Best Lanzarote Buggy Tours: Volcano & Off-Road Adventures Compared

Southern buggy tours

Southern routes typically pass through or around Yaiza, Uga, La Geria, Mácher and the volcanic countryside near Timanfaya. They may advertise views of the Volcano Park from outside its boundary, but that is not the same as entering the protected Route of the Volcanoes — the buggy stays outside the park, on tracks it’s actually permitted to use.

Northern buggy tours

Costa Teguise is a strong base for northern routes, which combine volcanic hills, rural tracks, villages and high viewpoints across the north and north-east of the island. If you’ve already done Timanfaya on a separate day, the north gives you a genuinely different second experience rather than more of the same landscape.

Two-seat vs four-seat buggies

Two-seat buggies usually suit couples best. Four-seat or larger Can-Am-style vehicles work better for families and small groups who’d rather ride together than split across two vehicles. Either way, check whether the advertised price is per person or per vehicle — this is the single most common source of sticker shock at checkout, since the two prices can look identical at a glance.

Driving licence rules

Drivers need a valid full driving licence; the minimum age and how long you must have held it vary by operator, so check your specific listing rather than assuming. Bring the physical card — a photo or a digital copy is routinely refused at the meeting point unless the operator has explicitly said otherwise. Passengers don’t need a licence.

What should you wear?

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty — closed shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and something practical rather than anything pale. Bring secure storage for your phone, since an open buggy on a dirt track is not a gentle ride. Avoid anything close to white; it won’t stay that colour past the first dirt track.

Buggy tour vs Timanfaya

Choose Timanfaya for the Fire Mountains, the volcanic history, the geothermal demonstrations and the protected Route of the Volcanoes — see our complete Timanfaya National Park guide. Choose a buggy tour for the driving itself: dust, rough tracks and an active few hours behind the wheel. The two aren’t substitutes for each other; most visitors who want both book them on separate days.

The guided off-road volcano buggy tour is the best-reviewed buggy option on the island by a wide margin — see our breakdown of that tour for the full route and inclusions.

Frequently asked questions

Do buggy tours go through Timanfaya?

Not through the protected official Route of the Volcanoes — that stays coach-only. Buggy routes explore other volcanic landscapes around the island instead, sometimes with distant views toward the park.

Do you drive the buggy yourself?

Yes, on standard self-drive buggy tours the passenger with a valid licence takes the wheel. Some operators also offer guided or passenger-only options — check the listing if you’d rather not drive.

Are the tours genuinely off-road?

It varies. Some routes spend most of the day on dirt tracks; others mix paved roads with shorter rough sections. Read the itinerary description rather than assuming from the tour name alone.

Can children ride?

On selected tours, yes, subject to the operator’s own passenger age and height limits — check these before booking rather than assuming a general minimum.

Are buggy tours available year-round?

Generally yes — Lanzarote’s climate supports outdoor touring through the year, though see our best time to visit guide for when the heat and wind matter most on an open vehicle.

Is a buggy tour worth it?

Yes, if you’re booking it for the driving experience itself rather than expecting it to replace a Timanfaya visit — they answer different questions about your day.

Compare every way to see the volcanoes, including buggies, in our guide to choosing a Lanzarote volcano tour, or browse all Lanzarote volcano tours.