|
Lanzarote Introduction
Stargazers would love Lanzarote because it resembles the moon! It isn't just about sun and beaches, there is plenty more to do if you want it.
Because of its situation being only a short distance from the African coast, whatever time of year you visit Lanzarote you can rely on the weather. The island has a very low rainfall (averaging 16 days per year) and typical temperatures of around 20 degrees in winter months (December/January), and 30+ degrees during summer. The hottest months are between June and October. It is the volcanic landscapes which give the allure of the moon.
Like its neighbouring islands, Lanzarote is volcanic with its Atlantida Volcano which is famous for being the longest volcanic tunnel throughout the world. Despite being volcanic, it has many sandy beaches to add to its glamour, which offer a variety of water sports and facilities. There are a few beaches which have dark volcanic sand, but these still provide a good place for sunbathing and water sports.
Lanzarote boasts its own vineyards and charming traditional villages, with palm trees along the cobbled streets. There are so many other places of natural beauty and places of interest to visit you will be spellbound.
Lanzarote Location
Lanzarote is situated to the most easterly point of 7 large and 6 small Canary Islands and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. It is, in fact the closest Canary Island to the north west coast of Africa which in distance is less than 80 miles away. It is the 4th largest Canary Island being 37 miles in length and 12 miles in width.
Lanzarote is desert-like in some areas with its many valleys that are covered in solidified lava. The sea temperature remains fairly constant all year round, which makes it an excellent place to go at any time of the year. The coldest sea temperatures are between February - April and usually average 18°.
Weather in Lanzarote
For a holiday at any time of the year, Lanzarote is the place to go because it does not lack sunshine and warmth, which obviously makes it a popular winter holiday as well as during the summer months.
Lanzarote can boast temperatures of not less than 16ºC in winter and 30ºC in summer. It sits in the Atlantic Ocean and because of its closeness to Northern Africa and its fine warm climate, the sea is still good for swimming in at around 18°C during February - April. The sea temperature remains fairly constant all year round, which makes it an excellent place to go at any time of the year, if you especially enjoy sunbathing and swimming. The sun can still be very strong in the winter months, so don't forget your lotion.
Lanzarote is situated in a geographical zone of a hot and dry climate, there is little rain which gives a desert like atmosphere. The difference in climate with Lanzarote, in comparison to the other Canary Islands, is that there is only one high mountain to form a natural barrier of clouds, and therefore rainfall. There are usually only about 16 days of rain per year, usually between November and March.
During the winter months although the temperatures during the day can rise to as high as 20°C, there is a vast contrast for the night temperatures which can be around 12°C, so it is advisable to have a cardigan or light-weight jacket with you just in case.
During the height of the summer months (July to September) you can usually expect temperatures of 30°C + during the day and usually not less than 20°C at night. Lanzarote can be exposed to a hot sirocco wind - typical of African weather referred to by locals as Tiempo Africano - during the summer.
If you prefer cooler temperatures, the north of the island is the place for you as it can suffer from the Trade Winds, which in fact help to keep the temperatures down slightly. Be aware that you are more likely to suffer from sun burn because of these winds.
In the south it is possible to enjoy as much as 2500 sunshine hours annually, where it is drier and hotter. You could opt for the centre of the island where you can get the best of both worlds, with gentle winds from the north to the hot sunshine from the south, creating a fine mix for a perfect holiday.
Transfers from Arrecife airport
Arriving at a foreign airport can often be a strenuous affair and with most customers traveling independently these days having a pre-booked airport transfer is an essential part of your holiday package. Local taxis at the airport can sometimes be limited or with long queues, by booking a pre-booked you can not only make a fantastic saving on your transfer but also avoid all the stress of queues and haggling with taxi drivers. Book your airport transfer service here now >>
Airport Shuttle Bus Service from Arrecife airport
In most of our gateway airports you can pre-book an Airport Shuttle Service. This is a pre-booked only service that operates between the relevant airport and holiday resort. In normal times you can expect to wait up to 30 minutes for your shuttle bus to arrive however as this is a pre-negotiated service and only available to participating travel companies then expect to pay far less to get from the airport to your destination accommodation than other traditional forms or transport such as local taxis. Book your airport shuttle service here now>>
Lanzarote Car Hire
Although you will find that you have everything you need close to your resort, hiring a car can be a good way of exploring Lanzarote and getting to places that are perhaps a little off the beaten track.
