Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the Canary Island of volcanoes, golden beaches, whitewashed villages and year-round sunshine, where every holiday feels relaxed, scenic and full of character.
Excellent
4.6
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is unlike anywhere else in the Canary Islands, and that is exactly why it stays with you. The first thing you notice is the landscape: black lava fields, rust-red volcanoes, low white buildings, palm trees bending in the trade winds and an Atlantic light that makes everything feel sharper and more dramatic. This is an island shaped by fire and softened by the sea, where beach resorts sit close to lunar scenery, fishing villages still serve the catch of the day, and the influence of César Manrique gives the whole island a sense of style and restraint. For an easy sunshine holiday, Lanzarote is wonderfully dependable, with popular resorts such as Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise offering beaches, restaurants, family-friendly hotels, seafront walks and a relaxed evening atmosphere.
Yet the real reward comes when you explore a little further. Drive through Timanfaya’s volcanic wilderness, taste wine in La Geria where vines grow in black ash, swim from sheltered coves near Papagayo, visit the underground world of Jameos del Agua, wander through Teguise on market day or watch the sea crash into the cliffs at Los Hervideros. Lanzarote is ideal for couples, families, winter sun seekers, walkers, cyclists and travellers who want warmth without losing a sense of discovery. It is sunny, easy to enjoy and surprisingly soulful, with enough natural drama and cultural detail to make every visit feel different.
Lanzarote’s Most Popular Resorts
Lanzarote’s resorts are well spread across the island, each offering a slightly different version of the holiday experience. Some are lively and central, others are polished and peaceful, while a few are perfect for families who want beach days, pools and easy evenings close to their accommodation.
Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s best-known resort and a favourite for travellers who want beaches, restaurants, bars and a lively but easy-going atmosphere. The long seafront promenade makes it simple to stroll between beaches and dining spots, while the old harbour area has a more traditional feel with seafood restaurants and sunset views.
Playa Blanca is one of the island’s most popular resorts for families and couples, with a calmer, more polished feel on the south coast. It is known for its marina, seafront promenade, good hotels and easy access to the Papagayo beaches, making it ideal for travellers who want comfort, scenery and a slightly more relaxed pace.
Costa Teguise is a strong choice for families, couples and water sports fans, with a good range of hotels, beaches, restaurants and relaxed nightlife. It is also well placed for exploring the north of the island, including Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Jardín de Cactus and the former capital of Teguise.
Matagorda is a quieter resort close to the airport and just along the coast from Puerto del Carmen, making it convenient for short transfers and easy beach holidays. It suits families and couples who like a gentler setting, flat promenades, relaxed restaurants and quick access to nearby busier areas when they want more variety.
Playa de los Pocillos has a spacious beach and a more open, relaxed feel, sitting between Puerto del Carmen and Matagorda. It is a good option for travellers who want beach space, family-friendly hotels and a calmer base while still being close to the livelier parts of the island.
Puerto Calero is Lanzarote’s smart marina resort, known for its yachts, waterfront restaurants and quieter upmarket feel. It is best for couples and travellers who prefer a peaceful setting, stylish dining and scenic walks, while still being a short journey from Puerto del Carmen for extra nightlife and beach choice.
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Our Top Destinations in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is compact enough to explore easily, but varied enough to feel much bigger than it looks on a map. These standout places show the island at its best, from beach resorts and volcanic scenery to cultural landmarks and coastal viewpoints.
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is the essential Lanzarote experience, with volcanic cones, lava fields and landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. It is a must for first-time visitors because it explains the island’s character better than anywhere else, showing how fire, stone and time created one of the most dramatic settings in the Canaries.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is one of Lanzarote’s most appealing holiday bases, with a relaxed seafront, marina dining, good hotels and easy access to the beautiful Papagayo beaches. It is especially popular with families and couples who want a sunny resort with comfort, scenery and a calmer evening atmosphere.
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen remains a top choice because it offers so much in one place, including beaches, restaurants, bars, shops, boat trips and a long promenade that keeps everything easy. It suits travellers who want a holiday with plenty close at hand, from relaxed daytime beach life to livelier evenings.
