Best Places to Stay in Lanzarote
Best Places to Stay in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is an ecological gem and sunny subtropical paradise within the Canary Archipelago. The Spanish island’s fantasy landscape is perfect for nature lovers and explorers, offering walking trails through rusty volcanic caves and cliffsides that contrast the brilliant blue Atlantic water.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Lanzarote, the island is home to a charming collection of antique villages and boutique accommodation nestled in the foothills of the breathtaking volcanic mountains. There are also over one hundred beaches along the coastline, sprinkled with vibrant holiday resorts that boast all-day entertainment for the whole family.
Art-lovers will enjoy the celebrated design installations from the late lanzaroteño artist, César Manrique, delicately woven into the island’s architecture. Ancient castles, panoramic lookout points, and local markets and nightlife are around every corner when you stay among the hospitable people of Lanzarote.
Best Place to Stay for Beach Holidays in Lanzarote
Caleta de Famara makes for unforgettable Lanzarote beach holidays on the island’s northern coastline. This coastal destination is the perfect location for all things adventurous, including kiteboarding, hang gliding, surfing, and swimming. The Famara bungalows are rustic beach havens where no shoes are required and the gentle sound of crashing waves lulls you to sleep after a busy day on the beach.
Best Place to Stay in Lanzarote for Families
Costa Teguise is ideal for memorable family holidays in Lanzarote. The resort offers ample family-friendly entertainment options such as the aquarium, waterpark, hiking trails, and surfing classes. The rental accommodation here is often slightly larger than the apartments found in other Lanzarote resort towns, perfect for extended families that take up space.
Best Area to Stay in Lanzarote for Couples
Punta Mujeres is one of the best resorts in Lanzarote for couples looking to escape the crowds of the main beaches and relax on soft white sands against the backdrop of a romantic Spanish village. This coastal town is only minutes away from some unique daytime-date ideas, such as exploring the lava tunnels together or taking a dip in natural ocean pools. The romantic destination offers unrivalled sunset views, perfect for picnics and afternoon walks along the shore.
Best Place to Stay in Lanzarote for Nightlife
Puerto del Carmen is the best place to experience the vibrant Lanzarote nightlife first-hand. This resort town is brimming with places to eat, drink, and dance from sunset to sunrise, and the strip hums with energy all year round, especially during Carnival. There are many accommodation options in Puerto del Carmen within walking distance of cocktail bars, live music venues, and busy nightclubs.
Main Beach Resorts in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is often called the island of eternal spring after its incredible, balmy climate, perfect for beach holidays with a temperature range that hovers around 20° celsius all year round. The island’s main beach resorts recline against its southern coastline, lapping up the crystal spray from the Atlantic ocean.
These Lanzarote resorts are perfect for relaxing on bright sandy beaches with everything you need within easy walking distance. Resort holidays are buzzing with energy and entertainment, ideal for sparking spontaneous adventures alongside like-minded travellers and exploring the local attractions on foot.
Arrecife
Creative expression is the heartbeat of Lanzarote’s buzzing capital city. Arrecife is home to the iconic International Museum of Contemporary Art set within an 18th-century fortress, Castillo de San Jose. The marina is a cruiseliner and yacht destination bursting with opportunities for international shopping and wining and dining on the water. Travellers can enjoy plenty of luxurious hotels and resorts skirting Arrecife’s golden beaches.
Puerto del Carmen
The island’s first beach resort is one of the most popular places in Lanzarote to swim, play, cycle, or stroll along golden sands, and its 6km shoreline hosts countless festivals and parades year-round. There is an endless summer feeling in Puerto del Carmen with its al-fresco restaurants and bars, perfect for sampling sunset tapas or local Lanzarote wines. The strip lights up with live music and dancing by night, all within walking distance of its many chic hotels and holiday apartments.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is the newest beach resort in Lanzarote. The accommodation has an up-market feel with many 4- and 5-star hotels overlooking the sprawling marina and the ocean beyond. This resort town offers spectacular swimming beaches equipped with pedaloes, jet skis, and parascending in the sheltered turquoise bay. There is plenty of opportunity for boating, tennis, cycling, and shopping along the promenade between the luxury private villas of Playa Blanca.
Playa Honda
This vibrant town is perfect for travellers on the move, connected to all the local public transport routes and only minutes away from Lanzarote airport. Playa Honda is at the centre of the southern coastline, and any of its charming seaside apartments make a cosy home base for exploring the island in all directions. This town is glittering with hidden cafes and boutique eateries that overlook the sea.
Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise may be the best place to holiday in Lanzarote if you’re looking for a laid-back summer soaking up the sun or learning to surf. The windy shoreline is perfect for kitesurfing and sailing, and there are many spacious holiday homes available for adventurous family trips. This town is home to the Lanzarote Aquarium where you can dive with the sharks or discover tropical Canarian marine life.
Quieter Coastal Towns in Lanzarote
There are many quiet places to stay in Lanzarote to escape the bustling crowds of the main beaches and enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of the coastline. The island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve that harbours a wealth of biodiversity in its unique flora and fauna. Many small fishing villages exist in harmony with the untouched wonders of the surreal volcanic landscape.
Visiting these lesser-known villages is the perfect way to sample traditional cuisine and learn more about the wilder regions of the island from the locals. Unlike the flat tourist resorts to the south, many northern regions are mountainous and speckled with dramatic lookout points for panoramic views of the Atlantic ocean.