It is easy to hire a car from the local agencies. There are a good selection of both cars, jeeps, 4x4s to hire and most usually offer child booster/car seats if you request it at the time of booking. Cars can be delivered/collected from your resort or a pick up point of your choosing.
With a car you will be able to go to some of the beaches a little out of the way and visit some of those shops away from the bigger towns. Supermarkets out of town are usually cheaper than those in the more well known resorts.
There are many attractions that you will be able to visit in your own time rather than an organisedexcursion, such as the idyllic National Park Timanaya and the Cueva de los Verdes, to name but a few.
In Lanzarote you drive on the right hand side with the road signs being international and modern. Always carry your driving licence, passport and car rental agreement because if you are unlucky enough to be stopped by the police, you could face a fine for not having one of these documents.
Shopping in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is duty free, along with the other Canary Islands. You will find your tobacco, alcohol and perfumes much cheaper from supermarkets in the main resorts than at the airport. Your allowance is treated as outside the EU so you need to be aware of your tax allowances for travelling back to the UK.
There are many shopping centres around the island and if you fancy hitting the shops, try the Spinola shopping centre at Arrecife. To the north of the island there is Tachiche, where you will find the El Hiper shopping centre. To the south of Lanzarote at Playa Honda, there are two shopping areas, Megacentro and Deiland. At all these shopping centres you will find a variety of different shops and especially some exclusive boutiques.
In the main resorts such as Puerto Del Carmen, Costa Tegusie and Arrecife, there are many shops selling souvenirs, crafts such as lace, embroidery and pottery. You will also be able to find household and electrical items. Arrecife, the main street for shopping is Leon Y Castillo, here you can find shops offering electrical goods, watches, clothes, ceramics, tableware, lace, local wine from Geria and other villages.
There is a market every Tuesday in the Pueblo Marinero at Costa Teguise which offers fine crafts from local artisans, and there is also a general market here every Friday evening, starting around 18.00. Every Sunday morning starting from 8.30 there is a big market in the old capital of Teguise, again you will find local crafts and the typical fake watches and designer handbags! Here you can enjoy some traditional 'paella' and 'churros' whilst watching traditional Canarian dancing in the main square, which is in front of the church. On Saturdays there is a nice flea market at Haria.
Eating Out in Lanzarote
Dining out in Lanzarote will not break your budget. You can easily find a wide variety of choice from English fish and chips to nouveau cuisine. There is an abundance of good restaurants which provide the opportunity for you to enjoy authentic Canarian food, usually in a setting of ambiance and atmosphere.
If you see the word typicothis normally means a local restaurant serving traditional, good value fresh food so look out for this sign on many of the eateries.
There are plenty of good fish restaurants where the daily catch from the Atlantic Ocean is served, to your choice by grilling or frying the beautiful, fresh fish. Bass, tuna, cod, snapper fish, and parrot fish are the most popular types of fish. A typical local dish is vieja, or more commonly known as widow fish. Fish soup or stew is often a choice.
There are menus with steak to cater for tourists but local specialities are soups and stews with local goat, rabbit or pork.
Of course, because of Spanish links, Lanzarote restaurants usually have paella and gazpacho on their menus, as well as its own speciality dish called gofio. This is a course roasted wholemeal flour, usually put into bread, cakes and puddings but is often used to increase the texture of soups and stews.
If you have a sweet tooth you will love the local dessert called bienmesabe. This is made of honey, almonds and rum. A real sticky treat!
