About Lanzarote

Situated approximately 60 miles off the West coast of Africa and 700 miles South West of the Spanish peninsula, Lanzarote enjoys one of the driest and sunniest climates of the seven Canary Islands. It is roughly 36 miles long and 12 miles wide. The temperature does not vary much from approximately 20°C in January to 30°C in August. The golden sandy beaches of Puerto del Carmen, Papagayo and Famara are one of the main attractions for all year round sun-worshippers. The unusual "lunar landscape" of the island and Cesar Manrique’s artistic and architectural influence offers a melange of unique sightseeing opportunities whether you choose to go it alone with a rent-a-car or on one of the many excursions.

The islanders or "Conejeros" have prevented Lanzarote from becoming spoilt by applying restrictions insuring low level development. The result is a clean, low-key and uncrowded island offering an atmosphere in which to relax, unwind and laze in the sun. It has also helped Lanzarote gain a reputation as one of the most popular holiday destinations by the most discerning of holidaymakers. The island has completely crystal clear unpolluted waters, lying hundreds of miles away from any industrial development. This makes it a favourite destination for those interested in water sports such as windsurfing, deep sea fishing, sailing, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

The tall volcanic mountains offer the ideal platform for parascending and paragliding but for most of us they are the perfect place to admire the stunning views and unrivalled sunsets. Excellent facilities are also available for other sports such as tennis, squash, horse riding and golf on the attractive 18 hole golf course in Costa Teguise.

There are plenty of places to see if you are interested in exploring the island. The Timanfaya National Park (Montana del Fuego) set in the extraordinary lava fields of Yaiza is the most popular and gives you the opportunity to climb the Fire Mountain on the camel trek. There is also the underground lake in Jameos del Agua as well as the Mythical Greens Cave (cueva de los Verdes), the cactus gardens (Jardin de Cactus) and of course the magnificent house of Cesar Manrique which blends and harmonises art and architecture with the volcanic landscape of Lanzarote.

At the core of the island is Teguise, the old capital, which retains all the charm of Lanzarote and is an insight into the islands’ history and culture. It is also the setting for the Sunday market where the stalls are crammed with leather, lace and crafts. Further North is the tranquil village of Haria, set in the valley of the Thousand Palms, probably the most fertile part of Lanzarote. Mirador del Rio gives you the opportunity to admire the little island "La Graciosa" from Lanzarote’s highest cliff tops. Orzola and El Golfo, the most Northerly and most Westerly villages, respectively, have excellent fish restaurants where you can sample some of the local specialities such as "Sama", "Vieja" and "papas Arrugadas" with "Mojo" combined with the local "Malvasia" wines.

The best beaches can be found in the Southern most tip of the island in the coves of Papagayo. These are made up of pure white sand blown over from West Africa’s Sahara desert many years ago. They offer a magnificent view of Fuerteventura, the neighbouring island to the south. Other beaches include Playa Blanca (not to be confused with Playa Blanca, the town) which runs parallel with the promenade in Puerto del Carmen, easily accessible and offers beach activities such as pedalos, jet skis, sunbeds, and parasols. Los Pocillos is just down the road and offers activities such as windsurfing and dinghy sailing. Further North are the quiet beaches of Famara and Orzola.

Find out more about Puerto del Carmen and its Ocean Club properties.