When we booked a last-minute trip over May half-term, the hardest part wasn’t deciding to come to Lanzarote. It was working out where to actually stay. We landed on Puerto del Carmen, close to the action, then spent the week driving the length of the island and poking around every resort to see how they compared.
The good news is that Lanzarote is small. It’s around 60km top to bottom, the roads are smooth and quiet, and the main resorts all sit along the sheltered east and south coasts, away from the trade winds. You can’t really go wrong. But each base has its own character, and picking the right one makes all the difference with kids in tow.
Here’s my guide to the best areas to stay in Lanzarote, which one suits, and the hotels I’d point you towards. For everything you’ll get up to once you’ve checked in, read my full guide to things to do in Lanzarote for families.
Where to stay in Lanzarote at a glance
- Best for first-timers: Costa Teguise. Calm beaches, flat and walkable, 15 minutes from the airport.
- Best for families: Playa Blanca. Sheltered white-sand beaches and bigger resort hotels near Papagayo.
- Best for buzz and dining: Puerto del Carmen. A long seafront strip and a pretty Old Town harbour.
- Best for peace and quiet: Puerto Calero. A smart marina with no beach of its own, but lots of charm.
- Best for surfers: Caleta de Famara. Wild, windswept and a world away from the resorts.
- Best for culture and convenience: Arrecife. The capital of Lanzarote, handy if you’re skipping the hire car.
Playa Blanca
Best for: families, couples, calm beaches, a more upmarket feel
Sitting on the island’s southern tip in the municipality of Yaiza, Playa Blanca is Lanzarote’s newest resort, and it shows. It’s smarter and more polished than the other two big resorts, with the higher-end hotels and a long seafront promenade that’s lovely for an evening stroll towards Marina Rubicón.
We spent a couple of days here, taking lunch with sea views and watching the boats come and go. The three town beaches, Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada, share the same fine sand and calm water that’s spot-on for little ones. And the Papagayo beaches, a string of golden coves with clear turquoise water, sit just along the coast in the Los Ajaches Natural Monument. You reach them on a bumpy dirt track with a small entry fee per car, or walk the coastal path from Playa Blanca to Playa Mujeres in about ten minutes.
The resort is a little more spread out than it first looks, so check how far your hotel is from the beach before booking. It’s also where you catch the ferry to Fuerteventura, a crossing of just under 30 minutes that makes a brilliant day trip if you fancy ticking off a second island. Timanfaya National Park, the green lagoon at El Golfo and the volcanic vineyards of La Geria are all a short drive away.
Getting there: around 25 to 30 minutes from Lanzarote Airport.
Where to stay in Playa Blanca
- Luxury: Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, one of the island’s best hotels for families, with several outdoor pools and a kids’ club.
- Mid-range: Grand Hyatt Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort, a great location right by the beach.
- Budget: Self-catering apartments near the marina, ideal if you’d rather cook a few meals in.
Puerto del Carmen
Best for: seafront dining, nightlife, teens, value
This is where we based ourselves, at Aqua Suites in the centre of town, and it suited us. Puerto del Carmen was the island’s first resort, and it runs for about 6km along the coast. The beach road, Avenida de las Playas, is lined with restaurants, beach bars and shops, and yes, you’ll spot the odd English fry-up and rack of souvenirs along the strip.
But there are quieter corners too, especially around the Old Town harbour, which became our go-to for evening meals of fresh fish with our feet almost in the water. We came in May, and the resort was far calmer than its reputation suggests, which suited us down to the ground.
The main family beach, Playa de los Pocillos, is wide, golden and sheltered from the wind, sloping gently into the sea. Playa Grande and the smaller Playa Chica sit closer to the Old Town, where the diving schools run scuba diving trips out from the harbour. If you’ve got older kids or teens who want a little freedom to wander, this is the resort I’d choose.
Getting there: around 15 minutes from Lanzarote Airport.
