Playa Blanca - human settlement in Yaiza, Las Palmas, Lanzarote, Las Palmas Province, Spain

Playa Blanca is a town on the south side of Lanzarote and the third largest tourist area on the island. Awarded on various occasions for its beauty, this peaceful and pleasant spot is the ideal place for the whole family to relax in.

Understand

The coastline around Playa Blanca (Spanish for "White Beach") is essentially one large 9-km wide bay which is broken up into three smaller, but still large, bays. From east to west these are Playa Dorada, Playa Blanca and Playa Flamingo. This basic geography means that the beaches in and around Playa Blanca are sheltered and ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Playa Blanca has a wide range of hotels surrounded by a flourishing service sector: bars, restaurants, businesses... and one of the best recreational ports in Lanzarote. It is also close to the Papagayo Beaches where white sand and crystalline waters wash lap against the rocks.

You can find all kinds of restaurants, shops and bars along the Playa Blanca boardwalk, and the streets running parallel to it, at the edge of the old town. Another area that’s a must to visit is the recreational port, replete with high quality facilities and a shopping centre.

Climate

Playa Blanca sits at the southernmost tip of the island, and seems to have its own climate, away from the rest of island. Flanked by the Femes mountains on one side... and with Montana Roja imposing at the other side, it is sheltered from some of the higher winds, and also claims the highest temperatures on the island.

Get in

By plane

The LZ2, a main motorway, links the resort to the Island's International Airport in Arrecife, about 40 min away.

Bus line 161 goes directly from the airport to Playa Blanca for €3.30 (Jan 2023). M-F every 30min, Saturdays hourly and Sundays/feast days every 2 hours. For the latter it might also be worth to take the bus number 23 to Arrecife Intercambiador Vuelta and from there bus line 60 to Playa Blanca. The bus line 60 also departs from the bus stop Polígono Playa Honda Ida, a 20 min walk from the airport or a short ride with bus line 23 with some additional walking.

As for the whole island, Google Maps and Moovit help to find the right local or regional bus line.

By bus

• Estacion de Guaguas, 28.8645298°, -13.8314280°. The bus station is at the northern edge of the commercial area of the town, at the corner of Av. de las Canarias and Calle los Calamari.

To connect to Arrecife, the bus leaves on the hour from early morning until mid evening - number 60.

To connect to Puerto del Carmen, which is around 45 km away, the bus leaves on the half hour from early morning until mid evening - number 61.

By ferry

• Port de Playa Blanca, 28.8589707°, -13.8333767°. Ferries from Corralejo on Fuerteventura arrive here.

Get around

On foot

It's easy to walk on foot. Walking from the west end to the east end of the town takes about 1:30h.

By electric kick scooters

The whole area of the town including the west coast is covered by an e-scooter sharing system. You can take one anywhere and leave it anywhere in the designated area. The service is provided by Superpedestrian Link Scooters and can be used with the according app. It costs €1 to unlock and €0.30 per minute (February 2023).

By bus

There is a bus service every half an hour around the town. Bus number 30. The price is €1.40 (February 2023) and can be paid in cash (no bills higher than €10 accepted) and by the public transport card. It's not possible to pay by credit card. The timetable is covered in Google Maps.

By taxi

There are taxis easily available, if needed. There is no e-hailing service.

See

• Playa Blanca is also home to the beautiful Papagayo Beaches, which are secluded beaches known for their outstanding natural beauty. With beautiful white sandy beaches framing the town, edging round to Papagayo (a series of coves with shallow clear waters), it's also an ideal place to bring the children. With all the variety of tourist shops that you would expect, there are many bars offering low-key entertainment throughout the evening. It's a little quieter than other resorts in Lanzarote, which suits the visitor seeking a more laid back holiday experience.
• The Marina Rubicon is a development of designer shops, and restaurants in beautiful surroundings, next to the beautiful Marina. Take a stroll, and see some of the most spectacular yachts. The promenade in Playa Blanca is host to many top quality cafes and restaurants, where you can sit back and sample either the local or international menu on offer. The view across to Fuerteventura is beautiful, and at night you can see Corralejo's lights twinkling back at you, whilst listening to the waves lapping at the shore.

Do

There are some public beaches.

• The Spoon In Concrete, Av. Marítima, 44, 28.8620354°, -13.8268572°. A popular attraction. 2023-02-05

Out of town trips

Take a tour to see the island's landmarks, like:

• Timanfaya natural park (20 km)
• Museo del Campesino (35 km)
• Fundación César Manrique (45 km)
• Jardín de Cactus (55 km)
• Jameos del agua and Cueva de los verdes (65 km)
• Mirador del Rio (70 km) etc.

