Playa Blanca Travel Guide

The quiet holiday resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of Lanzarote and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. The resort has undergone a lot of construction and upgrading in the last few years, which, contrary to expectation, hasn't ruined the Spanish charm of this resort but rather added to it by giving tourists an extensive array of holiday accommodation to choose from. Despite the extensive growth over the last few years the old fishing village, in the centre, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There's a good selection of cafes, bars and restaurants along the promenade, but the main attractions are the nearby beaches. Some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (6km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared towards families and couples, but those who want a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18 mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.

Shopping

There are good supermarkets in Playa Blanca that sell all the well-known brands, and holidaymakers will find that although the choice is not as good as in Puerto del Carmen, there are a fair number of duty-free stores and other shops geared towards tourists near the harbour. For designer clothes most tourists in Playa Blanca head to the stylish Marina Rubicon. It's possible to get good bargains in the electrical duty-free stores, but shoppers should remember that they can't take purchases back to the shop once they've left the island. They should check everything works and that all batteries, cables and plugs are included; that there's a European guarantee, not an Asian one; and that all electrical items have a CE stamp. The busy Sunday Market in Teguise is worth the journey for the most dedicated shoppers; as well as the usual tourist souvenirs and holiday gifts, a variety of locally produced goods are on sale, from pottery to tablecloths.

Restaurants

There's a huge choice of eateries on the main promenade, which at night bustles with activity. The promenade overlooks the beach and harbour and the lights of Fuerteventura can be seen on the horizon. Restaurants serve anything from Chinese, Indian or Italian to seafood and local dishes. Some restaurants will not accept credit cards.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Playa Blanca is fairly limited, with entertainment after dark mostly restricted to the shows organised by the hotels. A kids disco and some sedate live music in some of the bars and restaurants are options, but those after some serious partying will need to head to Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, which are half an hour away by car.

Holiday activities

There are lots of things to do in Playa del Blanca, not least of which is for visitors to sun themselves on one of the picturesque beaches. Holidaymakers who want to enjoy water sports should head to the beach where numerous activities can be organised. Boat trips leave regularly for the Papagayo beaches; views of the beautiful coastline are stunning and boats can drop visitors off at the beach to be picked up by a later cruise. The Timanfaya National Park, where visitors can admire the dramatic volcanic scenery, is only 10 miles (16km) away. Ferries depart regularly from the harbour to the nearby island of Fuerteventura, just six miles (10km) away.

Any negatives?

While water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it's very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomachs. Bottled water should be used for drinking.