Lanzarote Travel Guide

Playa de Las Cucharas, Lanzarote

A sun-baked island just off the coast of Africa, Lanzarote holidays offer great value centred around modern, bright resorts.

This is one of the most popular Canary Islands which enjoys a warm climate all year round and some of the most spectacular scenery and beaches in the region.

Lanzarote is a perfect holiday destination for couples and families, but even if you are travelling solo or just fancy an island break, you can find lots of outdoor adventures, such as cycling, hiking or surfing, or simply chilling out on the beach.

Flights to Lanzarote

Lanzarote flights are available from most major UK/European airports with airlines like Easyjet, Ryanair and Jet 2. I recommend using Skyscanner to get the best deals.

From the UK you can find regular flights to Lanzarote from Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, Birmingham Airport, Manchester Airport, East Midlands Airport, Newcastle Airport and Liverpool Airport, Leeds/Bradford Airport and Doncaster Airport.

The flight time to Lanzarote from London Gatwick is approximately four hours. Airport transfers are available when pre-booked from Lanzarote Airport but the best way to get around the island is by cheap airport car hire.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

The weather makes Spain one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe and Lanzarote never usually gets below 16ºC in the daytime and 10ºC at night.

During winter, the days are still quite warm, but the nights are much colder so remember to pack a few jumpers and jackets. January and February average daytime temperatures are 21ºC, while temperatures rise between March and May to an average 24.5ºC.

Average temperatures between June and September rise to 28ºC, and drop to an average of 24ºC. Always remember that even when the weather appears overcast during the spring and summer, the sun can still burn and it is advisable to always use sun cream protection in the warmer months.

Why Go

A dramatic, volcanic outcrop less than a hundred miles from the North African coastline, Lanzarote feels wonderfully out-of-this-world. Maybe that’s because this island’s interior is a starkly beautiful landscape of lava fields and low lying, whispering sands. Maybe it’s because cheap flights to Lanzarote whisk you to this paradise in under four hours, yet leave you feeling that you’ve actually travelled much further.

Whatever the reason, Lanzarote offers its legion of fans something a little different – an island which gives you the romance and drama of a desert island, but the comfort and convenience of a modern holiday destination. So if you’ve ever fancied being a castaway with en-suite facilities and fabulous restaurants, book your holidays to Lanzarote and start planning your island adventure.

The island forms part of the Canary islands archipelago – but Lanzarote holidays offer an experience that is a world apart from its near neighbours. The popularity of package holidays to Lanzarote has presented families and couples with a brace of modern resorts – most facing immaculate pale sand beaches, backed by the ochre-coloured mountains.

Try Costa Teguise for a relaxing family-focussed sojourn in the sun, or Puerto del Carmen for a livelier, sport and sightseeing based holiday. The resort’s fascinating old town complex shows there was life here before us tourists descended on the island.

A fantastic year round climate makes Lanzarote a sure-fire choice if you’re looking for (almost) guaranteed sun. Stunning natural landscapes, subtle, high-rise-free resorts and world-class beaches.

Lanzarote really does offer an explosive combination of attractions, teamed with excellent accommodation – including a fine array of good value all inclusive holidays perfect for couples and families.

Best Resorts and Areas to Stay in Lanzarote

The main resorts in Lanzarote are Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca, Puerto Calero and Arrecife.

Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the largest and busiest resort in Lanzarote and here you can find over 5km of sandy beaches, pubs, nightclubs and restaurants. There is also an annual Iron Man Festival and fair hosted in Puerto del Carmen.

Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise was once the main tourist resort of Lanzarote, and still attracts thousands of visitors a year to its sandy beaches, pubs, clubs, restaurants and lively hotels.

Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca was once a small fishing village and has now evolved into one of the best resorts in Lanzarote. Although it is much smaller than other resorts on the island, there are plenty of things to keep holidaymakers entertained, including nightclubs, bars and restaurants, and a new marina.

Puerto Calero
Puerto Calero is a smaller and quieter resort which is mainly used as a harbour, and is also home to one of the best hotels on the island.

Arrecife
Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote and offers visitors plenty of attractions and shops, but does not have the facilities of the larger tourist resorts in Lanzarote.

Hotels

If you are looking for a family friendly hotel in Lanzarote, a small hotel or apartment accommodation in Lanzarote you will be spoilt for choice.

