Travelling to Lanzarote: paradisiacal beaches, lava fields, volcanoes, inspiring cliffs, unique architecture… The island will offer you an unforgettable vacation!
But to ensure that your trip to Lanzarote is a success, it’s best to have a few things in mind and be well prepared.
On this page, we’ve put together all our advice to help you make the right choices and find the trip that’s right for you: when, how, where…
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
The essentials for a successful trip to Lanzarote
If you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s a summary of our answers. But you’ll find more detailed information in each section below.
And let’s start with a beautiful photo to inspire you…
When to go and for how long
Lanzarote’s temperatures are very pleasant all year round. High season for all vacation periods in Europe, even in winter when travelers are looking for a little sun and warmth. May, September and October are often excellent months to make the most of the island.
We recommend 5 days to see the most famous places, but a 10-day stay to discover the whole island.
Where to go in Lanzarote
Our favorite towns to stay are:
- Playa Blanca, to the south – see our selection of the best areas
- Puerto del Carmen, in the center – see our selection of the best neighborhoods
The island isn’t very big, so you can stay in one place to explore everything.
A simplified map for orientation
Here’s a map to help you understand the essential, well-known features of Lanzarote:
- Places to stay: Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carme, Costa Teguise
- The capital Arrecife and the airport
- Famous places: Playa de Papagayo, Isla de la Graciosa, Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua, Teguise, Cactus Garden
How to get around
It may be tempting to stay in the hotels with their superb swimming pools and all amenities, but we recommend renting a car to discover the island’s magnificent landscapes. It’s really easy to drive – see the car offers on our favorite platform.
Our top 5 things to do
We love so many places on Lanzarote, it’s one of our favorite islands. Apart from discovering beautiful beaches, our top 3 are..:
- Take a boat trip from Puerto del Carmen to see the dolphins
- Visit the island of La Graciosa
- Admire the landscapes of Timanfaya National Park
- Walking around Montana Cuervo volcano
- Discover the works of César Manrique
See our article on Lanzarote’s top attractions.
No need to worry
A trip to Lanzarote is very easy: it’s not big, the roads are in good condition…
Just remember to protect yourself from the sun and check the sea conditions before jumping in.
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
Tip 1. When to go to Lanzarote
The Lanzarote travel season is year-round.
It’s an island with very little rainfall, even in winter.
So you’re likely to enjoy beautiful sunshine whatever the month.
Depending on what you’re looking for:
- For guaranteed, substantial heat: June to September
- For swimming: July to October
- For hiking and exploring: April, May, September and October
- For winter sun: December to March (but the sea water is much lower).
But here are a few things you should know:
- Crowds –
The island is fairly large, with few towns. You’ll never get the impression of a huge crowd. The biggest tourist influx is during the school vacations of European countries.
The island also has quite a few tourists in winter, as people are looking for the sun! - Weather –
Temperatures become very high in summer, are very pleasant in the intervening months and are always pleasant in winter. You’ll be able to walk around in a t-shirt during the day in winter, but you’ll just need a jacket for the evenings.
- Wind –
It’s hard to predict how much wind you’re going to get, and how it might affect your vacation.
On the whole, it’s windier in June and July (which is why the world windsurfing championships are held there at that time). - Swimming –
Summer is the best time to swim in warm waters, once it has had time to warm up. - There’s nothing special to see at certain seasons, as there’s little planting.
More details in our article on when to go to Lanzarote.
Tip 2. How long to stay
The island isn’t very big
Between Playa Blanca in the south and Orzola in the north, it’s a 1h10-minute drive.
- If you’re planning to enjoy the beach and the hotel, plan ahead.
- However, if you want to discover the island’s most iconic sites, 5 days is enough.
- And if you want to take a closer look at all the island has to offer, we recommend 7 to 10 days.
More tips in our article on how many days to leave.
Here’s a map with the main driving times to give you an idea:
Tips 3 to 6. How to get to Lanzarote
3. Where is Lanzarote? In which country?
Lanzarote is an island in the Canary Islands.
