Just off the coast of Africa, Lanzarote enjoys year round sunshine and its wide sandy beaches make the island a popular villa holiday destination. The striking volcanic craters and lava fields make the landscape memorable. The coastline is rich with low-rise, friendly resorts offering a variety of leisure activities and holiday entertainment, including safaris, golf, watersports and tax-free shopping.

Take time to explore the island’s volcanic landscape or watch the sun set over the clear blue ocean as you enjoy a drink in the warm evening on your villa holiday.

Six reasons to visit Lanzarote

Wide sandy beaches

Interesting volcanic craters and lava fields

Family friendly, low rise resorts

Stunning coastline of wide sandy beaches and secluded coves

Year round sunshine

Lively nightlife

Go…exploring

The island of Lanzarote has mountains, volcanoes, beaches and caves, so there is something for everyone to discover. Take a trip through the extraordinary Fire Mountains in Timanfaya National Park and discover the unique ‘Martian’ landscape and rare plants on a jeep safari. The family may enjoy a day splashing at a water park or a trip along the stunning reef of the shoreline in a glass bottomed boat. For water-lovers Lanzarote is a haven, with wind-surfing, parasailing and jet skiing for those who enjoy the action of water sports, and fishing and sailing for those who prefer a smoother ride.

Go…. to the beach

Lanzarote has a magnificent coastline with some of the most beautiful shoreline in the Canaries. Clear blue water sits alongside sweeping bays, sheltered coves and wide sandy beaches. The main tourist resorts centre on appealing beaches, and have a good selection of water sports, restaurants and bars, not to mention shopping facilities. For those seeking a little seclusion, there are countless hidden coves where beach lovers can enjoy some privacy and surf lovers can enjoy the waves.

Go… cultural

For those seeking a little history, there are museums, art galleries, castles and fortresses on the island. Local artist César Manrique is said to be responsible for the way that Lanzarote has managed to preserve its identity and not sacrifice its coastline to high-rise tourist blocks. He has left a legacy of design all over the island, including his own Foundation estate complete with priceless works of art. Lanzarote also has a long wine-making tradition and local wine is produced in the same way it has been for 500 years.

Go…shopping

The main resorts on Lanzarote offer excellent shopping, all at duty-free prices. The cobbled streets of Arrecife are brimming with boutiques selling a variety of items including leather goods, local art, linen and embroidery. In the resorts there are large shopping centres full of international shopping chains such as Mango and Zara, and there are several vibrant markets on the island, including a large on at Costa Teguise. In the quieter resorts the shops may be less diverse, but as the island is small, you are never too far from a wider selection of choice.

Take time to go…

Explore the Fire Mountains and drip water into the boiling earth and watch it explode. Finish the visit with a barbeque at the restaurant in the Timanfaya National Park, where your food will be chargrilled on the heat of the volcano.

Take a trip to the most beautiful beaches of the island. The Sahara desert furnishes the Punta de Papagayo peninsular on the south coast with fine gold sand which, coupled with the majestic landscape, is an area not to be missed.

Take a trip on a luxury catamaran off the coast and search for dolphins and whales. Sit on the deck and enjoy a drink, or go on a swim in the crystal waters, or just relax with the sun on your face.

Visit El Golfo, a spectacular sight of a green lagoon sitting among black sand surrounded by craggy rocks.

Visit the César Manrique Foundation and view some of the famous local artist’s work on a spectacular large estate built on volcanic bubbles.

Discover the Cueva de los Verdes (Green Caves), part of an underground cave system formed 3000 years ago during the eruptions of Monte Corona. Once used to hide from pirates, the caves have the longest volcanic tunnel in the world.

Getting there

Most low cost airlines fly into Arrecife. Search our flight database for the easiest way to book, or call us to arrange all your travel needs. Most people hire a car for their villa holiday and leading car rental companies have branches at the airport. We recommend you book a car in advance, and we can easily do this for you online. If you don’t want to hire a car, we can arrange transfers for you to your villa, or metered taxis are readily available at the airport.

Climate

Language

Lanzarote is part of the Canary Islands, so Spanish is spoken. Most locals have excellent English but any attempt to speak the national language is much appreciated.

Currency

Euro.

Time Difference

Lanzarote is the same time as the UK all year round.

Holidays and Festivals

Every year on the 5th January, there is a parade with 3 camel riders giving sweets and gifts to children. Then in February, Carnival takes place – this year it is between the 21st February and the end of the month. Most towns have their own local festivals – you can find details at your local tourist office. In addition, there are the following national holidays in Lanzarote:

January 1 - New Year’s Day
January 6 - Epiphany
March/April - Good Friday/Easter Monday
May 1 - Labour Day
May 30 - Canary Islands’ Day
May/June - Corpus Christi
August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin
October 12 - National Day
November 1 - All Saints Day
December 6 - Constitution Day
December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 25 - Christmas Day