Would you like to visit Lanzarote and are wondering where to go: Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise? All 3 towns have something to offer: beaches, activities, location…
Here’s our Playa Blanca vs Puerto del Carmen vs Costa Teguise battle, with photos.
Where will you go?
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
Playa Blanca vs Puerto del Carmen vs Costa Teguise: comparison summary
Short answer
All three towns have everything you could possibly need: beaches, restaurants, easy access to attractions… You can’t go wrong with any of them.
However, if you have very specific requests, here are some answers.
This article is totally independent and based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying all our bills in full.
- easiest way to explore the island: Costa Teguise
- for couples, romantic: Playa Blanca
- for beaches in town: Puerto del Carmen
- for easy access to wild beaches: Playa Blanca
- with young children: Costa Teguise
- with teenagers in need of entertainment: Puerto del Carmen
- for nightlife: Puerto del Carmen
- for water sports: Costa Teguise
We’ll explain several criteria in more detail in this article.
But if you already know the city where you want to stay, take a look:
Top-rated accommodations in Playa Blanca
or
Top-rated accommodations in Puerto del Carmen
or
Top-rated accommodations in Costa Teguise
Our favourite hotels in these cities
And if you want more detailed suggestions, here are some of our favorite hotels on the island:
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Lanzarote
Choosing where to stay:
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels
- Best all-inclusive hotels
- Best hotels for families
Our favorite: Hotel Cala Lanzarote – See prices, photos and availability
Select by city:
Best location for exploring the island
Where are they located?
The island of Lanzarote is not very large.
Even if you stay in one city, you can easily explore the others. Main roads connect them. It’s very easy to drive.
- Playa Blanca to Puerto del Carmen = 30 minutes
- Puerto del Carmen to Costa Teguise = 25 minutes
- Playa Blanca to Costa Teguise = 45 minutes
Distance from airport:
- ACE airport in Playa Blanca = 30min
- ACE Puerto del Carmen airport = 10min
- ACE Costa Teguise airport = 15min
Distances and map – how to explore the island
Here’s a map where you can see the 3 towns and other attractions to give you an idea of driving times to explore the island:
As you can see, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are the 2 most central towns for exploring the whole island.
Playa Blanca is a little less convenient, especially if you want to explore the north and the island of La Graciosa.
But it’s still possible to explore the whole island with day trips from the 3 towns.
If you rent a car
If you’re renting a car, we think Costa Teguise is the best option if your priority is to explore as much of the island as possible.
You should have less trouble getting in and out of town.
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.
If you don’t want to rent a car
For day trips: Many organized tours leave from all three cities, but Puerto del Carmen offers the widest choice of group activities.
Some of my favorites are:
- Timanfaya and its volcanic features – See program and availability + book
- La Graciosa island with catamaran excursion – See program and availability + book
- A little of everything Cesar Manrique – See program and availability + book
- Papagayo catamaran tour – See program and availability + book
The best beaches: Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise?
We know that beach quality is important to many of you. You want to enjoy the sun and the water!
So here’s our comparison of the beaches in the 3 cities.
Playa Blanca beaches
In the town of Playa Blanca, you’ll find several beaches.
They’re smaller than in the other 2 towns, but they’re charming and further away from the noise of cars, thanks to the pedestrian promenade.
You will find:
- Playa Dorada:
This is Playa Blanca’s largest beach. It’s a crescent-shaped beach with fine golden sand and calm waters, making it ideal for families with young children. Numerous sun loungers and parasols are available for hire, and the beach is bordered by a promenade with bars, restaurants and stores.
See our article dedicated to Playa Dorada - Playa Blanca:
This is a smaller beach, also close to the promenade. - Playa Flamingo:
On the west side of town, far from the city center, this sheltered beach with calm waters is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
The beach is lined with palm trees.
See our article dedicated to playa Flamingo - Papagayo’s wild, sandy beaches (access on foot or via an unpaved track)
See our list of Playa Blanca’s most beautiful beaches.
See our selection of the best hotels.
Beaches of Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s largest seaside resort. It is home to the largest beaches in the heart of the city.
It’s very busy in high season, but you can find excellent options at other times.
You can choose between several ranges:
- Playa Grande:
This is Puerto del Carmen’s main beach and the longest in the region: 1.2km of sand.
It’s also wide, ideal for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Numerous sun loungers and parasols are available for hire, and the beach is bordered by a promenade with bars, restaurants and stores.
See our article dedicated to playa Grande - Playa Chica:
This is a small, sheltered beach located in a rocky cove to the east of Puerto del Carmen. It’s a popular destination for snorkellers, as the crystal-clear waters are teeming with marine life. - Matagorda beach:
This is a large stretch of sand to the east of Puerto del Carmen. So far, we haven’t found it very pleasant, but it could be better during the high season, which we haven’t taken advantage of yet.
There are also small coves between the main beaches: Playa El Barranquillo, Playa de la Concha.
See our list of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto del Carmen.
See our selection of the best hotels.
Beaches of Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is a small resort located north of the capital. It has several pleasant beaches and ample parking.
It’s a slightly quieter seaside resort.
There are several beaches to choose from, all located along the promenade.
- Las Cucharas beach:
This is Costa Teguise’s main beach and one of the island’s most popular. It’s a large sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Numerous sun loungers and parasols are available for hire, and the beach is bordered by a promenade with bars, restaurants and stores.
It is also popular with windsurfers - Los Charcos beach:
This is a smaller, more secluded beach to the north. It’s a beach of sand, rocks and clear waters, ideal for diving and snorkeling. There are no beach facilities, so it’s perfect for those looking for a quieter place to relax. - Bastian beach:
It’s a family beach located west of the city center. It’s a large sandy beach, ideal for sunbathing and swimming. - Jablillo Beach:
This is a small, sheltered beach. It is protected by volcanic rock, giving it the appearance of a natural swimming pool.
