Welcome to our complete Playa Blanca guide. Whether you’ve just booked one of our villas in Playa Blanca or you’re still planning your trip, this page covers everything you need to know — from beaches and things to do, to restaurants, shopping, transport and day trips around the island.
Playa Blanca (meaning “White Beach”) is the most southerly resort on the island of Lanzarote. The island itself sits just 80 miles off the coast of Africa, in the Canary Islands archipelago. The resort enjoys almost year-round sunshine, with average temperatures of around 21°C (72°F). Thanks to Lanzarote’s mountain ranges blocking the northeast trade winds, Playa Blanca tends to be drier and warmer than the north of the island. As a result, it’s one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Canaries — ideal for families, couples and groups alike.
What started as a small fishing village has grown into one of Lanzarote’s most popular resorts. However, Playa Blanca has kept a quieter, more relaxed feel than the larger resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. There are no mega-nightclubs here. Instead, you’ll find a tasteful mix of beachfront restaurants, boutique shops, the upscale Marina Rubicon and a 5-mile seafront promenade that stretches the full length of the resort.
The resort sits within the municipality of Yaiza and has continued to grow steadily in recent years. As this Playa Blanca guide shows, it now offers excellent facilities while still retaining its laid-back charm. For visitors who prefer nightlife, Puerto del Carmen is around 25 minutes away by car or bus.
Playa Blanca has four main beaches, each with its own character. In addition, the famous Papagayo beaches are just a short drive or boat ride away.
Playa Blanca beach is the resort’s original beach, located right in the heart of town. It’s small but holds a European Blue Flag for water quality and cleanliness. It’s surrounded by restaurants and bars, making it easy to combine a morning swim with a seafront lunch.
Playa Dorada (“The Golden Beach”) is the largest beach in the resort. It has fine sand, calm shallow waters and plenty of sun loungers for hire. Water sports are available here too, including jet skis, kayaks and pedalos. It’s a popular choice for families.
Playa Flamingo lies to the west of the town centre, close to Montaña Roja. Two breakwaters create sheltered, calm water — perfect for young children. It’s a quieter option and especially beautiful at sunset, with views across to Fuerteventura.
Papagayo beaches are a short drive east of the resort, within the protected Los Ajaches Natural Park. This series of golden-sand coves with crystal-clear turquoise water is widely considered the best beach area on the island. Access is via an unpaved track (a small entry fee applies for vehicles). You can also reach Papagayo by boat from Marina Rubicon.
There’s plenty to keep you busy in and around the resort. Here are some highlights.
Marina Rubicon — The resort’s stylish yacht harbour has over 20 restaurants, boutique shops, a swimming pool, sports courts and a twice-weekly market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 09:00–14:00). It’s also the starting point for boat trips, diving excursions and sailing courses. Read our full Marina Rubicon guide for more details.
Museo Atlántico — Europe’s first underwater sculpture museum sits just off the coast. Created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the sculptures are at a depth of around 14 metres. Guided dives for beginners and experienced divers depart daily from Rubicon Diving at the marina. It’s one of the most unique experiences on the island.
Castillo de las Coloradas — This 18th-century watchtower perches on the headland near Marina Rubicon. Originally built to defend against pirate attacks, it now offers panoramic views across to Fuerteventura. It’s free to visit and a lovely spot at sunset.
Faro de Pechiguera — The lighthouse at the western end of the resort. The coastal walk out to the lighthouse is one of the most popular strolls in Playa Blanca, with excellent views across the Atlantic.
Montaña Roja — A dormant volcano on the western edge of the resort. The hike to the summit takes around 30 minutes and rewards you with 360-degree views of Playa Blanca, Fuerteventura and the southern coastline. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
Aqualava Waterpark — A family-friendly waterpark in the resort with a wave pool, lazy river, water slides and a children’s play area. A good option for a fun day out with kids.
For more activity ideas, visit our Playa Blanca excursions page.
The seafront boardwalk (Paseo Marítimo) runs the full length of the resort — around 5 miles — passing beaches, the harbour, Marina Rubicon and dozens of restaurants along the way. It’s flat, wheelchair-friendly and ideal for walking, jogging or an evening stroll. The sunset views from the promenade are stunning.
