Haría is a town in the north of Lanzarote. It was founded in a valley, known as the Valley of a Thousand Palms. The white houses within the valley and the tree cover of palms make this place unique on the island. Its green colour contrasting with the ochre of the volcanic landscapes that dominate the island.
Visit Haría and the valley of a thousand palms on your next trip to Lanzarote, and appreciate the wonders of nature on this island.
Where is Haría?
Haría is located in the north of Lanzarote Island; it is the capital of the municipality with the same name. The municipality occupies the northern tip of Lanzarote, surrounded by the Atlantic on three sides, and bordered by Teguise to the south.
The town of Haría is in a valley known as the Valley of a Thousand Palms. The last population census counted 1,128 inhabitants.
Located about 35 km from the airport, about a 30-35 minute drive. The centre of Haria is 24,5 km from Costa Teguise and 29 km from Arrecife.
The Valley of a Thousand Palms
The valley is at the foot of the Famara Massif (Risco de Famara), the island’s highest range, which peaks at around 670 metres. This is a green oasis that contrasts with the browns and blacks of the volcanic formations of the south, like Timanfaya National Park.
The local legend that explains the origin of the Valley of a Thousand Palms recounts that, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the inhabitants of the area celebrated each birth by planting palm trees—one for a girl and two for a boy.
Haría’s palm grove, home to around 3000 Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis), is the largest stand of trees anywhere on Lanzarote. Alongside the palms grows a rich mix of native plants found only in the Canaries. Locals still harvest the dates, and the fronds are woven into traditional baskets and hats.
In 2023, National Geographic Haría was included in the list of the 100 most beautiful villages in Spain—ranking 24th—and it was recommended to stop at the Mirador de los Helechos before descending into the valley.
Haría’s Saturday market
In Haría, as in Lanzarote’s other main towns, there is a great local market with around 20 stands. This is held every Saturday roughly at 10:00 am in Plaza León y Castillo until 2:30 pm.
In the Haría Saturday Market, you can walk around this great environment, full of life and music. The main attractions are the crafts made by local artists with palm leaves, volcanic stones and ceramics, as well as clothes. There you can also find food products; it is a great place to buy goat cheese, fruit and vegetables from local farmers.
In 2004, it received the Distinguished Tourism Award in the Leisure and Events of Tourist Interest category, presented by the Lanzarote Tourism Board.
César Manrique’s last home
In Haría, you can visit the last home of César Manrique: César Manrique House Museum in Haría (also known as the Palm Grove House). This was built on the site of an old ruined farmhouse as a recreation of the traditional architecture of the island. The famous Lanzarote architect and artist lived there until his death in 1992.
The house has been open to the public since 2013. You can visit it every day, including holidays, from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. The standard tickets cost €10 at the standard price; children from 7 to 12 years pay €3. There is a combined ticket with the foundation in Tahíche, so you can visit both centres for €17 in general entrance and €4 for kids.
Visitors can appreciate the domestic environment where Manrique spent much of his time, and the details of the construction. This is not part of our Cesar Manrique tour, so you will need to book it separately.
How to get there?
- By bus: Two direct lines link Arrecife bus station with Haría. Line 7 (Arrecife – Máguez) runs roughly every two hours, from 8:00 am to 9:30 pm, and takes around 50 minutes. Most services follow the east coast via Teguise, Guatiza and Arrieta, while others take the higher road through Los Valles. Line 26 (Arrecife – Yé) adds a handful of extra departures each day.
- There is no direct bus from the south: from Playa Blanca take Line 60, or from Puerto del Carmen take Line 2 or 3, to Arrecife bus station and change there. Single fares range from around €0.87 to €2.67, and children under four travel free.
- By taxi or private transfer: With buses running only every couple of hours and limited parking at the Mirador de Haría, a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the most convenient way to visit, especially if you are coming from the south of the island.
FAQs
When is the Haría market, and is it free?
The Haría market is held every Saturday roughly from 10:00 am until 2:30 pm in Plaza León y Castillo. The entry is free; there you can buy unique crafts made by the locals.
Can you visit César Manrique’s house in Haría?
Yes, you can visit the last home of César Manrique in Haría every day, including public holidays, from 10:00 to 6:00 pm. Last tickets are sold at 5:30 pm. It is only closed on January 1st.
Is the Haría viewpoint (Mirador de Haría) open to visitors?
It has had long closures recently, so check locally before you go. From the Haría viewpoint, you can see the «Witch of Haría», as the white houses and the town’s lights happen to resemble a witch on a broomstick. Keep in mind it only has three or four parking spaces. If you find Haría closed, you can visit the Mirador de los Helechos, which is a great alternative; it is free.
Why is Haría called the Valley of a Thousand Palms?
- https://fcmanrique.org/en/inicio/
- https://www.lanzarote.com/guia-viaje/transportes/guaguas-autobuses-en-lanzarote/
- https://www.historiadeharia.com/HISTORIA/Datos/index.htm
Specialist in the tourism sector of the Canary Islands with a proven track record in experience management in Lanzarote. My work has always focused on promoting iconic destinations and optimizing transfer and excursion services on the volcanic island.
