Lanzarote is a straightforward destination for travellers, with good infrastructure, safe tap water, and English widely spoken in the main resorts. However, a few local quirks and practical details can make your trip smoother. Here is everything you need to know before visiting Lanzarote, from airport transfers to tipping customs, plus three recommended hotels at the end.
Lanzarote Travel Tips and FAQ: Getting There and Around
Arriving at Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
Lanzarote Airport (ACE, also called Arrecife Airport) is located 5km southwest of Arrecife, putting it roughly 10 minutes from the capital, 15 minutes from Puerto del Carmen, 30 minutes from Playa Blanca, and 25 minutes from Costa Teguise. It is a single-terminal airport serving around 8 million passengers annually. Airlines flying direct from the UK include Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, and British Airways, with flight times of 4-4.5 hours. From Germany, Condor, TUIfly, and Ryanair operate direct flights (4.5-5 hours). From mainland Spain, Iberia Express, Vueling, and Air Europa fly from Madrid (2.5 hours) and Barcelona (3 hours). Several bus routes connect the airport: Line 22 to Arrecife (1.40 euros, every 30 minutes), Line 161 to Playa Blanca via Puerto del Carmen (3.60 euros, every 60 minutes), and Line 23 to Costa Teguise (1.40 euros). Taxi fares: Arrecife 12-15 euros, Puerto del Carmen 15-20 euros, Playa Blanca 35-40 euros, Costa Teguise 20-25 euros. Official taxis are white with a green stripe. Rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt) do not operate on the island.
Car Rental
A rental car is worth considering even for a week-long stay. Lanzarote’s main attractions (Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Papagayo beaches) are spread across the island, and public buses, while cheap, run on rural timetables that make multi-stop days impractical. Rental rates start around 15-20 euros per day for a small car (booked online in advance; walk-up rates at the airport are higher). Major companies at the airport include Cicar, Cabrera Medina, AutoReisen, and Avis. Cicar and Cabrera Medina are local Canarian companies consistently rated higher than international chains for service and transparency. All include unlimited mileage and basic insurance as standard. The island’s roads are well-maintained and traffic is light outside the resort centres. Free parking is widely available. A full driving licence from your home country is accepted; an International Driving Permit is not required for EU/UK licences.
Public Transport
Lanzarote’s bus network (guaguas) is operated by IntercityBus Lanzarote (arrecifebus.com). Fares are cheap (1.40-3.60 euros depending on distance) and buses are modern and air-conditioned. The main interchange is Arrecife’s Estacion de Guaguas. Key routes include Line 3 (Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen, every 20 minutes), Line 30 (Arrecife to Playa Blanca via the airport, every 60 minutes), Line 1 (Arrecife to Costa Teguise, every 30 minutes), and Line 9 (Arrecife to Orzola in the north, every 60-90 minutes). To reach Timanfaya National Park, you need a car or an organised tour , there is no public bus service. A reloadable Bono card (10 or 30 euros) gives discounted fares and is available at the bus station and some tobacco shops.
Lanzarote Travel Tips and FAQ: Practical Information
Money and Tipping
Spain uses the euro. ATMs are plentiful in all resort areas and Arrecife; avoid the standalone Euronet ATMs (high fees) and use bank ATMs (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank) instead. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small bars and markets. Tipping is not required or expected in Spain , rounding up to the nearest euro for a coffee or leaving 5-10% for a good restaurant meal is appreciated but never demanded. There is no service charge added to bills.
Language
Spanish is the official language. In the main resorts (Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise), English is widely spoken and you will have no issues with menus, check-in, or directions. In Arrecife and the northern villages, basic Spanish phrases are helpful. The local Canarian Spanish accent drops the ‘s’ from the end of syllables and uses ‘ustedes’ instead of ‘vosotros’ for the plural ‘you’, which can throw off even intermediate Spanish speakers. A few useful phrases: ‘gracias’ (thank you), ‘por favor’ (please), ‘la cuenta, por favor’ (the bill, please), ‘buenos dias’ (good morning), ‘cuanto cuesta?’ (how much does it cost?).
Safety and Health
Lanzarote is one of the safest destinations in Europe. Violent crime is extremely rare. The most common risk for tourists is petty theft , do not leave valuables on the beach while swimming, and keep bags zipped in market crowds. The emergency number is 112, which connects to police, ambulance, and fire. Tap water is technically safe to drink (it meets EU standards) but it is desalinated seawater and has a noticeably metallic taste. Most locals and visitors drink bottled water, which costs around 1 euro for 5 litres in supermarkets. Sunscreen is expensive on the island (15-20 euros for a standard bottle) , bring it from home. Medical care is good: the Hospital Doctor Jose Molina Orosa in Arrecife handles emergencies, and there are private clinics in the resorts. EU citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC); all visitors should have travel insurance.
Shopping and Siesta Hours
Shops in resort areas typically open Monday to Saturday 10:00-21:00, often staying open through the afternoon. In Arrecife and smaller towns, many shops close for siesta from 13:30 to 17:00, reopening until 20:30 or 21:00. Sundays most shops close, though some tourist-facing stores and supermarkets in the resorts remain open. The main supermarket chains are HiperDino and Spar , HiperDino has the widest range and most consistent pricing. Aloe vera products (locally grown) and Malvasia wine from La Geria make good souvenirs.