It is part of political Europe, being a territory of Spain.
In terms of geography, it lies to the east of the Canary Islands, not far from the African coast at Sahara level.
As it’s an island, you can get there by plane or ferry.
4. Flights to Lanzarote
Lanzarote airport is located on the east coast, south of the capital Arrecife and north of the large tourist town of Puerto del Carmen.
Its code is ACE.
Direct flights from many major European cities: Paris, London, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Zurich, Milan, Leeds… Ryanair offers many low-cost flights to Fuerteventura.
Discover flight options on Skyscanner
5. Ferry to Lanzarote
You can also reach Fuerteventura from the other Canary Islands or from Cadiz in mainland Spain.
See ferry schedules and availability
6. Visa and identity papers for Lanzarote
Lanzarote is part of Spain, and therefore within the Schengen area.
If you are, you don’t need a visa. Otherwise, you need a Schengen Visa.
For everyone, you need a valid ID to travel within the country, and also to take a plane or ferry.
Tips 7 to 10. Where to go in Lanzarote
7. Where to stay in Lanzarote
There’s absolutely no better place to stay in Lanzarote. It all depends on what you’re looking for. Here are some of our recommendations and more tips in our article dedicated to the best places to stay in Lanzarote.
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the most famous and largest of all Lanzarote’s seaside towns. It has everything you need: beaches, casino, shopping, fun activities, zoo, golf…. What’s more, the town is central enough to easily explore the whole island.
The town is quite spread out. It takes a long time to get from the marina to the other end.
- See top-rated accommodations in Puerto del Carmen
- or read our article with our 15 favorite hotels
- and see the best things to do in Puerto del Carmen
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is our favorite destination. We love the town’s atmosphere, its pretty beaches, its seafront promenade, its restaurants…
It also offers lots of activities, including a water park.
However, it’s further south, which means an extra 30min to 45min return journey when we explore the north.
- See top-rated accommodations in Playa Blanca
- or read our article with our 12 favorite hotels
- and see the best things to do in Playa Blanca
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 good thing!
What we love about Costa Teguise is its relaxed atmosphere and the fact that it’s so conveniently located, with easy access to all Lanzarote’s attractions.
- See top-rated accommodations in Costa Teguise
- or read our article with our 11 favorite hotels
- and see the best things to do in Costa Teguise
The capital Arrecife is not really touristy.
8. Best hotels in Lanzarote
If the hotel is more important to you than the location, some of our favorite hotels are:
- 5 stars:
We loved our stay at Hotel Fariones in the heart of Puerto del Carmen, elegant and practical
– See prices, photos and availability - Boutique and Adults-only:
We fell in love with Hotel La Calma in Playa Blanca (Calalanzarote) for its bright decor and peaceful ambience
– See prices, photos and availability - Families:
The Mynd Yaiza hotel in Playa Blanca, with its children’s pool, playrooms and waterslides… lots of fun
– See prices, photos and availability - Luxury villas with individual pools
We were won over by the villas at Hotel Villa Kamezi in Playa BLanca, its bar and restaurant.
– See prices, photos and availability - Aparthotel
We were won over by the peace and quiet of the Nazaret Apartments in Costa Teguise. If you don’t want to eat out all the time, this is a great option!
– See prices, photos and availability
But we’ve tried plenty more, and we’re sharing our 12 favorites with you in this article.
9. Single or multiple units?
It’s a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Playa Blanca in the south to Orzola in the north.
So you can easily explore the whole island from a single hotel.
But if you’re staying for more than a week, we like to split our stay between two places to enjoy two different atmospheres, and vary the restaurants.
10. Always check parking conditions
If you choose to stay in the heart of one of these cities, or close to one of their beaches, it can be difficult to find parking during the day.
So remember to check the parking conditions for your choice of hotels.
11 à 14. Getting around Lanzarote
Here are the 4 options for exploring the island of Lanzarote. Of course, if you’re staying in the hotel, all you have to do is take a cab or bus.
11. Rent a car
Our preferred option is to rent a car.
Prices are reasonable for an island and it’s very easy to drive.
