Lanzarote has more than just beaches on offer

Below we list some of the many things to do in Lanzarote, many people just go to relax in a reliable climate with friendly locals and charming pretty villages out in the countryside.  But as you can see here there is plenty for those looking to explore or participate in more exciting pastimes.  If there is something specific you would like more information on do please let us know.

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Beaches Place to visit Wine trails Other activities Golf Spa Evenings

The beaches of Lanzarote

For a volcanic island there are a surprising number of beaches on the island some of which we list here which we have broken down by area. Many are man-made making access easy others are natural beaches (Papagayo in particular) which although more challenging to reach are stunning.

Puerto del Carmen

Playa Grande is located along the main road that runs through Puerto Del Carmen. The beach is over 1 km in length and is golden sand. On the beach you will find plenty of  sunbeds, although you will have to pay around 3 euros hire per day. Some water activities are here including pedaloes and some of the diving excursion depart from this beach.
 
Playa Chica is located in the Old Town of Puerto Del Carmen. The beach is very small and can get very busy in the summer months. There are many different water sports and diving activities here and it is ideal for snorkelling.

Playa Los Pocillos is also located along the main road that runs through Puerto Del Carmen but towards the area known as Matagorda (where Los Jamoes Playa hotel is). The beach is very wide and quite long and has plenty of sunbeds. It is very open and can get quite windy so a wind breaker may be useful. With no water sports or other activities here it is a place to relax in the sun.

Playa Blanca

Playa Papagayo These are a selection of famous natural sandy beaches and are located between huge lava rocks. You can drive a car almost to the beach itself, though often on dirt roads. For the more ecologically inclined, a wander over the rocks will bring you to one of the many beaches and bays. We strongly recommend that you take at least water to drink as there are no facilities on these lovely semi secluded beaches.
The largest of the Papagayo beaches is Playa Mujeres at 90 metres long, then there is Playa de las Coloradas, Playa de las Ahogaderas and Playa de la Cera. Beyond the point, Punta de Papagayo, there are two more bays, Caleta de Congrio and Muela de Abajo. Each enjoys crystal clear water and the unique formation of the lava rock.

Playa Dorada is located in Playa Blanca right outside Centro Comercial Papagayo. The beach is small but offers plenty for tourists including snorkelling, banana boat and you can hire pedaloes. The beach is well looked after and in a very good location.

Playa Blanca is located in the heart of Playa Blanca resort. This is a very small beach and is located along the walk from the old town to the new area. As it is small there are no on site facilities but it is close to bars etc. Good swimming and snorkelling.

Playa Flamingo is around 10 minutes walk from the old harbour in Playa Blanca. The beach is quite small with sunbeds and shades and the surrounding rocks act as a breaker for the waves.

Teguise

Playa Bastian is located near the front of Costa Teguise. This beach is part sand and part volcanic rock.  Although well sheltered by Costa Teguise standards a windbreaker may be useful. No on site facilities but 50 yards away is the main area with bars and shops etc.

Playa la Cucharas at just over 600m this is the longest stretch of beach in Costa Teguise. It is at the heart of the resort, easy to get to and as such has all the facilities you will need.  Playa Las Cucharas is very popular with windsurfers as you there is often a breeze, although it is not usually too uncomfortable on the beach itself.

Elsewhere

There are plenty of other beaches but one worth mentioning here is…
Famara is located to the north of the island. The beach is open to strong winds and therefore is good for surfing. The beach is not sheltered at all so it is not ideal for sun bathing. If you enjoy water sports then this beach is the place to be. Mainly used by surfers. The small village at Famara has some restaurants and bars.

Places to visit

The National Park of Timanfaya – this is where the Fire Mountains are, declared an area of outstanding natural beauty it was the centre of the 6 years of volcanic eruptions between 1730 and 1736 changing the island into what it is today. Excursion are organised and it is an interesting day out.

Jameos del Agua  -  are part of a 6km long lava tube which formed about 3,000 years ago when the Montaña La Corona erupted. Molten lava continued to flow as the surface hardened, which led to the formation of the tubes. The word Jameo is used in this context to refer to the large openings in the tube which formed when parts of the roof collapsed due to a pressure build up caused by the volcanic gases.