Lanzarote Travel Tips and FAQ: Accommodation and Food
What Type of Accommodation is Best?
Lanzarote has a strong self-catering culture , many visitors rent apartments or villas and eat out at the island’s generally affordable restaurants rather than paying for all-inclusive packages. Villas with private pools are widely available for groups and families, particularly around Playa Blanca (from 800 euros per week for a two-bedroom). All-inclusive resorts are concentrated in Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. If you plan to explore the island daily rather than stay at the hotel, a self-catering apartment with a rented car offers better value and flexibility than an all-inclusive package.
Food and Drink Costs
Eating out in Lanzarote is cheaper than in most Western European destinations. A three-course menu del dia (set lunch) costs 10-15 euros including wine or water in most local restaurants. Dinner for two with wine at a mid-range restaurant runs 35-50 euros. A coffee (cafe con leche) is 1.20-1.50 euros, a beer (cana) is 1.50-2.50 euros, and a glass of local wine is 2-3 euros. Supermarket prices are similar to mainland Spain. Local specialities to try include papas arrugadas con mojo (wrinkled potatoes with red or green pepper sauce), sancocho canario (salted fish with potatoes and mojo), queso de cabra (goat cheese, often smoked), and bienmesabe (an almond and honey dessert). For fish, look for vieja (parrotfish), cherne (wreckfish), and lapas (limpets grilled with garlic).
Lanzarote Travel Tips and FAQ: Weather and Packing
What to Pack
Lanzarote’s climate means you need less than you think. For summer (June-September): lightweight clothing, swimwear, high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A light jumper or wrap for air-conditioned restaurants and evening sea breezes. For winter (December-February): add a warm layer for evenings (temperatures drop to 14-15 degrees C), a light rain jacket for the 3-4 rainy days per month, and closed shoes for hiking. Year-round essentials: good walking shoes or trainers for volcanic terrain (the lava rock shreds flip-flops), reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a USB power bank (the sun kills phone batteries). Insect repellent is rarely needed , Lanzarote has very few mosquitoes compared to mainland Spain.
Can You Swim Year-Round?
Yes, with caveats. From June through October, the sea temperature ranges from 21-23 degrees C (70-73 degrees F), warm enough for extended swimming without a wetsuit. From November through May, water temperatures run 18-20 degrees C (64-68 degrees F). Most visitors from northern Europe find this swimmable, particularly on sunny days when the air temperature is in the low 20s. If you plan to snorkel or spend long periods in the water during winter, a short wetsuit (3mm) makes it comfortable. Hotel pools are unheated at many properties , if winter pool swimming matters to you, confirm the hotel has heated pools before booking.
Lanzarote Travel Tips and FAQ: Day Trips and Itineraries
La Graciosa Island
La Graciosa, the eighth Canary Island, lies 2km north of Lanzarote across the El Rio strait. The ferry from Orzola takes 25 minutes and costs 26 euros return (lineasromero.com). There are no paved roads on La Graciosa , the ‘streets’ are sand tracks. You can walk, rent a bike (10-15 euros/day), or take a 4WD taxi. The island has two main beaches: Playa de las Conchas (a 5km walk or bike ride, wild and often wavy) and Playa Francesa (closer to the port, calmer, with a beach bar). The ferry runs roughly hourly from 08:00 to 19:00. Bring water, food, and cash , there are a few small restaurants in Caleta de Sebo (the only settlement) but facilities are limited.
Fuerteventura Day Trip
You can day-trip to Fuerteventura via the Playa Blanca to Corralejo ferry (Fred Olsen Express or Lineas Romero, 25 minutes, 25 euros return). Ferries run every 30-60 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00. From Corralejo, you can walk to the famous sand dunes of the Parque Natural de Corralejo (30 minutes on foot or a 10-minute bus ride). The dunes stretch for 11km and feel closer to the Sahara than Spain. A day trip is perfectly feasible , take an early ferry, spend 4-5 hours at the dunes and Corralejo town, and return by late afternoon. No passport control between islands (both are part of Spain).
Suggested Hotels in Lanzarote
Hotel Fariones
Puerto del Carmen’s premier five-star address since 1967, set on a rocky outcrop between Playa Grande and Playa Chica with a cliff-top infinity pool and direct cove access. The rooms were fully renovated in 2021. Best for couples and honeymooners. Check rates and availability
Barcelo Teguise Beach
A stylish adults-only four-star in Costa Teguise with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking Las Cucharas beach and notably good breakfast. Rooms renovated in 2023. Best for couples and adult groups seeking a modern resort without children. Check rates and availability
Apartamentos Los Pocillos
Clean, simple self-catering apartments 100 metres from Playa de los Pocillos in Puerto del Carmen, with a pool and on-site market. Studios from 55 euros per night. Best for budget-conscious couples who want a quieter beach location. Check rates and availability
