and Cueva de los Verdes, an atmospheric geological journey deep into the earth.
Lava tube visitor highlights
Jameos del Agua: saltwater lake and blind crabs
The indigenous Canarian word *jameo* refers to a natural opening formed when sections of a lava tube roof collapse. Opened in 1968, Jameos del Agua was César Manrique’s first major spatial creation, uniting wild nature, organic architecture and ecological harmony.
The centrepiece of the visit is a natural subterranean lake filled with crystal-clear seawater filtered directly through coastal rocks. Living inside this dark cavern is the famous blind albino crab (*Munidopsis polymorpha*), a tiny centimetre-long crustacean that has lost its eyes and pigmentation through evolutionary isolation. It exists nowhere else on the planet.
The cave auditorium and Jameo Grande
Passing through the cavern leads to Jameo Grande, an open-air volcanic amphitheatre featuring a pristine white swimming pool bordered by lush palms, ferns and bougainvillea. At the far end lies a 600-seat natural underground auditorium built directly into the basalt cavern, world-renowned for sublime acoustics hosting classical concerts and performing arts.
Cueva de los Verdes: pirate refuge and optical illusion
Just two kilometres up the road lies the entrance to Cueva de los Verdes. In contrast to the landscaped design of Jameos, here the experience is purely speleological. During the 16th and 17th centuries, Lanzarote islanders retreated deep into these cavernous chambers to hide from brutal raids by Barbary pirates.
The guided walking tour covers about one kilometre through layered tunnels carved on several levels. Artful illumination designed by artist Jesús Soto highlights amber, ochre and copper tones from iron-rich mineral seepages. Near the tour's finale, a breathtaking optical illusion awaits visitors.
Organised day tours with tickets included
Tickets, opening hours and crowd tips
- CACT Combined Ticket Voucher: If you plan to visit Timanfaya, Jameos and Cueva de los Verdes, purchase an official multi-attraction voucher to save over 20% compared to individual tickets.
- Timing for Jameos del Agua: Tour bus congestion peaks between 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Arrive early at 9:00 AM or in late afternoon after 3:30 PM to experience the serene peace of the cavern lake.
- Guided entries at Cueva de los Verdes: Tours depart in guided batches every 20 to 30 minutes. Arrive before 10:00 AM or after 2:30 PM to minimise queues under the midday sun.
- Comfortable walking shoes: The floor inside Cueva de los Verdes consists of uneven basalt stone; avoid flip-flops or smooth-soled heels.
Things to do on the island
Experiences in Lanzarote
Plans on the island, with duration and price up front.
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