Famara Beach

On the northwest coast of the island, away from the resorts, the long, curving bay is backed by spectacular pinkish cliffs.
The white sandy beaches of Famara are very picturesque and stretch for miles north of the village of La Caleta.
They look absolutely stunning against the backdrop of the dark cliffs of Riscos de Famara, which seem to enhance the crystal clear waters.

These wide beaches are generally very windy, have strong breakers and are known as a surfers’ paradise.

It is a magnet for the water sports community who venture out into the exciting waves and swells that are created here. In fact, international surfing competitions have been held on one of the beaches called Playa de San Juan. However, this means that the conditions are not so good for swimming. A small section at the northern part of this beach is also very popular with naturists.

South of the village of La Caleta stretches another 3 mile long (5 kilometres) white sandy beach, offering the same ideal conditions for surfers. This area boasts another small sandy beach, Playa Ensenada, located right on the village’s shore. This is a windy beach with calmer waters and is popular with sun worshippers who like to relax under the blue skies.

Surfing, windsurfing or kiteboarding – professionals often train here. Book lessons in one of the surf schools in the village. The cliffs are popular with hang-gliders too.

Pedro Almodóvar chose this dramatic setting to shoot some key scenes of his last film, Broken Embraces. César Manrique, the visionary artist, architect and environmentalist whose influence is seen all over the island, spent his childhood holidays in Famara and always said it was his favourite place.

Beaches of Punta del Papagayo

A crescent of fine, white sand sheltered by cliffs, Papagayo is said by many to be the most beautiful beach on Lanzarote. It’s hidden away in Los Ajaches nature reserve – an area of volcanic hills – on the southern tip of the island.

Perhaps the most well known of all the beaches around Playa Blanca is Papagayo.

In reality this is a collection of smaller beaches that are separated by high cliffs, forming a number of sheltered bays.

This area has been protected and is now a national park which can be accessed by a rather bumpy dirt road or by the coastal pathway which starts at the eastern end of the resort. There is a small charge to use the road, but this is certainly well worth the cost.

You can also reach Papagayo by Water Taxi from the harbour in Playa Blanca.

Although access to the beaches at Papagayo is relatively easy, it is quite a distance from any of the main residential or tourist developments. There are very few services at the beach, so if you plan on spending the day there, you need to go prepared

Las Conchas

An idyllic strip of golden sand with crystal-clear water on the island of La Graciosa, part of the Chinijo archipelago, just off the north of Lanzarote.

The most beautiful of the islet is best-known beaches is the 1,640 ft (500 metres) long Playa de las Conchas on its north-western shore, with spectacular views of the uninhabited smaller islands of Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Alegranza. The waters can be rough at this beach, it’s important to be cautious.

In the surroundings are also the beaches of Caleta de Arriba, La Laja and El Salado, a strip of fine golden sand with calm waters of about 1 mile (1.5 kilometres) long. You have to walk to this area but it is well worth the journey.

In addition, other beaches close by include Playa Francesa and Playa La Cocina to the south and Playa Lambra on the north shore… and there are more still!
To get there it is 15-20 minutes by boat from Órzola in the north of Lanzarote

La Garita

Adjoining the village of Arrieta in the north of the island, La Garita is a stretch of golden sand with a gradual slope into the sea.

Playa La Garita – is gently shelving and has fine golden sand, which makes it ideal for paddling. So much so that it has been awarded a Blue Flag. At certain times of the year, when for instance the Spring high tide occurs, it can also boast fine enough waves for the local surfing community to make a beeline for La Garita.

And during the winter months, the beach extends itself as the sea drags away all the rocks that divide it in the middle, so that a good stretch of two kilometres of sand is exposed

Playa de la Cantería

Situated west of Órzola, a sleepy fishing village at the northern tip of the island, you will find the picturesque, small beach of Playa de la Cantería. With fine, white sand, this is a sun worshipper's’ paradise and a superb chill-out location.

The ocean here attracts surfers because of the exciting waves, although please bear in mind this can make for hazardous swimming conditions and taking a dip is not recommended.

This area shows off the lovely Lanzarote landscape and is a good spot to take a picnic and enjoy the pretty views while relaxing in the sunshine

Playa Quemada

The name translates as “burnt beach”, and when you see the gravelly dark sand and rocks you can understand why. On the south-east coast of the island, it adjoins a former fishing village near Puerto Calero.

South of the picturesque pleasure harbour of Puerto Calero lies the secluded Playa Quemada, a string of small, idyllic coves with natural beaches featuring volcanic sand, pebbles and crystal-clear, calm waters. At weekends, this beach is a favourite with residents and families who take advantage of the tranquil ocean here; a great place for a swim.

This beach is not as popular as many others in the south of Lanzarote and so has no facilities like sunbeds or sunshades. Spain-Lanzarote suggests you take along a picnic, plenty of water, sun protection and an umbrella.