10 Best Beaches in Lanzarote and La Graciosa

Published on September 30, 2020
LanzaroteBeach guide for Lanzarote
Playa papagayo beach lanzarote
Playa Papagayo, Lanzarote

Lanzarote is one of the smaller islands in the archipelago, but you still get plenty of beautiful beaches to enjoy, from places that are ideal for relaxing and swimming, to beaches that are suitable for water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Actually, some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are in the province of Las Palmas, meaning the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, plus the smaller set of islands close to Lanzarote.

So which are the most beautiful and unique beaches in Lanzarote?

The list below is in no particular order, but it includes everything from town beaches with all the facilities, to remote and wild beaches, that are harder to get to but impress with their untouched natural beauty and breathtaking views.

The best beach in Lanzarote is different for everyone and it depends on what you want, but all the places on our list are worth visiting at least once, just so you can experience the phenomenal diversity of the landscape in Lanzarote.

1. Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del carmen lanzarote
Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen 

This is the largest beach in Puerto del Carmen and it has dark golden sand, calm waters, all the facilities you need, lifeguards on-site and let’s not forget, a magnificent view beyond Playa Quemada and towards Los Ajaches.

There are plenty of restaurants and shops just across the street from Playa Grande, so everything you could ever need is just a few minutes away. Puerto del Carmen is the most popular resort in Lanzarote and since this is its main beach, you have plenty of things to do around it without getting bored.

2. Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen

playa chica best beach in puerto del carmen
For many people, Playa Chica is the best beach in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote

Playa Chica is the smallest beach in Puerto del Carmen and some people say it’s the best, just because it has a cozy feeling due to its size and location. Sometimes this beach gets really crowded with families with kids, because the water is really calm all the time and it’s safe for swimming.

3. Papagayo Beaches (probably the best beaches in Lanzarote)

Papagayo beach lanzarote
Playa Papagayo - view from above

The most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote are located in the south of the island, inside the Natural Monument of Los Ajaches in the municipality of Yaiza.
The park is close to Playa Blanca, just 20 minutes away, but you need to have a car to get here and you have to pay a fee of 3 euros per car in order to enter the reservation.

Another option to get here is by boat from Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca.

Once you enter the Natural Monument you have access to a set of beaches, known as the Papagayo beaches, all with pristine waters of turquoise color, which offer the best swimming experience on the island.

Playa Mujeres is the first beach you will encounter and it is pretty open and windy sometimes, with no place to hide away from the sun, so bring your own umbrella if you want.

Playa mujeres lanzarote
Lots of private ships come for the captivating clear water at Playa Mujeres

Playa Papagayo is the most famous one and is considered by many to be the best beach in Lanzarote. If you arrive by car you will get a lovely view from above, with the turquoise water and all the white boats that come here during the day.

A visit to Papagayo beach is a must while visiting Lanzarote, so you can enjoy the natural beauty of the place, away from all the resorts. There is a small bar - chiringuito - on top of the beach and you will pass by it if you come from the car park. The prices are a bit steep though, compared to the normal prices on the island, so if you plan to spend the day here, maybe you can bring with you something to drink and eat.

4. Las Cucharas Beach in Costa Teguise

playa de las cucharas costa teguise
Las Cucharas is the top beach in Costa Teguise

Located in the heart of the Costa Teguise resort, Las Cucharas beach is known as an ideal beach for surfers and water sports lovers, due to the constant winds and waves in this part of the island. Since this is a town beach, it has easy access to restaurants, bars and shops.

5. Playa Flamingo in Playa Blanca

playa flamingo playa blanca lanzarote
Beautiful clear water at Flamingo Beach in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote

Playa Flamingo is ideal for families with kids since it is protected by breakwaters and it is safe for swimming. From Marina Rubicon, in Playa Blanca, you can also go for a dive to see Europe’s first underwater museum – Atlantico Museum, a fascinating place conceived by the artist Jason deCayres.