Puerto Calero
This region is only 3-kilometres away from the bustling streets of Puerto del Carmen, accessed via a coastal footpath that makes for a relaxing afternoon walk. While there is no beach in this town, the exclusive Atlantic marina is the centre of attention. Staying in the elegant private villas of Puerto Calero brings you closer to upscale eateries and cocktail bars where you can watch the yachts glittering from the water.
El Golfo
El Golfo is a secluded natural masterpiece on the western side of the island, hidden among the mysterious volcanic rock formations that make this other-worldly village so exciting to visit. This may be the best location to stay in Lanzarote for imaginative geology enthusiasts. The Charco de Los Clicos or Green Lagoon in the black sands of an eroded volcanic crater is a captivating sight you cannot miss when visiting Lanzarote.
Arrieta
Arrieta is a tiny coastal village in the northernmost municipality of Lanzarote. The whitewashed village exudes Spanish architectural charm and offers many boutique lodgings among local Canarian hospitality. During your stay in Arrieta, you may hear folk stories about the curiously colourful Casa Juanita that stands alone overlooking the sea or find yourself enjoying a meal of fresh fish on a sunny restaurant terrace.
Punta Mujeres
If you travel a few kilometres north of Arrieta, you will stumble across the picturesque seaside village of Punta Mujeres. It’s easy to doze off peacefully when surrounded by the white sands and crystal waters of this untouched Canarian region where all roads lead to the sea. This blue and white village is the best town to stay in Lanzarote for convenient day trips to César Manrique’s Jameos del Agua cultural centre or the mystical lava tunnels at Cueva de los Verdes.
Órzola
Órzola is situated in one of the most remote Lanzarote areas at the northern tip of the island. This quiet fishing town is a meditative retreat set amongst dramatic black lava cliffsides and crashing waves on the wild white beaches. Here you can enjoy freshly-caught fish, snorkel in the clear waters of the Caleton Blanco lagoon, and lose yourself in the tranquil surroundings.
Caleta de Famara
Caleta de Famara is a surfer’s paradise where the wide, windy beach collides with sloping volcanic cliffs that make up the crescent-shaped bay. This northern coastal town is dotted with self-catering apartments and holiday bungalows a comfortable walk away from all the outdoor attractions. Caleta de Famara is perfect for adventurous journeys through the cliffs on foot or by bike.
Inland Towns in Lanzarote
While Lanzarote’s breathtaking coastline radiates environmental diversity with unique scenery suited to diverse tastes, the arid interior holds architectural landmarks that tell tales about the island’s history. Staying inland often feels more peaceful and relaxed than visiting the busy beaches where sporting events and nightlife reign supreme.
These inland towns may be the best areas to stay in Lanzarote if you’re looking to set a slower pace for your holiday. Here, you can spend your days enjoying the summer breeze in cobblestone plazas, mingling with the locals, and learning from the traditional Canarian lifestyle.
Yaiza
The town of Yaiza is an antique rural village surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, and it has twice won the loveliest village in Spain award. Yaiza’s whitewashed bed-and-breakfast cottages are romantic rustic getaways surrounded by rolling hillsides and only minutes away from the famous Timanfaya National Park. You can also explore the volcanic landscape within the park on camelback.
San Bartolomé
San Bartolomé is at the geographical centre of the island, boasting both 18th-century architectural landmarks and the César Manrique Foundation – the original home of the late artist. César Manrique’s legacy and his vision for designing human spaces in harmony with nature are woven into the fabric of Lanzarote. San Bartolomé is the ideal base point for exploring the island’s unique wine country.
Teguise
La Villa de Teguise may be the best part of Lanzarote to stay in for history lovers. The former capital of Lanzarote offers an authentic atmosphere with its traditional Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets, and the ancient Castillo Santa Barbara overlooking the town. The square at the centre of the 600-year-old town holds a street market on Sundays where you can meet local people and buy handcrafted souvenirs.
Haría
Haria is the greenest village in Lanzarote, scented by delicate Bouganvillea and cooled by the shade of endless rows of trees. The region is known as “The Valley of 1000 Palms” where it was tradition to plant a palm tree for every baby born. This quaint inland retreat offers cosy apartment accommodation, a few hiking trails, a César Manrique, and a cafe-lined plaza frequented by many local artists.
La Graciosa
La Graciosa is sometimes called the eighth Canary Island, and being only 1.6km away from the northern point of Lanzarote, it’s well worth the visit. This islet is an unspoilt paradise of deserted beaches and sandy streets. There are a few tiny fishing villages on La Graciosa, including Caleta del Sabo, where you will find well-maintained, self-catering holiday accommodation and guest houses.
Casas de Pedro Barba, the only other La Graciosa village, is a small cluster of private holiday homes overlooking the ocean.
Visiting La Graciosa immerses you in the raw beauty of the untouched wilderness. The endless sky holds nothing but stars and silence by night, and staying there is profoundly peaceful. Ferries departing from Órzola can transport you to and from the island where you can hire a bicycle or 4×4 taxi to navigate the natural terrain.
Lanzarote is a captivating island destination that offers exciting places to stay for travellers from all walks of life. The wild northern shores showcase the island’s ancient volcanic origins and breathtaking natural beauty, while the golden southern coastline shimmers with human life and vibrant holiday energy. Spending a summer in Lanzarote connects you with history and art, Spanish cuisine, and new friends from around the world.
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