Are you thinking of Lanzarote for one of your next weekends to enjoy the beach, the sun and the stunning scenery?
A good idea. The island offers a variety of activities to suit everyone.
We’ve created 6 itineraries to spend 2 or 3 days in Lanzarote according to your interests: beach, volcanoes, variety, fun with the kids…
All the best things to do on a long weekend in Lanzarote!
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Long weekend in Lanzarote: essentials and tips
Is it worth visiting Lanzarote in 2 or 3 days?
Flying time from major European capitals is 3 to 5 hours.
We think that 2 days are not worth the hours of flying.
However, with a 3-day long weekend, you have a little time to enjoy the island and some of its most magical scenery.
Compare available flights.
Where to stay for a long weekend?
The island isn’t very big. You can easily stay in one location and explore the whole island.
Here are our favorite places to stay, according to your criteria:
- Most pleasant resort = Playa Blanca
– see top-rated hotels - Best location to explore Lanzarote = Costa Teguise
– see top-rated hotels - Coastal charm and tranquility = Punta Mujeres
– see top-rated hotels - Romantic = El Golfo
– see top-rated hotels - Beach resort with lots of activities = Puerto del Carmen
– see top-rated hotels - Without a car = your best options are the 3 resort towns(Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen) because most excursions and activities are available from all 3.
To find out more, read our article on where to go in Lanzarote.
Our favorite hotels
And if you want more detailed suggestions, here are some of our favorite hotels on the island:
- Princesa Yaiza Suite Resort
Resort in Playa Blanca – A fantastic location, stunning design and a child-friendly environment.
See photos and availability - Seaside Los Jameos
Resort in Puerto del Carmen – lots of charm in the decor, large garden (all inclusive possible).
See photos and availability - Lani’s luxury suite
Hotel in Puerto del Carmen (adults only) – clean, sleek design, extraordinary pool
See photos and availability - Hotel Boutique Palacio Ico
in Teguise – Elegant, historic, authentic…
See photos and availability - Aqua Suites
Hotel in Puerto del Carmen – Fresh, modern design, large swimming pool
See photos and availability
See our article dedicated to the best hotels in Lanzarote.
How to get around during your 3 days
It really depends on what you want to see.
We think it’s best to rent a car to get the most out of the island, but you can also keep yourself busy by taking day trips from your hotel.
Don’t worry, driving in Lanzarote is very easy(see our article with video).
Need to rent a car? Our advice:
- Compare car rental prices on our favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best customer-reviewed comparison sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for steep roads).
- Consider their comprehensive coverage option – we always take it for peace of mind!
- As this is an island, the number of cars is limited. Book early for a wide choice of vehicles!
See our tips for renting a car in Lanzarote.
However, if you really don’t want to drive, we have a section on car-free Lanzarote below.
The best things to do in Lanzarote for a weekend?
With only a few days to go, here are some of our favorite activities:
- Walking in and around Montana Cuervo
- Visit Timanfaya National Park
- Hike to Papagayo beach and admire the scenery
- Marvel at the creativity of Jameos del Agua.
Option 1 – Visit Lanzarote in 3 days – must-sees with car
In this 3-day itinerary, we take you to all our favorite places in each category: volcanoes, beaches, culture…
Best place to stay for this itinerary
There’s no better option for this itinerary. Most of the attractions we visit are no more than 1 hour 10 minutes from the main cities.
If you want to balance your travel time during your stay, choose either option:
- Costa Teguise – see the best rated accommodations
- or Playa del Carmen – see top-rated accommodations
And check out the car rental offers on our favorite platform: Discovercars
Day 1 – South Lanzarote: Papagayo and volcanic wonders
Stop 1 – Hike to Papagayo beach
Papagayo beach is one of Lanzarote’s most famous spots. Located on the south coast, this is the oldest part of the island. The small cove is beautifully shaped with emerald waters.
There’s no paved road to get there, only a very bumpy track (where you’re not normally allowed to go with rental cars).
You can get there on foot – it’s beautiful, along several beaches. It’s a 2 km walk in one direction, with ascents and descents.
Read more about it.
Stop 2 – Salt marshes
We’ve always loved salt marshes, their shapes, colors and little white cones of salt. On Lanzarote’s west coast, you’ll find the Janubios Salinas. In this astonishing landscape, it’s a real spectacle!