Teguise
Teguise
Teguise is one of Lanzarote’s most atmospheric inland towns, with historic streets, whitewashed buildings and a strong sense of local identity. It is particularly worth visiting on market day, but even outside the busiest hours it offers a lovely change of pace from the coastal resorts.
Transport Options in Lanzarote
Flights
Lanzarote is served by César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport, located close to Arrecife and within easy reach of the island’s main resorts. Flight options from Ireland are strongest during the main holiday seasons, with services typically connecting Irish travellers to the island for beach holidays, winter sun breaks and longer stays.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are one of the easiest ways to reach resorts such as Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca, Matagorda and Playa de los Pocillos. Shared transfers are often a good-value choice and can usually be added to a package, making the arrival experience simple and convenient.
Private Transfers
Private transfers are ideal if you want a faster, more comfortable journey from the airport to your accommodation. They work especially well for families with young children, larger groups, late arrivals or anyone staying in Playa Blanca, where the transfer time is longer than the resorts closer to the airport.
Car Hire
Car hire is one of the best ways to enjoy Lanzarote properly, because many of the island’s most memorable places are spread across different areas. With a car, you can visit Timanfaya, La Geria, Teguise, Mirador del Río, Papagayo, Los Hervideros and the quieter northern villages at your own pace.
Lanzarote is part of Spain, so Irish citizens travelling from the Republic of Ireland do not need a visa for a holiday on the island. Travellers should hold a valid Irish passport for the duration of their stay, and each passenger, including children and infants, must have their own passport. Non-Irish citizens living in Ireland may need to check separate entry requirements before booking, especially if a Schengen visa may apply to their nationality. Entry rules can change, so it is always wise to check the latest official travel advice before travelling.
Lanzarote is one of Europe’s most reliable year-round sunshine destinations, with warm summers, mild winters and very little rainfall compared with many Mediterranean holiday spots. Summer is excellent for classic beach holidays, long pool days and warm evenings, while winter is especially popular with travellers looking to escape colder weather without flying long haul. Spring and autumn are often the best times for exploring, walking, cycling and sightseeing, as the temperatures are comfortable and the island feels less crowded. The breeze is part of Lanzarote’s character, so even on hot days the air can feel fresher than expected, especially by the coast.
6 Travel Tips for Visiting Lanzarote
Lanzarote’s best viewpoints, beaches, volcanic landscapes and villages are spread across the island, so hiring a car for even two or three days can help you enjoy the wider scale without hassle.
Timanfaya is one of the island’s biggest attractions and can become busy, so visiting earlier in the day or booking an organised excursion helps you avoid the most crowded times.
The island’s trade winds can make evenings, boat trips and exposed viewpoints feel cooler than the temperature suggests, so a light jacket or overshirt is worth packing even in warm months.
Puerto del Carmen is livelier, Playa Blanca is more relaxed, Costa Teguise is good for families and water sports, while Puerto Calero is quieter and smarter, so match the resort to the holiday you actually want.
Lanzarote’s La Geria wine region is one of the most unusual in Europe, with vines grown in volcanic ash, and a winery stop is a brilliant way to see a different side of the island.
Much of Lanzarote’s beauty comes from its fragile volcanic terrain and protected areas, so stay on marked paths, avoid removing stones and treat natural places with care.
Things To Do in Majorca
Majorca is much more than a beach destination. From scenic coastal drives and pretty mountain villages to historic landmarks, local markets, boat trips and family attractions, the island offers plenty to enjoy between relaxing days in the sun.
Things to Do
Cultural Highlights
5 Things to Do in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is perfect for travellers who want more than a fly-and-flop holiday. Its compact size makes day trips easy, while its volcanic scenery, beaches, art spaces and coastal villages offer a rewarding mix of nature and culture.
Visit Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is Lanzarote’s most unforgettable natural attraction, with lava fields, volcanic peaks and stark colours that make the landscape feel almost lunar. It is the one place every visitor should see, because it reveals the raw volcanic power that shaped the island.
