Los Jameos del Agua is a unique natural wonder located on the island of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands. Created by the renowned local artist and architect César Manrique, this impressive Center of Art, Culture, and Tourism combines the natural beauty of the interior of a volcanic tunnel with artistic and architectural elements, offering an unforgettable experience for visitors.
Jameos del Agua: César Manrique’s Masterpiece in Lanzarote
Los Jameos del Agua originated from the eruption of the Corona Volcano. “Jameo” is a Guanche word used to name the holes that appear when the roof of volcanic tubes collapses. In 1968, this must-see spot in Lanzarote was inaugurated when César Manrique harnessed the beauty of the surroundings along with his creativity and artistic sensitivity to create a unique space where nature and art blend perfectly. The work was completed in 1977, and since then, this space has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest and a Site of Scientific Interest.
The Jameos are composed of three areas:
- El Jameo Chico: where you enter and find the restaurant and a secret entrance to the Tunnel of Atlantis.
- El Jameo Grande: where the pool is located
- El Jameo de la Cazuela: behind the Auditorium.
César Manrique was born in Lanzarote in 1919 and, after living in cosmopolitan cities, returned to his hometown with the commitment to preserve the environment and promote Canarian culture by integrating art with the spectacular nature of Lanzarote.
Los Jameos del Agua is a perfect example of this philosophy. Manrique designed the complex by taking advantage of the natural tunnels formed by the prehistoric volcanic eruption. The result is a surprising space where architecture merges with geology, creating a unique and magical atmosphere.
How to Get to Los Jameos del Agua
There are several options to get to Los Jameos del Agua. Most likely, if you are traveling around the island of Lanzarote, you will have a rental car. In this case, the address you will need to enter into the GPS to get to Los Jameos is Calle Arrieta-Órzola S/N 35542, Lanzarote, although searching for “Jameos del Agua” will also lead you to this popular tourist destination. There is also free parking for cars and bicycles, so you won’t have to worry about parking.
Another option is to book an organized tour with a guide. These guided tours usually include admission, transportation, and some meals, and they often cover multiple tourist attractions in Lanzarote, such as the Cueva de los Verdes and Timanfaya National Park, in one day. This is the best alternative if you don’t want to drive, as you will be picked up and dropped off at the designated location once the visit is over. You can book these tours at your accommodation or on websites like Civitatis.
If you want to go on your own but don’t have a car, bicycle, or any other means of transportation, you can reach Los Jameos by bus. From Arrecife, Guatiza, Tahiche, Punta Mujeres, or Arrieta, you can take bus number 9, although if you are departing from Arrecife, it will take about 50 minutes to get there. If you are in Haría, Máguez, or Yé, you will need to take line 26 and then bus 9 in Arrieta to get to Los Jameos. From Playa Blanca, you will need to take bus 60 to Arrecife and then line 9, as explained above, although in this case, the journey will be over two and a half hours, so it might be better to consider booking a tour or renting a vehicle.
Price and Tickets
To access Los Jameos del Agua, you have several options. You can buy individual tickets online on the official website of the Centers of Art, Culture, and Tourism of Lanzarote or purchase them at the ticket office. The individual ticket costs 10 euros for adults, 5 euros for children aged 7 to 12, and is free for children aged 0 to 6.
This ticket includes access to Los Jameos, the restaurant, the Museum Casa de los Volcanes, the shop at the end of the visit, the café bar with views of the crab lake, the auditorium inside the cave, and the parking lot. If you buy the ticket online, you just need to show the QR code to access, without printing the ticket. You will also have free WiFi during the visit.
Additionally, people with disabilities get a 30% discount, Canary Islands residents get a 20% discount, and Lanzarote residents can request a special rate, which varies for each center and is available at the ticket office.
You can also choose the 6-center pass, which costs 35 euros for adults and 17.5 euros for children aged 7 to 12. Alternatively, you can opt for the 4-center pass for 29 euros for adults and 14.5 euros for children of the same age, or the 3-center pass for 23.5 euros per adult and 11.75 euros per child. Children aged 0 to 6 can enter for free in all cases.
Moreover, you can select the “Insólita Jameos del Agua” premium visit. These tours take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 9:45 a.m., in small groups, and include a guided tour of Los Jameos and access to areas restricted to classic visits, such as the Jameo de La Cazuela with two interior waterfalls, or the interior of the Auditorium. The visit concludes with a tasting of traditional Lanzarote food and wine.
Visiting Hours
Los Jameos del Agua is open to the public 365 days a year. Generally, the opening hours are between 10 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. The center closes at 6 p.m., and the visit takes about 60 minutes or 120 minutes if you also visit the Casa de los Volcanes.
