The beaches of Lanzarote
Where to park, whether there are facilities, whether it is windy and whether the sea is calm enough for children. What actually decides which one you go to.
- Playas de PapagayoA set of golden-sand coves sheltered by cliffs, inside the Los Ajaches Natural Monument. The best-known beaches on the island, and sheltered from the trade wind, so the water is usually calm.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de FamaraSix kilometres of sand beneath the Risco de Famara, a cliff over 600 metres high. This is the island's surf beach and one of the most recognisable views in Lanzarote.Wind: ventosaSea: fuerteWith children: No
- Playa ChicaA small, sheltered cove next to the harbour, with very clear water. It is the reference diving and snorkelling spot in Puerto del Carmen: most dive centres come here.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa GrandeThe main beach in Puerto del Carmen, right on Avenida de las Playas. Urban, with everything at hand: lifeguards in season, showers, sunbeds, bars and restaurants.Wind: moderadaSea: moderadoWith children: Yes
- Playa de Los PocillosPlaya Grande's continuation to the north: over a kilometre of golden sand with noticeably fewer people. Same seafront promenade, same services, but more room to lay a towel.Wind: moderadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de MatagordaThe northern end of Puerto del Carmen's beach strip. Wind blows on most days — enough to make it a good spot for learning windsurfing — but the water stays calm.Wind: ventosaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de las CucharasThe main beach in Costa Teguise and the island's windsurfing reference: the steady wind that makes it uncomfortable for sunbathing is exactly what makes it good for sailing.Wind: ventosaSea: moderadoWith children: Yes
- Playa BastiánThe only beach in Costa Teguise with sand that is not entirely man-made, with stone walls, steps and shaded green areas. The sand is mixed with some gravel, so it is not the most comfortable one to walk on barefoot.Wind: moderadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa del JablilloA small, urban cove protected by a breakwater — with an old windmill on top — that keeps the water very calm. One of the best in the area for small children, or for snorkelling at low tide.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de los CharcosThe northernmost of Costa Teguise's beaches, sheltered by two breakwaters that keep the water calm despite being a regular windsurfing competition venue. The promenade north towards Los Ancones starts here.Wind: ventosaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa del ReductoThe capital's own beach, protected by a natural barrier that leaves the water almost wave-free. This is the one Arrecife locals use, with a promenade, showers and lifeguards.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa HondaAlmost two kilometres of beach in front of a residential town next to the airport, with barely any hotels: here you mix with Lanzarote residents, not other tourists. The wind blows most days but steadily rather than violently, and the water stays calm.Wind: moderadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa DoradaThe most spacious beach in Playa Blanca, with a lifeguard in season and such a gradual entry that the water barely reaches waist-height for the first twenty metres. One of the best in the area for small children.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa FlamingoSheltered from wind and waves, one of the best beaches in Playa Blanca to visit with children. Beach bar and sunbed rental right on the sand.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de las ColoradasOn the boundary between Playa Blanca's built-up seafront and the wild Papagayo coves. Its sand, tinted ochre and red by the volcano, is especially striking at sunrise and sunset.Wind: resguardadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de JanubioOver 800 m of black sand facing the Janubio salt flats, one of the island's most photographed sunset spots.Wind: ventosaSea: fuerteWith children: No
- Playa QuemadaA tiny fishing village at the end of the road, south of Timanfaya, with three fresh-fish restaurants right on the beach. People come here to eat more than to swim.Wind: moderadaSea: moderadoWith children: No
- Playa de El GolfoA black-sand beach on Yaiza's north-facing coast, fully exposed to the Atlantic, right next to (but not part of) the Charco de los Clicos green lagoon. Entering the Charco itself is forbidden — it is a protected nature reserve.Wind: ventosaSea: fuerteWith children: No
- La SantaA former fishing village turned world surf reference. The ría — an old tidal channel — leaves a stretch of sheltered white sand, while right offshore breaks El Quemao, one of the most serious waves in Europe.Wind: ventosaSea: moderadoWith children: No
- Caleta de CaballoA small fishing village on the west coast, with dark volcanic sand and rock, fully exposed to the Atlantic. A surf and windsurf spot, not a beach for sunbathing.Wind: ventosaSea: fuerteWith children: No
- Caletón BlancoNatural pools of white sand ringed by black volcanic rock, near Órzola. The water inside the pools is calm and fine for children, even though the open sea just beyond the rocks is not.Wind: moderadaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes
- Playa de la CanteríaA wide, golden-sand beach near Órzola that would be one of the island's best if it were not for the sea.Wind: ventosaSea: fuerteWith children: No
- Playa de la Garita800 m of golden sand in front of the village of Arrieta. The wind blows steadily but the water stays calm, and at weekends it fills up with local families.Wind: ventosaSea: tranquiloWith children: Yes