The main shopping area is in the town centre, along the partly pedestrianised high street (Calle Limones and surrounding streets). Here you’ll find clothes shops, supermarkets, pharmacies, cashpoints and gift shops. Thanks to the Canary Islands’ low-tax status, alcohol, perfume and electronics are often cheaper than in the UK.
For more upscale shopping, head to the boutiques at Marina Rubicon. If you want a bigger shopping experience, the Deiland and Biosfera Plaza shopping centres are in Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen respectively — both easily reached by bus or car. Note that many shops in Arrecife close between 14:00 and 16:30.
Playa Blanca has an excellent dining scene. You’ll find everything from Michelin-quality tasting menus and fresh seafood to tapas bars, Italian trattorias and family-friendly grills. The main restaurant areas are along the seafront promenade, in the town centre, at Marina Rubicon and around Faro Park.
Some of the top-rated spots include La Cocina de Colacho (contemporary Canarian fine dining), Sergio (Mediterranean seafood), La Casa Roja (marina views and steaks), La Tapita (authentic tapas) and Avenida 55 (Italian). For our full rundown, see our top 10 Playa Blanca restaurants guide.
Local wines from the La Geria volcanic vineyards are well worth trying — especially the Malvasía whites, which pair beautifully with fresh fish.
No Playa Blanca guide would be complete without transport tips. The good news is that you don’t need a car to enjoy the resort. It’s compact and walkable, and public transport connections have improved a lot in recent years.
Buses — The number 30 bus runs a circular route around Playa Blanca every 30 minutes, seven days a week from 06:30 to 23:00. It costs around €1.40 per trip. For journeys to the airport, Puerto del Carmen and Arrecife, routes 161, 162-D, 60 and 62 all serve the resort. Contactless card payments are accepted. For full details, see our Playa Blanca bus services guide.
Car hire — Hiring a car is the best way to explore the wider island at your own pace. It gives you easy access to Timanfaya, La Geria, the northern attractions and the more remote beaches. Several rental companies have offices in the resort. For more information, visit our car hire guide.
Ferry to Fuerteventura — Playa Blanca’s harbour is the departure point for ferries to Corralejo on the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. The crossing takes around 25 minutes, with services running several times a day. It’s a fantastic day trip. For timetables, see our ferry information page.
Taxis — Readily available throughout the resort and reasonably priced for short journeys. A taxi from the airport to Playa Blanca costs around €45–55.
Lanzarote is a small island — just 60km by 25km — so you can reach most attractions within an hour’s drive. Here are some of the best day trips to include in your Playa Blanca guide.
Timanfaya National Park — Lanzarote’s most famous attraction. The volcanic landscape here is otherworldly, with dormant craters, lava fields and geothermal demonstrations. It’s around a 30-minute drive from Playa Blanca. Arrive early or book a tour to avoid queues.
La Geria wine region — The volcanic vineyards of La Geria are one of the most photographed sights on the island. Vines grow in hollows dug into the volcanic ash, protected by semicircular stone walls. Several bodegas along the route offer tastings.
Teguise Sunday Market — The largest weekly market in the Canary Islands, held every Sunday morning in the historic town of Teguise. There’s a direct bus from Playa Blanca (route 13, departing 09:00). See our bus guide for details.
Northern Lanzarote — The island’s north is home to many of César Manrique’s most famous creations, including Jameos del Agua (a volcanic cave turned concert venue), Cueva de los Verdes (underground lava tubes) and the Mirador del Río (a clifftop viewpoint overlooking La Graciosa). Allow a full day to explore.
Fuerteventura — A 25-minute ferry ride from Playa Blanca takes you to Corralejo, with its sand dunes, old town and beautiful beaches. It’s one of the most popular day trips from the resort.
For help arranging excursions, car hire or a private driver, visit our excursions page or get in touch with our local team.
Currency: Euro (€). Cashpoints are widely available in the town centre and at Marina Rubicon.
Language: Spanish, though English is widely spoken in the resort.
Time zone: GMT (same as the UK). Clocks change on the same dates as in the UK.
Electricity: European 2-pin plugs. Bring a UK-to-EU adapter.
Healthcare: There are medical clinics and pharmacies in the resort. See our healthcare guide for details.
Weather: Warm and sunny year-round. For monthly breakdowns, see our Lanzarote weather guide.
We hope this Playa Blanca guide has been helpful. For more tips on making the most of your holiday, browse our Lanzarote Travel Guide or visit our FAQs page.