With endless stunning beaches, epic waves and distinctive volcanic peaks jotted around the island, it’s not surprising Lanzarote remains a top pick for Irish family holidays.
The sun shines all year round on this idyllic island which makes it the perfect choice for a family break.
Here are some top tips for a fantastic family holiday in Lanzarote:
Why
Sitting just 60 miles off the coast of Africa, the extraordinary volcanic landscape of Lanzarote has to be seen to be believed. Soak up the rays on gorgeous sandy beaches like Papgayo and Puerto del Carmen, get stuck into fantastic water sports in the sparkling blue Atlantic Ocean and explore the Teguise Market in search of Canarian treasures.
Where
Check out Puerto Del Carmen, Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise for great family resorts. Puerto Del Carmen’s gorgeous three kilometre sandy beach makes it the island’s most popular resort. Formerly a small fishing village, Playa Blanca now centres around the buzzing Marina Rubicon and is chockfull of restaurants and bars. Costa Teguise is famous for its pale sandy beach, 18 hole golf course, and relaxing atmosphere. A trip to Lanzarote’s live volcano, Fire Mountain at Timanfaya National Park is a must.
Get there
Fly to Arrecife Airport from Dublin, Cork, or Shannon, with an approximate flight time of around 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Stay
Flamingo Beach Resort
Located in Playa Blanca, this beautiful complex stands out with its whitewashed buildings and pretty flower-lined gardens. Guests enjoy direct access to Playa Blanca’s Flamingo Beach and the bustling Rubicon Yachting Marina is just a short drive away. There are family activities every day in the resort, no less than three swimming pools, and a playground for the kids to boot.
Lanzasur Club
This is the perfect choice for families looking for a bit of action. Guests enjoy free access to the on-site waterpark with its giant slide, hydrotube, wave pool and lazy river. There’s also a brilliant play area for little ones to splash around, with tipping buckets and kids’ slides. If you fancy a change of scenery, the local harbour in Playa Blanca and the beach are just a short stroll from the complex.
Los Zocos Beach Resort
A two-minute walk from Las Cucharas beach in Costa Teguise, this gorgeous resort is known for its welcoming atmosphere, quality of service and great range of facilities. Sprawling across 15 acres, Los Zocos has everything a family could want including an astroturf football pitch, mini-golf course, and the Aguamarina kids club and mini-disco. There’s even a pool-bar for the mums and dads. What else could you possibly want?
Eat
There’s a huge choice of restaurants at prices far cheaper than mainland Spain. International dishes are everywhere but try the ‘restaurants tipicos’ for good value home cooking in simple, clean surroundings. Specialities include local fish such as ‘sama’ (sea bream served with boiled potatoes in salt) which is bred at the floating fish farms off the coast of Playa Quemada, just south of Puerto del Carmen.
Casa Cabana in the old town of Puerto Del Carmen is a real treat. Chow down on traditional daily specials, great vegetarian options and delicious desserts, it’s the perfect spot for a family dinner out. The cosy ambience, friendly staff and delicious menu set it apart from other eateries in the area.
For the kids
Take a trip to the south of the island to see Lanzarote’s fire mountain, Timanfaya. Watch experiments demonstrating the intense underground heat – kids of all ages will be fascinated by water turning into steaming geysers and brushwood bursting into the flames. Watch out for The moon-like volcanic peaks and craters in the surrounding National Park will keep all of the family intrigued.
Wander through the pretty plaza and cobbled streets, sounds and treasures of the Teguise Market, every Sunday morning. Kids will love the carnival atmosphere created by Canarian dancers, hair braiders and panpipe bands. Pick up intricate traditional lacework, jewellery and hand-made leather, but don’t forget to haggle.
Do you have a favourite spot in Lanzarote? Let us know in the Facebook comments or join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie
