Lanzarote is the fourth largest Canary Island, and is closest to Africa, just 64 nautical miles away. The island was shaped by massive volcanic eruptions in the 17th and 18th centuries, and has a stark, almost lunar landscape.

Artist and architect Cesar Manrique was instrumental in defining Lanzarote’s approach to “sustainable” tourism, and there are no high rise buildings on the island – each property, whether a private villa or a five star hotel, conforms to very rigid planning regulations to maintain the tranquil beauty of Lanzarote.


Lanzarote Airport

César Manrique Lanzarote Airport – airport code ACE – is located in Playa Honda in the centre of the island. It has two terminals – T1 for international flights and T2 for inter island flights.


Ports

Lanzarote has 3 ferry ports and a cruise terminal. In the north of the island Órzola port connects Lanzarote to Caleta de Sebo in La Graciosa. The main freight and ferry port for the island is the Muelle de Los Mármoles in Arrecife. This port connects Lanzarote with Gran Canaria & Tenerife, plus Cadiz & Huelva on the mainland of Spain. The new cruise terminal is at Marina Lanzarote in Arrecife, which is easier for pedestrians to explore the capital of Lanzarote. Down in the south of the island, the Muelle de Playa Blanca connects to Corralejo, Fuerteventura.


The Resorts

There are three main resorts – Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca.

Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del Carmen is the largest, with 5 kilometres of sandy beaches, and a coastal road full of shops, bars and restaurants, as well as a golf course. Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s original resort area, and consists of the “old town,” which is the area around the old harbour, and the “new town” which is The Strip which runs along the ocean front. The new town extends as far as, and incorporates Los Pocillos and Matagorda. Carmen offers the full range of holiday types and has plenty of entertainment late into the night. It’s a hilly resort, with many places up steep hills as you move away from the coast. Read more: Camel Travel Guide to Puerto del Carmen

Costa Teguise

Costa Teguise is a man made resort and is more modern. It’s also flat, making it easier to get around on foot. It’s known as the family resort, and has a water park, plenty of family entertainment available and the island’s oldest golf course. It’s quite compact, and features several large, sandy beaches. Playa Las Cucharas is the main beach and popular with windsurfers. Accommodation is mainly in large hotels and apartment complexes, with a few villas available.

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca in the south boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, high class hotels, water parks and another marina – Marina Rubicon.  This is the island’s newest resort, and once again, the area is flat. The town itself is compact, but much of the villa accommodation is well away from the centre. It’s more traditionally Spanish than the other two resorts. Accommodation is mainly in large, luxurious hotels or independent villas with private swimming pools. Read more: Camel Travel Guide to Playa Blanca

Other areas 

Lanzarote’s capital is Arrecife, a typically bustling Spanish provincial town. Arrecife has the famous Charco de San Ginés, a lagoon surrounded by great restaurants and tapas bars, the amazing Playa El Reducto beach, pedestrian shopping street León y Castillo, and the modern Marina Lanzarote.

Puerto Calero is a marina situated 10 minutes drive from Puerto del Carmen, there are two hotels and villa accommodation but no sandy beach in this location.

Rural Lanzarote will amaze you, with stunning villages, and a way of life that hasn’t changed since the mid 1900’s. Fabulous sea food restaurants mingle with local social clubs and man made sea swimming pools.

Lanzarote also has a naturist village – Charco del Palo, where clothing is optional throughout the village.


Types of accommodation

Lanzarote has a large range of accommodation available. You can literally find something for everyone, ranging from very cheap and cheerful studio apartments to super luxury 5 star properties, taking in apartments, villas, boutique hotels and even yurts in an eco village.

Lanzarote is also justifiably famous for sporting holidays, and is home to the world’s toughest Ironman triathlon event. Windsurfing, scuba diving, water skiing, fishing and sailing are easy to arrange, and the island’s roads and trails are always busy with cyclists and runners.


Book a Lanzarote Holiday

Inspired to book your next holiday to Lanzarote? We’d love to help!

Camel Travel are an independent UK travel agency based in the Canary Islands, run by Julie & Mike who have lived on the islands for more than two decades and are supported by a fantastic admin team based in the UK.

ABTA member P6938.

Freephone: 0800 810 8404 or contact us via your preferred platform.

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