We recommend you take a drive to discover the magnificent views.
Stop 3 – Los Hervideros
One of our favorite Lanzarote landscapes is Los Hervideros. We really enjoyed the mix of turquoise water, dark basalt columns and the small red volcanic hill behind. We sat there and watched. It was the perfect mix for our taste.
A path has been laid out to explore these amazing cliffs, and here you can even see one of the arches. It’s a fun, easy walk.
It’s on the west coast, south of Timanfaya National Park, and the views are best at high tide, when you might see the waves crashing.
Read more about it.
Stop 4 – The green lagoon (Charco Verde)
On my way to Charco Verde, we only expected to see a green lagoon. But what’s left of the volcano behind is equally astonishing. There’s a mix of red, yellow and black rocks that have been beautifully shaped by erosion. All this is combined with a black beach and a practical viewpoint. An interesting little stopover and one of the best things to do in Lanzarote.
Unfortunately, we don’t think any of our photos do this landscape justice. You’ll have to see for yourself!
Read more about it.
Day 2 – Timanfaya and the volcanoes
Stop 1 – Timanfaya National Park
The best-known activity on Lanzarote is the Timanfaya National Park coach tour(see our Timanfaya guide).
Located on the west coast, this is one of the best and most picturesque parts of the island. It is made entirely of volcanic soil.
There aren’t many ways to experience it. The main one is a bus tour along the park’s only road. You can’t get off the bus to protect the park, but you do get to see some of the most unique views you can imagine. It’s like visiting another planet!
You drive there, park next to the restaurant and hop on one of the tourist buses!
Once again, we recommend visiting the park in the morning, as it’s less crowded.
Stop 2 – Hiking in and around Montana Cuervo
We did a lot of walking on the island. But our favorite is actually one of the easiest and (unfortunately) most frequented: Montana Cuervo.
Located in the Lanzarote Los Volcanes Natural Park (along with the Timanfaya area), it is easily accessible by road.
First, you walk across the entire volcano, with superb views of a well-preserved cone. All around you, lava takes many forms. Panels help you understand the landscape around you and the volcano’s geological history.
The path then takes you around it and inside through a collapsed side.
Allow 1 to 2 hours, depending on the scope of the visit and the number of photos you wish to take.
There’s no shade, so bring water and good shoes.
Stop 3 – Volcanic vineyards
You can then explore the central area with its volcanic vineyards.
There are several wineries you can visit with tastings and/or museums.
It’s quite impressive to see these plants growing on black soil when there’s nothing else around.
The most famous is La Geria, but our favorite is El Grifo with its small museum.
Day 3 – César Manrique and Lanzarote
Stop 1 – Cactus garden
A garden full of cacti!!! We love these funny and varied plants. Of all the places to visit in Lanzarote, this is our favorite.
The cactus garden is the work of the famous architect and artist Cesar Manrique. He imagined how to transform this former rofera (quarry) into an exhibition of the most beautiful cactus flowers from all over the world. It boasts some 1,500 specimens of 450 different species representing 5 continents.(See our article on the cactus garden for more photos).
Stop 2 – Jameos del Agua
We think this is one of the most frustrating things about Lanzarote. This pool at Jameos des Agua is so inviting!!!! Don’t you think? And we love water
Here, César Manrique transformed part of a long collapsed lava tunnel into several locations. There’s an underground lake, restaurants, an amphitheatre…
You can have lunch inside the cave!
See more photos
Stop 3 – César Manrique Foundation
The César Manrique Foundation is based in a house designed by Manrique, where he lived for 20 years.
It is built in harmony with a lava flow formed during Lanzarote’s famous eruptions between 1730 and 1736. Inspiring rooms have been created in volcanic bubbles and linked by tunnels.
Exploring the place is a fun experience, but you’re frustrated again at not being able to swim in the beautiful pool…
At the end, you can admire the showroom with paintings and lava flowing in through the window.
Allow time to enjoy the garden and its sculptures.
Stop 4 – Mirador del Rio
Located on the Risco de Famara, the mirador overlooks the island of La Graciosa at over 475 m altitude.
It was once a 19th-century military fort.
