Lanzarote has developed a reputation for being an upmarket holiday destination over the past few years, setting it apart from the rest of the Canary Islands.
The island’s major sights have been aesthetically developed by the late Cesar Manrique, a Lanzarote native and artist. He still has a considerable impact on the island via a cultural foundation that protects Lanzarote’s conservation, culture and architectural integrity.
With beautiful beaches, the stunning Timanfaya National Park, elite sailing at the Puerto Calero Marina and a lively social scene, Lanzarote really does have something for everyone.
Read on as we look at the three best towns to visit in Lanzarote.
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is a favourite among holidaymakers and with good reason. Playa Grande and Matagorda are stunning sandy beaches, while the beach boulevard Avenida de las Playas is bursting with restaurants, shops and a buzzing social scene.
For a quieter stay choose Playa de los Picillos or the small town of Matagorda, both within walking distance of Puerto del Carmen but offering a more peaceful environment to enjoy your holiday.
Head towards the centre and you will find the Gran Casino de Lanzarote. With classic table games such as blackjack and roulette, competitive cash poker tables and a variety of slot machines, the casino is a great place to spend a few hours.
Read a review of Casino.com before travelling to learn more about the games and boost your chances of securing a profit to spend in some of Puerto del Carmen’s classy range of shops and boutiques.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is smaller than Puerto del Carmen, but the resort has become almost unrecognisable over the past decade.
New hotels and apartment complexes have sprung up, stretching almost to the tip of the Papagayo nature reserve. It has an upmarket feel, but culture vultures can still find a little local character around the church, where the original fishing village began.
The Blue Flag main beach has very pale sand and excellent facilities, although the more adventurous traveller may head across the ocean to the beautiful Corralejo on Fuerteventura.
There is a lovely arts and crafts market at the swanky port, Marina Rubicon, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is located on the eastern side of Lanzarote, only 10 to 15 minutes by car from the airport.
It is one of the most attractive tourist areas on Lanzarote thanks to its vast array of accommodation, beaches and the tranquil atmosphere it generates.
Sporting and cultural events have grown over the past few years in Costa Teguise. Qualifiers for the PWA Windsurfing World Championship at Cucharas Beach in June and the Costa Music Festival in September are among the many events that take place here.
However, the main attraction of the town is the beaches. While Cucharas attracts the sportier types, Bastian Beach is ideal for families with small children as it is easily accessible and protected from the winds.