Where to Stay in Lanzarote: My Favorite Areas (+ Hotels)

Lanzarote, one of Spain's Canary Islands off the coast of West Africa, is a beautiful island known for its pleasant climate, dramatic landscapes, and perfect sandy beaches. It's an island of contrasts, with the Timanfaya National Park offering rugged, black beaches formed by volcanic eruptions and the east coast that's lined with idyllic, white-washed holiday resorts.

It may only take an hour to get from the north to the south of the island, but its diversity can make deciding where to stay in Lanzarote tricky.

In this guide, I've chosen 5 of my favorite places to stay in Lanzarote. From family-friendly beach resorts to secluded fishing villages, Lanzarote is the perfect destination for every type of traveler.

Getting to Lanzarote

Most people arrive in Lanzarote by air. There are daily flights from most cities in mainland Spain as well as countries across Europe. You'll land in Arrecife, the island's capital, and from there you can either hire a car or get a transfer to another location on the island.

It's also possible to arrive in Lanzarote via boat, especially from the other Canary Islands. Fuerteventura, the island closest to Lanzarote, is just 30 minutes away by boat.

The Best Time to Visit Lanzarote

Lanzarote is such a popular holiday destination because of its year-round amazing weather. Otherwise known as the Island of Eternal Spring, Lanzarote boasts average temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius. Although the island is definitely busier in August, it's not as noticeable as on other European islands such as Ibiza.

I'd say the best time to visit Lanzarote is October-April. Not only are there slightly fewer people, but you can avoid the cold of the rest of Europe and enjoy amazing weather and beaches.

Where to Stay in Lanzarote: An Overview of the Best Places

1. Costa Teguise: Great for families, ambiance, location, and beaches.

2. Arrieta: An idyllic fishing town with lovely beaches, fresh food, and fewer people.

3. Famara: The perfect spot for surfing and dramatic scenery.

4. Playa Blanca: Some of the best white sandy beaches on the island and plenty of activities for kids and adults.

5. El Golfo: A small village surrounded by impressive volcanic landscapes.

1. Where to Stay in Lanzarote for Families and First Timers: Costa Teguise

Best for: A central location, beaches, and easy connections to the rest of the island

Choosing where to stay in Lanzarote for your first visit can be difficult, especially when you don't know what to expect from the rest of the island. Costa Teguise is a really well-located coastal town with a wide range of activities for adults and children.

Just a short trip from the airport, it's ideal for those wanting everything in one place. There are several beaches to enjoy and a great vibe, making it perfect for families with young kids and your first time in Lanzarote.

What to Do in Costa Teguise

Try Yourself at Watersports – Lanzarote is a haven for watersports enthusiasts. The area around Costa Teguise is great for windsurfing and you'll find plenty of windsurfing schools in the town and on the beaches.

Go to The Beach – There are loads of amazing beaches in the area, including the slightly windier Cucharas Beach which is great for watersports, or the more relaxing beaches of Playa Jablillo and Bastian. They're both perfect for swimming and are very kid-friendly.

Go to The Water Park – Aquapark Costa Teguise is a favorite for families visiting Lanzarote. There are large slides and swimming pools for everyone to enjoy!

Visit Pueblo Marinero – Pueblo Marinero is a beautiful old part of town full of boutique stalls and shops selling arts and crafts. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy serving fresh food and live music.

Best Hotels to Stay in Costa Teguise

($$$) Paradisus by Meliá Salinas Lanzarote

($$) Alava Suites

($) Casa Amor Costa Teguise

Pros of Staying in Costa Teguise

• Central location and close to the airport

• Lots to do for adults and kids

• Great beaches

• Plenty of opportunities for water sports

• Lively but not over-the-top vibe

• Lots of accommodation options

Cons of Staying in Costa Teguise

• The resort town can get very touristy

• Not the place if you're looking for a quiet beach holiday

2. Where to Stay in Lanzarote for Foodies, Beaches, and a Quieter Pace: Arrieta (My Personal Favorite)

Best for: Couples, nature lovers, and access to the north

Arrieta is to the northeast of the island and perfect if you want to escape the busier resort towns. This idyllic little fishing village is great for relaxing on the beach, strolling through winding streets, and eating brilliant, freshly caught fish. It's not as busy as the larger towns on this list, but it's ideal for reading a book, sipping a drink in a cafe, and watching the boats come and go.

