This old fishing town has become the favourite tourist destination in Lanzarote. Find in this guide all things to do in Playa Blanca: places to visit, best beaches, best-rated restaurants, leisure activities and the most popular accommodations.
Besides, you’ll find excursions in Lanzarote from Playa Blanca: Timanfaya, Volcanic Cones, boat trips, a visit to Fuerteventura, La Graciosa, Isla de Lobos, hiking among volcanoes, water activities… you only have to choose!
Things to do and visit in Playa Blanca
This destination is just one of the 20 must-see magical places in Lanzarote. Discover them all!
Las Coloradas Castle
This castle was built in 1741 to protect the south of Lanzarote from the constant attacks of pirates and corsairs. Torre del Aguila (‘Eagle Tower’ in English) was strategically constructed to watch the boats sailing Estrecho de Bocaina. This strait separates Lanzarote from Fuerteventura and Isla de Lobos.
Nowadays, the building is abandoned, so you can’t visit it. However, it’s become one of the favourite spots for sunset.
Seaside Promenade
The Seaside Promenade in Playa Blanca is a pleasant 7-km-long avenue near the Atlantic Ocean to walk or practise sports. You’ll find bars, restaurants, shops, hotels, the marina, cliffs and beaches along the way.
Pechiguera Lighthouse
You’ll find Pechiguera Lighthouse at the end of the seaside promenade, in the south-west of Lanzarote. This enormous white tower replaced the old stone lighthouse built in 1866 where the lighthouse keeper lived. Although abandoned nowadays, it’s a great place to enjoy the sunset.
Marina Rubicon
This picturesque marina is in the centre of the tourist area in Playa Blanca. It’s a great place to walk among the yachts and boats. If you want to go shopping, there’s a shopping area with shops and restaurants.
Local Market Marina Rubicon
The stands of the local Market Marina Rubicon are out two days a week at the marina. It offers a great variety of handcrafts, fashion and local products, for example, cheese, wine, soap, jewellery and many more articles for original souvenirs.
Beaches in Playa Blanca
The best places for a dip in this tourist town are:
Playa Dorada
Located near the seaside promenade and some resorts, Playa Dorada is one of the most popular beaches in the south of Lanzarote. It’s a 300-metre-long white sand beach to sunbathe. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy with children because the waters are calm.
Besides, a hammock and sunshade rental service, shops, supermarkets and restaurants are nearby.
Playa Flamingo
A seawall protects this 200-metre-long golden sand beach, so it’s a perfect place to enjoy with your family. Don’t forget your snorkelling equipment: its clear waters will amaze you!
Los Charcones
If you are looking for a less tourist beach, Los Charcones in Lanzarote is your option. These natural pools are renewed during high tide. So it’s better to go during low tide for more pools available.
- To get to Los Charcones, drive on a dirt road until you get to an abandoned hotel. You can also get there on foot from Pechiguera Lighthouse, which takes an hour.
Papagayo Beaches
Located on the unspoilt coast of the Natural Monument Los Ajaches, Papagayo is considered the best beach in Lanzarote. Visitors love its white sand and emerald-green waters along a sell-shaped bay. Choose among the small beaches you can visit: Playa Mujeres, Caleta del Congrio, Puerto Muelas or Playa del Pozo.
Montaña Roja Volcano Hike
Hiking to the crater of Montaña Roja Volcano has become a must when visiting Playa Blanca. It’s a beautiful and easy trek you can perfectly do with your children.
Once at the peak, you’ll discover why it’s worth the effort! You’ll see the reddish crater around 350 metres wide and enjoy the views over the south of Lanzarote at 190 metres above sea level. You can’t miss it!
- Information: 4 km, easy, 1 hour per journey.
- Starting point: Calle Noruega in Playa Blanca.
Water Activities
The waters are usually calm in the south of Lanzarote, so it’s perfect for water activities. The most popular ones are, for example, kayaking to Papagayo, Jet Skiing, Parasailing or boat trips including food and drinks. The best option to enjoy the coastline to the max!
Lanzarote Atlantic Museum
You’ll find the first submarine art gallery in Europe near Marina Rubicon, 12 metres under the sea. Admire the sculptures by the British artist Jason deCaires Taylor between fish and different marine species. It’s pretty impressive, as the sculptures seem frozen at the sea bottom. You can’t miss it!
Aqualava Waterpark
This waterpark is a must in Playa Blanca if you’re on holiday with your children. The facilities are not huge, but big enough for a fun family day. There’s a wave pool, a river and water slides for children and adults.
Excursion to Fuerteventura
The Dunes of Corralejo, the cosy town of Betancuria, the sacred mountain of Tindaya and the pools in El Cotillo are some of the main attractions.
Excursion to Lobos
This desert island belongs to Fuerteventura and is known for its exotic beaches with turquoise waters like El Puertito and La Concha.
Shopping in Playa Blanca
If you’re a shopping lover, you’ll find some shopping areas in Playa Blanca. Fashion, souvenirs, perfumes, handcrafts and local products. Apart from Marina Rubicon and the seaside promenade, there’s a Shopping Centre in Papagayo, Rubicon Shop & Fun and the Shopping Centre El Pueblo.
Hotels in Playa Blanca
Family apartments, bungalows, all-inclusive hotels, villas with private pools… Playa Blanca is, for many, the best place to stay in Lanzarote. It’s a Sun & Beach destination with everything you need for your holidays. Although it’s in the south of the island, you won’t find it difficult for visiting the rest of Lanzarote.
Best-rated Resorts
- CalaLanzarote Suites Hotel (Adults Only)
- Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa
- Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park
- Boutique Hotel H10 White Suites (Adults Only)
- Jardines del Sol Apartments
- Villas Volcan Ocean Dreams
Restaurants in Playa Blanca
The best restaurants for lunch and dinner in Playa Blanca are at the seaside promenade and Marina Rubicon. Try local dishes from the Canary Islands, wines from Lanzarote and, for sure, fresh fish and seafood.
5 Recommendations: Casa Carlos, Restaurante Sergio, Los Hervideros, La Cocina de Colacho and The Port of Call.
More suggestions? Don’t miss our guide including the best restaurants in Lanzarote.
How to get to Playa Blanca from the airport?
To go to Playa Blanca from Lanzarote Airport, you may:
- Rent a car at the airport.
- Hire a private transfer from the airport to Playa Blanca.
- Take public transport: taxi or bus.
More information: How to get from Lanzarote Airport to Playa Blanca.
Now you know all things you can see and do in Playa Blanca, one of the most popular destinations you can’t miss in the south of Lanzarote.
Keep discovering all the places you must visit in Lanzarote at CanaryLands, the ultimate travel guide for the Canary Islands. It includes: