Here’s your not-so-average travel blog about my 1 week trip to Lanzarote. Instead of exploring the whole island, I decided to sink into the unrushed Canary Island vibe and slow down in just one spot. Easier said than done, but I’ll get to that in a bit.
I escaped Holland at its gloomiest, there was a record-breaking stretch of grey skies just before I left. It was all over the Dutch news: “Longest period of no sunshine since 1993.” When I landed in Lanzarote and felt that first hit of sunshine, it was like a wave of dopamine washing over me. My shoulders dropped, and my body seemed to sigh with relief. I went first thing to a nearby beach, laid my backpack down, took off my winter clothing and laid down like a star fish with the biggest smile. How powerful sunlight is!
Honestly, other than the majestic sun, I didn't have too high expectations of the island — pictures made it seem like a vast, dry desert with rocky, bare mountains. But by the end of the trip, I came to appreciate its laid-back atmosphere, fresh local food, and stunning scenery, which is more diverse than it might initially seem.
The beach town that challenges you to chill
I stayed in Famara, usually a sleepy beach town with 100 inhabitants, now much more crowded due to the holidays. Although it still felt very relaxed compared to my city life back home. It’s a simple place: one bakery, a handful of bars and restaurants, and a couple of small supermarkets. Beyond the town? Sand, more sand, and striking mountains that glow red at sunset. The roads stretch endlessly into nowhere, adding to the sense of peaceful isolation.
Famara is the kind of place that invites you to relax. Sun, surf, and not much else to do. But for me, slowing down didn’t come naturally this time. Even with nothing demanding my attention, I found myself restless. I had this nagging sense of needing to make the most of my time. I caught myself biting my nails, struggling to focus on my book, always looking for the “next thing” to do. Sure, I was feeling relaxed while walking barefoot along the shore, but there's a difference between feeling relaxed and experiencing this profound, deep relaxation — if you know what I mean.
It was a bit confronting. My life back home is far from frantic, but I’m still conditioned to stay in motion — to fill my days with tasks and productivity. Slowing down, I realized again, isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a practice. Our bodies need time to adjust to a slower rhythm, which is why one week of vacation often feels too short to truly unwind. If I'd were to have a resolution for the new year, it's to slow down more. Luckily, Lanzarote is a great place to support with relaxation.
Surfing, the ultimate pratice of presence
If there’s one thing that helped me tap into the present moment, it's surfing. I wrote the following just days ago: 7 am, waking up to a misty, empty beach. I make myself a banana oat porridge, grab a coffee, and sit at the roof terrace savouring the view. What a dream to wake up to this. The waves are calling. I’m not much of a morning person, but the idea to be by myself in the ocean, while the sun still needs to rise over the mountain, makes me very excited. I put my wetsuit on and walk bare feet over the cold dunes towards the beach. Getting into the ocean feels surprisingly pleasant, as its warmer than the cooling morning air. I jump over collapsed waves, trying to get further back to find a green one that feels reasonable for my level. But it’s a beach break, and there’s just a wall of waves collapsing one after the other. I feel the might of the ocean, the strong currents pulling me in one direction, and the whitewater washing over me, rotating me in ways that aren’t always pleasant. But then, I catch a wave, and the joy is just so intense! In other moments, I float in tranquility on my board, watching the horizon, the ever-changing forms and shades, and feeling that pleasant lift as the waves pass underneath me.
Surfing supports you to be present in the most beautiful way. You’re entirely focused on reading the ocean — watching her every move, anticipating the rise of a wave, and adjusting to her rhythm. Surfing for me is one of the best antidotes to a rushed, busy life with accompanying busy mind.
Oops! Arriving on the island to find everything fully booked...
Spontaneity is the way I move through life, as I believe you can only really live life from the present moment. So when I booked 5 days in advance, I could only find accommodation for the first 4 nights. Because of the Christmas holidays, most was booked out on the island. I trusted that once there, new opportunities will open up. To increase chances, I left some messages on Lanzarote groups on facebook. It did feel a little tricky once on the island, but luckily I found a match with a young family who were also eager to surf, and who had a spare room in their Airbnb, right at the beach! They appreciated having someone around for their daughter who spoke German and shared an enthusiasm for surfing. A few times, I spent time with her so the parents could enjoy a surf session or a quiet dinner together. I love such exchanges. The nights before I stayed in a surf lodge which was very cozy and I was lucky to have some great flatmates around with whom I went out for dinners, drinks and relaxed at the roof terrace after surf.
Besides surf...
While most of my time was spent surfing and recovering from surf, I did a tiny bit of exploring nearby places. I took a day trip to Punta Mujeres, a town known for its natural piscinas and authentic atmosphere. Unfortunately, it was too wild that day to try them out, but the charm of the town was still undeniable. Another nearby gem is Teguise, a cute town with a beautiful historic center and a lively Sunday market. I say "day trip" for these tiny towns, but that’s only because I relied on public transport, which run so infrequent that it easily takes up your entire day.
When I wasn’t out on the waves or relaxing with new connections, I’d take long walks along the shore, watching other surfers ride the waves, and simply appreciating the peaceful surroundings. It was a perfect balance of action and relaxation. Of course, while there, I heard about all the amazing caves to explore, the dense concentration of volcanoes, the unique wine fields, awesome hike and bike trails, sailing and dolphin-watching opportunities, and nearby islands to visit. It definitely sparked my curiosity.
Punta Mujeres – Can we bring a little of the Canary tranquil island life back home, please?!
A quiet island’s growing challenge
Talking with locals is one of my favorite parts of traveling. It’s a chance to learn about life on the island and hear perspectives you won’t find in guidebooks. In Lanzarote, a recurring theme came up: the changes brought by tourism over the past two decades. The island, home to around 150,000 residents, now sees over 3 million tourists annually. While tourism generates billions of euros, much of that wealth stays with the owners of hotels, restaurants and surf schools, leaving local employees struggling to keep up with rising rents and living costs.
For me, as a visitor, the island still felt really peaceful. But locals reminisced about a quieter, simpler Lanzarote before the boom. In October, 30.000 people took it to the streets to demonstrate against overtourism. It’s a global issue, and I can’t help but wonder: What can be done? I’ll dive deeper into this in a future blog. For now, if you’re a tourist, the bare minimum is to be respectful. Greet locals with a smile and in their language, clean up after yourself, avoid being too loud, be patient in restaurants, and tip generously. And, if possible, try and stay with locals so you know the money benefits them directly.
Life lessons from a local taxi driver
On my final morning in Lanzarote, I headed to the beach early to immerse myself in its beauty – soaking in this omnipresent feeling of peace, harmony and abundance. After, on my way to the airport, the taxi driver shared something that stayed with me. He told me how the covid pandemic, for all its challenges, had been a blessing in disguise. At first, he was stressed about lost work. But as life slowed down, he found time for things he’d forgotten: mountain biking, long walks, and lazy afternoons by the beach. “I realized I don’t need much to be happy,” he said. Before, his income went toward things he didn’t truly need. Now, he’s learned to find joy in life’s simple pleasures: time, peace, and connection.
It struck a chord with me. His story echoed the lessons I’d been confronted with throughout my stay: that fulfillment doesn’t come from doing more, but from being present and appreciating what we already have.
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Copyright: All photos are my own.
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