Last Updated on 06/07/2026 by Ting Dalton
We’re big fans of the Canary Islands – and even though our go-to choice is Tenerife, we had heard such great things about Lanzarote that we decided to book a last-minute family holiday during May half-term – the main reason being, we wanted lots of sunshine! And to explore a new destination.
Did Lanzarote deliver? Yes, it really did. From a great choice of family-friendly resorts and beaches to tons of attractions, plus otherworldly volcanic landscapes that stretch on for miles and miles.
There are so many things to do in Lanzarote for families – if you’re travelling with tots, teens or somewhere in between, this Canary Island is a brilliant choice. You can spot marine life on boat rides, crunch across cooled lava, try your hand at water sports, whizz down waterslides, play pirates and so much more.
Why Lanzarote is great for family holidays
Lanzarote’s year-round sunshine, frequent flights and huge choice of hotels make it an ideal pick for a holiday with children. If you’re tied to school holidays, you can expect reliable sunshine during the Easter holidays (average highs in the low 20s) and pool-perfect temperatures for May and October half terms (expect highs around 25°C) – even February half term sees the mercury hitting 20°C. And in the summer, cooling winds off the Atlantic stop things from being too hot for little ones.
The island has a somewhat unfair reputation as an island for a cheap fly-and-flop break. While you can do this if you want, there’s so much more on offer that makes Lanzarote brilliant for family holidays. Think boutique (but still baby-friendly) stays, wineries where kids can sip soft drinks while you sample crisp whites, and volcanic scenery that geography-keen teens will love.
Best family resorts in Lanzarote
Puerto del Carmen
We decided to stay close to the action and opt for Puerto del Carmen. Because we went in May, this popular, and often busy, resort was much quieter at this time of the year, and it suited us perfectly. It was great to leave our hotel and stroll along the beachfront, which is full of restaurants, beach clubs and shops. And while you can get your tacky souvenirs and English fry-ups, there are also a lot of hidden gems and quieter corners to be found – particularly near the Old Town harbour, which became our go-to for evening meals.
Playa Blanca
Shinier and more upmarket than Puerto del Carmen, you’ll find the bigger, more high-end hotels in this stretch of Lanzarote. We spent a few days here, walking along the seafront promenade and taking lunch with sea views. The marina area is particularly lovely for families, with plenty of restaurants offering children’s menus and outdoor seating where you can watch the boats come and go. It’s also the departure point for ferries to Fuerteventura, making it one of the best places to go in Lanzarote if you’re planning island-hopping adventures.
Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise strikes the perfect balance for families seeking both relaxation and adventure. This purpose-built resort offers excellent beaches with calm waters, plus it’s home to Aquapark Costa Teguise. The area feels more spacious than Puerto del Carmen, with wide boulevards perfect for pushchair strolls and cycling with older kids. It’s one of the best places in Lanzarote for families wanting a quieter base while still having easy access to all the top things to do in Lanzarote.
Our pick of the top things to do in Lanzarote for families
Slip and slide at a water park
Waterparks are always a winner with my family, and with weather as good as Lanzarote’s a trip to one is a must while you’re on the island. I’ve listed the two standalone waterparks here, but there’s another fab waterpark within the Rancho Texas Park – you’ll find more on that further down the guide.
Aquapark Costa Teguise
The big waterpark in Lanzarote is Aquapark Costa Teguise. It’s not quite at the same level as Tenerife’s Siam Park, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in charm and genuine family appeal.
There are kamikaze and racing slides for teenagers, a kids’ pool and splash area for little ones, toboggans, tunnel slides – even a Jacuzzi for parents to escape to while the kids are queuing.
The on-site restaurant and snack bar serve crowd-pleasers like burgers, hot dogs and chips (though pack snacks for picky eaters). Arrive early in the summer holidays to dodge the biggest queues and secure prime lounger spots.
The waterpark reopens in March 2026 and typically operates through to September, with daily hours from 10am-5pm during peak season.
Aqualava Playa Blanca
Aside from Aquapark, you’ve also got the smaller Aqualava water park in Playa Blanca. Here, you’ll find a wave pool, lazy river, a decent selection of slides and a lovely kids’ play area with mini-slides, fountains and sprays.