A small car is sufficient but you can take any size you like as there are no narrow streets and parking spaces are quite large.
The platform we personally use (since we discovered them) is Discovercars.
As soon as we decide on a destination and dates, we look at their offers and the types of cars available.
After research, they often have the best deals for our needs.
This is one of the highest customer-rated comparison sites on the market.
See their current car rental offers in Lanzarote.
12. Excursions
From most hotels you can also find numerous excursions to explore certain parts of the island: Timanfaya Park, the attractions of César Manrique, volcanic formations…
See our selection of the best excursions in Lanzarote.
13. Cabs
If you’re not traveling too far from your hotel, you can also choose to visit a place by cab.
In Lanzarote, you can take advantage of tourist offers to visit certain places (tour loops).
14. Public transport
There are buses connecting all the major towns in Fuertenventura. However, it will not be possible to get to more remote areas. See routes.
15 to 18 – Food and beverages
15. Is tap water safe to drink in Lanzarote?
Yes, you can drink tap water. There is no danger.
Just be aware that Lanzarote receives very little rain. So tap water comes from desalinated seawater. So it doesn’t taste the best, or the taste we’re used to. Most people drink bottled mineral water.
16. Type of food
Lanzarote is a tourist island, so you’ll find everything:
- Mediterranean cuisine, tapas
- Italian restaurants
- Indian restaurants
- Chinese restaurants
- …
We were just put off by the small number of gourmet and bistronomic restaurants. But if there’s no demand…
However, we’ve found a few anyway. Among other things, the Restaurant des Villas Kamezi was a superb experience.
See our selection of the best restaurants in Lanzarote.
17. Bread and water
Please note that the bread placed on the table is subject to a charge if you touch it.
And water, even in a carafe, is subject to a charge.
18. Tip
Tipping is not obligatory in Lanzarote.
It is appreciated to round up if you pay in cash, or to leave a few euros if you are really satisfied with the service. It’s a voluntary act, to reward quality.
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
19 to 22 – Planning your trip to Lanzarote
19. Suitcase – what to take to Lanzarote
All year round, pack light summer clothes.
And if you’re traveling during the winter months, add a small jacket for evenings or potentially cloudy days.
20. Sun protection
Be careful, the sun can be brutal.
Don’t take any risks, protect yourself with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
21. Language
Lanzarote is in Spain. The language is Spanish. But as it’s a very touristy island, almost everyone speaks English. We also met a lot of teams who also spoke German and French. But few Italian- and Dutch-speaking encounters.
22. Power strip and adapter
In Spain, and therefore in Lanzarote, the plugs are 2 round holes (Type E which also work with a Type C).
If it doesn’t match yours, consider bringing a plug adapter.
23 to 26 – Safety when travelling to Lanzarote
23. Security
The island of Lanzarote is quite safe. Nothing special to specify.
As with all tourist destinations, there can be a certain amount of theft. Don’t leave anything visible in the car.
See our article on safety.
24. Insurance
If you are a resident of the European Union, your national medical cover also applies. Don’t forget to ask for your European medical insurance card to make the process easier.
If you are coming from outside the EU, remember to take out insurance.
25. What to do in an emergency
In Europe, 112 is the number for all emergencies: police, ambulance and fire. The operators of this number can speak several languages.
This is the only number you need to keep in mind.
26. Using a VPN
Like everywhere else, you run a risk when using shared wifi in hotels.
We know, because we had a bad experience in a hotel in Paris.
Now we systematically use a VPN to protect our data, especially banking data.
See what our favorite VPN has to offer.
Best things to do in Lanzarote
We’re going to share all our favorite places with you on this site. But here’s a quick summary of Lanzarote’s must-sees.
Enjoy the beaches
Lanzarote has a good choice of beaches:
- Sandy beaches in towns with all amenities
- The wild beaches of Papagayo with fine sand and clear waters
- The magnificent beaches of La Graciosa island, far from any construction work
- Famara beach with its impressive cliffs (ideal for sunsets)
- Northern beaches with shallow lagoons.
