Lanzarote Holidays

Understandably, Lanzarote holidays tend to centre around the beach, but there’s far more to do here than simply soak up the sun. There are loads of trails crisscrossing the island, so you easily can hike or bike the day away. Or, if you’re something of an art lover, it’s worth checking out the César Manrique Foundation. The one-time home of Lanzarote’s impressive visionary is now a gallery featuring art by Manrique himself as well as works he acquired during his lifetime.

A visit to the tiny seaside village of El Golfo should feature somewhere on your Lanzarote holiday itinerary. Located right next to a semi-submerged volcano, it’s famous for its spectacular green lagoon. Alternatively, you can always spend an afternoon touring the vineyards in La Geria – the epicentre of Lanzarote's wine industry.

As the only underwater museum in Europe, the unique Museo Atlántico is a must-see for all divers. However, even non-water babies can enjoy underground treasures over at Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua – remarkable lava tunnels, both of which come complete with a concert hall.

With 132 miles of coastline under its belt, Lanzarote offers up heaps of beaches – a few with black sand, loads with golden sand and some with craggy volcanic rocks. Playa de Papagayo, on the southern tip, is one of the most popular spots on the island. Despite its name, it’s not actually one beach but rather half a dozen – so if the first stretch of sand doesn’t take your fancy, just keep moving on until you find one that does. The clear waters here make for great snorkelling, though of course you can also just relax with a good book.

As you’d expect, Lanzarote’s main resorts – Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa de los Poccillos – all have excellent Blue Flag beaches, while many hotels come complete with private beaches, so you’re all but guaranteed a sun lounger. If you feel like trying your hand at surfing during your Lanzarote holiday, Jameos del Agua, La Santa, Famara and El Centro are all good options, while Las Cucharas and Matagorda are the best beaches for windsurfing.

This stark and otherworldly national park is the volcanic heart of Lanzarote, and its most popular attraction. Spread over 5,000 hectares in the southwest of the island, it’s an eerie yet beautiful place dominated by the magnificent Montañas del Fuego – AKA Mountains of Fire.

A sea of black, grey and copper, this visually arresting spectacle was created way back in the 1730s thanks to six years of near-continuous volcanic eruptions. Masses of lava spewed out from more than 100 volcanoes, leaving previously fertile land almost entirely devoid of life. Although this transformation happened nearly 300 years ago, Lanzarote’s dry climate means the park’s landscape has remained frozen in time ever since.

You should definitely make time to visit Timanfaya National Park at some point during your Lanzarote holiday. Private buses offer tours or, if you’re a keen walker, you can always explore on foot. However, it’s not possible to go it alone, unfortunately – you’ll need to book onto a guided hike.

With an enviable location just off the northwest coast of Africa, Lanzarote enjoys a sub-tropical climate. This means it stays balmy all year round and usually gets an impressive 300 days of sunshine. July, August and September tend to be the hottest – and also busiest – months, with average highs around 27-28°C and lows of 19-21°C. However, even at this time of year, a cooling Atlantic breeze helps keep the edge off and stops the heat from becoming too stifling.

Things do cool down over the winter months, but not significantly. In the period from November to March, daily highs typically range between 20-24°C, while lows rarely dip below 13°C. There’s always a chance of rain at this time of year, but even December – usually the wettest month of the year – doesn’t see more than three or four days of it. So if you fancy getting away somewhere warm once things turn chilly back home, a winter holiday to Lanzarote is always a good shout.