Popular resorts on Lanzarote

Playa Blanca. Situated on Lanzarote's sun-drenched southwest tip Playa Blanca has a long stretch of golden sand running on the opposite side of the road from Avenida de las Playas and  is lined with sunbeds, showers and an attractive paved walkway at the back., this quiet resort is home to a number of top beaches. The white sandy beach  from which Playa Blanca gets its name - is the proud owner of a coveted Blue Flag, 

   Playa Blanca was once a small fishing port and around the picturesque harbour area the marina, lined by olde worlde buildings, is packed with colourful working boats.

Puerto del Carmen.  Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote's biggest and most popular holiday resort. The old town's harbour is a total contrast to the main resort strip. The harbour area boasts enticing little tapas bars, waterside fish restaurants and narrow winding backstreets. Nearby is a chic shopping mall called the Biosphere that is full of  smart boutiques.

   Puerto del Carmen has a lovely sandy beach stretching for 12km, from the upmarket area of Matagorda through to the Old Town. Sunbeds, parasols and pedaloes are for hire and windsurfing is available in the Matagorda area.

Costa Teguise. Costa Teguise is a modern resort but built in traditional Canarian style. It is perhaps best-known for its water sports and draws windsurfing aficionados from around the world.

   Playa de las Cucharas is the longest beach (600m long) in Costa Teguise and this stretch of sand has all the usual facilities, including hire of sun beds and umbrellas. The smaller El Jabillo beach is a bit pebbly while Los Charcos boasts an enticing sandy strip.

   Costa Teguise also boasts an18 hole golf course and a water park.

Mattagorda. The resort of Mattagorda lies just along from Playa De Los Pocillos and near to Arrecife airport so there is some airport noise.

Puerto Callero. This holiday spot is building a name as a swish resort. It opened in 1989 and is named after the architect who designed this beautiful development. It is one of the island's smaller resorts with high class hotels and a prestigious yacht harbour which attracts sailing enthusiasts from all over the world. The marina i surrounded by elegant villas, white-washed apartments and a few waterfront restaurants and cafes.

Lanzarote attractions

   Lanzarote is of volcanic origin. In 1730 Lanzarote was rocked by a series of enormous volcanic eruptions that lasted for six years. Don't miss a trip to the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya (National Park of Timanfaya!) where you can see the live volcano in action. The Visitor Centre at Mancha Blanca is well worth a visit. The exhibits and demonstrations reveal the power and the effects of volcanoes.

   Other attractions include historical monuments, art and culture centres, museums, botanical gardens and Jameos del Agua, which is one of the most interesting galleries of connecting caves and underground grottoes in the world. It lies to the north of Lanzarote, at the foot of the volcano Monte de la Corona. This is another of Manrique's creations, a strange and beautiful environment in which he made use of huge bubbles (jameos) in the lava flow to create an underground cafe/restaurant, dance floor, concert hall and a strange subterranean lake where the rocks are speckled with tiny blind white crabs which are unique to the island.

   The Cuerva de los Verdes (Green's Cave)  is five minutes' car drive from Jameos del Agua and visible from it is an extraordinary complex of tunnels which are part of the same lava flow.

   The longest volcanic tunnel in the world, the Atlantida Tunnel cuts into this lunar-like landscape for over 7 km. Take time to explore La Cueva de los Verdes.

   Take a trip to El Risco beach. This is one of the wildest beaches on the island due to its difficult access - by boat from Orzola or by coming down the cliffs at Famara. The beach has invaluable historic importance due the presence of Las Salinas del Rio, the oldest salt flats of the island, which are nowadays closed. It is easier to get down to the beach than up.

   The Isla Graciosa is reached by ferry from the charming little fishing village of Orzola in the far north of Lanzarote. This little island is true peace. There are no cars allowed on it and there are only two sleepy little fishing villages, Caleto del Sobo, where the ferry arrives and departs, and Pedro Barba.

   The Mirador del Rio is 7 km north of Haria. A mirador is a viewpoint and of all the miradors on Lanzarote this one, created by Cesar Manrique which is perched 479 metres high up on the Famara cliffs, is probably the most spectacular.

   Fuerteventura is only 35 minutes by ferry from Playa Blanca to the port of Corralejo on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and a day trip there makes a great visit.

   The Jardin de Cactus or Cactus Garden in Guatiza was Cesar Manrique's last project turning an old quarry into a large cactus garden with over 1,420 different species and a total of nearly 10,000 plants.