Hotels with waterparks
In addition to Aquapark and Aqualava, there are a number of hotels with waterparks in Lanzarote, such as:
- Bakour Lanzarote Splash: smaller slides that are spot-on for toddlers and primary-school age kids, plus a fun pirate ship for playing on
- H10 Lanzarote Gardens: sprays, splash pool and a pirate ship with a few water slides
- Gran Castillo Tagoro: a handful of slides, fountains and a huge tipping bucket
Go wildlife spotting on a boat trip
Boat trips are another fantastic family activity in Lanzarote. There are so many options, so it’s easy to find one that’ll suit you, whether you want to go in search of dolphins and whales or enjoy swim stops and snorkelling opportunities (or even dive below the waves on submarine safaris). Time your boat trip for sunset for Insta-worthy photos (and a touch of romance for tired parents!).
Popular family-friendly boat trip operators include Biosfera Express for dolphin watching and Catlanza for their fun catamaran cruises with onboard slides. Most trips run 3-4 hours and include snorkelling gear, though check minimum ages – some require children to be 6+ for safety reasons.
Some of the most popular options for boat trips in Lanzarote include:
- Dolphin watching, often with options to sail at sunset for the most magical experience
- Cruises to the white sand Papagayo beaches in the south
- Full-day trips to the gloriously unspoilt island of La Graciosa for its beautiful beaches
- Family-friendly catamaran cruises with slides, paddle boards and chances for kids to learn how to sail
Check age requirements (and sizes of snorkelling gear) before you book if you’re taking younger kids.
Timanfaya National Park
One of the top things to do in Lanzarote – whether you’re travelling with kids or not – is visit Timanfaya National Park. We absolutely loved our time here.
It’s a geological wonderland formed hundreds of years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions. The volcanic landscape of twisted lava and crimson craters is dramatic, otherworldly – and brilliant fun to explore.
There are a number of ways you can explore Timanfaya National Park, from guided hikes across lava fields (better for older kids – book well in advance) to self-drive routes. You can get your bearings at the visitor centre in Mancha Blanca, then head out to explore.
We decided to drive there ourselves and then hop on a guided tour bus. At the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains), your entrance fee includes a guided tour by bus of the Route of the Volcanoes, which takes you past volcanic tubes, pyroclastic fields and lava flows. Entry is €20 per adult, €10 for children aged 7-12, and free for children under 7.
Once you’ve checked the bus off your list, watch some of the geothermal demonstrations. My boys loved watching water instantly turning to steam – then shooting up to the sky metres high. The geothermal energy is put to good use in the El Diablo restaurant, too, where meals are cooked using the underground heat. You can even see the food cooking on grills in the fire pit.
Explore El Golfo and its lagoon
Not only is the drive full of incredible black rock formations scattered across the landscape, but head to El Golfo, and you’ll discover a quiet coastal village that has an incredible pebbly beach with dramatic views, as well as a smattering of local seafood restaurants and shops. We spent a lovely afternoon exploring the beach, and then taking a very long lunch at El Caleton – a wonderful seafood restaurant that left a lasting impression on us.
After lunch, we walked for about 15 minutes to El Golfo Lagoon (Lago Verde). It’s a brilliant green crater lake separated from the Atlantic by just a thin strip of black volcanic beach. The colour is so vivid it looks almost artificial, contrasting dramatically with the dark grey of the sand and the blue of the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Our kids loved the treasure-hunt aspect of searching for the tiny green crystals (olivine) scattered across the beach, while we soaked in the glorious setting. It’s quintessentially Lanzarote: dramatic, unique and great for families.
The short walk from the car park takes maybe 10 minutes or so, making it perfectly manageable for families with younger children – though a little steep for buggies, so take a carrier for little ones. There’s a mirador (viewpoint) just above the lagoon, where you can get some fantastic photos.
Underground adventures
Lanzarote’s underground wonders offer something a little bit special that’ll have adults impressed and children wide-eyed in wonder. From corridors created by ancient lava flows to huge underground caverns transformed by a visionary artist, it’s well worth saving a day for an underground adventure.
