Sustainable tourism of Lanzarote: The one without billboards and trees
I LOVE islands. Each one is very special thanks to the geographical boundaries and the isolation in which cultures, traditions and especially architecture and style can grow. Even though I only explored Spanish and Portuguese islands around Europe so far (Manhattan is in its own special category), each of them have this hint of uniqueness, newness. A special vibe. It was not different in this case either.
When I was choosing my next solo trip, I settled on Lanzarote. Initially, I worried I would get bored quickly—it seemed like there was not much to do on the island, besides few volcanos and beaches. Little did I know, all the excitement is tucked away out of respect for nature.
The land sets the scene, and the government ensures it's all done with the utmost respect.
Lanzarote stands out as a pioneer in sustainable tourism (I was today years old when I learned this term), a concept focused on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing visitor enjoyment. They do everything to protect its unique nature, preserving its volcanic landscapes. They emphasize responsible waste management and promote recycling programs to minimize environmental impact. The island encourages sustainable transportation options, such as cycling and walking tours. They even offer eco-friendly accommodations and support local businesses that prioritize sustainability in their practices. And it is not only on paper, you can really really really feel it.
There are no billboards on the whole island!
This approach began gaining traction in ‘60s and '70s, all thanks to this special human — Cesar Manrique. He was an unbelievable artist and architect, a creative individual, who introduced a whole new way to experience and appreciate nature—from within, not above. His designs blend seamlessly with the landscape, shaping the entire atmosphere of the island. You can’t fully appreciate the island without understanding his influence, his ideas, and especially exploring his designs. It is almost unbelievable, how one person can have so much impact, and luckily in this case, so much positive impact.
Let me show you Lanzarote through the lense of my tiny Fujifilm X-T30. It was beautiful, it was peaceful, it was dry, it was volcany. It was everything I needed it to be. Thank you, Lanzarote, for preserving the gifts of nature, so we can fully appreciate them.
To follow in the footsteps of the local government, I would like to support local businesses and highlight this wonderful soul. Steffan and his wife have a little gallery where they display the pottery and art they make. The life stories and little wisdoms he shared, were an absolute highlight of my trip.
Galeria de Arte - Kunstgalerie
Google Maps
“I walk to the garden every day and every day I find something new and exciting. An inspiration. You just need to slow down enough and be fully present to notice. It is all about being present.”
All the photos in this blog were captured with my new Fujifilm X-T30 paired with the 27mm F/2.8 lens, which is focal length of approximately 40.5mm on the APS-C sensor. I am already in love with the compactness and sharpness of this setup.
