Lanzarote's best beaches: the complete guide

Which beach suits your trip?

The choice mainly depends on what you're after: relaxed swimming, watersports, or a wild cove.

Papagayo: the finest coves in the south

The beaches of Papagayo, south of Lanzarote, rank among the island's most beautiful wild coves: a string of pale-sand coves with turquoise water, tucked inside a protected nature reserve (Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches), a few kilometres east of Playa Blanca.

You can reach them by car along an unpaved track from Playa Blanca — an access fee to the protected area may apply — or on foot via the coastal path. Another pleasant option: a boat or catamaran trip from Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca, with a swimming stop facing the coves.

There's almost nothing built up on site: little to no shade, very few facilities. Bring water, a parasol and something to eat, and take your rubbish with you — the area is protected. Our dedicated page on the Papagayo coves covers each cove and how to reach it.

We tried to reach the Papagayo coves with our hire car: the very rocky dirt track looked impassable for our tyres, so we chose to give up. We fell back on the far end of Playa Blanca, where, parking at the edge of town and following a dirt path, we found a little "secret" beach with fine sand and clear, cool water — a very good swimming spot.

Famara: the surfers' beach

On the north-west coast, Famara remains the best-known surf and kitesurf spot on the north coast. Playa de Famara stretches several kilometres of sand beneath the imposing Famara cliff (Risco de Famara), facing the Atlantic swell.

The scenery is dramatic, but swimming isn't recommended: strong currents, powerful waves, an exposed beach. Famara is above all a playground for surfers and kitesurfers, with several schools based in the village of Caleta de Famara and, a little further on, around La Santa, well known among athletes for its training centre.

The wind, almost constant along this coast, is a boon for riders and delivers great kite sessions. For everything on the waves, the schools and the village, check our dedicated page on Famara beach.

We didn't try surfing or kitesurfing ourselves, but it has to be said that Famara and its beach offer spectacular scenery; on our walk along the sand, we even came across donkeys roaming freely, real regulars on the beach. Surfing and kitesurfing aren't necessarily practicable all year round: if you're keen on riding, check the conditions carefully — regulars know exactly when to head to Lanzarote for the best conditions.

Family beaches: Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise

For a relaxed swim with children, head to the developed resorts. In Playa Blanca, in the south of the island, Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo are sheltered by breakwaters: calm water, pale sand, sun loungers, restaurants and a beachfront promenade just steps away. It's the most comfortable area for families — and handy too for choosing where to stay near the beaches.

In Costa Teguise, Playa de las Cucharas combines a family beach with a windsurfing spot: calm swimming closer to shore, riding a little further out. The resort, quieter than Puerto del Carmen, has everything you need (shops, equipment hire, watersports schools).

Other beaches worth knowing

We also swam in the natural pools of Las Rosas, at Punta Mujeres: they were quiet when we visited, and the water, quite cold, was still very pleasant — just watch out for sea urchins.

Black sand and volcanic landscapes: what makes Lanzarote's beaches unique

The sand on many Lanzarote beaches is black or dark, a direct legacy of the island's volcanic origins. Unlike neighbouring Fuerteventura, with its long stretches of white and golden sand, Lanzarote alternates pale coves (Papagayo, Órzola) with volcanic sand beaches, as at El Golfo or along parts of the west coast.

This mineral scenery — lava fields, dark cliffs, turquoise water over black rock — gives the island its whole character. To carry on the volcanic experience beyond the beaches, discover the island's volcanic landscapes, from Timanfaya to the green lake of El Golfo.

To go further, explore our Lanzarote guide or head back to the Canary Islands guide to compare the islands.