Lanzarote is the Canary Island of volcanic landscapes, golden beaches and year-round sunshine, just four hours or so from the UK. Its resorts are very different from each other, so where you stay makes a big difference to your holiday.
This guide explains the best areas to stay in Lanzarote for families, couples, nightlife, watersports and quieter breaks, with hotel picks and links to compare prices in each area.
We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Compare My Travel free to use.
The best areas to stay in Lanzarote at a glance
| If you want… | Stay in | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Families | Playa Blanca | Calm beaches, a marina and the Papagayo coves | See hotels |
| Nightlife & a lively resort | Puerto del Carmen | Long beaches, bars and the Old Town harbour | See hotels |
| Watersports | Costa Teguise | Windsurfing, sandy bays and a water park | See hotels |
| Couples & a marina | Puerto Calero | Smart, small marina with restaurants | See hotels |
| A city break & value | Arrecife | The capital, with a lagoon and local life | See hotels |
| Surf & wild beaches | Famara | Huge surf beach beneath dramatic cliffs | See hotels |
| A quiet village stay | Yaiza | Whitewashed village close to Timanfaya | See hotels |
Which part of Lanzarote?
Lanzarote is small enough to drive across in under an hour. Most visitors stay on the south and east coasts, where the sheltered beaches and resorts are. Playa Blanca and Puerto Calero are in the south, close to the Papagayo beaches and Timanfaya National Park. Puerto del Carmen, Arrecife and Costa Teguise sit along the east coast close to the airport, while the wilder north, around Famara, is the place for surfing and quiet villages.
Where to stay in the south of Lanzarote
Playa Blanca
A purpose-built resort at the southern tip of the island, with calm sandy beaches, a long seafront promenade and the smart Marina Rubicón. The Papagayo beaches are close by, and ferries to Fuerteventura take around 35 minutes.
Compare prices
Puerto Calero
A small, smart marina village between Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, with waterfront restaurants, yachts and boat trips, and a calm, upmarket feel.
Compare pricesWhere to stay on the east coast
Puerto del Carmen
Lanzarote's biggest and liveliest resort, with long sandy beaches beside a seafront promenade full of bars and restaurants, and a charming Old Town harbour. It's only about ten minutes from the airport.
Compare prices
Costa Teguise
A relaxed resort north of Arrecife with sandy bays, the windsurfing beach of Playa de las Cucharas, a golf course and the Aquapark Costa Teguise.
Compare prices
Arrecife
The island's capital, with the Charco de San Ginés lagoon, the Castillo de San Gabriel, a town beach and good-value hotels, all close to the airport.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in the north of Lanzarote
Famara
The small, sandy-streeted village of Caleta de Famara sits beside a huge beach beneath towering cliffs. It's a favourite with surfers, though the currents mean it's better for watching the waves than swimming.
Compare pricesHotels in Lanzarote worth a look
Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
A family-friendly resort on the seafront at Playa Dorada, with suites and plenty of facilities for children.
Check prices
H10 Rubicón Palace
A large seafront resort in Playa Blanca with pools and gardens, a short walk from Marina Rubicón.
Check prices
Seaside Los Jameos
A resort in traditional Canarian style beside the beach at Playa de los Pocillos, with large pools and gardens.
Check prices
Hotel Fariones
A long-established hotel on the seafront in Puerto del Carmen, set in tropical gardens a short walk from the Old Town harbour.
Check prices
Barceló Teguise Beach
An adults-only hotel on the seafront in Costa Teguise, for a calm, grown-up break.
Check prices
Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
The tallest building on the island, on Arrecife's seafront, with sea views and a spa.
Check pricesLanzarote holiday packages
Booking your flight and hotel together can work out cheaper, especially in the school holidays, and flight-inclusive package holidays from UK travel companies are ATOL protected.
Arriving in Lanzarote and getting around
Flights from the UK to Lanzarote airport (ACE) take around four to four and a half hours. The airport is on the east coast, about ten minutes from Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife, around 20 minutes from Costa Teguise and around 35 to 40 minutes from Playa Blanca.
Buses link the main resorts and Arrecife, but a hire car is the best way to see Timanfaya, Famara and the north. Ferries from Playa Blanca reach Fuerteventura in around 35 minutes.
Car hire in Lanzarote
When to visit Lanzarote
Lanzarote is warm all year, with average temperatures of around 20 to 23°C even in January and very little rain, which makes it a favourite for winter sun. Summer is hotter, and the trade winds keep the island breezy all year. For a season-by-season guide, see Winter sun within 6 hours of the UK.
Things to do in Lanzarote
- Timanfaya National Park: a half-day tour of the Fire Mountains.
- Island highlights tour: the best of Lanzarote in a full day.
- Papagayo beaches by catamaran: a day on the water with swimming stops.
- Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Río: caves and clifftop views in the north.
- Fuerteventura day trip: the dunes and Corralejo, with lunch.
- Submarine dive: see the sea bed from a real submarine.
Travel insurance for Lanzarote
Book your cover as soon as you've paid for your trip, so you're protected if you need to cancel. Lanzarote is part of Spain, so take your GHIC too, but it isn't a substitute for travel insurance.
Lanzarote FAQs
Which is the best area to stay in Lanzarote?
Where should families stay in Lanzarote?
Is Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen better?
How far is the airport from the main resorts?
When is the best time to visit Lanzarote?
Ready to find your Lanzarote hotel?
Compare hotels, apartments and resorts across the whole island on Booking.com.
Search all Lanzarote hotels