Explore Jameos del Agua
Jameos del Agua is one of César Manrique’s great creations, blending a volcanic cave system with architecture, art, water and light. It is a beautiful example of how Lanzarote turns natural spaces into cultural experiences without overwhelming the landscape.
Swim at Papagayo Beaches
The Papagayo beaches are among the most beautiful on the island, with sheltered coves, clear water and golden sand set within a more natural coastal landscape. They are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and seeing why Playa Blanca is such a strong base for beach lovers.
Discover La Geria Wine Region
La Geria is one of Lanzarote’s most distinctive landscapes, where vines are planted in black volcanic soil and protected by low stone walls. A visit here gives you a real taste of the island, both visually and literally, especially if you stop at a local bodega.
See Mirador del Río
Mirador del Río is a spectacular viewpoint in the north of Lanzarote, designed with Manrique’s signature ability to blend architecture into the landscape. From here, you can look across to La Graciosa and the Chinijo Archipelago, with some of the finest views in the Canary Islands.
5 Cultural Highlights in Lanzarote
Lanzarote’s culture is closely tied to its landscape, and the island’s best cultural experiences often combine art, nature, architecture and local tradition. From Manrique’s creative legacy to historic towns and volcanic vineyards, the island has a character that feels proudly its own.
César Manrique Foundation
The César Manrique Foundation is one of the best places to understand the artist’s influence on Lanzarote and the island’s distinctive look. Built into volcanic bubbles and shaped around the landscape, it shows how Manrique helped protect Lanzarote’s visual identity while turning nature into art.
Teguise Old Town
Teguise was once the capital of Lanzarote and remains one of the island’s most charming historic towns. Its cobbled streets, traditional buildings, church square and market atmosphere make it a rewarding cultural stop, particularly for travellers who want to see life beyond the resorts.
Cueva de los Verdes
Cueva de los Verdes is a fascinating lava tube in the north of the island, offering a guided journey through underground passages formed by ancient volcanic activity. It is both a natural wonder and a cultural experience, with lighting and storytelling that make the visit especially memorable.
Monumento al Campesino
Monumento al Campesino celebrates Lanzarote’s rural heritage and the farmers who worked the island’s difficult volcanic land. It is a worthwhile stop for understanding the resilience, craft and agricultural traditions that sit behind the island’s holiday image.
Jardín de Cactus
Jardín de Cactus is another of Manrique’s beautifully designed spaces, bringing together hundreds of cactus species in a former quarry. It is calm, sculptural and very photogenic, showing how Lanzarote’s dry landscape can be transformed into something elegant and unexpected.
What are the best things to do in Majorca?
Popular things to do include visiting Palma’s old town, exploring the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, taking a boat trip along the coast, visiting traditional villages and spending time at the island’s beaches and coves.
Is Majorca good for families?
Yes, Majorca is a great family destination, with sandy beaches, shallow waters, family-friendly resorts, waterparks, boat trips and plenty of relaxed places to eat.
Can you explore Majorca without hiring a car?
Yes, many resorts have good local facilities, and buses, taxis and organised excursions make it possible to explore without driving. A car can be useful for visiting quieter beaches, villages and mountain viewpoints.
What is Majorca best known for?
Majorca is best known for its beaches, sunshine, scenic coastline, relaxed resorts, historic Palma, pretty villages and the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
Is Majorca only for beach holidays?
No, Majorca is also great for sightseeing, cycling, walking, food, shopping, culture, romantic escapes and luxury hotel stays.
Why Lanzarote Is a Must Visit
Volcanic Beauty and Year-Round Sun
Lanzarote is a must-visit destination because it gives travellers dependable sunshine with a landscape that feels genuinely different. It is easy to enjoy as a beach holiday, but the island has enough character, culture and scenery to make even a short stay feel full of memorable moments.
Families will find beaches, resorts, water parks and easy transfers, while couples can enjoy boutique hotels, marina dinners, quiet coves and scenic drives. Active travellers can cycle, walk, surf, dive and explore volcanic trails, while culture lovers can follow César Manrique’s legacy through caves, gardens, viewpoints and art spaces. Lanzarote is relaxed without being ordinary, sunny without feeling bland, and compact enough to explore without ever feeling predictable.
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