Playa del Carmen offers a vast range of Lanzarote hotels, as does Costa Teguise, while Playa Blanca and Puerto Calero also boast a wide choice of accommodation.

You can find cheap hotels in Lanzarote, five star luxury hotels and basic apartment accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, plus a wide choice of Lanzarote villas to rent.

Getting Around

Car hire at Arrecife Lanzarote Airport can be pre-booked before you fly, and by comparing prices, you can find a fantastic range of car rentals offers and promotions that are not available elsewhere.

All the major car hire firms are represented at Arrecife Lanzarote Airport, including Hertz and Avis. You can hire a cabriolet, a family car, a mini car or a 4×4 at Lanzarote Airport from just €69 per week, and if you pre-book your car hire, you will avoid delays and disappointment when you arrive.

Top Things to Do in Lanzarote

Wherever you stay in Lanzarote, you won’t be far from the many attractions and fun things to do on the island.

Manrique Architecture
Culture vultures can marvel at the architecture on the island, the fascinating attractions created by world-renowned artist, Cesar Manrique, and the beautiful scenery inland.

Timanfaya National Park
The Timanfaya National Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lanzarote, and it is located in the south west of the island. The national park emerged after the area was all but killed off by massive volcanic eruptions many years ago. Out of season the park can be windy and cold, so wear suitable clothing and footwear ad you will be exploring the top of a volcano.

Aquapark
Love water parks? Aquapark is situated in the resort of Costa Teguise, and offers many great attractions for the kids, including slides, pools and thrilling rides to suit all ages. Many of the main tourist resorts provide free buses to the water park.

Rancho Texas
The Rancho Texas is also fun for all the family and is situated in Puerto del Carmen. The park is home to a wide range of tropical birds, crocodiles, lizards and white tigers. Rancho Texas also hosts Country and Western Nights with inclusive barbecue, dancing, music and saloon girls, plus a bouncy castle and kids entertainments.

Megafun
Megafun is a quad bike tour around Lanzarote which is great for all ages. Drivers must have a driving licence and kids over 7 years of age can travel on the back of the bike. Over 80% of the Lanzarote tour is off-road, and the trip lasts for around 3 hours, with stops for photos and refreshments in-between.

Fishing
If you prefer life on the ocean wave, enjoy a deep sea fishing trip which runs from the harbour at Playa Blanca. The day trip is great for all ages and the boat is well-equipped with all the latest fishing equipment to help you catch a big one.

Food and Eating Out

There are hundreds of restaurants in Lanzarote to suit all tastes and budgets, including cuisine from around the world, such as Chinese, Indian, Italian, English, Spanish, Thai, French and typical Canarian dishes.

Some of the essential foods to try in Lanzarote include traditional Canarian dishes, which reflect Spanish, Portuguese and North African influences, try the puchero canario, which is a hearty stew made from pumpkin, cabbage, pork or beef, or the papas arrugadas, which are literally wrinkled potatoes served with the traditional spicy sauce called mojo.

Local restaurants also serve a fabulous choice of fresh seafood, including Canarian lobster and crab. You can also find a wide range of traditional Spanish tapas on offer in the bars and restaurants.

Lanzarote is also home to one of the most unique restaurants in the world – check it out!

Nightlife

You can find the liveliest nightlife in Lanzarote in Arrecife and the two main resort towns of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. A good selection of bars, restaurants and clubs keep revellers partying until the small hours, and you can find some great live music venues in the busier resorts.

The centre of Puerto del Carmen is the main strip in the Avenida de las Playas, where most of the nightlife is. Playa Blanca is a little more spread out and much more low-key. Nightlife in Costa Teguise is also spread across the resort and the resort is particularly popular with families as most of the hard-core clubbers head to Arrecife or Puerto del Carmen.

It is worth noting that Lanzarote also hosts several great events during the year including The Costas Music Festival in September, in Costa Teguise, J and Jazz Canarias every July.

Plan Your Trip to Lanzarote

In Lanzarote you can find every type of hotel, budget and luxury accommodation, entertainment, attractions and a wide range of things to see and do. Cheap flights and cheap car hire make Lanzarote one of the most popular holiday resorts in the Canary Islands along with Tenerife and Gran Canaria.