It is the  top tourist attraction on the island. The entrance is the called Jameo Chico and within this cave is an unusual bar-restaurant which has views over a small lake which is home to the Jameitos, blind albino crabs unique to Lanzarote.
The Jameo Grande, an open air cave, has been turned into a beautiful garden of tropical plants species centred around a vibrant, turquoise coloured pool. At the end of this Jameo, is the auditorium which has unbelievable acoustics and has been the setting for some memorable concerts and the prestigious Festival of Visual Music of Lanzarote. There is much more here and it is well worth a visit.

Jardin de Cactus is not far from Jameos del Agua and is a stunning collection of over 1000 species of Cacti.  Cesar Manrique, who was involved in developing many of the cultural and tourist attractions, did his last work here and his influence is see in the sculptures that sit amongst the cacti which are displayed in a carved out and terraced old quary. The environment and the amazing variety of the plants make this another location worth visiting.

Cesar Manrique Foundation is located in the studio-home that the artist lived in and is  situated in Taro de Tahiche. It is probably the work that best represents Manrique's artistic and personal ideals.  He was a painter, sculptor, architect, ecologist, monument preserver, construction advisor, planner of urban developments, outliner of landscapes and gardens and his influence is everywhere on the island.
Built in 1968 on top of a volcanic trail from a volcanic eruption that occurred in 1730-36. It uses, in the lower level, the natural formation of five volcanic bubbles to make an unusual living space. The outside of the house and upper level is inspired by the traditional architecture of Lanzarote but with the typical Manrique touch. A must for anyone interest in art or in the influence he had on the island.

These are just a few of the interesting things to visit whilst in Lanzarote.

Wine trails

Located on the edge of the bad lands and covered with black volcanic ash, the vineyards of La Geria valley look like they have been transplanted here from another planet. The locals have found an indigenous way of cultivating vines on this arid and hostile ground. They dug more than 10,000 funnel-shaped hollows into the thick layers of porous volcanic granules known as picón,  they planted only one vine per hollow, filled them with soil and poured thick layers of picón over it as they retain the night humidity and feed the plants. In order to protect them from the constant winds and drying out, they built low, semicircular walls around them.

This unique cultivation method results in a prosperous wine industry, renowned for excellent wines, which can be sampled and purchased in a number of local winegrowers’ bodegas (wine shops).

With its extensive rows of horseshoe-like shaped walls and despite their extremely functional purpose, the valley of La Geria, which has become quite a popular tourist attraction.

This area produces most of island’s wines, of which 75 per cent are made from the Malvasía grape, this grape produces a wide variety of quality white, red or rosé wines, from very sweet to very dry. Other grape varieties include Moscatel, Black and White Listán, Diego, White Burra and Negramoll. There are two wine trails that can be followed.

Other activities

Treat yourself to a helicopter ride to see the island at its best, but don’t forget your camera.

Horse riding, or Camel riding, is another way to enjoy the Lanazarote landscape.

For the children there are various theme parks including the Rancho Texas Park which has an Indian village, a nature park and animals including  crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, armadillos, prairie-dogs and many birds of prey.  Or there is the Water Park or perhaps the Whale and Dolphin Museum
Water sports are plentiful and include Diving, Snorkelling, Windsurfing, sailing, parascending and Jet and Water skiing.

Walking or hiking. Cycling, paragliding or hang-gliding are some additional outdoor activities.

Golf

Currently the island has only one golf course with one currently under construction and at least another planned, which will give this island three courses.  The Costa Teguise course is an 18-hole, par-72 course, designed by John Harris, and comprises a driving range, practice putting green, restaurant, bar, pro-shop and a golf equipment rental service. Located at the foot of an ancient volcano, each hole of this course provides captivating ocean views. Buggy and Club rental are available.

Spa

Lanzarote is not particularly known for Spa holidays but two of our hotels do have good spa facilities, both are located in Playa Blanca, the Princesa Yaiza and thee Gran Melia Volcan.  Some information is shown on the hotel pages on this website we can provide you with more detail.

In the evenings

Nightlife as we have mentioned under each resort on the destination page is varied depending on the resort.  The busier resorts have much evening activity whereas the quieter ones rely on restaurants, bars and the hotels for evening entertainment.