The tourist information about Lanzarote we wanted to have before traveling there.
Cueva de los Verdes
Cueva de los Verdes is a cave complex created by lava flowing through underground tunnel to the sea four thousand years ago. It was created by an eruption of Volcano Monte Corona long time before the Timanfaya eruption.
In the 16th and 17th century the cave served as a shelter for the local villagers when the island was attacked by pirates.
If you ever been to a cave with limestone cave formations, this cave will look familiar. Except the fact that here aren’t any cave formations. In the 1960s artists Jesús Soto and César Manrique designed the interior lights in the cave. There is even a concert hall inside.
Is it really The Green Cave?
If you know at least a bit of Spanish, you know that verde means green. So obviously the name of the cave is often translated as a The Green Cave. Sounds good except it is completely wrong. The cave is named by shepherd’s family who lived nearby in 18th century (Verdes family).
At the beginning of the tour the guide even said that the only green thing we are about to see is her uniform :-)
Tour through Cueva de los Verdes
Cave is easily accessible by car (you can park nearby). The entrance is marked with a sign so it can be seen from the distance.
The tour is guided (the guide speaks Spanish and English) and takes approximately one hour. Even though there is a footpath, you should wear some reasonable shoes. The temperature inside the cave is about 18°C all year round.
Bellow you can see the video that was produced to celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Cueva de los Verdes.