The Restaurant at Los Jameos del Agua
If you arrive hungry at Los Jameos, you have the opportunity to enjoy different unique culinary experiences in an incomparable natural and relaxing setting. Los Jameos were designed as a performance hall, and you can still appreciate its dance floor and various bars located among the rocks. The Bar Cafeteria Galería and the Bar Vista Lago operate as cafés where you can have a snack or a refreshing drink in a unique setting, and the third is a restaurant where you can enjoy the best local cuisine, trying typical products from Lanzarote. The Galería bar’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Vista Lago bar from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and the restaurant is open from 12:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Jameos Nights: A Very Special Dinner
Similarly, if you want to dine at Los Jameos, you can enjoy a unique evening by attending the “Jameos Nights,” a special initiative that combines gastronomy, nature, and culture for a unique moment. You can book this experience on Wednesdays in the summer months and every Friday on the website of the Centers of Art, Culture, and Tourism of Lanzarote. The price starts at 55 euros, and you can choose between the classic, premium, vegan, and children’s menus.
Jameos Nights include an individual visit, a traditional dinner, and a 45-minute concert starting at 10:30 p.m., which takes place by the lake or in the Auditorium. Additionally, during the entire dinner, the resident DJ will entertain the evening, and the music will continue until 11:30 p.m.
The Auditorium: Concerts and Special Events
Within Los Jameos, César Manrique designed an auditorium that has been and continues to be used for various cultural and musical events, boasting spectacular acoustics and a very special setting. The Auditorium of Los Jameos del Agua has a capacity of 550 people and is made of basalt stone. The stage is located within a section of the volcanic tube, and the natural slope of the ground has been preserved for the seating area from the entrance of Jameo Grande to the entrance of the next jameo.
Throughout the year, concerts and special events are held in this auditorium, ranging from classical music concerts to dance performances and themed festivals.
The main pool: Can You Swim?
If you’ve seen any photographs of Los Jameos with their crystal-clear pools and underground lakes, you might feel tempted to take a dip, but you should know that it is completely forbidden to swim in both the outdoor pool and the underground lake, or any other areas of Los Jameos. In fact, you will find many signs indicating the prohibition of swimming during your visit.
Moreover, it is also forbidden to throw coins and objects into the lake, as they are dangerous for the native crabs living in it. These prohibitions should not be taken lightly, as they are not only harmful to the natural environment of Los Jameos but can also result in fines of up to 3000 euros.
The Blind Crabs of Los Jameos del Agua
The subterranean volcanic aquatic ecosystem of Los Jameos del Agua is home to over 77 endemic species of scientific interest, the most well-known of which is the Blind Crab, which is also the symbol of the center. These are albino crabs, completely white and very small, usually not exceeding 3 centimeters in diameter. They are visible from the surface of the water thanks to their striking color. These crabs are unique to Lanzarote and live in the waters of the subterranean lake of Jameos del Agua, as well as in other points of the volcanic tube, such as the Tunnel of Atlantis, which goes 1.5 kilometers underwater and connects Los Jameos with the sea. For these crabs to survive, it is vital to avoid throwing any objects into the water, and it is completely forbidden to feed them.
In addition to the blind crabs, other species live in this unique ecosystem, such as the thick-shelled crab (which can also be found on the Spanish mainland) and the Munidopsis polymorpha, which only lives in Lanzarote, in deep, inaccessible areas.
A Look at the Museum of the Casa de los Volcanes
Within Los Jameos del Agua, you can also visit the Casa de los Volcanes, a museum dedicated to volcanic geology and the volcanology of Lanzarote. Here, you will find detailed explanations about the geological processes that shaped the island and the Canary Islands in general. The museum also has interactive exhibitions and multimedia presentations, making it an educational experience for visitors of all ages.
Reviews of Los Jameos del Agua: Discover the Magic of Lanzarote
This magical destination perfectly combines art and nature, offering visitors the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of a volcanic cave and appreciate the artistic talent of César Manrique.
If you want to learn about other visitors’ experiences and their opinions about Los Jameos del Agua, you can find reviews on various popular online platforms:
- Google Maps: Most travelers share their experiences on Google Maps after their visit. Here you can find comments, ratings, and photos.
- TripAdvisor: One of the main travel review platforms. Los Jameos del Agua has its own page with detailed reviews and ratings of the overall experience, the food, or the service, among other aspects.
- Facebook: On the official Jameos del Agua Facebook page, besides getting updated information about this place, you will also find reviews from other visitors.
Photos of Jameos del Agua
Los Jameos del Agua is a jewel of nature. Each image captures a magical moment in this underground oasis. Below is a complete selection of unique photographs of this unforgettable space:
Los Jameos del Agua is an indispensable destination if you want to know Lanzarote, as it perfectly combines the wonders of nature with human creativity, offering you the opportunity to experience the beauty of a volcanic cave firsthand and to appreciate the artistic talent of César Manrique. From the blind crabs to the magical concerts held in its auditorium, every aspect of Los Jameos del Agua is designed to provide an unforgettable experience for its visitors, one that they will undoubtedly carry in their hearts forever.