César Manrique transformed it in the 1970s, camouflaging it in the rocks and offering incredible views of the cliff, the island and the stretch of sea in between, called El rio.
At the foot of the cliff, you can also see the Salinas del Rio salt marshes.
The interior of the building, with its white walls and curves, provides an ideal backdrop to the magnificent scenery.
Find out more about César Manrique and the island of Lanzarote.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Lanzarote
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- A small car is all you need.
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- Demand is high, so book early.
Option 2 – 3 days in Lanzarote – must-sees without a car
In this itinerary, we suggest some of the best group day trips you can take to discover the island without hiring a car.
Best place to stay for this itinerary
If you don’t rent a car, you really should stay in one of the 3 main seaside towns from which all excursions depart:
- Costa Teguise – see the best rated accommodations
- or Playa del Carmen – see top-rated accommodations (with the most choice of activities)
- Playa Blanca – see the best rated accommodations
Day 1 – Timanfaya National Park, volcanoes and wine
Timanfaya National Park is the ultimate Lanzarote excursion. It’s absolutely gorgeous!
This is a national park and you can’t walk around on your own. But even in a group, it’s fantastic to see the colors and power of the Earth. Timanfaya National Park is located on the west coast of the island and consists entirely of volcanic soil.
There are full-day tours that take you to Timanfaya for the bus tour, but also take you to the coast south of the park (our tip: sit on the right-hand side of the bus in the national park). We think it’s really worth it. The green lagoon of El Golfo and the incredible coastline of Los Hervideros are among our favorite spots on the island.
The colors are simply incredible. Lava and erosion have created magnificent shapes. We sat there and enjoyed the view.
We really recommend that you book the combined tour to be able to see them.
See program and availability + book
Day 2 – Cesar Manrique
Lanzarote is also famous for being the home of architect and artist César Manrique.
Above all, he liked to integrate architecture with the natural environment. It’s thanks to him that there are no major developments on the island and that it retains so much charm with all its little white houses.
Excursions take you to the north of the island to discover many of César Manrique’s creations. They may include
- The cactus garden, with hundreds of species of cactus and a breathtaking view of the region from the windmill.
- Jameos del agua – part of the architectural complex designed by Cesar Manrique. It’s fun to explore and watch the little white crabs in the lake. But we have to admit, it’s pretty frustrating not to be able to swim in this incredible pool!
- The César Manrique Foundation with some of his works of art. It’s his old home and blends in with the lava.
- Mirador des Rio and its incredible views of La Graciosa.
- Monumento al Campesino. Beautiful to photograph, but not as fascinating as the other places you’ll see on this tour.
One of our favorite tours includes a bit of everything Cesar Manrique – see program and availability + book
Day 3 – La Graciosa (if you have a full day)
La Graciosa was one of our favorite stops on our trip to Lanzarote.
This small island to the north of Lanzarote has no roads. Unlike Lanzarote, it offers magnificent white sandy beaches. A trip there will give you another appreciation of the Canary Islands.
An organized tour will pick you up and take you to Orzola, where you’ll board the ferry to La Graciosa.
Once in La Graciosa, you’ll board a catamaran to admire the islands from the water and enjoy lunch. You can then enjoy your free time in La Graciosa.
See program and availability + book
But if you don’t have a full day, you can relax at the beach or add a fun activity such as:
- Buggy ride
– see availability + book - Scuba diving
– see availability + book
Option 3 – Romantic weekend in Lanzarote
Where to stay – El Golfo
El Golfo is considered the most romantic spot on the island, as it’s a small village on the west coast where you can enjoy the sunset.
For example at:
- Boutique Hotel
El Hotelito del Golfo features a swimming pool and is centrally located.
see pictures and availability - Apartments
Casa rural Caleton del Golfo is home to several apartments with swimming pools and easy access to the small town center.
see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
Where to stay – Punta Mujeres
We also think Punta Mujeres, a small village on the east coast with swimming pools, is a very romantic place to stay.
Here you’ll find mainly apartments and villas for rent.
- Apartment
Apartamento Romantico has a private swimming pool
see pictures and availability - Villa with pool
Villa Sama is a superb modern villa with its own swimming pool.
see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
Where to stay – Teguise
And for a completely different kind of holiday, where history and charm bring romance, choose the heart of the island: Teguise.
