Orzola

All About Órzola

Órzola is a tiny fishing village on the northern coast of Lanzarote. Only 2km across from the island of La Graciosa, this township mainly appeals to tourists desiring a quiet and laidback vacation. As a part of the Haría province, Órzola’s charm lies in its whitewashed houses, cozy beaches, and growing fame as a culinary hotspot. Additionally, due to its windy nature and the resulting swells in the ocean, Órzola has become the best place in Lanzarote for surfing.

Routes and Ferries to Órzola

The sailing time from La Graciosa’s Caleta del Sebo to Órzola, across the Strait of El Río, is approximately 25 minutes. However, even with up to 18 crossings a day, ferry tickets to Órzola are sometimes hard to get at the last minute. Therefore, when planning your trip, book your ferry to Órzola using Ferryscanner. Lineas Romero and Biosfera Express are the two companies covering this route.

Travelers planning to fly in can land at Arrecife Airport from various European cities. The island’s capital is a 40-minute drive from Órzola. The roads connecting the towns are well-paved, scenic, and a delight to drive on. The bus from Arrecife takes one hour to reach Órzola, with one-way tickets costing €4 per adult.

Port of Órzola

A picturesque harbor with a few fishing and leisure boats, the village port largely supervises ferry traffic. Passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Órzola will find ticket offices, public car parks, a taxi stand, and a bus stop next to the dock. Since Puerto Órzola is in the heart of the village, most accommodations and restaurants are within walking distance.

Best Beaches

Often a surprise for first-time visitors, the beaches of Órzola are pretty little sandy alcoves that are a pleasure to lounge on. Moreover, the coast’s rugged terrain adds drama to the scenery, resulting in a visual spectacle unlike anywhere else on the island.

Playa del Risco

Even though Playa del Risco is a 20-minute drive from the center, followed by a 30-minute hike down a mountain to the shoreline, it is a must-visit beach in Órzola. Located below Mirador del Río, it is a vast sandy beach that borders the turquoise waters of the Atlantic.

Secluded, with hardly any visitors, it lies in a natural state without any facilities. Although accessible by boat when it’s not too windy, if you walk down to the beach, wear a good pair of shoes for the climb back up to the parking.

Playa de la Canteria

A hauntingly beautiful beach trampled between two volcanic cliffsides, Playa de la Canteria is a 15-minute walk from the center. Due to strong winds, waves, and currents, swimming is not allowed here. Nevertheless, the beach is worth a stop if you want to watch the force of nature in all its glory. Furthermore, this sand and pebble beach is a favorite among the local surfing community. If you time your visit right, you might even catch a paraglider landing on the beach.

Charcha de la Laja

Charcha de la Laja is a cute seaside spot near the center with soft golden sand and dark volcanic rocks. This lagoon-like water body has shallow calm waters, ideal for families. There’re aren’t any facilities on the beach, so remember to take snacks and umbrellas.

Playa de Caleta del Mero

On the road from Arrecife to Órzola, several beaches lie to the left along the way. Caleta del Mero is one of them, about five minutes before the village. A nice place to stop, park by the roadside, and head on over to splash around in the water.

The beach has trademark Órzola white sand, spread out between black volcanic rocks. The breaks that form just off the coast often attract surfers here. Half a kilometer long, it is possible to camp at the beach after taking permission from the municipality.

Playa de la Conchas

Situated on the northwestern shoreline of La Graciosa, Playa de la Conchas is the must-visit beach of the island. Getting there requires taking the ferry from Órzola followed by either walking two hours, cycling, or hiring a 4×4 taxi from the harbor.

This wild and sandy stretch is far away from any facilities. Therefore, you should carry water, food, sunscreen, and a cap no matter how you go there. A deserted yet stunning coastline, the currents here can be intense. However, you’ll find natural rock pools nearby to take a dip or two in the water safely.

Things to Do

The thought of Órzola being in a sleepy corner of the island might give the impression that it is dull. Well, the village is anything but that. Besides its quaint character and beaches, Órzola has strong maritime links and some of the best places to eat in Lanzarote.

Walk the Órzola to Playa Blanca Nature Trail

Adventure tourists, listen up! The best way to see the real Lanzarote is by walking the 71km nature trail that runs through its center from Órzola in the north to Playa Blanca in the south. Perfect for hikers and bikers, the track allows visitors to enjoy the diverse and dramatic topography of the island’s interiors.

Divided into five stages, it is always possible to walk only a part of it if you like. The first stage from Órzola to Haría is 12km long, passes through La Corona, and takes about 4 hours to complete.

Visit La Graciosa

The main reason travelers from around Lanzarote come to Órzola is for a trip to La Graciosa. Unless they haven’t already used ferry tickets to Órzola to arrive from the neighboring island in the first place. A natural and unspoiled sanctuary, La Graciosa officially became the 8th Canary Island in 2018.

Having a population of 700 and no roads or cars, except a few used for tourism purposes, it is a wonderous world of its own. A part of the Chinijo Archipelago, it falls under a protected marine reserve and is the perfect day-return tour to escape the hustle of Lanzarote.

Marvel at Mirador del Río

The best lookout point in Órzola, Mirador del Río, is an architectural marvel perched 475 feet above the ocean. Presenting uninterrupted panoramas of La Graciosa, it is one of artist César Manrique’s great works. The marriage of design and nature that one can witness here is genuinely fascinating, making it an essential stopover for architecture enthusiasts. Tourists can either drive to the location or take guided tours to Mirador del Río from around the island.

Enjoy a Day at Pardelas Park

Pardelas Park is a must-visit destination where the whole family can enjoy a day out on a farm. Aimed more towards children, the park is only a kilometer away from Órzola. Among the on-site activities are a playground, animal feeding, arts and crafts, and a pottery studio. There’s a restaurant on the farm where adults can relax while kids play around. Entry tickets for the park are €4.50 per adult and €3.50 for a child.

Dine at Restaurante Mirador El Roque

So famous are the restaurants of Órzola that tourists come here from all over the island. Specializing in fresh seafood, Mirador El Roque is amongst the best places to eat in the village. Located near the harbor and offering beautiful views from its terrace, the eatery serves up delectable home-style dishes that are sure to impress ardent food lovers. The must-haves at Mirador El Roque are the fish salad, paellas, and the calamari croquettes.

Transportation Around Órzola

Órzola is a small village that is easy to mosey around on foot. You do need a car or a bicycle to travel outside its limits. It is possible to rent either of the two from agencies in the area. Moreover, both ferry companies operating from Órzola have free parking areas for their passengers. The village also permits visitors to park for three hours without any charge at designated spots. If arriving here with ferry tickets to Órzola, taxis, and buses near the port will readily take you elsewhere in Lanzarote.