Article about vacationing in Lanzarote, the northernmost and most distinct island of the Canary Islands. I’ll tell you where the resorts and best beaches are, where to check the bus schedule, learn about the island’s peculiarities, and what sets it apart from the others. Information to help you plan your perfect getaway.

Vacationing in Lanzarote: General Information

The northernmost island of the archipelago with a population of just 140 thousand people. By the way, on the popular tourist islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, there are nearly 1 million inhabitants on each island.

Summary of general information about Lanzarote:

  • The capital – the city of Arrecife, where 65 thousand people live. It’s quite a large city with all the necessary infrastructure, shopping malls, hypermarkets, and so on. Almost half of the island’s population lives in the capital.
  • The highest peak of the island is only 607 meters above sea level. It’s the “lowest” island of the archipelago. It’s swept by winds from all sides. There’s one plus for novice drivers: there are almost no mountain serpentine roads, cliffs, or difficult terrain. All roads are straight and designed for comfortable driving.

Important to know:

According to accounts from witnesses of that time, in the early 18th century, Lanzarote was a flourishing paradise. But everything changed in 1730 when powerful volcanic eruptions began, lasting continuously for 6 years. Lava, in some places up to 50 meters thick, covers almost 40% of the island’s territory. Endless lava fields are what you’ll see on Lanzarote today.
lanzarote island guide
This is a satellite image of the island of Lanzarote, with yellow polygons highlighting the area completely covered by solidified lava after the volcanic eruptions 300 years ago. And the red lines along the coast indicate where people live today, almost 95% of the island’s population.

Geothermal activity on the island continues today. There’s a unique restaurant on Lanzarote where they barbecue and cook meat right in the mouth of a volcano. Read about this restaurant and other top attractions on Lanzarote through the link.

Tourists often compare Lanzarote and its neighboring Fuerteventura, as these two islands are desert-like and unlike the other green islands of the archipelago. Yes, partly that’s true, and in fact, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote were once one island. As a result of volcanic eruptions and rising sea levels, the two islands are now separated by a narrow strait. Here’s the main difference between these islands:

  • Fuerteventura resembles more Mars and a desert. The volcanoes on the island have long been dormant. For those interested, there’s a review of Fuerteventura Island and many photos via the link.
  • And on Lanzarote, there are lunar landscapes, everywhere solidified lava. Well, the island is distinguished by its rather “fresh” volcanic activity.
  • Just so you know, I haven’t been to Mars or the Moon, but I’ve seen many photos from there.
Fuerteventura or Lanzarote
The top photo shows a typical landscape on Fuerteventura, and the bottom one – Lanzarote. Someone might say, “Well, both are desolate deserts,” maybe you’re right. But only by visiting both, you realize how different these islands are.

How to get to Lanzarote, and public transportation on the island

The island has an international airport that receives flights from dozens of European cities. For example, Ryanair, one of Europe’s main low-cost airlines with a wide route network, flies here. Details on how to get to the Canaries from Europe and beyond in the article via the link.

Most tourists fly to the Canary Islands to Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the most popular islands with the busiest airports. And then these tourists travel within the archipelago. Here are two tips for such travelers:

  • It’s easiest to get to Lanzarote from the island of Fuerteventura by ferry in just 25 minutes. But to get here from other islands, you’ll spend half a day or even a whole day. Therefore, the ferry is a convenient option only for traveling between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. All about ferries, routes, and schedules in the article via the link.
  • But from all other islands, I recommend flying with local Canarian airlines. Even from the farthest island of the archipelago, the flight to Lanzarote takes a maximum of an hour, while taking a ferry with a transfer will take the whole day. Airplane prices are not much higher than the ferry, sometimes even lower. Plus, you’ll fly on a twin-engine plane with a view of Mount Teide. All about flights between the islands of the archipelago.
how to get to lanzarote
The most convenient and affordable way to travel between the Canary Islands is on such airplanes. We’re flying from Gran Canaria to Lanzarote, just 35 minutes, and we’re there.

What you need to know about public transportation in Lanzarote:

  • Each island has its own transportation company. On Lanzarote, it’s Intercity Bus Lanzarote.
  • The official website is where you can check routes, schedules, and stops: https://arrecifebus.com/en/
  • There are about 30 routes in total. They connect all the cities and settlements on the island. But out of these 30 routes, about 25 run along the eastern coast, where most local residents live.
  • Bus tickets cost from 3 to 6 euros depending on the route and the number of stops. You can buy them from the driver.