Goat cheese is popular, as is fresh fruit grown on the island. Don't forget to try the dwarf cavendishbanana, which is grown locally.
There are a few tapas bars placed around the island, these will serve a variety of hot and cold food such as olives, mushrooms, cured ham, squid salad, garlic prawns (delicious if you like garlic) and chorizo sausage. Don't get confused about what to ask for if you feel hungry: una racionmeans half a small plateful and una porcionis a much greater helping.
Other typical Canarian meals, if you feel adventurous, are:
Puchero - a casserole with meat, vegetables and beans
Ropa vieja - a chick pea stew
Sancocho - salted fish, sweet potatoes and vegetables
Cazuela canaria - a casserole made with fish and octopus
Papas arragudas - (wrinkled potatoes) jacket potatoes cooked with rock salt and a hot paprika and chilli sauce called mojo picon
Mojo Verde - a sauce with parsley and coriander
Lanzarote produces some excellent local wines particularly El Grifo which is the oldest producer of wine. Canarian wine is more expensive than imported wines, but the quality is excellent. There are a variety of white, red and rosé wines to choose from. There is also another locally produced wine which is excellent called Malvasia.
There are two types of Canarian beer Dorada and Tropical. Rum is a local drink, and at Gomera their speciality is a sweet liquer called ronmiel, made from the sap of palm trees. There are many fruity liquers available which are also made by the local distilleries.
Coffee is usually served black but if you ask for cortadoyou will have a splash of milk added. Ask for con lecheif you would like more milk.
So with all those different menus, tastes and colours, what more could you ask for on your holiday?
Lanzarote Nightlife
The capital of Lanzarote, Arrecife (and Jose Antonio Street which is located in the centre) has quite a varied selection of nightlife from bars and discos to clubs and is considered to be the best place to go for nightlife on Lanzarote.
Puerto del Carmen, Avenida de las Playas (near the famous Waikiki Bar), in the City's Old Port area and in Costa Teguise, along the Avenida de las Islas Canarias are also quite busy containing a variety of choice from restaurants, bars, discos and clubs. The bars are open from about mid morning until well into the early hours. As you would expect, discos and night clubs start late (after 23.00) and stay open until the last person leaves, normally around 5 or 6 in the morning. There are also a couple of popular bars along the Avenida de las Playas which tourists seem to head for.
In the four main resorts you will find a good variety of restaurants serving international and Canarian dishes, and wherever you are in Lanzarote you will find a fish restaurant within your locality, usually serving the catch of the day. You will also find some bars and a small selection of discos and clubs within the smaller resorts.
Although most of the nightlife here is centered around the larger hotels, in Playa Blanca you will find bars and a handful of discos and nightclubs.
In Calle Juan Carlos 1, La Curva can entertain you with a lively night show and plenty of Adult themed entertainment.
LanzaroteBeaches
Lanzarote has such a wide variety of beaches you will have many decisions to make. Depending on what your choice is, whether you are looking for peace and quiet or an action packed time, you will find something for everyone on Lanzarote.
There is a vast coastline of over 250 kms and Lanzarote is famous for its windsurfing, surfing and kite boarding. It is also renowned for its diving and snorkelling where you can find many little coves to explore around the island. If you fancy going back to nature, there are also a few naturist beaches.
Always be aware of the safety flags, that are displayed on the major beaches. Some beaches on Lanzarote have Blue Flags which have been awarded for their cleanliness, facilities like sun loungers, toilets and parasols.
Arrecife
Today the promenade is abundant with all the things you would expect from a seaside resort where there are many souvenir shops, bars and cafes. It is a bustling and busy resort with plenty to do and see. . Ideal for swimming as the sea is calm here and safe for children. From the promenade to Playa Honda you will find several hundred metres of golden sand and shallow waters. A good place for families as the waters are calm.
Playa La Garita, Arrieta Haria
The beach at Playa La Garita, has excellent facilities and has been awarded the Blue Flag for this reason. Because of its location the water can be affected by undercurrents at times, so perhaps it is not the best beach to visit with children, or for inexperienced swimmers.
