Lanzarote
Covers 18 European islands, from Crete and the Cyclades to Sicily, Sardinia, Mallorca, the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores, with euro prices converted to dollars on a dated rate.
UpdatedThis page carries dated prices, schedules or seasonal facts checked on the date above, and that window has now passed. Re-check the sources at the foot of the page before you book.
Lanzarote looks like nowhere else in the Canaries. Much of the west is covered in lava fields, now protected as Timanfaya National Park. Low white houses and vineyards dug into black ash fill the middle of the island. Much of what visitors see was shaped by the artist César Manrique, whose lava-tube concert hall at Jameos del Agua and clifftop Mirador del Río are now run by the island council's tourist centers.
It is the third busiest of the islands: 3.46 million tourists stayed on Lanzarote in 2025, according to ISTAC, the Canary Islands statistics office, the slowest growth of the four big islands. For Americans, there is no nonstop flight, the sea is cool in winter, and the resort hotels cost more than on Tenerife: we found $169 for a January night in Puerto del Carmen, taxes included.
At a glance
- Best for
- Couples and families who want calm beaches, volcano scenery and short drives
- Skip it if
- You want big nightlife, green hiking country or the cheapest rooms in the Canaries
- Getting there
- César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE) via a European hub; no US nonstop
- Hotel, mid-January
- $169 a night, taxes in, Puerto del Carmen (Kayak, Wednesday, January 13, 2027)
- Hotel, mid-July
- $151 a night for the same hotel on Wednesday, July 14, 2027
- Island size
- 305 sq mi (791 km²), mostly flat, with volcano fields in the west
In this guide
How Lanzarote scores
Six factors, scored 0 to 10 the same way for all 64 islands. How we score
- WeatherData · 20%8.0
- Beaches & seaEditors · 25%7.0
- Things to doEditors · 25%7.5
- Getting there from the USData · 10%4.7
- ValueData · 10%6.2
- Room to breatheData · 10%3.6
Weather month by month
Best months by our weather score: August, September, October. Daytime highs, rain and sunshine are 2016–2025 averages at César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (Open-Meteo historical weather archive); sea temperatures are 2022–2025 averages for the nearest sea area (Open-Meteo marine archive).
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 69 | 70 | 71 | 74 | 75 | 78 | 80 | 83 | 81 | 80 | 76 | 71 |
| Sea °F | 68 | 66 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 70 |
| Rain (in) | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Weather score | 5.6 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 7.5 | 6.2 |
The numbers behind the score
- Gateway airport
- César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE)
- US nonstops
- None. No US nonstop; ACE has no US or Canadian routes. Connect via a European hub (Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon) or arrive by ferry from Fuerteventura (Corralejo to Playa Blanca).
- Distance
- 5,883 mi from Los Angeles, 3,441 mi from New York
- Passport
- Needed for US citizens
- Hotel, one night
- $169 on Jan 13, 2027 · $151 on Jul 14, 2027 (Puerto del Carmen)
- Visitors a year
- 3,455,200 overnight visitors (2025)
- Bringing a dog
- Easy: Standard EU pet entry, no quarantine: ISO microchip, rabies vaccine at least 21 days before travel (after the chip), and an EU health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of arrival.
Hotel prices: Cheapest 3-star-or-better hotel located in Puerto del Carmen per Kayak's location label (Gloria Izaro Club Hotel, 4 stars, both dates), 1 night, 2 adults, Kayak 'Stay total - including all taxes + fees', Class 3+ filter, sorted by price, checked 2026-10-20. Kayak's search also returned cheaper 3-star rooms in Arrecife ($119 Jan, $89 Jul) and a 4-star at Matagorda, Tías ($118 Jan), outside the named area.. Visitor figures: ISTAC FRONTUR via Turismo de Islas Canarias, December 2025 report (full year).
Where Lanzarote ranks
Who Lanzarote is for, and who should skip it
Lanzarote suits couples who like design, wine and quiet evenings, and families with young children who want calm beaches and short drives. The island is compact, the roads are good and the main sights are run like museums, with set hours and tickets.
Skip it if you want green hiking country; for that, Madeira is the better pick. Skip it too if you want the most to do: Tenerife has more. Lanzarote also shares the islands' housing debate. It holds 15.5% of the 47,117 vacation homes ISTAC counted in December 2025, and the protest movement Canarias tiene un límite marched here in 2024 and 2025.
