Where to stay in Lanzarote: areas and hotels

If you're visiting Lanzarote for the first time, the most convenient base is Puerto del Carmen. It boasts the highest concentration of hotels, a long sandy beach, plenty of restaurants, and a lively nightlife, meaning you won't necessarily need a car for the essentials. If you prefer something quieter and more family-friendly, with large resorts and swimming pools, Playa Blanca in the south is the best choice, especially if you're considering a ferry trip to Fuerteventura.

For budget-friendly trips, look for accommodation in Arrecife, the island's capital. Prices are lower, the city has its own charm with San Gabriel Castle and Charco de San Ginés lagoon, and it's well-connected by bus to the entire island. Couples seeking a more tranquil experience, with design inspired by César Manrique, often gravitate towards Costa Teguise, while those who love surfing and a more alternative vibe prefer Famara in the north.

Families with children will also find comfort in both Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise, where most hotels offer large swimming pools, children's play areas, and calm waters. If you want to combine your stay with easy access to the airport, Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen are just twenty minutes away.

Lanzarote in general

Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands, in the same group as Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with a landscape that resembles a lunar surface more than a typical island. Its volcanic past is visible everywhere, from the black lava fields to the vineyards cultivated within craters in La Geria. The great eruption from 1730 to 1736 covered a quarter of the island with lava, creating the landscape of Timanfaya National Park, which is now the island's top attraction.

Behind this unique geology lies the signature of one man. The artist and architect César Manrique defined the aesthetic of the entire island in the 1960s and 1970s, imposing low-rise buildings, white walls, and green or blue window frames. Thanks to him, there are no skyscrapers on the coast, and his works, such as the Cactus Garden, Jameos del Agua, and his house in Tahíche, are reasons to visit in themselves.

The best time to travel is from April to June and from September to November, when temperatures range from around 22 to 26 degrees Celsius and accommodation prices are more reasonable. Summer is busy and hot, while winter remains mild, which is why the island also serves as a cold-weather escape for Northern Europeans. For getting around, car hire is almost essential if you want to see beyond your immediate beach, as buses cover main routes but not remote spots. Lanzarote Airport is located near Arrecife, about ten minutes from the centre and twenty from Puerto del Carmen, with regular buses and taxis to all tourist areas. Flights from Greece usually involve a stopover at a European hub, with a total journey time of around six to eight hours.

Lanzarote is administratively part of Spain, a country with many popular summer destinations, but its geographical position near the African coast gives it a unique microclimate with little rain throughout the year. If you plan to combine your trip with other Canary Islands, ferries from Playa Blanca to Fuerteventura take approximately twenty-five minutes, making a two-day excursion easy.

Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del Carmen is the island's largest tourist resort, built around a six-kilometre-long beach. It's ideal for those who want direct access to sandy beaches, shops, bars, and restaurants without needing a car, although hiring one for a day or two helps a lot if you want to visit Timanfaya or La Geria. The area is divided into an older town, quieter and with a fishing harbour, and a newer zone around Avenida de las Playas, with a lively nightlife.

It is the best choice for a first visit and for those seeking a balance between price, quality, and vibrancy. The downside is that during peak season, it can feel very touristy, with many bars geared towards British visitors.

1. Hipotels La Geria

Located right on the beach, with spacious communal areas and Atlantic views. It stands out for its location and generous breakfast, ideal for families who want everything close at hand.

• Average cost: 110 to 170 € per night
• Ideal for: families

2. VIK Hotel San Antonio

Right on the beach, with a large swimming pool and comfortable rooms with balconies. Suitable for couples and families who want an all-inclusive plan without straying far from the coast.

• Average cost: 100 to 160 € per night
• Ideal for: couples and families

3. Hotel Lava Beach

A modern hotel next to the beach, with a quiet atmosphere and a good spa. It stands out for its clean lines and its award-winning breakfast, suitable for couples looking for something more peaceful in the centre.

• Average cost: 130 to 190 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

Playa Blanca

In the south of the island, Playa Blanca began as a fishing village and today is the most classic resort for families and couples seeking luxury and tranquillity. It features Marina Rubicón with shops and restaurants, as well as nearby beaches like Playa Papagayo, among the island's most beautiful. Ferries to Fuerteventura also depart from here.

It suits those who want large resorts with numerous amenities, but it is more remote from the island's other attractions, so you will need a car or organised excursions for Timanfaya and La Geria.

4. Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park

A large resort right on the beach, with many swimming pools and an option for families or a quieter stay in the Star Prestige section. It stands out for its spaciousness and variety of food.

• Average cost: 150 to 230 € per night
• Ideal for: families

5. Barceló Playa Blanca

A modern resort with waterslides, a spa, and many dining options, next to Playa Dorada beach. Suitable for families with children of all ages.

• Average cost: 140 to 210 € per night
• Ideal for: families

6. CalaLanzarote Suites Hotel

An adults-only hotel on the promenade, near the marina, with sea views from most rooms. Ideal for couples seeking peaceful luxury.

