Lanzarote is the Canary island that you wouldn’t envisage. The first feeling you get when you come here is that you’ve stepped on the moon. With its volcanic surface, up-and-down roads and bright white houses, it won’t take long until you understand that this isn’t your classic touristy island. Lanzarote is an island of exquisite beauty and astonishing contrasts; a place of dark deserts and white houses; crystal-clear lagoons and rolling surf; steep volcanoes and picturesque sandy beaches. It’s austere and beautiful, simple and stunning.
While there are first-rate family hotels in Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise, away from the resorts there is also a large range of cheap places to stay. You can choose from boutique hotels, apartments and bungalows built in the traditional style, village houses or even opulent yurts. Alternate relaxing on the beach with tours to the phenomenal sights created in the volcanic landscape by local artist and environmentalist César Manrique. Don’t skip a tour of the Timanfaya national park, too.
Grab a boat over to the island of La Graciosa off the northern shore for a dreamy day swimming in turquoise water. Visit the grapevines in La Geria and rent out a bike to test your stamina on some of the superb cycling routes around the island.
When to go
You can go to the Canaries at any time of year and have good weather pretty much guaranteed – Lanzarote has a Subtropical Desert climate with average daytime temperatures ranging from about 21°C in January to 29°C in August. Yes, it gets windy sometimes and storms are sometimes a part of the climate, but most of the time it is sunny as the island receives, on average, only 18 days of rain per year with an average temperature of 22°C. Even when the islands are at it’s temperature peak, in July and August, the temperature is usually only in the mid-twenties. Whenever you choose to head there, it is nearly always warm enough to swim and sunbathe.
