Lanzarote ( Overview )

The most easterly Canary Island of Lanzarote has enjoyed a few special sobriquets over the centuries. Philosophers once speculated that it was a remnant of the lost continent of Atlantis.  In pre-Spanish times Phoenician traders dubbed it the Purple Island – because a lichen called Ocrhilla, that was used to manufacture purple dye, grew there in abundance.

And during the Middle Ages it was often referred to as one of the Fortunate Islands, due to the wonderful year round climate – where the temperature rarely falls below 22c, even in the winter months.

Today Lanzarote is best known as the Fire Island, due to the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption, which lasted from 1730 to 1736.  Covering around one third of the island in a layer of lava that today gives much of Lanzarote the look of a land that has only just been formed.  And is often likened to the surface of the moon.

Lanzarote is an island of enormous contrasts though – and offers much more in the way of scenery than just volcanos and lava fields this is why it is one of the favorite cheap holidays in the canaries.The north of the island is a complete contrast to the arid, volcanic south – comprising a number of green, verdant valleys – such as the valley of a 1000 palms.

Resorts

Tourism on Lanzarote is concentrated in three main resorts.

In the south of the island lies Playa Blanca . Just a small fishing village as little as 20 years ago Playa Blanca has experienced a decade of growth and now boasts the best selection of four and five star hotels on Lanzarote, as well as some of the most luxurious villas in lanzarote. Playa Blanca is the gateway to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and is also within walking distance of some of the best beaches on the island at papagayo (one of around 90 plus beaches on the island in total).  Its position at the southern tip of Lanzarote also generally guarantees it the best weather – which is obviously an important consideration when booking a holiday this now becomes obvious why it has been known as one of the best cheap Holidays in the Canaries.

Back along the coast sits Puerto Del Carmen a great destination for cheap holidays in the canaries – the resort where tourism first took off on Lanzarote and still a very popular destination to this day.  What Puerto del Carmen may lack in the way of four-star hotels it more than makes up for in terms of restaurants and nightlife and is, by some distance, the liveliest resort on the island.  It also boasts an excellent stretch of beach that runs virtually the length of the resort as well as an atmospheric harbour area.

 

Costa Teguise is the most northerly resort on the island and was developed under the aegis of island born artist and architect called cesar manrique – who had an inescapable influence on the development of Lanzarote throughout the 1970´s and 80´s. 

Tourism is also developing in and around the marina of Puerto Calero where two excellent hotels have opened their doors in recent years. Puerto Calero

Popular Lanzarote Resorts - And Cheap Holidays in the Canaries

Costa Teguise
Matagorda
Playa Blanca
Playa de Los Pocillos
Puerto Calero
Puerto del Carmen