Tucked away on Lanzarote’s sunny southern coast, Playa Blanca has masterfully evolved from a sleepy fishing village into the island’s most refined holiday destination. There is plenty to do and keep you busy during your stay, for example, spending a day in the famous Papagyo Beaches, taking a stroll around Marina Rubicón, or just enjoying a good meal by the water.
Why Playa Blanca Makes Such a Good Base
There are some reasons to choose Playa Blanca in Yaiza municipality over other resorts on the island. For example, it is quieter and more relaxed than Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. It has a more «chill» and exclusive atmosphere.
The southernmost resort on Lanzarote has a 5-mile seafront promenade, Marina Rubicón, where you can find stores, yachts and restaurants. It offers a mix of an old fishing village and a modern marina.
It is a well-connected town. From Puerto del Carmen, you can go to Timanfaya in just 30 minutes. It is just 10 minutes to Papagayo, and there you can take the Fuerteventura ferry.
Playa Blanca is about 30-40 minutes distance from the airport.
The Best Beaches in and Around Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is the perfect resort to visit the Papagayo Beaches, and the town itself has great beaches with artificial breakwaters, so they are safe for families.
Playa Dorada — the family favourite
Playa Dorada has golden sand, calm water, easy access, and convenient parking. It’s best for families with young children, because it has restaurants, umbrella rentals and showers.
Playa Flamingo — the local’s choice
Quieter than Playa Dorada, this beach is close to the city centre. Good for snorkelling and swimming, because the waves are relatively low, it’s also perfect for a sunbath.
Playa Flamingo has many locals and restaurants on the beachfront.
Playa de las Coloradas — closest to the old town
In Playa de las Coloradas, sand shifts colour with the light. It is on a short walk from the Castillo de las Coloradas. Unlike the other beaches we mentioned, this one can be less busy than the main resort beaches.
The Papagayo beaches — the undisputed highlight
The Papagayo beaches are one of the most popular on the island. This is a protected cove system inside Los Ajaches Natural Monument. There are five beaches accessible on foot via coastal trail: Papagayo, Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, Caleta del Congrio, and Playa de las Coloradas.
The beaches face south-east, so they are sheltered from trade winds – the water stays exceptionally calm.
If you are wondering how to get to Papagayo from Playa Blanca, it is easy. You can reach it by car on a 3 km dirt road or on foot, taking a 40-60 minute coastal walk.
Water Activities and Boat Trips from Playa Blanca
- Boat trips from Marina Rubicón: Dolphin and whale watching, sunset cruises, catamaran day trips to Papagayo. Playa Blanca is the departure point for ferries to Corralejo, Fuerteventura. The ferry from Playa Blanca to Fuerteventura takes approx. 25 minutes.
- Snorkelling and diving: Papagayo Coves and Playa Flamingo are perfect for snorkelling, with calm, clear water and good biodiversity. There are diving centres in the resort for those wanting guided dives.
- Kayaking and paddle boarding: You can hire this service along the promenade to explore the coastline at your own pace.
- Jet skiing: hire a guided jet ski on the coast of Playa Blanca to Papagayo, this is one of the most popular activities in the resort.
Things to Do on Land in Playa Blanca
Walk the seafront promenade (Paseo Marítimo)
Playa Blanca has an 8 km promenade that stretches the full length of the resort. It is a vibrant place, lined with restaurants, bars and boutique shops. It is free and easy to get there, suitable for all ages.
Castillo de las Coloradas (Torre del Águila)
This is an 18th-century watchtower built in 1741, rebuilt in 1769 after fire damage. Climbed via stone steps to a small drawbridge — you cannot enter inside the Castillo de las Coloradas in Playa Blanca, but the views over the Atlantic are spectacular. This is the only defensive building on the southern tip of Lanzarote, and it is free to visit.
Explore the old fishing village and Marina Rubicón
Visiting Marina Rubicon will allow you to appreciate the contrast between the whitewashed original village and the modern marina with luxury yachts. This is the best area for evening dining and people-watching in Playa Blanca.
Montaña Roja hike (Red Mountain)
Montaña Roja is an iconic volcanic cone just outside the resort. The hike takes one hour. Once on the top of the mountain, appreciate the panoramic views of the coastline, Papagayo and Fuerteventura.
Aqualava Waterpark
Aqualava Waterpark in Playa Blanca is an excellent option for the whole family. This Lanzarote water park features water slides, a saltwater wave pool, and much more. The pool water is geothermally heated, and the park has a volcanic design. Book in advance in peak season.
Things to Do in Playa Blanca with Kids
Playa Blanca offers many options for families visiting Lanzarote. Playa Dorada is the safest beach for children, and also boasts Aqualava Waterpark.
Some things to do in Playa Blanca with kids are:
- Take boat trips with dolphin watching.
- Enjoy a camel ride at Timanfaya National Park, it is within a short car ride.
- Hop on the Fuerteventura ferry (kids love the crossing).
- Stroll along the promenade, perhaps enjoying one of the many ice cream stands.
Where to Eat and Drink in Playa Blanca
Best restaurants around Marina Rubicón and promenade
Some of the best restaurants in Playa Blanca are on the promenade and in Marina Rubicón. There you can try local food, but also international cuisine. And the added bonus is that you can enjoy a great meal with a spectacular ocean view
Some of the most famous restaurants of the area are La Cocina de Colacho, Kamezí Bistro, Casa Carlos, Brisa Marina, and Tipico Canario.
Nightlife: low-key bars vs nearby options
Playa Blanca has a relaxed nightlife scene; there are no big clubs, but you can enjoy some bars like Marea Terraza Lounge, Jungle’s, Barney’s, The Dubliner Irish Bar and The Galeria Bar.
If you want a more lively town at night, visit Puerto del Carmen, which is really close.
Book your Lanzarote Airport Transfer to Playa Blanca and enjoy the most of this popular Lanzarote resort for families and those looking for a quieter place.
Sources
- https://xploretravelguide.com/travel-blog/where-to-stay-in-canary-island-lanzarote-puerto-del-carmen-playa-blanca-or-costa-teguise/
- https://www.directferries.es/blog/guia-puerto-playa-blanca
- https://www.barcelo.com/pinandtravel/es/que-hacer-y-que-ver-en-playa-blanca/
Specialist in the tourism sector of the Canary Islands with a proven track record in experience management in Lanzarote. My work has always focused on promoting iconic destinations and optimizing transfer and excursion services on the volcanic island.
