Lanzarote
Lanzarote Villas
On the beautiful island of Lanzarote, holiday villas provide the
ideal accommodation for the independent minded. There are many luxury villas and apartments to choose
from, as well as hotels, to cater for parties of all sizes. Lanzarote villa holidays and holiday homes
have been a major influence on the island's relatively new-found tourist economy and you will receive a
warm welcome from the local people. To investigate the available villa accommodation, please browse
through the Lanzarote villas.
Lanzarote - Canary Island holiday paradise
Lanzarote is a favourite destination for lovers of Canary Island holidays. As with the other six Canary
Islands, Lanzarote is volcanic in origin. The fourth largest of the seven islands, the landscape is as
contrasting as it is breathtaking. One of the attractions of Lanzarote holidays is the choice that this
diversity offers; from the fantastic white beaches to the vast rolling landscapes of black soil and the
miles of red and chocolate brown volcanic lava flows, interspersed by the occasional clump of cacti -
all on an island that is just 60km long and 20km wide.
Accommodation
Holiday villas give you the freedom and independence that many visitors to the island prefer.
Accommodation varies in size and facilities offered, so there is a wide choice. However, the first-time
visitor will be pleased to learn that development has been carefully controlled, in order avoid spoiling
the charm of the island.
You can find out on booking a villa whether maid service is available for
the property you choose, in addition to the standard service which includes clean towels, linen etc.
For more details, see our FAQ and
Holiday Information pages.
The Airport
Roughly 100km from the coast of Africa, Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. Together
with Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, it forms one of the two provinces, the capital of which is Las
Palmas, in Gran Canaria itself. The airport is at Arrecife, just 20 minutes drive from
Puerto del Carmen and 45 minutes from
Playa Blanca, two of the most popular resorts on the island. It is now easy to book "flight
only" seats with a number of airlines, giving you the freedom to reserve
the type of holiday accommodation that suits you best.
Weather
Lanzarote enjoys all-year-round holiday weather, owing to its location and the effect of the Canary
current on the Atlantic Ocean. Average summer temperatures are deliciously warm and sunny, without
being excessively hot, and winters are comfortably mild. Of all the Canary Islands, Lanzarote enjoys
the most hours of sunshine and the lowest rainfall, with an average of just 140mm.
Lanzarote Beaches
Nowhere is the island's contrast more obvious than on the sunny beaches. The fine white sands of
Papagayo near the southernmost resort of Playa Blanca are startlingly different from the dark volcanic
sands of Puerto Del Carmen on the east coast - and both are equally beautiful. There are, in total,
many kilometres of superb beaches along the island's coastline to enjoy, making the island a true
paradise for snorkelling, fishing and windsurfing, as well as sunbathing and beach sports.
The Attractions
As you would expect of a Canary Island holiday destination, many tourist attractions revolve around
marine-based activities. There are a myriad of opportunities to view and photograph the spectacular
sea life around the lovely coastline. Take an excursion in a glass-bottomed boat, catamaran or
submarine; if you prefer the more "hands on"; experience, jet skiing, sailing and deep sea
fishing are also on the agenda.
Inland, a visit to the Timanfaya National Park - "The Mountain of Fire" is a must and a trip
to the very north of the island, to the spectacular "Mirador del Rio" vantage point gives you
a sense of where you are in the world. Lanzarote boasts the longest volcanic tunnel in the world,
Cueva de los Verdes, at over 7km long and don't miss the caves and underground lake at the Jameos del
Agua, with their rare species of white crabs. If you prefer to shop for the local crafts, lace and
pottery, then the Saturday market of Teguise, Lanzarote's capital, will be perfect for you.
People and Culture
As with each of the Canary Islands, there is a character and charm that is unique. Spanish and Latin
American influences are evident in the language, the music and the lifestyle. The locals are known
locally as "conejeros" pronounced con-eh-heros, a conejero is actually a rabbit and rabbit has
long been a favourite on the daily menu.
Local fiestas are held regularly in each of the towns and regions of the island; they are usually
quite modest affairs where the local people can get together to meet and pay their respects to each
other, while the children of the town can maybe perform some folklore entertainment. If you want
further insight into the culture, a visit to Teguise will give you an opportunity to study the
architecture and to learn more about the history and artistic heritage of the island.
The choice of restaurants is now quite cosmopolitan, offering you a varied gastronomic experience
from around the globe - French, Italian, Indian, Mexican - to excite every palette. If you prefer to
capture the flavour of the region on your plate, there are many restaurants that serve traditional
Canarian fare.
Fish lovers will delight in the fresh seafood on the menu, such as Sancocho, a traditional fish stew.
Other local dishes include spicy mojo sauces and papas arrugadas, otherwise known as wrinkled potatoes.
To accompany your meal you can choose from an international wine list or opt for a local wine; visit the
El Grifo Wine Museum for a tour and a taste, then maybe take some back to drink around the pool.
More information about the holidays and accommodation can be found on the sections dedicated to
Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen
. If you have any questions try the
Playa Blanca FAQ or Puerto del Carmen
FAQ pages. Our Booking Conditions page will help you with
information about the booking agreement itself. However, we are always pleased to hear from you and
welcome your phone call or email, if you would like to speak to someone in
person.