Few things amaze a child like finding out that the island under their feet was born from a volcano. In the Canary Islands that story is not told in a book: you see it, touch it and even feel it through the soles of your shoes. These are the volcanic places we recommend visiting as a family, with the practical details worth knowing before you go.
Lanzarote, the island of fire
In Timanfaya National Park, the Fire Mountains are explored by coach along the Volcano Route. At Islote de Hilario, geothermal demonstrations show that the ground reaches around 250 °C, and children under seven go free. For lunch, El Diablo grills food using the volcano’s natural heat and has high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Underground, Lanzarote hides two very different lava tubes. Jameos del Agua, transformed by César Manrique, has an underground lake, a white pool and the House of Volcanoes. Nearby, the Cueva de los Verdes is visited on a guided tour of about fifty minutes, with a final surprise we are not going to spoil. At both, children under seven go free.
Tenerife: going up the Teide
The Teide Cable Car climbs from 2,356 to 3,555 metres in about eight minutes inside the National Park. It is unforgettable for older children, but it is not suitable for under-threes because of the altitude. With babies, a good alternative is to enjoy the volcanic landscape from below and save the ride for another trip.
La Palma: a volcano with a footpath
In Fuencaliente, the San Antonio Volcano Visitor Centre explains La Palma’s eruptions with exhibition rooms, a 3D screen and a path around the crater rim. Children under twelve go free. Next door, La Casa del Volcán is set in a hundred-year-old house built of volcanic stone.
El Hierro: living beside a lava tube
The Guinea Ecomuseum brings together traditional houses, a lava tube and the breeding centre for the El Hierro giant lizard, an endangered species found only on this island. It is a visit that combines geology, history and nature in one walk.
Tips for your visit
Bring closed shoes, water and sun protection, because in volcanic areas you feel the sun and wind more. If you are travelling with babies, check the age restrictions for each visit in advance, and do the longest ones first thing in the morning, when children are at their freshest. For more ideas, see our guides to Lanzarote with kids and Tenerife with kids.