Playa BlancaLanzarote · Canary Islands

All About Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca’s rise as one of the best resort towns in Lanzarote happened fairly suddenly at the turn of the century. Up until then, it was a quiet fishing village with only a modest interest among tourists searching for an authentic offbeat experience.

Situated on the southern coast of Lanzarote, bang opposite the island of Fuerteventura, Playa Blanca is now a city transformed. While the town still has areas highlighting its culture and tradition, it now appeals more to conventional holiday-goers who enjoy modern conveniences and luxury. Thanks to its sandy beaches, waterside bars, shopping options, restaurants, a chic marina, five-star hotels, and pulsating nightlife, Playa Blanca has become a favored destination in its own right.
 

Routes and Ferries to Playa Blanca

The easiest and quickest way to reach Playa Blanca is by taking a boat from Corralejo in Fuerteventura. The companies Naviera Armas, Lineas Romero, and Fred Olsen have multiple sailings daily throughout the year. The journey takes approximately 30-minutes. Bookable via Ferryscanner, on average, return ferry tickets to Playa Blanca cost between €70 to €120, depending on the season, vessel, and timing of your trip.

Tourists flying in from Europe can catch a direct flight from numerous cities to Lanzarote Airport. Several low-cost airlines also fly this route, especially during the tourist season. The airport is 35km northeast of Playa Blanca. The 30-minute taxi to the town comes at around €40. Taking the bus is notably cheaper. There is also the possibility of pre-booking a shared shuttle to your hotel for as little as €6 per person.
 

Port of Playa Blanca

Puerto Deportivo Playa Blanca is fast gaining fame among yachters sailing around the Canary Islands. Along with the ultra-modern Marina Rubicón, the port caters mainly to leisure boats and passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Playa Blanca.

Furthermore, the port is undertaking a massive extension project that will ultimately result in space for more vessels and even cruise ships to dock. First-time visitors to Playa Blanca can expect ample facilities at or near the port, including shops, restaurants, parking, government offices, and car hire.
 

Best Beaches

The beaches in Playa Blanca offer warm waters to swim in, fine sand to lounge on, and spectacular views to gawk at for hours. A sunbather’s dream come true, the town’s coast is unquestionably its most topographically diverse and enchanting asset.

Playa Blanca

The Blue Flag awarded central beach of the city might be small but it compensates for its size with white sand and overall cleanliness. Located near the port, the beach is typically crowded, being a favorite with tourists.

The water here is calm, except for the occasional wave whenever a boat passes through in the distance. Therefore, it is the perfect spot to wave at passengers arriving on the island with ferry tickets to Playa Blanca. Adding to the dynamic nature of the beach are the cafes, shops, and restaurants that line its promenade.

Playa Flamingo

The most popular beach in the province, Playa Flamingo, is roughly 3km from the city center. A host of amenities welcome excited sunbathers to this white-sand shoreline with an energetic ambiance. Sheltered by breakwaters on either side, the ocean stays shallow near the edge but gets deep quickly.

However, the calm and clear waters of Playa Flamingo make it an excellent spot for snorkeling. Sunloungers are available at the beach for €8 per day. Moreover, various bars and restaurants nearby help satiate any hunger pangs.

Playa Dorada

With its name translating to Golden Beach, this oceanfront near the center is renowned for its soft fine sand. Protected by rocky breakwaters, the beautiful cove of Playa Dorada opens up into the mesmerizing and calm blue waters of the Atlantic.

Perfect for sunbathing or snorkeling, the beach offers different water sports and has cafes and shops along its promenade. Fairly busy during the tourist season, get here early to rent a well-positioned sunbed and umbrella.

Playa del Papagayo

Even though a trip to Playa del Papagayo includes driving on a winding dirt road and paying a small fee, it is a must-visit beach in Playa Blanca. In actuality, this part of the coast comprises six different-sized bays, each one having its own name. Some of the bays are visible only during low tide.

Rugged in character, the sandy beaches of Papagayo are 5km away from the center, reachable via a €15 taxi ride. The main Papagayo Beach is a sheltered nook with a rocky volcanic background. It has a big car park and a restaurant. The beach is also accessible via a waterbus from the harbor.

