Unlike the limestone caves found across mainland Spain, Cueva de los Verdes on the island of Lanzarote is something altogether different: a volcanic lava tube created by the eruptions of Monte Corona approximately 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. Part of the Atlantida tunnel system that stretches over 6 kilometers from the volcano to the sea (and another 1.5 km underwater), this cave offers visitors an encounter with the raw, sculptural power of volcanic geology. Its dark basalt walls, shaped by rivers of molten rock, create an atmosphere that feels like stepping onto another planet.
How the Lava Tube Formed
The Atlantida tunnel, of which Cueva de los Verdes is a section, was created during the last eruptions of Monte Corona (also known as Volcan de la Corona), the largest volcanic cone on Lanzarote. When the volcano erupted, streams of basaltic lava flowed northward toward the coast.
As the outer surface of the lava flow cooled and solidified in contact with the air, the molten rock beneath continued to flow, eventually draining out and leaving behind hollow tubes. Where the roof of a tube collapsed, open sections called "jameos" were created. Where the roof held, enclosed tunnels remained, forming the cave system visitors explore today.
The Atlantida tunnel is one of the longest volcanic tubes in the world. Its above-ground section runs about 6 km from Monte Corona to the coast, while an additional 1.5 km extends beneath the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the longest known submarine lava tubes on Earth. The geological significance of this formation is recognized by the Geological Survey of Spain (IGME).
Inside the cave, visitors can observe multiple levels where successive lava flows created tunnel-within-tunnel structures. The walls display a remarkable variety of textures: smooth glazes where lava flowed quickly, ropy "pahoehoe" surfaces, solidified lava cascades, and bubble formations in the basalt.
Human History and the Cave
The cave's name, "Cave of the Greens," does not refer to any color but to the Verdes family, who historically owned the land above the cave entrance. The name has been in use since at least the 17th century.
Throughout Lanzarote's often turbulent history, the cave served as a refuge for the island's inhabitants. During the 16th and 17th centuries, when raids by North African and European pirates were a frequent threat, local people would retreat deep into the cave's passages to hide. The cave's dark, labyrinthine interior made it an effective sanctuary, as invaders who did not know the layout risked becoming hopelessly lost.
In the 1960s, the cave was adapted for tourism under the guidance of Lanzarote-born artist and architect Cesar Manrique, whose philosophy of integrating human design with natural landscapes transformed the island's approach to tourism development. Manrique designed the lighting system and pathways with extraordinary sensitivity, using subtle illumination to reveal the cave's natural textures without overwhelming them.
The Tour Experience
Guided tours of Cueva de los Verdes cover approximately 1 kilometer of the tunnel and last about 50 minutes. The route follows a well-maintained pathway that winds through chambers of varying sizes, from narrow passages where visitors must duck, to vast halls with ceilings rising 15 meters above.
The lighting, designed by Manrique and Jesus Soto, is widely considered among the finest cave illumination in the world. Rather than flooding the spaces with light, the designers used carefully positioned fixtures to pick out specific textures, curves, and formations in the basalt. Colors shift from warm ambers to cool blues as visitors move through different sections, creating a progression of moods.
One of the most striking features is the auditorium, a large natural chamber that has been adapted as a concert hall. The acoustics are remarkable, and the space is used for regular music performances. The smooth basalt walls create warm reverberations that enhance musical sound in unexpected ways.
Unlike limestone caves, Cueva de los Verdes has no stalactites or stalagmites. Instead, the visual interest comes entirely from the volcanic textures: the swirled surfaces of solidified lava, the layered walls showing different flow events, and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow on the dark, glassy basalt.
The Famous Optical Illusion
Near the end of the tour, visitors encounter what has become one of Lanzarote's most talked-about experiences. Without revealing details (as guides specifically request that the surprise be kept), the cave contains a natural feature that, combined with Manrique's lighting design, creates a startling optical illusion.
This illusion has been described as one of the most effective natural visual tricks in any cave worldwide, and the reaction of first-time visitors is invariably one of genuine astonishment. The secret is jealously guarded, and discovering it for yourself is one of the genuine pleasures of visiting Cueva de los Verdes.
Practical Visitor Information
Getting There
Cueva de los Verdes is located in the municipality of Haria in northern Lanzarote. From Arrecife (the island capital), drive north on the LZ-1 highway, then follow signs to the cave. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes by car. No regular public bus service reaches the cave.
Opening Hours
The cave is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with the last tour departing at 16:00. Hours may vary during holidays and special events. Guided tours depart every 20-30 minutes depending on visitor volume.
Accessibility
The cave includes some uneven surfaces and low-ceiling sections. While the main path is well maintained, it may not be suitable for visitors with significant mobility issues. The temperature inside is a pleasant 19-20 degrees Celsius.
Combined Tickets
The Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo offer multi-site tickets that include Cueva de los Verdes along with other Manrique-designed attractions. This is often the most economical way to visit multiple sites on the island.
Jameos del Agua and the Legacy of Cesar Manrique
Just 1 km from Cueva de los Verdes lies Jameos del Agua, another section of the same lava tube transformed by Cesar Manrique into one of the most extraordinary cultural spaces in the Canary Islands. Where Cueva de los Verdes preserves the natural state of the tunnel, Jameos del Agua shows what happens when volcanic geology meets artistic vision.
Manrique converted collapsed sections of the tube into gardens, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a concert hall. The site is also home to the Jameito, a tiny blind albino crab (Munidopsis polymorpha) that exists nowhere else on Earth. This endemic species, adapted to the perpetual darkness of the volcanic tubes, has become an unofficial symbol of Lanzarote.
Manrique's influence on Lanzarote extends far beyond these two sites. His advocacy for low-rise architecture, his opposition to billboard advertising, and his insistence that development respect the island's volcanic landscape gave Lanzarote a distinctive character that persists today. The island was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993, a designation that reflects the environmental principles Manrique championed.
For current information on visiting all of Lanzarote's Centros de Arte attractions, consult the Spain tourism portal.