Playa Blanca is the most southerly resort of the island. Originally a fishing village, it is the most recent resort being developed and is fast becoming the third largest resort on the island. In comparison to Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca is quieter and more tranquil.

The coastline at Playa Blanca is a massive 9km long bay which is broken up into three large bays. This geographical make-up means that the beaches are sheltered and ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Inside the resort, taking a walk along the promenade can’t be missed, as it links both halves of the resort. You can take in most of the sea front as well as having lovely ocean views across the Bocaina Straits to Fuerteventura.

Playa Blanca has its own volcano - Montaña Roja (the red mountain) which is right on the doorstep. It takes about half an hour to climb and affords great views of the resort and inside the crater.

Shopping in the resort is pleasurable. All the usual tourist shops that you would expect are present in the centre and along the beach. For more upmarket shopping, the new Marina Rubicon is becoming the place to go.

Restaurants are plentiful and offer a variety of cuisine, including many international restaurants, and English as well as traditional Canarian.

Nightlife centres around the restaurants and bars in Playa Blanca. For a livelier night out and all-night partying, you will need to go to Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise. Many of these can be found on the beach promenade overlooking the beach and out towards Fuerteventura. There are also a number of good places opening up in the marina.

A golf course is being built, and the recently opened Sport Marina Rubicon has made Playa Blanca a more upmarket resort. There is discussion about making the harbour bigger, to accommodate cruise liners such as the QE2 which visited last year, but had to moor off the coast.

Villas to Go recommended beaches

Playa Blanca - The white beach, at the heart of the resort, from which the town takes its name has been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness. There are plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants within easy reach, as well as shops and amenities.

Playa Flamingo - To the west of the resort, also clean and safe. There are several shops and restaurants along the sea-front walkway.

Playa Dorada - A lovely beach with fine golden sand. The sea here is calm and a popular place for residents to take their morning swim. Again, this beach is well served by shops and cafes.

Papagayo - The most beautiful of all the beaches on the island. In reality, it is a collection of smaller beaches separated by high cliffs, forming sheltered bays. This area is a national park and can only be accessed by a bumpy dirt road, which will cost a small charge, but it is worth the effort. You can also reach the beach by water taxi from the harbour at Playa Blanca. There are few services at the beach, so if you are planning to spend all day there, you will need to take supplies.

Take time to go

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.

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.