Where to stay in Puerto del Carmen
- Luxury: Hotel Fariones, the resort’s original hotel, with three outdoor pools, a spa and direct access to the beach by the Old Town.
- Mid-range (where we stayed): Aqua Suites, a boutique hotel in the centre of the resort. We booked a family suite with two separate bedrooms, which was good value and quiet, yet close enough to the action to walk everywhere. The food was a highlight, with two on-site restaurants, including one serving local Canarian dishes. Not luxurious, not budget, a comfortable in-between.
- Budget: Self-catering apartments around Los Pocillos, a central location handy for the beach and the supermarket.
Costa Teguise
Best for: first-timers, families with young children, water sports
If you’ve never been to Lanzarote before, Costa Teguise is the easy choice. This purpose-built resort feels roomier than Puerto del Carmen, with wide boulevards that are kind to pushchairs and easy for older kids to cycle on.
It’s flat, compact and walkable, and the main beach, Playa de las Cucharas, has calm water for paddling plus some of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing in Europe. Aquapark Costa Teguise, the island’s biggest water park, is right in town, so a day on the slides sits on your doorstep. Pueblo Marinero, a little square designed by César Manrique, the local artist behind many of the island’s landmarks and its low-rise, no-billboards look, hosts a relaxed evening craft market on Fridays.
The resort juts out into the wind a little, so it can be breezier than the others, which is exactly why the water-sports crowd love it. It’s also the most central base for day trips, with the old capital of Teguise and its huge Sunday market just 20 minutes inland. With the airport only 15 minutes away, you could skip the hire car if you’re happy to stay put, though I’d still recommend one for the volcanoes and the beaches further afield.
Getting there: around 15 minutes from Lanzarote Airport.
Where to stay in Costa Teguise
- Luxury: Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort, a firm family favourite for its outdoor pools and sports facilities.
- Mid-range: Alexandre Grand Teguise Playa, a great location right on Las Cucharas beach.
- Budget: Self-catering complexes near the centre, close to the shops and restaurants.
Puerto Calero
Best for: couples, peace and quiet, a smart marina base
Just along the coast from Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero is the island’s most polished spot. It’s built around an attractive marina lined with upscale restaurants and cafes, and it has a calm, grown-up feel away from the bigger crowds.
The catch is that it has no beach of its own, so you’re relying on a short drive or the coastal footpath that links it to Puerto del Carmen, around 3km away. That makes it a better fit for couples or families with older children than for anyone wanting to roll straight out of bed onto the sand. Many of the villas here come with private pools, and plenty of boat trips and dolphin-watching cruises leave from the marina, so it’s an easy base for a day on the water.
Getting there: around 15 to 20 minutes from Lanzarote Airport.
Where to stay in Puerto Calero
- Luxury: Costa Calero Talaso & Spa, set near the marina with sea views and a thalassotherapy spa.
- Mid-range and self-catering: Marina-side apartments and villas, many with private pools.
Caleta de Famara
Best for: surfers, big skies, a laid-back vibe
For something completely different, Famara sits on the north-west coast beneath a towering cliff. This is surf country, with a long sweep of sand more than 5km long, steady waves and a string of surf schools.
It feels a world away from the polished resorts, low-rise, low-key and beautiful, with the cliffs of the Risco de Famara rising behind the village. From up on those cliffs, the Mirador del RÃo viewpoint looks out over the strait to La Graciosa. The flip side of staying here is that the swell and currents mean it isn’t suited to young children for swimming, and you’ll need a car. But if you want windswept walks and that end-of-the-island feeling, it’s special.
Arrecife
Best for: culture, convenience, travelling without a car
The capital of Lanzarote often gets overlooked, but it earns its place. The Charco de San Ginés, a saltwater lagoon ringed with terraces and fishing boats, is a lovely spot for an evening drink, and there’s a golden town beach at Playa del Reducto. Out on a little islet sits the Castillo de San Gabriel, a 16th-century fort reached by a stone causeway.