- We’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
See our article on Lanzarote’s most beautiful beaches.
Admire the dolphins
We always love taking a boat tour, which gives you a different perspective on the scenery.
You have many options in Lanzarote, but one of the most popular is dolphin watching.
There is no guarantee of finding dolphins, but you can still enjoy the beautiful views and a good swim.
We were very lucky, as we were surrounded for a long time by lots of dolphins.
See the tour we had chosen, and its availability.
Discover the volcanic landscape
If you love volcanic landscapes, you’ll love Lanzarote.
The island is covered with volcanoes large and small, in all shapes and colors, as well as lava rock formations. Fascinating!
Here you can discover..:
- The famous Timanfaya National Park, with its mountains of fire – See tour options
- Lanzarote Volcanic Park with even more volcanoes and lava flows around Timanfaya. Among our favorite spots, we recommend a hike around Montana Cuervo or the volcanic bomb of Montana Colorada.
- Other lava-related rock formations: We love the basalt columns where lava meets the sea, as at Los Hervideos, and the lava tubes at Jameos del Agua and Cueva de Los Verdes.
Lanzarote’s landscapes are truly exceptional.
Visit the island of La Graciosa
The island of La Graciosa is a tiny volcanic pile to the north of Lanzarote with very few buildings. It’s a magnificent reserve with wonderful beaches
In our opinion, this is one of the main excursions not to be missed on Lanzarote.
Unlike Lanzarote, it’s covered in white – golden sand. But there are also a few volcanoes. The colors are magnificent and you can enjoy different landscapes: beaches, volcanoes and basalt columns.
Even the ferry crossing is fascinating, with superb views of the Famara cliffs to the north of Lanzarote.
To get there, we recommend the ferry from Orzola – book your tickets now.
Find out more about La Graciosa.
Discover the works of César Manrique
Thanks to the singular vision of César Manrique, Lanzarote boasts unique places where architecture blends with nature. He has left an indelible mark on Lanzarote thanks to his commitment to respecting the environment and integrating himself into it.
See our article dedicated to the 8 places thought up by César Manrique on Lanzarote.
Thanks to him, hotels don’t take up too much space visually, white contrasts with nature, and his works offer unique experiences in the heart of nature.
The main ones are :
- The cactus garden in a former quarry
- Jameos del Agua in a lava tube
- Mirador del Rio to admire the sea and the island of La Graciosa from a former military post
Water sports activities
Lanzarote is famous for its water sports. So there are plenty of opportunities to learn to surf or windsurf on the various beaches in the area. If it’s an idea that’s been on your mind for a long time, go for it!
- Discover surfing – discover the joys of the board
- Diving – take your first dive!
- Trying to catch the wind on a windsurfer
- Parasailing – admire the island from the sky
Outdoor activities
The Lanzarote region is also ideal for off-the-beaten-track adventures and lunar landscapes.
Be sure to take a bandana or other piece of cloth to cover your mouth, as a lot of dust will be flying around you.
But it’s great for getting your adrenalin pumping, having fun and discovering more remote corners of the island: desert hills and dry riverbeds.
The options are:
- buggy or quad – see options and departure points
- eBike: see options
To drive a vehicle, you must be at least 18 years old, but young people can be passengers.
Discover more in museums
And for a bit of culture about the island’s history, its people and its products, we recommend visiting a few places:
- The old center of Teguise, the former capital of Lanzarote, with its beautiful church.
- The salt marshes, important to the island’s development and so photogenic!
- Museums dedicated to César Manrique
- Churches everywhere…
Going off the beaten track
Nothing is really secret on this arid land, but you can find small, not very touristy spots where you can enjoy nature and the island’s historic charm.
For example:
- Picon valley and its strange formations
- The village of Tenesar and its red crabs
- Las Grietas slot canyon on the slopes of a volcano
- …
See our article with 10 hidden gems off the beaten track.
Travelling to Lanzarote: FAQs
What is the time zone in Lanzarote?
Lanzarote is at the same time as London, i.e. GMT.
