Map of El Golfo, Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote Lanzarote, Canary Islands:

El Golfo, Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
El Golfo is a lagoon, backed by a semi circular cliff of what used to be the sides of the volcanic crater. The crater has been partially eroded by the Atlantic Ocean, leaving a pool, described in our guide book as a "remarkable, deep emerald hue". Erm... unfortunately, when we were there in mid August, it was an unremarkable, stagnant, yellowish colour, described by my teenage daughter in more lavatorial terms. The rocky lava cliffs are impressive though. They are intricately textured, streaked with red and golden brown.

The beach here has black, volcanic pebbles and enticing crashing waves. There are warning signs, telling you that bathing is not advisable, but many people were ignoring this and having a great time.

This National Park is an area of volcanic activity in the south of Lanzarote. At first glimpse it seems totally barren: just a mass of twisted landscape. However, a few tenacious lichens and small, hardy bushes have managed to gain a hold on this unforgiving terrain. The black and grey lava fields surround 36 volcanoes. Most of these last erupted between 1730 and 1736. The mountains are amazing to look at. Many resemble a boiled egg, which has had its top chopped off.