The 10 best beaches in Lanzarote

Find the perfect beaches for surfers, families and nature lovers

Beach holidays are what kicked off tourism in Lanzarote in the 1960s and the island is blessed with a string of fine beaches. There are those black sand beaches that you find dotted throughout Macaronesia, but also a rich necklace of golden sands and starched white beauties that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean or the Scottish Hebrides.
This is an Atlantic island, though, so be aware of local conditions as surf, undercurrents and rip tides can make swimming hazardous. If in any doubt, do not enter the water. The resorts often have beaches with lifeguards in attendance and also a coloured flag warning system.
For more Lanzarote, see our guides to the best restaurants, bars and nightlife and things to do.
This is the biggest and best of Costa Teguise’s rich collage of beaches. The family-friendly clean golden sands are backed up by a sprinkling of cafés and bars too, so you can spend a half day or all day here. The beach is also a prime spot for windsurfing, which comes into its own handily when it’s too windy to sunbathe. The most appealing section is the little cove at the beach’s southwestern extremity, where the shallow waters invite families. On cooler days, you can just take a stroll along the promenade.
Getting there: Lots of parking is available in Costa Teguise and buses also run to the resort from Arrecife.
The beach that was instrumental in bringing the island package tourism. This wide expanse of sand ripples along for around a kilometre and is the main beach in the big resort of Puerto del Carmen. Yes it is busy and the cafés, bars and restaurants that back it can be a bit cheesy, but it’s still a great beach, and you will end up here if you’re staying in the resort. It is charmingly backed by swaying palms and hibiscus, too. If you want a beach with loads of facilities on hand, Playa Grande is ideal. The shallow waters works well for families too.

Getting there: The resort of Puerto del Carmen has plenty of parking available. Buses also run here from the capital of Arrecife.
The southern resort of Playa Blanca offers a choice of beaches. This one is family-friendly, with breakwaters helping shelter its shallow waters and palm trees on hand to offer a bit of respite from the sun. It is within easy reach of shops, cafés and restaurants, further enhancing its popularity with families, particularly those with younger children. It’s a good spot for snorkelling, especially for beginners, given the usually relatively benign sea conditions. It can get busy, but it’s off the main strip so it never tends to be too manic.

Getting there: The resort of Playa Blanca has plenty of parking available. Buses also run here from Arrecife.
There are beaches in the resort of Playa Blanca, but none beat the series of stunning coves a few miles to the east. There is a rough track, so it’s possible to drive or walk, but we recommend visiting in style on a boat trip, where the drama of Papagayo’s natural setting and half a dozen beaches shines through. One of the charms of Papagayo is that there is little development besides a basic beach restaurant, so remember to bring the essentials, such as water and sunscreen. And a snorkel if you want to explore the clear waters.
Getting there: It’s a bumpy and rough drive out here from the resort of Playa Blanca, so watch your hire car. There is limited parking on the cliffs above the coast – you also have to pay a few euros to enter what is designated a nature reserve. Alternatively, it’s a relatively straightforward walk that can be done in around an hour. The most dramatic arrival is by boat with a number of operators in Playa Blanca offering trips. Hotels can also usually book a trip for you.
This is a spot on beach if you want to get active. Often, it’s too windy to really enjoy sunbathing without a windbreak, making it ideal for surfing and windsurfing. The setting is spectacular too, flanked as it is by giant cliffs. It’s easy to see why Cesar Manrique was such a fan. One thing you won’t be short of here is space, as the sands stretch out for almost six miles. Be aware that its exposed position on Lanzarote’s northwest coast makes conditions dangerous for swimming for most of the year.

Getting there: Public transport isn’t really an option with this more remote beach. There is limited parking near the beach. A good base is Caleta de Famara, where you can park and have lunch.
If Lanzarote’s darker volcanic sand beaches don’t cut the mustard, you don’t need – as some visitors think you do – to hop across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura to find spectacular white beaches. The off-the-beaten-track sands here are startlingly white with wee coves where you’ll often be the only person there. Swimming can be dangerous, but children can be distracted from the water by checking out the little rock pools that dot this dramatic corner of Lanzarote. Best bring your own supplies including fishing nets for the little ones.

Getting there: Public transport isn’t really an option with this more remote beach. There is limited parking near the beaches.
Handily located by the village of Arrieta in Lanzarote’s north is this sandy charmer. The sea conditions here are not usually as wild as they are further north along this coastline, so it’s a favourite with local families who appreciate the gently sloping beach and relatively sheltered waters. When the surf is up, the southern end attracts the surfing crowd. Facilities are quite limited, but you can enjoy a simple lunch by the sands at a beach bar. La Garita is also often pleasantly quiet as it’s fairly off the beaten track.

Getting there: You can catch a bus from Arrecife to Arrieta, but it’s handier driving and there is free parking near the beach.
The name literally translates as ‘burnt beach’ and the sand is a little darker than most visitors are used to. Stick with it, though, as it offers a slice of an altogether different, unspoilt Lanzarote, one that has all but disappeared in the resorts like nearby Puerto del Carmen. The wee fishing community of Quemada and its restaurants are on hand nearby. It will mainly be locals with you here, who come to enjoy the relatively sheltered conditions that make swimming normally possible.

Getting there: You can catch a bus from Arrecife to Quemada. There is also parking in Quemada and driving is much more convenient. It’s either a steep walk over the headland, or a beach rush if the tide is out. Be aware of the tide times.
Handily located near the fishing village of Orzola (the port for the La Graciosa ferries) are a string of white sand beaches blessed with turquoise waters. This is the highlight and it is quite a highlight. The binary colours of white sand and black volcanic rock are striking. The rocks and little coves also help make some stretches of beach around here safer for swimming – always ask locally if you’re in any doubt. For those with children in tow, the natural pools created by the tide are a safer paddling bet away from what is normally pounding surf.
Getting there: Public transport is not an option. There is a free car park near the beach.
The neighbouring island of La Graciosa is the place to head for a real Robinson Crusoe adventure. The ferry trip over is an adventure in itself, then it’s quite a trip out to this remarkable stretch of sand. If it was near a resort, it would be teeming with tourists, but given the remote locale, you will often have its sandy charms to yourself. The effort of getting here is well worth it, as it is a life-affirming, spectacular beach that will linger long in your memory. Beware the often treacherous swimming conditions, though.

Getting there: The ferry from Lanzarote actually deposits you quite far from La Graciosa’s best beaches. It’s a long walk across sandy tracks to reach the wild western beach of Playa de las Conchas, with hiring a bike (usually possible on arrival) the best way to bash across to the sands. Or just wander south to discover a rich necklace of sandy beaches that tend to be safer for swimming.
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

9
Telegraph expert rating

Trending now