• Average cost: 160 to 240 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

Costa Teguise

Built in the 1970s with designs inspired by César Manrique, Costa Teguise is calmer than Puerto del Carmen, with wide streets, a golf course, and beaches like Las Cucharas, which primarily attract windsurfers. It's fifteen minutes from Arrecife and suits couples and families who want relaxation without too much hustle and bustle.

The downside is that nightlife is limited compared to other resorts, so if lively evening entertainment is what you're after, it might be better suited somewhere else.

7. Paradisus by Meliá Salinas Lanzarote

An adults-only hotel, designed in Manrique's style, with gardens and a large pool next to the beach. It stands out for its architecture and tranquility.

• Average cost: 220 to 320 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

8. Barceló Teguise Beach

An adults-only resort right on the beach, with a wide variety of restaurants and a good location near the centre of Costa Teguise. Suitable for couples who want all-inclusive without children around.

• Average cost: 150 to 220 € per night
• Ideal for: couples

9. THB Lanzarote Beach

A more affordable option next to the beach, with spacious studio apartments. Suitable for families who want to cook some of their own meals.

• Average cost: 90 to 140 € per night
• Ideal for: families on a small budget

Arrecife

The island's capital doesn't have the tourist façade of the resorts, but it compensates with lower prices, authentic daily life, and easy access to the entire island via central bus routes. El Reducto beach is within the city, while Charco de San Ginés lagoon is one of Lanzarote's most photographed spots.

It suits budget travellers and those who want a base near the airport. However, it doesn't have the relaxed holiday vibe of other areas, so it's not the first choice if you're looking for a purely beach holiday.

10. Hotel Lancelot

Located on El Reducto beach, in the centre of Arrecife, with a terrace and sea-view pool. It stands out for its central location and good value for money.

• Average cost: 90 to 130 € per night
• Ideal for: travellers on a moderate budget

11. Hotel Diamar

Next to the beach, with simple but clean rooms and a balcony. A good choice for those seeking affordable accommodation close to the airport and the city centre.

• Average cost: 70 to 110 € per night
• Ideal for: budget travel

12. Beach House Lanzarote

Affordable accommodation with dorm rooms and private rooms, a few metres from the beach. Suitable for young budget travellers looking for a social atmosphere.

• Average cost: 30 to 60 € per night
• Ideal for: backpackers

Area comparison

Area	Ideal for	Price range/night	Distance from centre
Puerto del Carmen	First visit, couples, families	100 to 190 €	20 minutes from airport
Playa Blanca	Families, luxury	140 to 240 €	35 minutes from airport
Costa Teguise	Couples, tranquility	90 to 320 €	15 minutes from airport
Arrecife	Budget travel, base near airport	30 to 130 €	10 minutes from airport

Practical information

Lanzarote Airport primarily serves flights from European cities, with routes from Greece usually passing through an intermediate airport, similar to other journeys to Madrid or mainland Spain in general. From the airport to Arrecife, the journey takes approximately ten minutes, to Puerto del Carmen twenty minutes, and to Playa Blanca around thirty-five minutes by taxi or hire car.

Car hire usually costs between 25 and 45 € per day, depending on the season, and is the most flexible option if you want to visit Timanfaya, La Geria, and the Jameos del Agua caves. Public buses, known as Intercity Buses, connect the main towns at reasonable prices, but services become less frequent in the evenings and at weekends.

Accommodation prices rise significantly in December and January, when many Northern Europeans visit the island to escape the cold, as well as in July and August. Spring and autumn offer a better balance of price and quality, with mid-range rooms around 90 to 140 € per night, while during the high demand winter, prices can exceed 200 € in good resorts.

If you plan to combine your trip with another destination in Spain, bear in mind that many flights to the Canaries pass through Madrid, where a stopover is worthwhile if you have the time. In our article on how to get from Madrid airport to the city centre you'll find all transport options, and if you want more general ideas for the city, there's also a separate article on travelling to Madrid.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area for a first stay in Lanzarote?

Puerto del Carmen is the most convenient option, as it combines beaches, restaurants, and easy access to the entire island without necessarily needing a car for the essentials.

Which area has the most affordable accommodation prices?

Arrecife offers the lowest prices on the island, with decent hotels ranging from 70 to 130 € per night and good bus connections to other points.

Do I need a car in Lanzarote?

If you want to visit Timanfaya, La Geria, and the northern beaches, a hire car helps a lot, as buses mainly cover the central routes.

When is the best time to travel to Lanzarote?

Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and lower accommodation prices, while winter remains mild but with increased demand from Northern European visitors.

How long does it take from the airport to Playa Blanca?

The journey takes approximately thirty-five minutes by taxi or car, depending on traffic on the island's main road.

Which area is best suited for couples?

Costa Teguise and parts of Playa Blanca offer a quieter atmosphere, with several adults-only hotels and beautiful sunsets.

Can I combine Lanzarote with another island?

Yes, from Playa Blanca there are regular ferries to Fuerteventura, taking approximately twenty-five minutes, ideal for a day trip or a short extension of your journey.