See our article dedicated to playa Jablillo
Discover all the beaches of Costa Teguise.
See our selection of the best hotels in Costa Teguise
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What to do – activities and attractions in the towns of Lanzarote
Best things to do in Lanzarote
From these 3 towns, you can explore the best the island has to offer.
Here are some of our favorite places:
- Walking in and around Montana Cuervo
- Visit Timanfaya National Park
- Walk to Papagayo beach and admire the scenery
- Let yourself be surprised by the creativity of Jameos del Agua.
- Go underground at Cueva de los Verdes
- Learn how wine is made on Lanzarote
- Celebrate cacti in the cactus garden.
- …
And you can find all these stops and more, with practical information (maps, driving times, difficulty of access) in our eBook:
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
What to do in Playa Blanca
In the city, you can
- enjoy a stroll along the water’s edge
- Aqualava water park for a day of fun in the water – buy your tickets
- climbing the red volcano Montana Roja
- walk to the beaches of Papagayo
- And if you go diving, there’s an underwater museum.
- Take the ferry and discover Fuerteventura – See day trip options
See our article on the best activities in Playa Blanca.
What to do in Puerto del Carmen
Inside the city, you can enjoy
- Coastal walk to Puerto Calero
- Dolphin cruises during the day or at sunset – and enjoy breathtaking views of Lanzarote from the sea – see availability and schedule
- Buggy driving to discover Lanzarote’s landscapes from dirt roads – see availability and program
- Paragliding off Lanzarote – we love this activity, you feel safe but the sensations and views are incredible!
- Speed and adrenaline-pumping water sports like Crazy UFO
- Visit Rancho Texas Park, a mix of zoo and water park – Save time, buy your tickets.
- Biosfera shopping center: a large shopping center featuring an open-air cinema, mini-golf, children’s playground, indoor games…
See our article on the best activities in Puerto del Carmen.
What to do in Costa Teguise
In the city, you can enjoy the following activities
- underwater hiking – 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 - Costa Teguise Aquaparc, where the slides offer views of the volcanoes.
get your ticket - A small aquarium with an observation tunnel and touch pools.
Save time, buy your tickets.
See our article on the best things to do in Costa Teguise.
Best experience: atmosphere, food scene, crowds
Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are three of the most popular resorts on the island of Lanzarote. Although they all offer beautiful beaches and numerous services to tourists, they each have their own unique ambience and atmosphere: Playa Blanca is the most relaxed and peaceful of the three resorts, while Puerto del Carmen is the liveliest and most animated.
Playa Blanca atmosphere
Playa Blanca is the most relaxed of the three towns. It’s a quieter, more upscale town, popular with couples and families looking for a peaceful, relaxing vacation. The town boasts a beautiful marina, a selection of excellent restaurants and an ideal promenade for leisurely strolls.
We really like the fact that the promenade along the waterfront is away from cars. It’s so much nicer!
See our favorite Playa Blanca restaurants.
Puerto del Carmen atmosphere
Puerto del Carmen is a lively, bustling seaside resort, popular with party-goers and families.
The city offers a lively nightlife, with many bars and nightclubs open late into the night. The town also boasts a wide range of restaurants and boutiques, as well as a large casino.
See our favorite restaurants in Puerto del Carmen.
Puerto del Carmen atmosphere
Costa Teguise is a more family-friendly seaside resort, popular with those seeking a balance between relaxation and activity. The town has a good choice of bars and restaurants, as well as several beautiful beaches ideal for sunbathing and water sports. Costa Teguise also offers several family-friendly attractions, including a water park and aquarium.
The town was built for tourism, and it shows. There are fewer grand hotels, but the streets have even less charm, in our opinion.
See our favorite restaurants in Costa Teguise.
Best resorts and hotels – where to stay?
Where to stay in Playa Blanca
Here are our suggestions for accommodation:
WHERE TO STAY IN Playa Blanca
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Centrally located, close to beaches and activities.
We like: Hotel Princesa Yaiaza, a must-see resort – see prices, photos and availability
On the quieter Montana Roja side.
We like: Hotel Kamezi villas, with private pools – see prices, photos and availability
Near the Marina and Papagayo beaches.
We like: Hotel CalaLanzarote, boutique-hotel for adults – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Playa Blanca
Where to stay in Puerto del Carmen
Here are our suggestions for accommodation:
WHERE TO STAY IN Puerto del Carmen
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the center, around the main beach.
Hotel Los Fariones, sumptuous – See prices, photos and availability
In Matagorda, quieter.
Hotel Aequora, for families – see prices, photos and availability.
Around the port, old town.
Hotel Gloria Izaro Club Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Where to stay in Costa Teguise
WHERE TO STAY IN Costa Teguise
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the center of town, around the main beach.
Hotel Barcelo Teguise Beach – adults-only – See prices, photos and availability
To the south, with large resorts.
Radisson Blu Resort Hotel, adults-only – See prices, photos and availability
North, quieter.
Hotel H10 Lanzarote Gardens, for families – See prices, photos and availability
And why not Arrecife?
Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote.
This is our least favorite place to stay in Lanzarote. Mainly because it’s the only place where you can find buildings.
We have to admit that the shallow-water beach is great for floating, but otherwise it’s a big city.
There are lots of people – not just tourists, but all the activities of a major city.
Driving indoors is not pleasant. Parking can be tricky.
See our article on the best things to do in Arrecife.
However, if you still want to go, you can take advantage of the famous 5-star hotel: you can’t miss the Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa. It’s right next to the beach and offers impressive views of the city and island – see photos and availability.
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