Strolling through the narrow streets of the town center with its white houses is a real pleasure. Most of the time, it’s very quiet, but there are crowds on Sundays for the market (but compared with the Haria market, this one has become too touristy, with fewer local crafts…).
Here are a few suggestions:
- Luxury and history
Hotel Boutique Palacio Ico Elegant, historic, authentic…
see pictures and availability - Unique
The luxurious Eco Dome Experience offers you a unique stay in Lanzarote (but outside the city).
see pictures and availability - Apartment
Precioso apartamento con Terreza offers a modern setting in the heart of the city.
see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
Best things to do
For a weekend, we recommend the options listed in the first itinerary.
And we think you should add some sunset activities such as:
Sunset on Famara beach is one of the island’s most romantic moments.
First of all, the beach is surrounded by small sand dunes.
Then, when the sun goes down, the mountains are reflected in the sand…
And finally, the golden hour arrives…
And / or enjoy a sunset cruise. For example, a sunset cruise with dolphin watching on a speedboat:
- Sunset cruise with dolphin watching on a speedboat
– see availability + book - Or a more relaxed experience on a catamaran
– see availability + book
Option 4 – Weekend at the beach in Lanzarote
No need to explore the island for that.
You can simply stay in one of the coastal towns and enjoy the beautiful beaches.
However, we think Playa Blanca is your best bet.
You’ll find the city’s beaches here, but you can also walk to the many beaches surrounding Papagayo. You have much more choice without driving.
Weekend in Playa Blanca
Located on the south coast of Lanzarote.
We liked the size of the town, the beaches and the walk along the water, which is not on the side of the road. There’s a relaxed atmosphere that we really appreciated.
The town is divided into several sections around the beaches and, at the eastern end, the Rubicon Marina with its public swimming pool and good restaurants.
The beaches are smaller than in the other two towns, but we find them more beautiful. And if you want bigger beaches, you can head to Playa Mujeres.
- LUXURY RESORT
Princesa Yaisa Suite Hotel Resort, a fantastic location and superb design
See photos and availability - FAMILIAL
Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun – Perfect for families (Rooms & Activities)
see pictures and availability - ALL INCLUSIVE
Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort has many facilities and a wide choice of food – 7min walk from the beach
see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
Weekend in Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise was developed for tourism. So you’ll find very practical facilities and plenty of parking close to the beaches (which is not the case in other resorts). That’s a big plus!
We think the best thing about Costa Teguise is that it’s so conveniently located, with easy access to all Lanzarote’s attractions.
It’s not as charming as Playa Blanca, but we enjoyed its relaxed atmosphere. It’s an ideal place for families with young children.
Costa Teguise has a wide choice of beaches. Playa Bastian is quiet and ideal for families, while Playa Cucharas is very popular for learning to windsurf, with a little wind and a large stretch of water.
- ADULT ONLY HOTEL
Barceló Teguise Beach right next to La Cucharas beach, dinner included, great facilities
see pictures and availability - ALL INCLUSIVE
HD Beach Resort has a modern design and superb sports facilities close to the beach.
see pictures and availability - APARTMENT
Casa Linda just 2 minutes’ walk from the beach and close to everything
see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
Weekend in Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the most famous and largest of all Lanzarote’s seaside resorts.
Here you’ll find everything you need in a seaside resort: beaches, casino, shopping, leisure activities, zoos, golf…
The advantage is that you can find accommodation and activities to suit all budgets.
The city is quite long. It takes a long time to walk from the marina to the other end… And we think the walk is less pleasant than at Playa Blanca because you’re close to cars.
This is the town with the longest beaches. However, it becomes a bit of a “sardine can” as we say in French, where everyone is lined up and too close together.
However, if you avoid the main beach (Playa Grande), you can settle on smaller beaches or rocky coves.
All beaches are open to the public, even in front of hotels.
- LUXURY HOTEL
Lani’s Suites de Luxe in Puerto del Carmen (adults only) – clean, stunning design and an extraordinary swimming pool
see pictures and availability - ALL INCLUSIVE
Seaside Los Jameos in Puerto del Carmen – a charming setting and a superb garden
see pictures and availability - QUIET APARTMENT
Riviera Park Apartamento 2A in a quiet complex close to the seafront, modern and practical
see pictures and availability - or see the best rated accommodations
Option 5 – Lanzarote’s volcanoes in 3 days
If you’re fascinated by volcanoes and volcanic activity, we recommend planning an itinerary similar to the first, but with the following changes.
