7 of the best resorts in Lanzarote

1. Costa Teguise

Best for families

With not one, not two, but five beaches, Costa Teguise is perfect for a family holiday in Lanzarote. If you’ve got tiny tots, Playa Bastian has calm waters and is sheltered from the wind, while teenagers can learn to windsurf or try watersports at Cucharas Beach.

Activities aren’t limited to beach fun in Costa Teguise, either. Aquapark Costa Teguise is a must-visit, with slides, wave pools, a go-kart track and a paintballing centre. There is an aquarium in the resort centre, too. For family dinners, head to the seafront promenade and you’ll be spoilt for choice with restaurants.

Where to stay in Costa Teguise

For families looking for a fly-and-flop all-inclusive getaway, a stay at Barceló Lanzarote Royal Level is just the answer. Rooms are spacious and stylish, and the facilities are top notch. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for family fun in the sun at beachfront Hotel Grand Teguise Playa, while there’s something to please all ages at Radisson Blu Resort Lanzarote, from the beautiful pools to the food.

2. Puerto Calero

Best for couples

Centred around a huge, glamorous marina, Puerto Calero is an exclusive and luxurious resort best suited to couples. If you’re into sailing or simply like to admire big, beautiful boats, you could spend hours on the waterfront, dining in top restaurants and watching yachts dock in and out. The atmosphere here is upmarket and tranquil, and the volcanic hills in the distance create an idyllic backdrop for a romantic getaway.

There is no beach in the resort itself, but it’s just a ten-minute drive down the coast from Puerto del Carmen, so you won’t have to go far for sand and sea.

Where to stay in Puerto Calero

Couples will enjoy the royal treatment at adults-only Royal Marina Suites Boutique Hotel, which boasts superb suites and harbour views. Around the corner, relax and unwind at four-star Hotel Costa Calero Thalasso & Spa, or for the ultimate luxury escape, treat a loved one to a stay at five-star Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa.

3. Playa Honda

Best for travellers on a budget

Trying to keep costs down? Head to Playa Honda. Close to the airport and a short drive to island capital, Arrecife, there's a huge range of accommodation on offer here, from beachside hotels to cheap self-catering apartments.

Start your holiday with the ultimate free activity: a day on the beach. The resort has four golden and wonderfully underdeveloped beaches to choose from – Playa Honda, Playa de la Concha, Playa de Matagorda and Playa del Cable. In the town itself, there are plenty of restaurants and bars, including fast food spots and bars with happy hours to help you save your pennies.

Where to stay in Playa Honda

Offering bright and airy apartments overlooking the sea, La Concha Boutique Apartments is a top choice for a hotel stay on a budget in Playa Honda. Head away from the waterfront and you’ll find a number of good value private apartments, villas and Airbnbs, too. The accommodation at Mirafondo Suites and Magma Rooms come well rated.

4. Puerto del Carmen

Best for nightlife

Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s most popular resort and is the place to be if you're looking for good nightlife alongside beautiful beaches. The resort is just a ten-minute drive from the airport, so you can be sipping cocktails at a bar along the seafront ‘strip’ within an hour of landing. If you're after a more relaxed nightlife scene, head to the old harbour area, where you can dine on fresh seafood while admiring the yachts as they sail into dock.

After a night of overindulgence, Puerto del Carmen’s three sandy beaches are the perfect place to recover. All three seaside spots have Blue Flags and clear, calm water, so you can relax without a worry.

To keep the party going, several of the beach bars host live musicians, and during the month of July, the Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Carmen brings parades, dancing and performances along the promenade.

Where to stay in Puerto del Carmen

Located in the heart of town, both Gloria Izaro Club Hotel and Hotel Fariones are excellent choices if you’re looking for evening entertainment on your doorstep. Further east along the coast, sophisticated night owls can have their pick of the seafront restaurants and bars close to the well-rated, four-star ​​ILUNION Costa Sal Lanzarote.

5. Caleta de Famara

Best for surfers and nature lovers

If you’re hoping to experience the natural beauty that Lanzarote is so famous for, head to Caleta de Famara. This west coast resort is removed from the major tourist spots in the east and as a result it is still wonderfully wild and unspoilt – in large part because of the windy weather, which makes it a hotspot for surfing.

Playa de Famara, the main beach, is one of the most spectacular on the island, with the towering Risco de Famara cliffs stretching into the water and epic waves crashing onto the sand. For the best coastal views, take a surf lesson and head out onto the water, or try out kitesurfing.

After an active day in the sea, pile your plate high with delicious, freshly caught seafood at one of the relaxed restaurants in town.

Where to stay in Caleta de Famara

You won’t find any hotel chains in Caleta de Famara, but instead, a wonderful array of boho guest houses, apartments and private B&Bs. Surfers can hit the waves at Playa de San Juan with ease when staying at Casa Dominique, while Beach House 93 is just metres from Playa de Famara. For a cheaper night’s stay, consider Surfhouse Hostel or Airbnb room shares.

6. Arrieta

Best for a quieter place to stay

For a digital detox, consider Arrieta. This small village on Lanzarote's north coast is a real hidden treasure, far removed from the tourist beat. The main attraction here is the traditional Canarian fishing harbour, where fishermen still unload their catch of the day every morning. Sample their hard work yourself in one of the town’s many seafood restaurants.

During the day, make a beeline for Playa de la Garita, where soft golden sand meets turquoise waters. Or, for a more adventurous holiday activity, head just ten minutes up the coast to visit the Cueva de los Verde – a fascinating lava tube that stretches for miles. Entry is €15.

Where to stay in Arrieta

Walk ten minutes along the coast from Arrieta’s centre and you’ll reach Bungalows Caleta Campos, a top spot for families and couples seeking a tranquil self-catering stay. If you really want to get away from it all, Eco Village Finca De Arrieta offers stylish and sustainable offgrid accommodation ranging from yurts to luxury villas.

7. Playa Blanca

Best all rounder

Playa Blanca has it all – beautiful beaches, a yacht-lined marina and a laidback atmosphere to put you in the holiday mood. Take your pick from the three sandy beaches: Playa Dorada is your best bet for watersports and family fun, Playa Blanca is smaller but closest to the action, and pretty Playa Flamingo is a little further out.

In the evenings, stroll from bar to restaurant, sipping sangria and sampling freshly caught seafood or a hearty estofado stew. When you’re not on one of the beaches, check out the famous local market or take a walk along the promenade, admiring the sea views from the Faro de Punta Pechiguera lighthouse at one end to Papagayo at the other. The epic lunar landscapes of Timanfaya National Park – one of the best things to do in Lanzarote – are also only a 15-minute drive away.

Where to stay in Playa Blanca

You’ll find plenty of hotels to choose from in Playa Blanca. All-inclusive fans should make a beeline for the rave-reviewed H10 Timanfaya Palace, or if you prefer the finer things in life, five-star Princesa Yaiza Hotel Resort will hit the spot. Living up to its name, Gran Castillo Tagoro Family & Fun is a favourite with families thanks to its six pools, kids’ club and cinema, while the gardens and sea views at over-16s-only Hipotels Natura Palace make for a relaxing getaway.