Playa Blanca holidays

While a Lanzarote getaway can easily revolve around sun, sea and sand, this Canary Island has plenty to tempt travellers away from their sun-lounger. And a Playa Blanca holiday puts you within easy reach of many of the island’s best sights – think unspoilt Papagayo beaches, the unusual underwater sculpture museum and the dramatic volcanic landscapes of the Timanfaya National Park.

A little further away, the capital Arrecife has an attractive old town and, if you have some free time, the green hills and quiet villages of the far north are less than two hours’ drive away.

Playa Blanca has two peak seasons: summer, when the school holidays push prices up in July and August, and December and January, when winter sun-seekers flock to the resort. If you’re flexible, spring and autumn showcase Lanzarote as its loveliest, with balmy temperatures and fewer crowds. It’s also a good time to pick up a cheap holiday to Playa Blanca, though if you’re after affordable, avoid the popular Carnival in February or March and Easter’s Semana Santa festival – they’re great fun, but push up prices.

At Lanzarote’s southernmost tip, and only a 20-minute drive from Playa Blanca, are the Papagayo beaches. Ranked among the best in Spain, this string of protected, gold-sand beaches are part of the Los Ajaches Natural Monument and remain wonderfully unspoilt.

When you’re done sun-lounging, climb the low cliffs for unforgettable views – you can see all the way over to neighbouring island Fuerteventura’s epic sand dunes. Do note that there are no shops and just one beachside restaurant, so bring anything you’ll need for the day.

Museo Atlántico

Just off Playa Blanca’s coast and submerged some 15m below the surface is Europe’s first underwater sculpture museum, Museo Atlántico. Here you’ll find more than 300 life-size human figures, all of which have been modelled on local residents.

As well as attracting everything from angel sharks to butterfly rays, the sculptures also carry strong socio-political messages. The Raft of the Lampedusa, for example, is a commentary on the refugee crisis.

Timanfaya National Park

In the 18th century, a series of huge volcanic eruptions covered a quarter of Lanzarote’s surface in lava, shaping the dramatic landscape we recognise today.

The Timanfaya National Park is the island’s literal volcanic hotspot, with beautiful rocky terrain in shades of brown, black and orange (and a magma chamber still bubbling under the surface). There’s plenty to do here, including ranger-led hikes and a guided coach tour around the Fire Mountain geothermal area.

La Geria vineyards

With vivid green vines snaking across black volcanic ash, the valley of La Geria is one of the most striking wine-growing areas in the world. The barren, lunar landscape was created during the extensive eruptions of the 1700s, and locals developed a unique cultivation system that allowed them to grow grapes despite the hostile conditions.

Book a taxi to get there – you’ll want to sample the wines at each vineyard’s cellar door, after all.

César Manrique Foundation

Architect, artist and sculptor César Manrique is one of the island’s most famous sons, and it’s because of his influence that Lanzarote is predominantly peppered with white-washed villas rather than high-rise towers.

Located just outside the capital, Arrecife – and about a 30-minute drive from Playa Blanca – you’ll find the foundation dedicated to his work. In his former home, built into a lava field, there are subterranean rooms formed from bubbles in the volcanic rock, plus a pool and gardens.