Useful Information – Markets, Carnivals, New Environmental Laws

Island information on artisan markets, fiesta’s and carnivals with useful numbers and links to island life on Lanzarote.

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Environmental laws, rules and fines

From January 2023 new by-laws and fines have been introduced across Lanzarote and the Canary Islands.

Smoking and vaping is banned in all public places, including markets, all beaches, bars, restaurants and terraces. Smoking and vaping is only allowed in designated places provided and private accommodations.

Like much of Europe, drinking alcohol is prohibited in public places. But there are plenty of bars and restaurants across the Island to enjoy your favourite alcohol drinks – we recommend trying the local wine, it’s lovely!

Feeding non domesticated stray and wild animals is prohibited – feeding cute stray cats could cost you a fine from 750 to 3,000 euros. Don’t worry the cats won’t starve, Lanzarote has authorised designated feeders to look after the islands feral cat population.

Litter and rubbish – dropping any litter carries a fine of 750 euros and upwards, leaving rubbish in the street or beside a bin carries a fine of up to 3,000 euros.

Spitting or urinating on the street, making any kind of graffiti, flyposting, placing leaflets on parked vehicles are all prohibited and attract fines.

Markets

Fresh locally grown produce direct from the growers, artisan pottery, jewellery, apparel, paintings, arts & crafts, volcanic wines, chutneys and cheese. World cheese award winning cheese.

Monday
No one really likes Mondays.

Tuesday
Puerto Calero – 10:00-15:00 at the Marina
Costa Tequise agricultural – 09:00-14:00 at Pueblo Marinero

Wednesday
Arrecife fresh local products and local artisan crafts – 09:00 – 14:00 at Charco de San Gines
Costa Tequise handcrafts and local produce – 18:00-22:00 at Pueblo Marinero
Playa Blanca jewellery clothes and crafts- 09:00-14:00 at Puerto Marina Rubicon

Thursday
Arrecife fresh local products and local artisan crafts– 09:00 – 14:00 at Charco de San Gines

Friday
Puerto del Carmen local products and local artisan food – 10:00-14:00 at Plaza Varadero
Costa Tequise souvenirs and local produce – 17:00-22:00 at Pueblo Marinero
Puerto Calero – 10:00-15:00 at the Marina

Saturday
Haria handcraft and local fresh produce  – 10:00 – 14.30 at Plaza de Haria
Playa Blanca jewellery clothes and crafts –  09:00-14:00 at Puerto Marina Rubicon
Uga fresh local products and crafts  – 10:00-14:00 at Uga near Yaiza
Arrecife fresh local products and local artisan crafts  – 10:00-14:00 at Charco de San Gines

Sunday
Teguise Gran Mercado – 09:00 – 14:00  (The oldest and biggest market on Lanzarote)
Mancha Blanca fresh local organic products goats cheese local artisan foods  – 09:00-14:00 
Uga fresh local products and crafts  – 10:00-14:00 at Uga near Yaiza
Lanzarote Caballo Flea Market – 09:00-14.00 at Lanzarote Caballo

Fiestas & Carnivals

Carnival takes place on different dates at many locations across the island and traditionaly start the last week of February. The best places to see Carnival are in Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen with smaller events taking place in Costa Teguise & Playa Blanca.

In Arrecife, Lanzarote’s capital, Carnival is held across a week, building up to the main big pocession with fabulously decorated floats and costumes for you to enjoy. Dress up and join the party, every year is a different theme!

Health & Wellbeing

It may be your first time abroad or you may be a seasoned traveller, remember to always take sensible precautions whist you are on hoilday, eat and drink freely, drink plenty of bottled water, and watch the sun (we don’t mean look at it) especially between the hours off 10 am & 3 pm, the locals don’t take a siesta without reason, don’t forget you are just off the coast of North Africa.

Lanzarote is also known for its winds, they may cool you down so you won’t feel how hot it acutualy is and will offer no protection from sunburn, so make sure you have a good sun screen on (with a high sun protection), and if like some of the Lanzarote Gay Guide Team a cap or sun hat is a must.

In An Emergency

If you need to contact the Police or Ambulance service in an EMERGENCY dial 112 the Europe wide emergency telephone number.

Lanzarote is part of Spain with direct numbers to the emergency services – if you know you definitely want the local police for a local issue such as noise theft or dispute dial 092.

092 – Local Police – Policia Local
061 – Medical Emergency – Urgencias Salud
062 – National Police – Guardia Civil – only Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura

Hospitals & Medical Centres

The medical care available in Lanzarote is of a high standard. Both private and state run. Most resort towns are well serviced with Medical Centers with the Main Hospital, Lanzarote’s state hospital is situated on Calle Terra, San Bartolome, this is just off the main road to Arrecife.

Hospital General Arrecife: 928 801 863
Cruz Roja (Ambulance): 928 812 222

Medical insurance as on any holiday is strongly advised, even though EU citizens can obtain free medical treatment or in some cases a refund of some medical costs. Chemists are reconisable by a Green Cross sign and are called Farmacia, after hours notices of the duty famacia are displayed in all farmica doors. Most minor medical problems can be solved in farmacias with most well known brands of popular remedies.

Useful tip – If you are on medication, i.e for HIV / Heart / etc, bring it with you in the original prescribed containers, and remember to make a note of the name of your medication (the medical name, not the brand name as the same medication may be made under a different brand name in Spain). This information is very helpful, should you runout of or lose your medication whist being away from home.

Churches

Church services are held every Sunday in English as listed below, or in Spanish in the many beautiful Churches to be found in and around the many villages and towns of the Island.

Costa Teguise, in the Pecatello resort at 09:30 Anglican.
Playa Honda, Cristian Celebration Centre at 10:00 Lanzarote Baptist Church.
Puerto del Carmen, Roman Catholic Church, Nuestra Senora del Carmen, 11:00am & 19:00