What to do in Arrieta

Go to La Garita Beach – The main thing to do in Arrieta is head to the beach. La Garita is an 800m long stretch of golden sand to the south of the village. Swimming conditions are usually great and, as is common on the northern coast, it's often perfect for surfing. There's a jetty called the Muelle de la Garita which is nice to walk along and watch the fishermen go about their work. There are also a couple of cafes and bars for snacks during the day.

Visit the Natural Pools of Punta Mujeres – Punta Mujeres is a 5-minute drive to the north of Arrieta. It's another, slightly bigger fishing town with some amazing natural pools. Some of the pools are larger and have steps and ladders, whilst others are a little more difficult to get into. They're great for kids and they're generally calm because they're protected from the sea.

Eat Fresh Seafood – Because Arrieta is still a fishing village, there are lots of amazing restaurants to choose from. One of my favorites is Restaurant la Nasa for fish, seafood, and rice dishes.

Visit Casa Juanita – This beautiful blue house was built in the 1920s and overlooks the fishing port of Arrieta. It's worth walking along to it and enjoying the views. There's also a natural and calm seawater pool in front of it, so you can take a dip too!

Cueva de Los Verdes – These caves are 7 minutes away from Arrieta. They were formed over 4000 years ago when a volcano erupted and are a great place to see volcanic rock and beautiful colored stone.

Best Hotels to Stay in Arrieta

($$) Calma Suites La Garita

($$) Casa Anclada

($) Apartamento en el Pueblo de Arrieta 4

Pros of Staying in Arrieta

• Amazing food

• Good beaches

• Quieter and smaller than resort towns

• Very charming fishing village

• Good accommodation

Cons of Staying in Arrieta

• There might not be enough to do for some

3. Where to Stay in Lanzarote for Water Sports and Stunning Scenery: Famara

Best for: Couples, adrenaline junkies, families with older kids

The Canary Islands, in general, are popular for sports enthusiasts. The good weather, wind, and Atlantic Ocean mean the conditions are often perfect for surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding, and kite surfing.

One of the most popular places to stay for watersports is Famara, in the north of the island. This amazing open beach is in the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park and lies between Caleta de Famara and the seriously stunning, mars-like cliffs of Famara.

What to Do in Famara

Take to The Waves – There are plenty of schools and rental shops on Famara Beach and the surrounding areas. Whether you're a pro or want to try your hand at bodyboarding, the waves are sure to be lots of fun!

Do Some Yoga – Famara is home to one of the best yoga retreats in Spain. This fun retreat is combined with some time in the water as well as practicing Hatha and Kundalini yoga.

Hiking – If you're not a fan of water, there's still plenty to do in Famara. The cliffs at the end of the beach are the highest on the island and offer some incredible views as far as the eye can see. You could climb the highest one of all, Risco de Famara.

Visit Caleta de Famara – Caleta de Famara is a picture-perfect little town with typical Canarian architecture and a fantastic beach. It's the perfect town to walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

Go to The Beach at Sunset – Famara is arguably the most beautiful beach in Lanzarote, especially at sunset. When the tide is low, there's a thin layer of water left on the sand which creates the perfect mirror for a setting sun. You get great views over La Graciosa, the island to the north of Lanzarote.

Best Hotels in Famara

($$$) Finca Daniela

($$) Famara. Marea

($) Casa Maralba Famara

Pros of Staying in Famara

• Incredible scenery

• Great spot for water sports and hiking

• Laid back atmosphere

• Well located for other attractions on the island

• Good restaurants and cafes in Caleta de Famara

Cons of Staying in Famara

• It's very beach-centric

• Fewer luxury hotel options

4. Where to Stay in Lanzarote for Great Beaches, Scuba Diving, and Relaxed Nightlife: Playa Blanca

Best for: Diversity, couples, families, and those looking to relax on the beach

If you're planning to stay in Lanzarote and want a little bit of everything, Play Blanca is a good bet. It's on the other end of the island to Famara, so in the south, past the capital and Puerto del Carmen.

The beaches around Playa Blanca are perhaps more of what you imagine from a Spanish island. The sand is very pale gold and the sea is perfectly turquoise. From Playa Blanca, you're in a good location for exploring the rest of the island including the volcanic Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and the Janubio salt flats.

What to Do in Playa Blanca

Go to the Beach! – There are lots of beaches around Playa Blanca. Of course, the main beach is actually Playa Blanca Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand close to the town. Other popular beaches close by include Playa Mujeres, Playa Dorada, Playa de las Coloradas, and, my favorite, Playa de Papagayo.