Important to know:

Lanzarote is designed for traveling by car; there’s nothing to do here without one. By bus, you won’t reach half of the island’s coolest attractions; buses just don’t go there. Renting a car in Lanzarote is a simple and affordable process, read about it in detail via the link, there’s personal experience, features, and pitfalls.
Vacationing in Lanzarote
The Mirador del Río viewpoint and the restaurant overlooking the Graciosa Island. You won’t get here by bus, just like to a dozen other cool places on the island.

Features of Lanzarote

Now, let’s talk about the unique features that are exclusive to Lanzarote, reasons why you should come here. Many say it’s a lifeless lunar desert and there’s nothing to do, but it’s not quite like that.

  • Unique vineyards on the slopes of volcanoes. Yes, right where lava flowed three hundred years ago. Today, there are dozens of private wineries, vineyards stretching to the horizon. You can visit any winery for a tasting and purchase local wine – Malvasia with DOP status, the highest wine classification with protected designation of origin. Read all about Canarian wines in the article via the link.
read about lanzarote
This is what the vineyards on Lanzarote look like. All the way to the horizon – they’re all there.
  • César Manrique – an artist, sculptor, architect, designer, he was born, raised, and created on Lanzarote. This person is the pride of the island. 90% of the island’s attractions, as well as the entire tourism concept, were created with his involvement. Unfortunately, César Manrique died in a car accident in 1992.

You’ll encounter César Manrique’s works all over the island.

manrique lanzarote
For example, an art space in a lava field for concerts and events, created with the participation of César Manrique. Today, it’s open to tourists. The interior of the restaurant and the Mirador del Río viewpoint, a photo of which was shown earlier, were also created by César.
  • César Manrique also developed the concept of the island’s appearance. He proposed painting all the houses only in white, while the windows and doors facing the ocean in blue, and in the island’s interior – in green. When traveling around the island, you’ll notice this, when a small town is all in one color. It looks really cool. Even the capital of the island, Arrecife, is mostly painted white. After César’s death, they started to move away from this concept, but the trend remains to this day.
lanzarote or tenerife
A typical village on Lanzarote. Find at least one house not painted white. All the towns on the island are in the same style. Below, there will be more photos, pay attention.

Where to find these lava vineyards, along with other locations on the island associated with César Manrique, you’ll find all this in the article about Lanzarote’s attractions, the link was provided earlier.

Lanzarote resorts, or where to stay

There aren’t many beach resorts with well-equipped sandy beaches on the island. But there are beaches here. Below is a list and coordinates of the most developed beach resorts. Choose any and look for accommodation there, and having a rental car will open up the whole island for you. The island is small, everything is close, and it’s easy to combine beach relaxation with sightseeing by car. Before lunch, you roam the island, after lunch, relax with a beer or sangria on the beach.

Important to know:

All the best resorts on the island are located only on the eastern coast, closer to Africa. There’s less wind, fewer waves, and the ocean is calmer there. And on the western coast of the island, there’s almost no infrastructure.
lanzarote for tourists
The promenade, main beach, and center of Playa Blanca. There are 3 beaches like the one in the photo in this town.
lanzarote hotels
Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen – one of the best beaches on the island.
  • Playa Honda – a small town with a long beach located 300 meters from the airport. You can walk along the ocean right along the airport runway and watch planes land and take off.
  • And, of course, the capital, Arrecife. Here’s a great urban beach, there’s no more developed city on the island. There’s where to walk, a beautiful historic center, a pedestrian street, and a fortress on the promenade. But keep in mind that the city is quite large in terms of area, so look for accommodation closer to the center and the beach.
lanzarote cheap apartments
The main urban beach in the center of Arrecife. And along the promenade, all these five-story buildings in the photo are hotels.

My personal top of Lanzarote resorts, where the coolest beaches are, and there’s all the tourist infrastructure, places to stroll, things to see – these are Arrecife and the beaches of Puerto del Carmen. Personally, I would look for accommodation here. The southern resort of Playa Blanca is also great but smaller.

In conclusion: the island of Lanzarote is unique, it’s different from all the other islands of the Canary Archipelago, it’s not even like Fuerteventura. There’s a special atmosphere here, amazing vineyards on lava fields, a unified architectural style throughout the island, and most importantly, even for active tourists, there are enough unusual attractions here that you won’t find anywhere else.

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.