Tucked into the surprisingly green, cliff-edged north of Lanzarote, near the hamlet of Guinate and the famous Mirador del Río, Guinate Tropical Park is a lush bird-and-botanical garden that feels a world away from the island's black lava fields. Set on a fertile plateau at the foot of an old volcano, it's home to a great variety of exotic birds and animals amid waterfalls, streams and dense subtropical planting, with spectacular clifftop views out towards the little island of La Graciosa. For families and bird lovers looking for a gentle, scenic day out, it's a charming corner of Lanzarote that many visitors never discover.
A green oasis in the north
Lanzarote is famous for its stark volcanic scenery, so the leafy abundance of Guinate comes as a lovely surprise. The park spreads across a sheltered plateau in the island's northern uplands, where the climate is a touch cooler and greener, and it's been landscaped into a small subtropical paradise of gardens, ponds, streams and waterfalls. Winding paths lead you between the plantings and enclosures, and the whole place has a peaceful, away-from-it-all feel. The dramatic setting — high above the sea, with cliffs and ocean views — is as much a draw as the animals.
Birds, and plenty of them
Birds are the heart of Guinate. The park is home to a large collection of exotic and tropical species — colourful parrots, macaws, cockatoos, flamingos and many more — alongside birds of prey and other animals. Some of the birds are remarkably tame and characterful, and part of the fun is getting close to them among the greenery. Over the years the park has featured everything from penguins to small mammals and primates, so there's variety to keep children engaged as you wander. It's an intimate, walkable park rather than a giant attraction, which is part of its charm.
Bring your camera for the views. As well as the birds and gardens, the clifftop location offers wonderful vistas over the north coast and across to La Graciosa. Combine wildlife-spotting with the scenery and you've got a genuinely photogenic outing.
Check before you travel
Confirm it's open, and the current details, before you set off. Guinate Tropical Park has had periods of closure and change over the years, and its opening days, hours and prices can vary, so it's especially worth checking the latest information right before you visit rather than relying on old listings. A quick look online or a phone call ahead saves a wasted journey to this out-of-the-way corner of the island.
Assuming it's open when you go, allow a relaxed hour or two to enjoy the gardens and birds at an easy pace. Wear comfortable shoes for the paths, and bring a light layer — the northern highlands can be breezier and cooler than the sunny southern resorts.
A gentle day out for families
Guinate suits families particularly well. It's small enough not to wear out little legs, the paths are easy to follow, and children love getting close to the tamer birds and spotting animals among the greenery. There's none of the queuing or over-stimulation of a big theme park — just an unhurried wander through gardens and enclosures, with plenty of shady corners to pause in and those big sea views as a backdrop. It makes a refreshing, nature-focused alternative to a beach day, and a good option for a cooler or breezier afternoon when the northern uplands are at their most pleasant. For more ideas to keep younger travellers happy across the islands, see our guide to the Canary Islands with kids.
Getting there
The park lies in the far north of Lanzarote, close to the village of Guinate and just a short drive from the celebrated Mirador del Río, César Manrique's masterpiece of a clifftop viewpoint. A hire car is really the only practical way to reach this remote corner, as public transport is minimal, and the drive north through the greener uplands is scenic in itself. There's parking near the entrance.
Pair it with the far north
Guinate's location makes it a natural pairing with the north of the island, one of Lanzarote's most beautiful areas. The nearby Mirador del Río offers jaw-dropping views over the cliffs to La Graciosa and the little northern islets, and the whole region — including Manrique's other creations dotted around the island — rewards a leisurely day's touring. Between a morning among the tropical birds at Guinate and an afternoon soaking up the Manrique magic, you'll see a gentler, greener side of Lanzarote than the beaches suggest. For more ideas, browse our full list of things to do.
Northern Lanzarote is a region of dramatic contrasts, from the sheer cliffs of the Risco de Famara to the sleepy, palm-shaded valley town of Haría, often called the "valley of a thousand palms". Setting aside a day to explore it slowly — the birds and gardens of Guinate, the clifftop views, a lunch in Haría and the artistry of the miradors — reveals a softer, more verdant Lanzarote that stands in vivid contrast to the fire mountains and beaches most holidaymakers come for. It's a side of the island well worth seeking out.
Parrots and waterfalls on a green clifftop above the sea — Guinate Tropical Park is Lanzarote's leafy surprise, an easy add-on to the beautiful far north.