Buy

• Playa Blanca Market. Wednesdays and Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00.

Eat

Seafood, especially the prawns and the local squid. There is one Burger King in town and plenty of Italian restaurants.

Marina Rubicon has some great restaurants that cover most price ranges from inexpensive pasta restaurants to more formal dining establishments. It even has a few Lanis (if you like the real tourist traps).

There are a number of good restaurants in the old town of Playa Blanca on the coastline. Some are much better than others.

Budget

The supermarkets of Spar, Superdino and Hyperdino Express offer fresh baked goods. They are tasty and available in sweet or savory. Good for a quick breakfast or snack.

• Sabor Venezolano Arepera Bar, C. Don Jaime Quesada El Maestro, 24, 28.8643040°, -13.8302522°. Venezuelan restaurant. Popular among locals. The dish of the day consists of a soup and a chosen meal for 7€ altogether. Credit cards accepted. 2023-01-13
• Restaurante Típico Español, Av. de Papagayo, 19B, 28.8634325°, -13.8277899°. Popular among tourists. Several options to have the menu of the day for €8.50 including starter, main dish and dessert. Take a smartphone photo of that offer outside as it might not be shown on the menu card handed out inside. The additionally served bread costs €0.80 each and is optional. The menu card for beverages is only in Spanish. 2023-01-05
• Avenida 55, Av. de Papagayo, 55, 28.8634334°, -13.8277578°. 2023-01-13
• Chacho Fresh Burger, C. la Corriquia, 5, 28.8632989°, -13.8313543°. 2023-01-13
• La Esquina Snack&Cocktail, Playa Blanca, C. Mlle. de Playa Blanca, 28.8591692°, -13.8358688°. 2023-01-13
• La Gondola, Av. Marítima, 63, 28.8620407°, -13.8309248°. 2023-01-13
• Shanghai Wok, Av. de Papagayo, 9, 28.8633464°, -13.8295418°. 2023-01-13

Mid-range

• Restaurante Puerto Blanco, Av. Marítima, 92, 28.8621854°, -13.8307659°. 2023-01-13
• Restaurante Los Hervideros, C. El Marisco, 11, 28.8637279°, -13.8284981°. 2023-01-13
• Sergio, C. Limones, 91, 28.8616355°, -13.8320275°. 2023-01-13
• Restaurante la Cuadra, C. Limones, 107, 28.8612990°, -13.8323973°. 2023-01-13
• Restaurante Cocina del Puerto, C. del Chinchorro, nº 11, 28.8602401°, -13.8347875°. 2023-01-13

Splurge

• Restaurante La Cocina de Colacho, C. Velázquez, 15, 28.8621722°, -13.8123230°. 2023-01-13
• Afrodite Little Italy restaurant, puerto marina rubicon, C. el Berrugo, 1, 28.8592887°, -13.8149697°. 2023-01-13

Drink

• Simon Richards. For the best views of the Marina Rubicon, Playa Dorada, Fuerteventura and the mountains of Femes, then All Sports Tavern's outside bar and terrace is where to see them from, even better under the night sky with some soft music in the background. Often, the climate is very warm and dehydration is a hazard.

For some good banter the Irish Anvil in Punta Limones is hard to beat. They also do an excellent breakfast.

There are many bars in Playa Blanca which offer sports viewing, karaoke and live entertainment. Alternatively, travel to local local for a more lively atmosphere.

Sleep

Unlike the resort of Puerto del Carmen - which is dominated by apartment complexes - Playa Blanca's more controlled and recent development means it is home to a large selection of new four and five star hotels and a good range of quality holiday villas.

• Club Calimera Royal Monica, Carretera Playa Blanca a Faro Pechiguera, +34 51 77 77. Built in traditional island style, it is in a quiet location in Southwestern Lanzarote on a cliff-lined coast, which features a small nature beach.
• Casa Nimbara. 2019-01-31

Go next

Surrounding Playa Blanca is the Timanfaya National Park

It is also possible to catch a ferry to the neighbouring Island of Fuerteventura, the trip taking around 1/2 hour.

There are two ferries, Fred Olsen and Armas. You can get tickets for both on the spot. About €20 per person, €35 return (Jan 2023). Fred Olsen is about 10 minutes faster but more expensive. You can board with your rent a car and take it over with you. They run about once per hour.

Coaches run to all the main tourist attractions from the Playa Blanca bus station. To see the Timanfaya it is best to take a bus as cars are not allowed in some areas.

The Yaiza Princess Hotel has an excellent children's play area and you don't have to be resident to use it. It also has fantastic restaurants.