Top beaches in Lanzarote

A superb climate and plenty of wonderful beaches have made Lanzarote a top tourist destination for over 40 years. There are a number of beaches dotted around a coastline spanning 213km, here's our guide to the best spots for sun worshippers...

Myth buster! Contrary to popular belief, beaches in Lanzarote are NOT all made of black sand. This myth stems from the island's volcanic past and while some black beaches do exist, they have to be sought out (see below).

Explore the best beaches on our interactive holiday map »

Papagayo

The beaches of Papagayo

This collection of natural beaches to the east of Playa Blanca are in an area protected from development. Playas de Papagayo conceal the most beautiful natural beaches in Lanzarote, which slope gently towards a crystal clear sea.

There is a downside to enjoying these wonderful beaches: access and amenities! Because the area is protected, Papagayo has no formal road. This makes the journey over a rocky dirt track slow and extremely bumpy in any vehicle that doesn't have 4-wheel drive. The beaches also lack any kind of services so you'll need to take everything with you. Be prepared and you'll have a wonderful day.

Playa Blanca

Playa Flamingo in Playa Blanca

The tiny beach of Playa Blanca lends its name to the mushrooming coastal resort of the same name. Although the town's original beach is dwarfed by the area around it, it's central location makes it well served.

Playa Blanca's more popular beaches are Playa Flamingo to the west and Playa Dorada to the east. Both are sheltered, have gentle sloping golden sands and are very well served with amenities. Be aware that their modest size means they can get busy in the summer months so stake out a plot early.

Playa Chica

This very small beach is situated in Puerto del Carmen Old Town and it fills up fast in the summer. There are host of activities on offer including jetskis, paragliding, diving and snorkelling - which is ideal in the shallow waters.

Playa Grande

Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen

This is Puerto del Carmen's main beach and it merges eastwards with Playa Los Pocillos (Puddle Beach). The sand stretches over 1km along the length of Carmen's main Avenida las Playas and it's impressive size means it never feels crowded.

There are plenty of sunloungers available for hire and although there are few services directly on the beach, you are only a minute from all the shops, bars and restaurants of Puerto del Carmen.

Playa Matagorda

As Puerto del Carmen creeps eastwards it becomes Matagorda, fronted by one of the largest beaches in Lanzarote. Playa Matagorda stretches a long way to the ocean so is perfect for families with small children looking for play space safely away from the water. Sunloungers are available to hire and amenities abound in Matagorda-proper.

Playa Honda

Continue to walk east from Playa Matagorda and you arrive at Playa Honda. There's some lovely golden sand but this stretch is marred for most by being directly under the flight path of Arrecife airport. It isn't an unpleasant stretch but most holidaymakers go elsewhere.

Playa del Reducto

This beautiful sheltered beach serves Lanzarote's capital of Arrecife. Due to its location away from the major resorts it remains surprisingly undiscovered by foreign tourists but is deservedly popular with Spanish residents. If you hire a car, pay it a visit.

Playa de las Cucharas

Playa de las Cucharas, Costa Teguise

This is the main and most central beach in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote's third largest resort.

Bars and restaurants abound directly behind the beach although expect Las Cucharas to get busy in the summer months.

Las Cucharas is also extremely popular with windsurfers due to the windy conditions just off the coast and a couple of surf schools make this great for beginners.

Playa Bastian

This beach slopes back far enough that is doesn't get crowded and it features part sand, part volcanic rock giving it an unusual hue! The waters are crystal clear and Playa Bastian is an ideal beach for families staying in Costa Teguise.

Playa Famara

Famara beach - surf central!

This enormous beach on Lanzarote's northern coast stretches over 3km. Famara is the surfing hotspot of Lanzarote so it may not appeal to traditional holidaymakers. However watching these guys and gals is impressive enough to draw plenty of spectators in itself.

Peak surf season is November to March (suits are advisable) and this stretch is recommended for experienced surfers upwards.

Recommended websites

Dive College Lanzarote
One of the island's only beach centres, with direct access to the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic. Awarded 5* Career Development Centre by PADI.
www.divecollegelanzarote.com