Arrecife is the most connected part of the island for buses, so it works well if you’d rather not hire a car. You’ll find a few small boutique hotels here rather than big resorts, and a more local, everyday feel in place of the holiday polish.
Best time to visit Lanzarote
Lanzarote works year-round, which is part of its appeal. Daytime temperatures sit around 20°C even in January, climbing to the high 20s by summer, and rain is rare. But the season you pick changes both the price you pay and how busy your resort feels.
We went in May, and it was close to perfect. The sea had warmed up, the beaches were filling out but never packed, and the prices hadn’t yet hit their summer peak. Spring, from late February to April, and autumn, from September to November, are the sweet spots for that same balance of warm weather, calm resorts and better-value hotels. October is a particular winner, with the sea still warm from summer.
July and August are the busiest and priciest months, when families fill the resorts, and the beaches get crowded. Easter and the run-up to Christmas book up fast, too. If you’re tied to the school holidays, reserve your hotel early, especially in Playa Blanca, where the south-coast sunshine makes it the first to sell out.
One quirk worth knowing when you choose a base: the south is the warmest, sunniest and most sheltered corner of the island, while Costa Teguise, jutting out on the east coast, catches the most wind. Lovely if you’re there to windsurf, worth a thought if you’re chasing still beach days.
So, where should you stay in Lanzarote?
If it’s your first trip and you’re travelling with younger children, I’d steer you towards Costa Teguise or Playa Blanca for their calm beaches and easy, family-friendly set-up. If you want a livelier seafront with plenty of restaurants and a bit of buzz in the evenings, Puerto del Carmen is your spot, and it’s where we happily based ourselves.
For a quieter, more grown-up stay, look at Puerto Calero, and if you’re chasing waves, Famara is in a league of its own. Whichever you choose, the island’s small enough that nowhere feels out of reach.
FAQs: where to stay in Lanzarote
What is the best area to stay in Lanzarote for families?
Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca are the top picks for families, both with calm, sheltered beaches and a good range of family hotels. Puerto del Carmen also works well, especially for families with older children or teens who’ll enjoy the lively seafront.
Which is the best resort in Lanzarote for first-timers?
Costa Teguise is the easiest base for a first visit. It’s flat, walkable and just 15 minutes from the airport, with calm beaches and a water park on the doorstep.
What’s the most upmarket area to stay in Lanzarote?
Playa Blanca has the highest concentration of smarter hotels, while Puerto Calero’s marina is the quietest and most polished spot on the island.
Do I need a car if I stay in Lanzarote?
You can manage without one if you stay in Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen or Arrecife and are happy to use taxis and buses. But to reach Timanfaya National Park, El Golfo, La Geria, and the quieter beaches like Papagayo, a hire car makes life far easier. Distances are short, and parking is usually free.
How far is each resort from Lanzarote Airport?
The airport sits centrally on the east coast. Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen are both around 15 minutes away, Puerto Calero is 15 to 20 minutes, and Playa Blanca is around 25 to 30 minutes.
Where should I stay in Lanzarote for nightlife?
Puerto del Carmen has the liveliest nightlife, with a long strip of bars and clubs along the Avenida de las Playas. It’s still relaxed compared with many Spanish resorts, so it suits families as well as anyone after a few late nights.
Is Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen better?
Playa Blanca is quieter, more spread out and feels more upmarket, with calm beaches that suit families. Puerto del Carmen is busier, better for dining and nightlife, and has a charming Old Town harbour. It comes down to whether you want peace or buzz.
When is the best time to visit Lanzarote?
Spring (late February to April) and autumn (September to November) offer the best balance of warm weather, calmer resorts and lower prices, with May and October the standout months. July and August are the hottest and busiest, while winter stays mild at around 20°C and makes a reliable winter-sun escape.
Planning your trip
Once you’ve sorted where to stay, read my full guide to things to do in Lanzarote for families, packed with the volcanoes, beaches, boat trips and water parks that made our week. And if you’re weighing up the Canaries, my guide to things to do in Tenerife with kids is worth a look too.