Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Playa Blanca

Lanzarote's southern tip has a string of man-made and natural coves — Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo chief among them — where breakwaters keep the Atlantic out and the water behaves like a swimming pool.

Best forFamilies · Beach lovers · Couples
In December21°C · 2 rainy days
Ideal stayA week
Approx. flying time~11h 50m from Los Angeles

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Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Canary Islands Open in Google Maps Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors · © OpenMapTiles

CurrencyEUREuro
LanguageSpanish
Local time11:14same time as the UK
PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
Dialling code+34

Why go

Sheltered coves with breakwaters, flat water and a long paved promenade define the southern tip of Lanzarote. The landscape behind is volcanic and almost bare, all black gravel and low white buildings, which makes the turquoise of the bays more surprising when you reach them. Temperatures sit in the low twenties even in February and rain is rare. This is a resort built for easy days rather than for exploring on foot.

The town spreads along the coast, with the ferry to Fuerteventura leaving from the harbour and the lava fields of Timanfaya half an hour north. A week suits most visitors, and a car opens up the rest of the island, which is considerably more interesting than the resort suggests. Wind picks up in the afternoons year-round. Anyone wanting nightlife would do better further north at Puerto del Carmen.

Ideal stay: A week
The vibe: Volcanic, calm-watered, winter-warm

From our guides

The promenade linking them is flat, buggy-friendly and lined with cafés. This is the winter-sun option on the list: February afternoons in the low twenties make it the smart choice for half-term escapes.

Featured in Ten beaches with calm, shallow water for small swimmers

Things to do

Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo

Two sheltered coves with breakwaters keeping the Atlantic swell out, shallow and calm enough for very young swimmers.
The coastal promenade

A flat paved path runs for several kilometres along the shore linking the beaches and the old harbour, easy with buggies and good at sunset.
Papagayo beaches

A series of golden coves inside a protected area east of town, reached by a rough track or by boat, with clear water and no development.
Timanfaya National Park

Lava fields and volcanic cones from eighteenth-century eruptions, visited by coach along a road closed to private cars.
Ferry to Fuerteventura

Boats cross to Corralejo in around half an hour from the harbour, making a straightforward day trip to a second island.
Cesar Manrique sites

The artist's cave houses, viewpoints and gardens across the island shaped how Lanzarote was built, and several are within an easy drive.

Getting there

Fly to
San Bartolomé (ACE)

Nearest airport to Lanzarote, about 24km away as the crow flies.
Then
To Playa Blanca

About forty minutes by car or transfer south from Lanzarote airport (ACE) on the LZ-2.
On the ground
Getting around

A flat, buggy-friendly promenade links Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and the marina, so you can leave the car parked all week; the Papagayo beaches need a short drive on a dirt track.

Public transport: Island buses connect Playa Blanca with the airport, Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen, and ferries cross to Fuerteventura from the harbour.

Flights

Los Angeles Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Flying from

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Roughly 11h 50m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.

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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.

When to go

Daytime highs run from about 20°C in January to 25°C in August. Rain is rare in any month.

The year at a glance — pick a month for detail

December21° · rain 2 daysMild and dry.

Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis).

Where to stay

Low-rise apartment complexes and mid-size resort hotels, plus villas with pools. Building height is capped across Lanzarote, so there are no towers and a lot of self-catering.

Best base overall
Playa Blanca centre

The promenade between the old harbour and Playa Dorada, with restaurants, the ferry to Fuerteventura and flat walking. It is the busiest part and the beach in front is small.
Find stays in Playa Blanca centre
Best with children
Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo

The sheltered man-made coves, with breakwaters, gentle entry and hotels a few steps back. Everything is buggy-friendly, though the beaches are compact and fill by mid-morning.
Find stays in Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo
Best for couples
Marina Rubicón

Around the marina at the eastern end, with apartments, a Wednesday market and better restaurants. Quieter at night, and a fifteen-minute promenade walk from the main strip.
Find stays in Marina Rubicón
Best value
Yaiza and Uga

Inland villages ten minutes north, whitewashed and calm, with rural houses at markedly lower rates. You need a hire car, which you probably want anyway for Timanfaya.
Find stays in Yaiza and Uga

Worth knowing before you book: Winter is high season here and half-terms sell out months ahead. Ask which cove your hotel actually faces, since the difference between the sheltered bays and the open coast is significant.

Search everything else in Playa Blanca by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.

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Good to know

Timing: Winter is the point here, with mild temperatures and low rainfall. February half-term is popular and books up early.
Wind: The trade wind is constant and strongest in the afternoon. It masks the strength of the sun and can make exposed beaches uncomfortable.
Driving: A hire car is worth it for Timanfaya, the north and the Manrique sites. Roads are good and distances short.
Papagayo access: The track into the protected area is unsurfaced and there is a vehicle charge at the gate. Facilities inside are minimal.
With kids: The main coves have calm shallow water and lifeguards in season. Open Atlantic beaches elsewhere on the island have strong currents.