Playa de La Fuentecita

Some believe that Playa de La Fuentecita is a myth but this isolated beach in the middle of nowhere is very much real. A small cove in a protected region of the Las Palmas province, La Fuentecita, is about 11km from Playa Blanca. The 110 meters long strip is primarily black sand, gravel, and stones. Since it is impossible to reach here by car, the best option is to take a mountain bike and explore the region until you find the beach, often unexpectedly.

Travel by boat isn’t easy either, even though the water along the shore usually stays calm. A natural, albeit barren-looking beach, don’t expect any facilities at La Fuentecita. You can, however, indulge in nude sunbathing here.
 

Things to Do

There’s plenty to do in Playa Blanca besides baking yourself under the glorious sun, lazing around on golden-colored sand. In fact, several attractions in Playa Blanca, both on and off the coast, will undoubtedly leave you in a state of amazement.

Snorkel Around Atlántico Museum

An unmissable attraction in Playa Blanca is Europe’s first underwater museum, Atlántico. Opened to the public in 2017, the museum features over 400 sculptures by the famous artist Jason deCaires Taylor.

Accessible to both divers and snorkelers, the installations tackle modern-day issues ranging from the refugee crises to a look at the selfie-obsessed generation. Located at a depth of 12 to 14 meters, the museum is part of Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve.

Shop at Playa Blanca Market

The local farmer’s and handicraft market in Playa Blanca takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The venue for the market is Marina Rubicón which gives the entire setup a sophisticated character. You can find artisanal foods, jewelry, handicraft, colorful beachwear, and other local specialties at the market. It’s perfectly fine to haggle a little if you like anything.

Parking is not an issue, and the overall atmosphere is spirited and inviting. When planning your visit, include having lunch at one of the bars or restaurants in the area.

Visit Corralejo in Fuerteventura

If you didn’t get a chance to sail over from Fuerteventura using ferry tickets to Playa Blanca, look into spending a day in Corralejo. This northern-most city of the neighboring island is famous for its dunes, where you can go on a dune-buggy tour. If looking to relax by the seafront, have ice cream and tapas at Music Square while listening to live music.

There’s also the fascinating Playa El Hierro, also known as Popcorn Beach. Instead of stones, here you’ll find calcareous algae, shaped like popcorn. Lastly, for an extra bit of island hopping, take the €15 boat to the uninhabited island of Los Lobos for more beach time.

Find the Spoon in Concrete

Are you up for a quirky challenge? If yes, then go out and find the barely visible regular-looking spoon embedded in the concrete on the Playa Blanca Promenade. The ‘spoon in concrete’ is forever the talk of the town, and you’ll even find several mentions of it on social media. Locating it is supposedly a big deal, but unfortunately, there are no prizes on offer. Except, maybe, boasting rights and short-lived internet fame.

Dive With the Submarine Safari

A must-do attraction in Playa Blanca for the entire family is taking a submarine safari. This fun underwater adventure is a chance to appreciate aquatic life without having to get wet. The submarine, which goes down 30 meters into the sea, leaves from Puerto Calero Marina, about 25 minutes from Playa Blanca. During the dive, passengers get to view wrecks along with an array of vibrant fish. The submarine tour costs €55 per adult.
 

Transportation Around Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca, with its scenic walking trails, is idyllic for hiking enthusiasts. However, if you are eager to reach a favorite beach quickly or have just arrived in town using ferry tickets to Playa Blanca, then a taxi is the best transportation mode to take. Taxis are also ideal for point-to-point travel across the island, especially for small groups of two to four.

Alternatively, Playa Blanca has its own local bus service, which is cheap and equally suitable. A trip to Playa Blanca costs €1.30. The fare is slightly more if you take a ride to a location elsewhere in Lanzarote.

Car hire is a good choice, provided the holiday plan is to spend a fair amount of time traveling around the island. Although if you desire transportation freedom while staying close to the town, then just rent a bike to discover some of Playa Blanca’s hidden nooks and corners.