Playa Blanca is much more than just a beach resort: it’s also an ideal starting point for exploring southern Lanzarote in all its diversity—volcanoes, vineyards, secluded beaches, and the underwater world…
We’ve selected the best day trips from Playa Blanca that cover the highlights of what the island has to offer.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best Day Trips from Playa Blanca – Quick Answers
If you’re short on time, here are our top three picks for seeing the best of Lanzarote from Playa Blanca:
- Discover Timanfaya National Park and its extraordinary volcanic landscapes
– View options with support in Playa Blanca - Watching dolphins
– See accommodation options in Playa Blanca - Papagayo by Kayak or Catamaran
– See schedule and availability - and see the best things to do in Playa Blanca
Since Playa Blanca is located quite far south, there are slightly fewer options for guided tours than from Puerto del Carmen. But there are still plenty of options.
Most of the tours organized from Playa Blanca include pickup directly from the hotel areas. Please check this detail when you make your reservation and find out where the meeting point is the day before the tour.
1. Trip to Timanfaya National Park
Why do we recommend this tour?
Timanfaya is undoubtedly the must-see attraction on Lanzarote. The national park consists entirely of volcanic soil, and access to it is strictly regulated: no unsupervised hiking is permitted. A guided bus travels along the only road inside the park; this may seem restrictive, but the scenery is so breathtaking that you quickly forget you’re in such a structured setting.
We were struck by the raw power of the landscapes and the intensity of the colors. From Puerto del Carmen, the drive takes only 30 minutes, making it a very convenient option for a full-day or half-day trip.
The park offers breathtaking views of the volcanic craters formed between 1730 and 1736. Different types of lava appear one after another along the trail, in shades of red, brown, and black.
How much time should I allow?
Plan on spending half a day on the tour focused solely on Timanfaya. There are also full-day packages that combine a visit to the park with other sites on the island. Tip: If you’re taking the bus inside the park, sit on the right side to enjoy the best views of the craters.
View options with support in Playa Blanca
WHERE TO STAY IN Playa Blanca
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the center, close to beaches and activities.
We like: Hotel Princesa Yaiaza, a must-see resort – See prices, photos and availability
The Montana Roja team is calmer.
We like: Hotel Kamezi villas, with private pools – See prices, photos and availability
Marina and Papagayo beaches.
We like: Hotel CalaLanzarote, adult boutique-hotel – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Playa Blanca
2. Boat tour to see dolphins
Why do we recommend this tour?
Of all the activities we did in Lanzarote, the boat trip to see dolphins remains one of our most vivid memories. Dolphins live in the waters off the island year-round, offering good chances of seeing them no matter the season.
Even when the dolphins are slow to show up, the boat ride is enjoyable, and the views of Lanzarote’s coastline are worth the trip.
How much time should I allow?
From 1 hour and 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the format you choose. We recommend the daytime speedboat tour: it’s short, perfect for families, and includes time for swimming. If you’d like to combine dolphin watching with exploring a different landscape, the tour that includes Lobos Island is a great choice.
– See accommodation options in Playa Blanca
3. Catamaran or Kayak to the Papagayo Beaches
Why do we recommend this tour?
The beaches of Papagayo, on the southwestern coast of Lanzarote, are among the most beautiful on the island. Their stretches of golden sand have remained largely untouched, with no paved roads leading to them. You can reach them by land via an unpaved road, but the view from the sea is quite different.
We find that a catamaran is a very pleasant way to admire this wild coastline, with the added bonus of possibly spotting dolphins during the crossing.
Papagayo and the nearby beaches are part of the Macizo de los Ajaches, the island’s oldest landmass, which formed about 14 million years ago—an explanation for the rounded peaks and deep ravines that characterize this area.
Check out all the boat tours available in Lanzarote in our dedicated article.
How much time should I allow?
It depends on which option you choose: catamaran or kayak…
– View options and availability
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.
4. Day Trip to La Graciosa Island
Why do we recommend this tour?
La Graciosa is a small island in its own right, north of Lanzarote, and it’s worth spending a whole day there. There are no paved roads here: only sandy trails crisscross the area. The golden-white sand stands in stark contrast to Lanzarote’s black volcanic soil.
Beaches of white-gold sand, volcanoes, and basalt columns make up the landscapes of La Graciosa. You can explore the island on foot or by 4×4 taxi, which is the only way to reach the most remote sites. The ferry departs from Orzola, in the north of Lanzarote. Please note that the drive from Puerto del Carmen to Orzola takes about 45 minutes.
How much time to allow
You should set aside a whole day. Several options are available:
- Drive to Orzola, then take the round-trip ferry from Orzola— see departure times and book
4×4 Jeep Tour of the Island to See the Most Beautiful Scenery – Book in Advance - Bus transfer from hotels + ferry – book with bus pickup – pickup available in Playa Blanca, but not every day
5. Day Trip to Fuerteventura and the Corralejo Dunes
Another classic option is to set aside a day to explore the neighboring island of Fuerteventura. It’s so close, and yet completely different.
The landscapes are more mountainous and less volcanic. It has better beaches but not the same charm as Lanzarote, in our opinion.
The island is large, so you’ll only be able to explore the northern part. But you’ll spend some time in the sand dunes of Corralejo. And we love it!
This is a chance to discover another side of the Canary Islands.
See program and availability
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
6. Cruise to Fuerteventura and Lobos Island
But if you want to keep with the volcanic theme, you can also book a fairly free excursion that takes you to spend some time on the beautiful little island of Lobos and also to the town of Corralejo on Fuerteventura.
Lobos Island is one of our favorite places in the Canary Islands. It’s like stepping into another world.
See program and availability
7. And if you rent a car to explore the whole island…
Since Playa Blanca is in the south of the island, it has fewer options for organized tours. But the island isn’t very big, and it’s very easy to drive around it.
We therefore strongly recommend that you rent a car to explore the rest of the island:
- Hikes Around Volcanoes
- César Manrique’s Attractions
- The Vineyards: So Different
- the city of Teguise
- And see all the best attractions in Lanzarote
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Lanzarote
- Best of
Most beautiful landscapes
Best things to do in Lanzarote
Most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful villages
Best boat tours
César Manrique’s attractions
Secret places, off the beaten track
Most beautiful hikes
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Lanzarote
How to get around
How to rent a car in Lanzarote
Driving tips
Where to stay in Lanzarote
Best hotels in Lanzarote
Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