Day 1 – South Lanzarote: Papagayo and volcanic wonders
Similar to the first route:
- Stop 1 – Hike to Papagayo beach with a view of the volcanoes in the background
- Change Stop 2 – Hiking in Montana Roja
A beautiful walk takes you to the top and around the rim of the volcano, with superb views over the southern tip of Lanzarote.
On a clear day, you can also admire the island of Lobos and the north coast of Fuerteventura. - Stop 3 – Los Hervideros
- Stop 4 – The green lagoon (Charco Verde)
Day 2 – Timanfaya and the volcanoes
- Stop 1 – Timanfaya National Park
- Stop 2 – Hiking in and around Montana Cuervo
- Stop 3 – Volcanic vineyards
Day 3 – Volcanic caves
- Stop 1 – Cactus garden in the middle of lava
- Stop 2 – Jameos del Agua, the lava tube with crumbling sections
- Change Stop 3 – Cuevas de los Verdes (instead of Cesar Manrique Foundation)
This photo was taken at Cueva de los Verdes. Jesus Soto installed lights in the lava tunnel to create a fascinating experience. We’re not going to say any more, as we risk spoiling the surprise. But we were very impressed with the experience in the end!
But if you suffer from claustrophobia and vertigo, this is not the place for you.
See more photos. - Change Stop 4 – Montana Colorada (instead of Mirador del Rio)
Another interesting place to see in Lanzarote is Montana Colorada (the colorful mountain). This is another walk that takes you all around the volcano, with signs explaining what you’re seeing. One side of the volcano is bright red, hence its name.
Apart from the color, Colorada is also famous for having the largest volcanic bomb (thrown up by the volcano during eruption) on the island. It’s huge. Unfortunately, no one was around when we went for our walk (early in the morning), so we can’t give you an idea of the scale.
WITH OUR GUIDE PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO lanzarote
All the information you need for your trip:
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 75 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 140 photos to help you choose
Option 6 – All-inclusive weekend on Lanzarote
If you simply want to enjoy a resort in the sun, that’s also possible.
Lanzarote has a good choice of all-inclusive resorts.
For greater flexibility, buy your own flights: Compare available flights.
Then choose the hotel that suits your needs. Think about it:
In Playa Blaca:
- Princesa Yaiza Suite Resort
Resort in Playa Blanca – Fantastic location, stunning designs – breakfast and dinner included.
See photos and availability - Boutique Hotel H10 White Suites
A 4-star hotel for adults only, close to the promenade.
– see pictures and availability - Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa
a 5-star hotel, ideal for families
– see pictures and availability
In Puerto del Carmen
- Aequora Lanzarote Suites
a 4-star hotel with modern decor
– see pictures and availability
In Puerto Calero
- Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa
A 5-star resort hotel near the port
– see pictures and availability
In Costa Teguise
- Barceló Teguise Beach
A 4-star hotel for adults only
– see pictures and availability - Meliá Salinas
a 5-star hotel for adults only
– see pictures and availability
Fun things to do during your 2 or 3 days in Lanzarote
Option 1 – Take your first scuba dive
Even beginners can enjoy a moment of pure bliss underwater. Scuba diving lets you explore a whole new world.
See details and availability
Option 2 – Driving a buggy
Enjoy the pleasure of off-road buggy driving and discover Lanzarote’s superb volcanic landscapes.
See details and availability
Option 3 – Paragliding
Lanzarote is beautiful from the ground, but mesmerizing from the air.
Fly over these amazing landscapes!
See details and availability
Option 4 – Learn to surf
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to ride a wave, why not start learning?
See details and availability
Option 5 – Go scuba diving
An extraordinary experience
Easy to breathe and move. An excellent way to discover the underwater world.
Find out more, check availability and make a reservation
Option 6 – Kayaking and snorkeling
One of the best ways to discover Papagayo beach!
Find out more, check availability and make a reservation
And many more
- 3-wheel roadster tour – find out more
- Jet ski – find out more
- eBike adventure – find out more
- parasailing
- …