Costa Teguise
Las Cucharus is an excellent beach for wind surfing or participating in sea based activities. The sea is clear and warm and if you just want to sunbathe the beach has beautiful white sand. There are other water sports available, such as scuba diving and snorkelling. If you just wish to dip your toes along the shoreline, you have a choice of 3 beaches at Costa Teguise: Los Charcos is also sandy but the beach at El Jabillo is a little rocky and for that reason, is perhaps not a good choice for children. Famara beach is ideal for windsurfing, surfing, body boarding and kite boarding. There can be some undercurrents here at this beach so take care with small children or inexperienced swimmers and expect white water breakers in the region of 6 metres.
Matagorda
Matagorda has something for everyone and is now very much being promoted as a family resort. The beach is nicely organised with excellent facilities such as sun beds and parasols so don't forget the lotion and sunglasses if you want to look and feel cool. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for its facilities and, quite rightly so. There is a wind surfing school on the beach and other equipment for water sports.
Playa Blanca
The Playa Blanca Beaches are famous for their golden sands with calm waters and within easy access from the promenade. Ideal for families and children. This now has a modern port and little sign of what was
once a tiny fishing village. The main beach of Playa Blanca has a Blue Flag for its cleanliness and facilities, which include sun beds, parasols, toilets and cafes. There are water sports for those who like a challenge, such as jet ski-ing, scuba diving and wind surfing. If you prefer something more sedate you can go for a horsehide or hire a cycle and explore the area on a bike.
Playa Honda
There is a very nice beach lined with a traffic free, promenade with an abundance of palm trees, to which there are several restaurants and bars where you will find a menu of your choice at reasonable prices. The beach is a popular choice for wind surfers thanks to the light breezes which are often prevalent in Playa Honda. The views to the Atlantic Ocean are astounding as you look out to sea and around the shoreline.
Puerto del Carmen
The resort has been well established for many years and is probably better known for its legendary beaches which stretch for many miles. All the sandy beaches along this stretch have been awarded the Blue Flag for their good facilities and cleanliness. You can participate in many water activities and the sea is superb for swimming, for the young and old alike. The main Puerto Del Carmen beach, Playa Grande Beach is a lively, sandy beach with clean, crystal clear waters. El Reducto beach is a fine, golden sandy beach, very nice for children because of its calm, clean waters and where you will find the lagoon called San Gines, a natural pond formed by the sea. This is a Blue Flag beach. El Caleton Blanco Beach has an idyllic array of small white sandy bays, formed by volcanic rock. The bays here are ideal for swimming, they are sheltered and safe for children.
Papagayo Beach
Is a stunning beach with several little coves all with golden sand, very sheltered and calm. Look out for the specific areas which are dedicated to naturism.
El Risco Beach
As its name might suggest this beach is a bit off the beaten track with quite a long reach, climbing down from Ye in Haria. Once there the waters are crystal blue, although it can be quite windy but don't let that put you off. Nice if you want some peace.
Ideal surfing/body boarding beaches
Farama - very rough waters so only recommended for experienced surfers. You can expect breakers in the region of around 6 kms where you can be swept onto the sandy beach
Costa Teguise - good for beginners in the mornings before the wind becomes too strong, but ideal for experienced surfers and is particularly popular in the afternoons, there is a shallow reef just outside the perimeter of the jetties, this makes a good swell
Las Cucharas - a popular beach for windsurfing with golden sands and mill pond sea conditions. It is close to town with all the facilities offered and is an easy beach to get to
Jameos del Agua - an ideal spot to ride grand waves which form and break in various strips over the volcanic reef. A beach best suited for experienced surfers due to the strong currents.
La Santa - a nice sheltered lagoon situated on the west coast which is ideal for surfing lessons and beginners
Matagorda - this beach has plenty of flat water with some good breakers, and is situated just outside Puerto del Carmen
|