Found on the south coast of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, Playa Blanca is the perfect holiday destination for couples and families in search of a laid-back resort which enjoys pleasantly warm weather throughout the year. Although you won't find any action-packed theme parks or internationally-renowned landmarks in the resort, Playa Blanca does offer a handful of tourist attractions for everyone to enjoy, many of which are environmentally-friendly and are focused on nature.
Days out
One of the best and most popular ways to explore the island is on a Segway Lanzarote Tour. This eco-friendly company is based in Las Coloradas shopping centre in Playa Blanca and is open Monday to Saturday. Suitable for visitors of all ages, Segway Lanzarote Tour offers two itineraries, one which lasts 80 minutes and another which takes 140 minutes. If you have children under seven years old, they can enjoy the excursion for free. It's recommended that you bring water, closed shoes, suntan lotion and a light jacket, as well as a camera so you can capture all the fantastic views.
If you'd like to see everything the island has to offer, sign up for a Lanzarote Uncovered tour. This full-day trip is led by a qualified guide who will point out all the most interesting sites and tell you facts and information along the way. During the tour, you'll have the chance to explore the Timanfaya National Park and Fire Mountain a huge active volcano, Los Hervideros a network of unique rock formations, El Golfo a bizarre-looking neon green lake and Haria which is referred to as the Valley of a Thousand Palms. The trip comes to an end at La Geria, Lanzarote's wine region, where you can sample some of the local wine and indulge in some tapas.
Indulge in a bit of retail therapy by heading out on the Playa Blanca market tour. This trip begins at the Marina Rubicon where you can wander amongst the yachts and pop into the designer boutiques for a browse. After this you'll have the chance to explore the Playa Blanca market the perfect place to pick up a souvenir of your stay or some gifts for family and friends back home. Here you'll find a great selection of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, handicrafts and leather goods, amongst a plethora of other things.
Sights & sites
Lanzarote is full of natural sites to admire and Montaña Roja is no exception. A great opportunity to stretch your legs, this volcano provides a fantastic walking trail which can easily be enjoyed by visitors of all ages, providing you are of reasonable fitness and own a sturdy pair of walking shoes or trainers. The top of the volcano awards climbers with amazing panoramic views, so don't forget to bring your camera with you. The best time to make the climb is anytime during the cooler winter months or first thing in the morning during the summer months, when the heat won't be as fierce.
Marina Rubicon is one of the most popular places in Playa Blanca to enjoy a stroll and take in the views. As well as the high number of luxury yachts, speedboats and fishing boats, this marina is also home to many fish which can regularly be seen in the water from the walkways especially if you bring some bread with you. There is a handful of cafes, bars and restaurants in the area, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or spot of lunch whilst watching the world go by.
Further on from the marina you'll find Castillo de las Coloradas another popular place to enjoy an afternoon walk. This castle is set on the edge of a cliff which juts out into the sea and provides stunning sea views that stretch across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. If you get the chance to visit during sunset, make sure you do. The castle provides a wonderful backdrop against the red hues of the sky and looks fantastic in photos.
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of tourist resorts in Lanzarote, make your way to Faro de Pechiguera. This lighthouse can be reached by a short walk over the volcanic landscape which is characteristic of the island and is perched on a small cliff looking out to sea. Another popular photo opportunity come sunset, this attraction is also best visited when the sun is setting on a clear day, allowing you views across the sea to Fuerteventura in the distance.
Arguably Lanzarote's most popular attraction, Timanfaya National Park is an active natural space, home to a number of volcanoes and other unusual rock formations. Open every day from 9am until 7pm in the summer and 9am until 5pm in winter, this park can be explored as part of an excursion or on your own at your own pace and is only a short drive away from Playa Blanca. A top site for science and geography enthusiasts, Timanfaya National Park features numerous aspects of scientific, geological and geomorphologic interest, as well as a natural beauty which everyone can enjoy. There is one restaurant in the area called El Diablo which uses the internal heat from the land to cook traditional dishes which have been prepared in Lanzarote for hundreds of years.
Beaches
One of the smallest beaches in the area, Playa Blanca is a great place for the whole family to spend a day under the sun. The resort itself is named after the beach which is known for its soft white sand and calm blue waters, providing the perfect conditions for swimming. Ideally located in the centre of the resort, Playa Blanca is surrounded by a great range of shops, supermarkets, cafes, bars and restaurants, so you'll never be stuck when it comes for lunch. There are plenty of onsite facilities for visitors to enjoy at this Blue Flag beach, such as sun loungers, shades, lifeguards, showers, toilets, changing rooms and bar-restaurant.
Situated in front of the Papagayo commercial centre, Playa Dorada is another top place to soak up the sun. Here you'll find golden sand sloping into the clear and warm waters, making it a very popular spot for enjoying a dip. The list of onsite amenities is extensive and includes sun beds, parasols, beach bar, toilets and a wealth of water sports, such as snorkelling, diving, banana boats and pedaloes. With a number of children's play areas found along the beach, Playa Dorada is very popular amongst families with little ones.
Found in the west of Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo is a small golden bay lined by several shops, bars and restaurants. Here you'll find a number of sun loungers and shades available to rent, as well as rock wave breakers which create gentle waters ideal for swimming or snorkelling. Less popular than the other beaches at Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo is the ideal place to work on your tan whilst enjoying some peace and quiet.
Water sports
If you've ever wanted to learn how to surf, Kaboti Surf Camp is the place to go. This Playa Blanca-based surfing school offers a series of courses and sessions suitable for everyone from first timers who want to know the basics to professional surfers who want to improve. Beginners and intermediate surfers can choose from one-, three- and five-day courses, all of which include several hours of lessons, wetsuit, surfboard, transport and lunch. Personal one-on-one lessons are also available for those who would rather learn privately.
Dawn Dives Academy is one of the most popular diving schools in Playa Blanca and is suitable for novices and pros alike. This PADI-certified five-star training facility offers a range of courses and lessons for both adults and children, all of which are available in a number of European languages. There are several pool and sea introductory courses to choose from, some of which include photography, as well as child-targeted lessons, advanced open water courses, speciality courses and escorted dives. Although Dawn Dives Academy is based in Playa Blanca, the diving school covers dive sites all around Lanzarote.