Jameos del Agua
César Manrique is a renowned artist and architect, whose vision has helped shape the Lanzarote you’ll see today (notice the distinct lack of high-rise buildings? That’s his influence).
Jameos del Agua showcases Manrique’s genius at its finest. The collapse of a volcanic tunnel’s roof formed a huge cavern, which was sculpted and transformed into an amazing cultural space. It’s definitely one of the best places to go in Lanzarote.
Dine in the atmospheric cave restaurant (overlooking a cave lagoon that’s home to the endemic albino blind crab), grab a drink at the bar or tour the museum to learn more about the site’s volcanic origins plus the work of Manrique. The Friday night dinner and concert evenings are fantastic – if you can get tickets, it’d be an amazing experience to add to your family trip.
Cueva de los Verdes
Cueva de los Verdes takes families through some of the world’s longest lava tubes, with expert guides on hand to bring volcanic history to life. They’ve been a tourist attraction since the ’60s, but once upon a time, they were a refuge for locals hiding during Berber pirate attacks.
The guided walk covers around a kilometre of 23,000-year-old volcanic passages, with chances to see magma stalactites and salt deposits. It’s a relatively easy walk for little legs, though some areas can be narrow, so bear that in mind if you’re at all claustrophobic.
More unusual things to do in Lanzarote
Beyond the mainstream attractions, Lanzarote offers some wonderfully quirky experiences that make for memorable fun things to do in Lanzarote with kids.
- Visit the Salt Flats of Janubio, where children can learn about traditional salt harvesting while watching flamingos in the distance.
- The Cactus Garden (JardÃn de Cactus) is another César Manrique creation featuring over 4,500 cacti species – kids love spotting the weird and wonderful shapes.
- For something truly different, take the family to Los Hervideros, where Atlantic waves crash dramatically into volcanic rock formations, creating natural blowholes and geysers. It’s one of those popular places in Lanzarote that feels like you’re on another planet entirely.
Winery tours
Ever tried volcanic vino? Lanzarote’s wine isn’t particularly well-known – but it’s well worth seeking out. There are a surprising number of vineyards here, but their relatively small size means that you don’t tend to see many Lanzarote labels on supermarket shelves back home.
While a winery visit might not be one of the most obvious choices for things to do in Lanzarote with kids, you’d be surprised at how interesting these can be for children. They can learn fun facts about planting vines in volcanic ash pits, run races and sip juice, while you admire the scenery and sample the mineral-rich wines produced.
Most wineries offer decent snacks or light meals, making them perfect afternoon stops between beach days and volcanic adventures. Try Bodegas Rubicon and El Grifo for family-friendly visits.
Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
This Wild West-themed attraction is part-zoo and part-waterpark – in short, it’s the perfect day out with kids.
You’ll find Rancho Texas in Puerto del Carmen, in the south-east of Lanzarote. Things to do includes live shows, animal feeding sessions and up-close encounters where you can interact with some of the wildlife (for an extra cost). There’s also a winding ‘river’ that you can kayak down.
The waterpark is brilliant, too, with tons of slides, a great kids’ splash area and a pool (geothermally heated – ideal when it’s a little cooler). It’s worth getting to the park for opening to give you enough time to fully enjoy both the zoo and waterpark – there’s a locker area where you can pay for a small or large locker to store your swim stuff while you’re exploring the zoo.
The best Lanzarote beaches for families
Lanzarote’s volcanic coastline offers some of the Canary Islands’ most distinctive beaches, from dramatic black sand shores to pristine white sand coves. Many are ideal for families – a few of my favourite picks include:
Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo & Playa Dorada (Playa Blanca)
Located in the island’s south, the trio of beaches in the resort of Playa Blanca offer calm, shallow waters perfect for young children. Each beach has the same fine white sand, and – because you have three separate stretches to choose from – there’s ample space to spread out. Excellent facilities include restaurants, cafes, and water sports rentals.