6. Playa Famara – the best for windsurfing in Lanzarote

Playa de famara lanzarote
Playa de Famara - best beach for windsurf in Lanzarote

Famara beach is located on the west coast of the island and it’s mostly frequented by windsurfers, from experienced to beginners that come here to learn with one of the many windsurfing schools in the area. Famara beach has a very dramatic look, with the giant cliffs behind the beach, offering some of the most amazing views of the sunset in Lanzarote.

7. Caleton Blanco - amazing white beach in Lanzarote

Lanzarote caleton blanco
Caleton Blanco - a set of beaches with surreal white sand in Lanzarote

In the very north of Lanzarote, close to the small town of Orzola, you will find Caleton Blanco - a set of small coves and beaches with pure white sand that is amazing to see during a sunny day.

The contrast between the black volcanic rocks and the super white sand gives a unique factor to the place, that otherwise is not really suitable for swimming or sunbathing. However, if you do come to this part of the island, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to see sand so white, that when the sun shines bright it almost makes your eyes hurt, from the way in which it reflects the light.

8. Playa del Reducto in Arrecife

Playa reducto arrecife lanzarote
The capital of Lanzarote has a great beach also - Playa del Reducto

Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, has its own large and beautiful beach, with palm trees and shallow turquoise water, ideal for swimming and chilling in the sun. Arrecife has started attracting more tourists in the last few years and the beach is a great attraction point, with a lovely promenade from where you can enjoy the views and the breeze while walking into town.

The best beaches on La Graciosa

Although not actually on Lanzarote, we can't ignore or overlook the amazing beaches in La Graciosa while talking about the big sister island of Lanzarote. Since the only way to get to La Graciosa is by boat from Lanzarote, we thought it would be useful to include 2 of the incredible places where you can enjoy a day of sunbathing and swimming.

9. Playa de La Francesa - La Graciosa

playa francesa lanzarote la graciosa
Playa de la Francesa - an amazing beach in La Graciosa, next to Lanzarote

Playa de la Francesa is situated about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the harbour at Caleta de Sebo, where the ferry from Orzola drops you off. You can walk to the beach, or you could rent a bike, but once you are there it is a small paradise comprised of three beaches, with tranquil and turquoise water, ideal for chilling and swimming.

Naturism is permitted, so it is a popular place for nudists, but it doesn't usually get very crowded. Playa de la Francesa is the most popular beach in La Graciosa and it's definitely worth the one hour walk from the harbour, just so you can enjoy the beautiful water and the nice view towards Lanzarote.

10. Playa de las Conchas - La Graciosa

playa de las conchas lanzarote la graciosa
One of the most beautiful beaches in La Graciosa, the sister island of Lanzarote

In order to get to this beach you will have to walk a bit longer than for Playa de la Francesa, or you could hire a bike or a jeep, but the price for a jeep is around 100 euros, so many people choose just to do the walk that takes around 90 minutes each way.

Once you are here you have a beautiful view of Montana Clara, which is the next small island part of the Chinijo Archipelago. From the beach, you can easily hike the Montana Bermeja, which sits right behind the beach and from the top you get spectacular views over the surroundings.

If planning a trip to Playa de las Conchas, you should be warned that it is considered dangerous for swimming and you will find signs advising not to enter the water, due to the currents and the big surf. This beach is mostly a destination for people who want to discover the island of La Graciosa, not an ideal place for sunbathing and swimming, since getting into the water is dangerous and not worth the risks even for experienced swimmers.

Since you don't have a place to stay in the shade and you can't cool off by going into the water, most people don't spend a lot of time here. If you're more of a beach bum and want to spend the day getting a tan and swimming, then Playa de la Francesa might be more to your taste.

Although small, Lanzarote is a precious island with many hidden secrets and it’s a great destination for sun and beach lovers. On the west coast, you will find many small beaches with volcanic sand, with few tourists, ideal for those who want a secluded place to spend the day.

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