Lanzarote

Discover Timanfaya National Park volcanic landscapes, relax on Playa Papagayo, enjoy local cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and iconic viewpoints across Lanzarote’s diverse, unforgettable island experiences.

🏞️ Nature & Outdoor Activities

• Explore Timanfaya National Park — Walk the Tremesana Route or take the guided bus tour through a landscape of craters, lava rivers, and geothermal vents that feel genuinely extraterrestrial
• Camel trekking at Echadero de los Camellos (Yaiza) — A short but iconic ride across volcanic terrain that's brilliant for families and first-time visitors
• Rock climbing in the Famara Massif (Teguise) — Dramatic cliff routes above the Atlantic, popular with climbers seeking a challenge with a view
• Hiking in Los Ajaches Natural Park (Yaiza) — Coastal trails through volcanic hills leading down to the secluded Papagayo coves
• Sea kayaking from Puerto Calero Marina (Tías) — Paddle along the sheltered southern coastline and discover hidden sea caves and inlets

🏖️ Beaches

• Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen (Tías) — Lanzarote's longest and most popular beach, with calm waters, sun lounger hire, and easy access to the resort promenade
• Playa Papagayo (Yaiza) — A series of remote, protected golden coves accessible by dirt road or boat, consistently ranked among Spain's finest beaches
• Playa de Famara (Teguise) — A vast, wild Atlantic beach with powerful surf and jaw-dropping views of the Chinijo Archipelago — not suitable for swimming but spectacular for walking and surfing
• Playa de las Conchas, La Graciosa (Off the northern coast) — A near-deserted white sand beach on Lanzarote's tiny neighbouring island — reachable by ferry from Órzola
• Playa Dorada, Playa Blanca (Yaiza) — A sheltered, calm beach right in the heart of Playa Blanca, ideal for families with young children

🍽️ Food & Drink

• Fresh seafood at La Lonja, Arrieta — A legendary harbourside spot serving grilled fish and prawns straight from the Atlantic, beloved by locals and in-the-know visitors
• Malvasia wine tasting at Bodega La Geria (San Bartolomé) — Tour the most atmospheric winery on the island, set among volcanic craters with tastings of Lanzarote's celebrated white wines
• Papas arrugadas with mojo sauce — The quintessential Canarian dish; wrinkled salt-crusted potatoes served with red or green mojo dip, available at virtually every good local restaurant
• El Diablo Restaurant, Timanfaya (Yaiza) — Cook food over live volcanic heat in the most dramatic dining setting in the Canaries — book well in advance
• Breakfast at Mercado de Teguise — The island's most atmospheric Sunday market blends artisan food stalls with live music, local cheeses, honey, and handmade crafts

🎉 Nightlife & Entertainment

• Avenida de las Playas, Puerto del Carmen (Tías) — The island's nightlife hub with beach bars, cocktail lounges, and clubs ranging from chilled sunset spots to late-night dancing
• Live music at Jameos del Agua (Arrieta) — Occasional evening concerts held inside Manrique's volcanic cave auditorium — a genuinely unmissable experience when events coincide with your stay
• Marina Rubicón, Playa Blanca (Yaiza) — A sophisticated waterfront setting for sundowners, tapas, and evening dining in a more relaxed, upscale atmosphere
• Gran Casino Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen (Tías) — For those who fancy an evening of gaming alongside cocktails and live entertainment
• Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park (Puerto del Carmen) — A family-friendly evening waterpark and animal show — excellent for families travelling with younger children

📸 Instagram-Worthy Spots-

• Mirador del Río (Haría) — César Manrique's clifftop belvedere with panoramic views over La Graciosa island and the Atlantic — arguably the most photogenic viewpoint in the Canaries
• Fire Mountains of Timanfaya (Yaiza) — Rippling black lava fields at golden hour create some of the most dramatic landscape photography in Europe
• Jardín de Cactus (Guatiza, Teguise) — Manrique's extraordinary cactus garden containing over 1,400 species arranged in a volcanic quarry — vivid, geometric, and completely unique
• Charco de los Clicos (Green Lagoon) (Yaiza) — A surreal emerald volcanic crater lake beside a black sand beach near El Golfo — like nothing else on Earth

Best Value Deals

Whether you're after a budget beach break or a full luxury escape, holidays to Lanzarote can be tailored to suit every traveller and every wallet.

🏨 All Inclusive Holidays

All-inclusive resorts in Lanzarote are concentrated around Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, and Playa Blanca. These packages offer excellent value, with meals, drinks, and entertainment included — ideal for families and anyone who prefers the simplicity of a set budget. Look for resorts with waterparks and kids' clubs for maximum family appeal.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Holidays

Lanzarote is a fantastic family destination. Calm, shallow beaches at Playa Dorada and Puerto del Carmen are perfect for young children, while attractions like Rancho Texas Park, camel rides at Timanfaya, and the Submarine Safari from Puerto Calero keep older kids fully entertained. Most family resorts offer crèche facilities and dedicated children's pools.