Playa de los Pocillos, Puerto del Carmen
This expansive golden sand beach is well-protected from Atlantic winds, creating ideal conditions for families. The beach slopes gradually into the sea, so the water is ideal for little ones or nervous swimmers. Numerous beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood and kid-friendly favourites. Sunbed and parasol rentals are available, and there’s a wide promenade for ice-cream strolls.
Playa de Papagayo, near Playa Blanca
Consistently ranked among Europe’s best beaches, Papagayo boasts pristine white sand and clear turquoise waters. Located within a protected natural park, this crescent-shaped cove is ideal for wave-free swimming and snorkelling. It’s not huge, so can get busy – arrive early for quieter sands. You can walk from Playa Blanca (45 minutes) or there’s a paid car park close by (the access road is a little bumpy).
Lanzarote on a plate
We had some really tasty meals in Lanzarote. From fresh seafood to sushi joints, ice cream shops and burger bars, there’s something for everyone here – including the pickiest of eaters.
Traditional Canarian dishes include Papas Arrugadas (potatoes) with punchy red and green Mojo sauce, fresh anchovies and baby squid. Even the boys enjoyed those.
Some of our favourite restaurants include the perfect, melt-in-your-mouth steaks at La Cascada Restaurant, pretty harbour views and stunning seafood at Mardeleva (both in Puerto del Carmen). In El Golfo, we stumbled across a very local hangout called El Caleton, and it is probably the best pulpo (octopus) I’ve ever tasted.
FAQs about family travel in Lanzarote
What’s the best time to visit Lanzarote with kids?
Like most of the Canary Islands, October to April offers the most comfortable temperatures for active families, avoiding the intense summer heat. The weather remains pleasantly warm year-round, but spring and autumn are ideal for hiking, exploring volcanic landscapes, and keeping energetic children comfortable during outdoor adventures.
Are Lanzarote’s beaches suitable for young children?
Many are (you can see my top picks above), though some of the west-coast beaches can have rough waves unsuitable for little ones. Popular resorts like Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise feature calm, sheltered waters perfect for paddling toddlers. Most family-friendly beaches have lifeguards, nearby cafés, and clean facilities. The black volcanic sand at some beaches gets hot, so pack beach shoes for little feet.
How easy is it to get around the island with children?
Very straightforward. Rental cars are essential for exploring properly – public transport exists but isn’t extensive (you can’t reach Fire Mountains, for example). Roads are excellent, distances are short, and most attractions offer ample parking. Child car seats are available through car hire companies, but book ahead during peak season.
What should we pack for a family trip to Lanzarote?
High-factor sun cream is absolutely essential – Lanzarote sees year-round sunshine. Pack sun hats, comfortable walking shoes, and light layers for evening breezes. Beach shoes protect feet from hot volcanic sand, and a good camera captures those incredible lunar landscapes.
Are restaurants in Lanzarote child-friendly?
Absolutely. We found them to be very welcoming to families. Many restaurants offered children’s menus (or smaller portions of adult meals) and high chairs. Spanish dining happens later than UK standards, but restaurants in the more touristy areas take on a more international schedule, opening earlier.
What’s the most family-friendly area to stay?
Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca are brilliant for families, with calm beaches, resort amenities, and easy access to attractions. Puerto del Carmen offers more nightlife but excellent family facilities too, particularly for older children or teens who want to have a bit more freedom. There are some beautiful rural areas where you’ll find complete tranquillity – you’ll need a hire car, but it’s worth it for the views (and the peace and quiet)!
Is Lanzarote suitable for families with babies and toddlers?
Absolutely! The island is very pushchair-friendly, with good paths around most attractions. Many restaurants provide high chairs, and supermarkets stock familiar baby brands. The year-round warm weather means no worrying about packing heavy winter clothes. Just remember that volcanic sand can get hot, so pack plenty of sun protection.
What’s the best way to see multiple attractions in one day?
We hired a car for maximum flexibility – distances are short, and parking is generally free. Popular combinations include Timanfaya and El Golfo in one day, or the underground attractions (Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes) together. Many families do a ‘northern loop’ covering César Manrique attractions and a “southern day” focusing on beaches and Playa Blanca.