South Lanzarote feels like another planet. On this South Route day with Lola, you’ll chase volcanic oddities: soak-style natural pools at Los Charcones, then hit the salt lagoons and black-beach Janubio area, and finish with wine country in La Geria. It’s one of those routes where the scenery changes fast, but the pace stays human.

Two things I really like. First, you get a generous 2 hours 30 minutes at Los Charcones, where the lava coast and breakwaters can make the water calm enough to actually enjoy. Second, the included food is a big part of the value: you stop for a Canarian tapas brunch with wine included, and the Malvasía Volcánica is part of the deal.

One drawback to plan for: once Los Charcones is done, the other stops are shorter, so you’ll want comfy shoes and a “quick look, then next” mindset. Also, the tour requires good weather, so if conditions are rough, you may be moved to another date.

Key highlights at a glance

• Long soak time at Los Charcones natural pools (2h30)
• Janubio salt lagoons and mirador views over the largest salt flats in the Canaries
• Playa del Janubio black sand and green olivina stones with occasional red tones
• Tapas lunch with Malvasía Volcánica plus recipes tied to the past (1890)
• La Geria winery visit with tasting included, with volcanic-ash planting pits
• Private tour feel with hotel-door pickup, guided in English

South Lanzarote in one 6-hour loop

This is built for a full “South highlights” day without feeling like you’re sprinting. The drive is comfortable enough for a morning-to-afternoon rhythm, and you get a water cooler in the car, which sounds small until you’re out in the sun and moving from spot to spot.

The tour is also a private experience, meaning it’s just your group. That matters more than you might think: you can ask questions as you go, and the timing doesn’t get stretched by a big crowd. Your guide is Lola, and her personality comes through in the way the day is paced—fun, fast-moving, but never chaotic.

The practical note: several parts of the day are outdoors. Bring sun protection and plan for walking on uneven volcanic ground (it’s not dramatic hiking, but it’s not a smooth boardwalk either).

Los Charcones natural pools: calm water carved by lava

Los Charcones is the star start. Lanzarote’s coasts can be wild, with beaches battered by waves, so the idea of natural pools feels almost like a trick. Here’s the logic: lava flows hardened along parts of the shoreline, and the coast’s breakwaters can create spots where the sea gets tamed, leaving calmer water near the shore.

You’ll spend about 2 hours 30 minutes here, which gives you real time to do more than just stand and photograph. If the sea is behaving, this is where you’ll likely want swimwear and something easy to get in and out of the water with. Even if you don’t soak fully, you can still enjoy the contrast—black volcanic edges, quiet water, and that sense of being slightly off-grid.

A small caution: because these pools depend on sea conditions, you should treat this as a best-conditions moment. If it’s windier or rougher than expected, you might still enjoy the coast, but the “soak and forget” part could be less perfect.

Janubio salt flats and the Mirador: volcanic geometry meets white gold

Next comes the salt story—Janubio. You start with views from the Mirador de Las Salinas de Janubio, a good move because it gives your brain a layout before you get close. From up there, you understand why these salt flats matter: they’re among the largest in the Canary Islands and have major cultural value tied to the island’s economy.

Then you head down to the lagoons up close. The salt flats are in a lagoon formed by volcanic eruptions, where a lava barrier blocks the sea and helps shape the salt area. You also see how the black-beach part of Janubio fits into the bigger system—sand and tiny black rocks meeting the sea’s foam.

There’s also a stop at a store connected to the area, where you can buy natural Janubio salts. If you like food souvenirs that aren’t just cute labels, this is one of the better ones. It’s also a handy pause if your group wants to stretch or pick up something practical.

Playa del Janubio black beach: olivina stones in green and red

Then it’s down to Playa del Janubio, a black beach where the lava rocks can show off crystals called olivina. The look is the fun part: green tones, and sometimes even fiery red hues depending on how the rocks have crystallized and how the light hits.

You’ll walk along the beach for about 40 minutes. This isn’t a “tour bus stops for one photo” moment. It’s enough time to slow down, spot the stones, and enjoy the weird beauty of volcanic geology right at sea level. The beach also works as a reset between stops: you get movement, fresh air, and a calmer kind of activity compared to being in and out of vehicles.

Tip for getting more out of it: look down as much as you look out. The best details here are close to your feet, not only out on the horizon.