Try Scuba Diving – Playa Blanca is a great place to learn or practice scuba diving. One of the most famous dive sites in Lanzarote is the underwater museum, Museo Atlántico. They're underwater sculptures by Jason deCaires Taylor, depicting the importance of human life and its connection to nature.

Visit Marina Rubicón – This is a beautiful marina on the far end of the bay in Playa Blanca's old town. There's a lovely market to buy crafts and souvenirs and you can walk along to Castillo de San Marcial de Rubicón de Femés, a castle close by.

Take a Day Trip – Cala Blanca is the perfect place to take a trip, either around the island or you can hop on a boat to Fuerteventura.

Los Charcones – Los Charcones is a little oasis of beautiful, natural swimming pools. They're protected from large waves by rocks and are usually very tranquil. The water is crystal clear too!

Best Hotels in Playa Blanca

($$$) Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada

($$) Apartamentos Mares de Lava

($) Apartamentos Quintana

Pros of Staying in Playa Blanca

• Great beaches and turquoise ocean

• Lots of restaurants and bars

• Good location for day trips

• Brilliant for families, singles, and couples

• Lots of activities

Cons of Staying in Playa Blanca

• Can be touristy

• Perhaps not as charming as other, smaller villages

5. Where to Stay in Lanzarote for Black Sand, Tranquility, and Incredible Landscapes: El Golfo

Best for: Couples, solo travelers, nature lovers, and off-the-beaten-track beauty

El Golfo is one of the only villages to stay on the west coast of Lanzarote. This little fishing village is completely different from anywhere else on this list of where to stay in Lanzarote thanks to its volcanic backdrop and black sand! It's a great place to stay, get off the beaten track, and see a different side of the island from the more touristy resorts.

What to Do in El Golfo

Visit the Green Lake – One of the most amazing things to see in Lanzarote, especially on the west coast, is the amazing lake at El Golfo Beach. The lake gets its bright green color from the unique algae living in it, and that, when contrasted with the black sand, is really worth seeing.

Go Hiking – The Ruta Del Litoral is a breathtaking trail inside Timanfaya National Park and is something totally different. Black cliffs, amazing views, and unusual vegetation make this a very memorable hike.

Eat Fresh Seafood – El Golfo, like Arrieta, is an active fishing town, which means there are loads of options to eat locally caught fish. One of my favorites is Casa Rafa. They have a beautiful terrace overlooking the sea and the seafood is wonderful.

Relax on the Promenade – The town of El Golfo is very small and there's not much going on there, which is part of its appeal. The seafront promenade, although short, is a great way to see the idyllic Canarian houses with bright blue doors, fishing boats, and views of the ocean. There are a couple of bars to enjoy a drink too.

Best Hotels in El Golfo

($$$) Mana EcoRetreat

($$) Casa Rural Caleton del Golfo

($$)Viviendas El Pescador – Ancla

Pros of Staying in El Golfo

• Stunning scenery and very close to the Timanfaya National Park

• Good beaches

• Less touristy and quieter

• Nice seafood restaurants

• Great for hiking and mountain biking

Cons of Staying in El Golfo

• Might be too quiet for some

• It's best to get there with a car – although there is a slow bus

• Fewer accommodation options

Where to Stay in Lanzarote – Frequently Asked Questions

👨‍👩‍👦 Is Lanzarote a Good Place to Go with Kids?

Yes! There are loads of great places to stay in Lanzarote with kids. The south and east coasts are probably the best, with white sandy beaches and lots of kid-friendly activities. The Canary Islands are known for their good waves which means learning to surf and bodyboarding are always options!

🚗 What's the Best Way to Get Around Lanzarote?

Public transport in Lanzarote is good, with buses running regularly from the airport to most of the larger resort towns. If you want to explore a little more, it might be worth hiring a car to get around, especially if you want to head to the north and west of the island.

💰 Is Lanzarote Expensive?

Lanzarote doesn't have to be expensive. You can find plenty of luxury resorts and more expensive restaurants but there are also lots of well-priced accommodation options.

Where to Stay in Lanzarote – Final Words

Whether you prefer to hike through volcanic landscapes or eat tapas on a perfect sandy beach, Lanzarote will be a memorable holiday. It offers everything from larger, family-friendly towns and resorts to smaller fishing villages to explore.

Plus it's great for adventure seekers too, with mild temperatures, good waves, and diverse wildlife making it ideal for surfing and diving. No wonder it's the perfect European winter escape!