💎 Luxury Holidays

For a premium Lanzarote experience, Playa Blanca and Puerto Calero are the places to be. Five-star resorts such as the Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora and boutique hideaways around the Papagayo coast offer private pools, spa facilities, and fine dining. Pair a luxury stay with a private catamaran charter to Papagayo and you have an exceptional high-end break.

⏰ Last-Minute Deals

As a year-round destination with consistent demand, Lanzarote does offer last-minute availability — particularly for departures from London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Flexibility on travel dates and resort choice unlocks the best prices.

Additional Booking Benefits:

• 💷 Low deposits available — Secure your Lanzarote holiday from as little as £49pp
• 🔄 Flexible booking — Amend or cancel with confidence using our flexible booking options
• 🛡️ ATOL protected — Every package holiday booked with us is fully ATOL protected for complete financial peace of mind

Best Time to Visit Lanzarote

Lanzarote is one of the few places on Earth where every month is genuinely worth visiting — its position just 125km off the African coast keeps temperatures between 18°C in January and 30°C in August, with almost no rain year-round. Peak season runs July to September, with daytime highs of 28–32°C, sea temperatures of 22–24°C, and Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise at full capacity. October to December and March to May are the standout shoulder months — 21–26°C, lower hotel rates, and Timanfaya National Park, the Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes far less crowded. January and February are the coolest months but still deliver reliable sunshine at 18–20°C, making Lanzarote one of Europe's best genuine winter-sun destinations. The Trade Winds bring breezy conditions most of the year — a blessing in summer, occasionally sharp in December and January.

🏨 Where to Stay

• Families: H10 Lanzarote Princess (Playa Blanca), Barceló Teguise Beach (Costa Teguise), Club Aura (Puerto del Carmen)
• Couples: Gran Meliá Volcán Lanzarote (Playa Blanca, adults-only), Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort (Playa Blanca), Secrets Lanzarote (Puerto Calero)
• Luxury travellers: Gran Meliá Volcán Lanzarote, Hesperia Lanzarote (Puerto Calero), Villa las Coronas private villas (Tías)
• Budget travellers: Self-catering apartments in Puerto del Carmen Old Town, Matagorda, or Costa Teguise centro; hostels around Arrecife city centre
• Nature & culture seekers: Rural fincas around Haría or Ye in the north; boutique hotels in Teguise old town for proximity to César Manrique's legacy sites

🚗 Getting Around

Lanzarote Airport (ACE) sits just 5km from Arrecife — a taxi to Puerto del Carmen costs around €15 (15 mins), to Costa Teguise €20 (20 mins), and to Playa Blanca €45 (40 mins). The Arrecife Bus (TITSA) Line 23 runs from the airport to Puerto del Carmen for €1.70 and Line 22 to Costa Teguise for €1.70. Hiring a car is the single best decision you can make on the island — the roads are excellent, distances short, and the volcanic interior is unreachable without one; Cicar rents from €20–30 per day and has a desk at the airport. Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen are walkable within their resort strips. A twice-hourly ferry operated by Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas connects Playa Blanca to Corralejo on Fuerteventura in 35 minutes from €20 return — an excellent day trip.

💡 Travel Tips

• Lanzarote follows GMT in winter and is in the same time zone as the UK for most of the year — no jet lag to speak of.
• IGIC (local Canarian VAT) is just 7%, making alcohol, tobacco, electronics, and perfume noticeably cheaper than the UK or mainland Europe.
• Timanfaya National Park's volcanic interior is strictly off-limits on foot — entry is only by official coach tour from the Islote de Hilario visitor centre; go before 10am or after 3pm to dodge the coach parties.
• The Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes are César Manrique masterpieces — book tickets online in advance, especially July to September.
• Tap water comes from desalination plants and is safe but heavily mineralised; bottled water is universally preferred and cheap.
• European C/F plugs at 230V — UK travellers need a standard two-pin adapter.
• The wind on Famara and El Cotillo beaches in the north makes them world-class spots for surfing and kitesurfing but less suited to sunbathing families — head to Papagayo or Matagorda for calmer waters.
• Playa de Papagayo requires a €3 per car entry fee — arrive before 9am in summer or the small car park fills completely.
• The Sunday market in Teguise (9am–2pm) is the island's best — arrive before 11am before the tour buses roll in and drain it of atmosphere.
• César Manrique's former home and studio, the Fundación César Manrique, is among the most extraordinary art spaces in Europe — don't skip it even if culture isn't your priority.
• A Lanzarote tourist eco-tax of €0.15–2pp per night applies depending on accommodation category — it's minimal but budget for it.
• Arrecife, the island's capital, is often overlooked but worth an evening — the Charco de San Ginés lagoon and Calle Real dining strip are authentically local and refreshingly untouristy.