Yaiza Tapas Bar: 1890 recipes and Malvasía Volcánica with lunch

By the time you reach the tapas stop, you’ll be ready for real fuel. The Yaiza Tapas Bar stop is where the tour shifts from scenery to taste—and it’s included.

The lunch is described as recipes from 1890, which you can treat as a vibe: older-style Canarian cooking rather than trendy filler. Wine is part of the package too. Malvasía Volcánica is from the house, and it’s a good match for the kind of salty, savory flavors that show up in tapas.

The time here is about 1 hour, so it’s not an all-day meal. That’s actually a plus. You eat, you drink, you recharge, and then you still have energy left for La Geria.

If you’re a group that likes to eat well but hates waiting, this timing is about right.

La Geria: wine country shaped by ash pits and volcanic stubbornness

La Geria is the kind of place where the farming method becomes the attraction. Farmers carved a way to plant vines by digging into the ground and covering the plants with volcanic ash. That ash helps protect the vines and creates a very recognizable pattern: small, careful planting pockets scattered across the volcanic terrain.

You’ll visit the wineries, and the winery experience includes tasting—so you get to sample without having to plan around extra costs. The tasting itself is noted as free/part of what’s included for this tour, but there’s also mention that if you choose a second wine, there can be an extra charge in the 2–5€ per person range, with the taste itself covered.

Practically, that means: go ahead and taste what’s offered, and if you feel like adding another glass, check what it costs before you order. This is how wine tastings often work, and it keeps the day from turning into a surprise bill.

La Geria also gives your day a satisfying ending. You go from black beach and white salt to the “this island makes a system out of geology” mindset. That’s the underlying theme of the whole route.

Price and value: what $155.68 gets you (and why it can be fair)

At $155.68 per person for about 6 hours, the key question is what you don’t have to pay for yourself. This tour includes:

• Hotel-door pickup
• A water cooler in the car
• Canarian tapas brunch and wine included
• La Geria winery tasting included
• Admission tickets listed as free for the major stops

So you’re not just paying for driving and a guide—you’re paying for the structure that turns multiple distant highlights into one organized day. If you tried to DIY this route, you’d likely spend time coordinating transport and you’d still end up paying for lunch and at least one paid activity/tasting.

What’s not included is basically the optional extra layer around wine tasting at La Geria: if you go beyond the included pour(s) with a second wine, you may pay a small additional amount. That’s normal in wine country and it’s clearly flagged as the only potential extra.

Is it a budget option? No. But it’s also not overpriced when you factor in the included meal, wine, and tasting, plus the private setup.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

This is an outdoors-heavy day with short stretches of driving between very different environments. Plan for a bit of walking on volcanic surfaces and sand, and be ready for the fact that black beaches can feel hotter than you expect.

I’d pack:

• Sun protection (shade can be limited at some stops)
• Comfortable shoes you trust on uneven ground
• If you want to soak: swimwear and a way to keep your valuables dry
• A small towel or something similar if you’ll get in the water (you might not want to dry off with your clothes)

Also, since the tour needs good weather, dress so you can handle sun or a light breeze without being miserable.

Language is English, and the tour uses mobile tickets, so you can travel light and focus on the day.

Should you book South Route Natural Pools, Las Salinas and La Geria?

Book it if you want a smart single-day hit of Lanzarote’s “volcano made this” places—natural pools, salt flats, black beach geology, and wine country—without having to juggle logistics. The included tapas lunch with Malvasía Volcánica is a strong reason to choose this over DIY, and the private format makes the day feel more personal with Lola guiding the flow.

Skip or reconsider if you hate quick stop-and-go pacing. After the long Los Charcones session, the other areas are timed tightly, so you need to be okay with shorter walks and more “see it well, then move” moments. If you’re chasing a super slow beach day, you’ll probably want to pair this with an extra standalone afternoon in one place.

FAQ

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour runs for approximately 6 hours.

Do they pick up guests from the hotel?

Yes. Pickup is offered from the door of your hotel. If you prefer another nearby pickup point, you can request it by WhatsApp at the time of reservation.

Is lunch and wine included?

Yes. The tour includes a Canarian tapas brunch and wine. Malvasía Volcánica is mentioned as included from the house at the tapas bar.

Is wine tasting at La Geria included?

A winery tasting at La Geria is included as part of the experience. There may be an additional charge between 2 and 5€ per person if you have a second wine.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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