Mala can be explored through a range of themes: agriculture based on prickly pear cacti and cochineal, the town’s cultural history, and a coastline with natural seawater pools. There are also practical workshops and a guided cochineal route. When planning your trip, you can choose between a focus on crafts, local history or the coast, rather than trying to fit every experience into a single outing.

Cochineal, Agriculture and Craft

The local economy is based mainly on growing prickly pear cacti and raising cochineal scale insects. On Lanzarote, cochineal production takes place primarily in Guatiza and Mala and is considered high quality. The area’s agricultural character is also highlighted on a guided cochineal route run by the Asociación Milana: it passes through a landscape shaped by prickly pear cultivation between the two towns.

The Asociación Milana also offers practical workshops on processing natural dyes from Lanzarote and using them on wool, silk, leather, wood and sand. The route and workshops have different focuses: the route takes you through an agricultural landscape, while the workshops explore how the dyes are processed and used. This lets you choose according to whether you are more interested in the landscape or in materials and techniques.

After the route, visitors can, if they wish, watch demonstrations of dyeing silk or wool, watercolour painting, or dyeing wooden products, and try the process themselves. Taking part in a demonstration is therefore dependent on the route and the visitors’ wishes.

Presa de Mala and the Caves

Presa de Mala is visible from the road between Mala and Guatiza. A route of about two kilometres starts at Presa de Mala; three artificial caves lie along the route. La Catedral is the largest of the artificial caves near Presa de Mala. The approximate route length and the comparison between the caves describe different aspects of the area: the route’s course in one case, and the size of a cave in the other.

When wind conditions are favourable, paragliding and hang-gliding flights take off from Presa de Mala. Unlike the route length, this activity is explicitly dependent on wind conditions. Presa de Mala and its surroundings therefore offer both a connection to artificial caves and a weather-dependent air sport.

Local History and Culture

The Sociedad Renacimiento de Mala is a cultural centre founded in 1924. It is located beside the road from Guatiza to Arrieta. In the past, it hosted theatre performances, dances and local verbena festivals. This history complements the hands-on activities of the Asociación Milana with a look at Mala’s earlier cultural events. Those interested in local history will find a different focus here than in the workshops or on the cochineal route.

Charco del Palo and the Coast

Charco del Palo on the coast of Mala has natural seawater pools and nudist coves. Two natural pools are located at opposite ends of the village. The topography allows their water to be constantly replenished, making swimming there calmer than in the surf outside the pools. Sea and swimming conditions can vary, so check current conditions before going for a swim.

The different options are clear: the cochineal route and workshops connect agriculture with craft, the Sociedad Renacimiento offers local history, and Charco del Palo brings the coast into the picture. This makes it easy to explore Mala through the themes that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Tabayesco, Ye, Punta De Mujeres, Charco Del Palo, Arrieta, Orzola, Guinate

Return to the main travel overview: Haria.