Where to stay, with the prices we found
- Puerto del Carmen (south coast). The biggest resort, with a long beach promenade and the old harbor. On Kayak, the cheapest 3-star-or-better hotel inside Puerto del Carmen was $169 for Wednesday, January 13, 2027 and $151 for Wednesday, July 14, 2027, both at the Gloria Izaro Club Hotel, for 2 adults with taxes and fees included. A 4-star at Matagorda, just east toward the airport, was $118 in January.
- Playa Blanca (far south). Quieter, with sheltered beaches and the ferry to Fuerteventura. Closest base for the Papagayo coves.
- Costa Teguise (east). Smaller and windier, popular with windsurfers.
- Arrecife, the capital. Not a resort, but the cheapest 3-star rooms on our search were here: from $119 in January and $89 in July.
Beaches: calm coves in the south, surf in the north
- Playas de Papagayo near Playa Blanca: a row of golden-sand coves between cliffs, the best beaches on the island. The water is usually calm. Reach them by a dirt road or by boat.
- Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo in Playa Blanca: man-made and sheltered, good for young children.
- Playa Grande in Puerto del Carmen: a long sand beach in the middle of town, with gentle water most days.
- Famara in the north: a wild sweep of sand under cliffs. It is a surf beach with strong currents, so swim only where flagged.
We score Lanzarote's beaches a 7: a few very good sand beaches, with the caveats of wind, a drive to Papagayo and a cool winter sea.
Things to do, with official prices
The island council's tourist centers (CACT) post their prices online. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 19, 2026:
- Timanfaya: $34 (€30), open every day from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The visit takes about 90 minutes, and children up to 6 enter free.
- Jameos del Agua: from $19 (€17), a lava tube with a saltwater lake and Manrique's auditorium.
- Cueva de los Verdes: $19 (€17), a guided walk through the same volcanic tube.
- Mirador del Río and the Jardín de Cactus: $10 (€9) each.
- La Geria wine country, where vines grow in hollows dug into the ash, with bodegas open for tastings.
- La Graciosa, the small island off the north coast, by ferry from Órzola for a day of sand tracks and empty beaches.
That is several good days beyond the beach, which is why we give Lanzarote a 7.5 for things to do.
When to go
Lanzarote is one of the driest of the Canaries, with little rain at any time of year; what rain there is falls mostly from late autumn to early winter. It is often windy, especially in summer, which keeps the heat down and the windsurfers happy. The sea is coolest in late winter and warmest from late summer into autumn. See the 12-month table on this page for the figures.
Like the rest of the islands, Lanzarote is outside the usual hurricane tracks, although the remnants of Hermine brought record rain to the Canaries in September 2022, according to the National Hurricane Center. Our storm-season guide explains the risk.
Getting there from the US, and entry rules
The airport, César Manrique-Lanzarote (ACE), sits on the south coast next to Puerto del Carmen. Its route list has no US or Canadian destinations, so you connect in Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon or another European hub. You can also combine it with Fuerteventura by the ferry from Playa Blanca to Corralejo.
Lanzarote is part of Spain and the Schengen area. A US citizen needs a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond departure and no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Expect fingerprints and a photo under the EU Entry/Exit System, fully running since April 10, 2026. ETIAS is not yet in operation; when it starts, the fee will be $22 (€20). Our passport rules guide has more.
What a trip costs
Rooms are the main cost. Our Puerto del Carmen hotel was $169 in January and $151 in July, taxes included, against $124 and $92 on Tenerife. Add about $82 per adult for Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and Mirador del Río at the posted prices. We found no regional tourist tax in force in the Canaries as of October 20, 2026.
A dog from the US needs standard EU paperwork: microchip, a rabies vaccine at least 21 days before travel and a USDA-endorsed health certificate, with no quarantine. Compare all four on our Canary Islands ranking, or see the best Canary Island for couples.
Tickets and tours you can book
Lanzarote: Off-the-Beaten-Track Timanfaya Volcano Hike
Guide and snacks are included, pickup if selected. The 9 km route is in Los Volcanes Natural Park beside the national park, where free walking is tightly restricted.
Rating as shown on GetYourGuide
La Graciosa: Island Cruise with Lunch and Water Activities
Pickup, lunch and unlimited beer, sangria and soft drinks are included. You get free time in Caleta de Sebo and swim from the catamaran, but beach landings are not part of the trip.
Rating as shown on GetYourGuide
Tour to Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and viewpoint from the cliff
Entry tickets are included depending on the option; lunch and the camel ride (about 11 EUR) are extra. Lanzaroteguides also sells a cheaper highlights tour on GetYourGuide from about $57.
Rating as shown on Viator
Booking through these links supports this site at no cost to you. Prices move by date, so we do not print them here; the official prices we checked are in the page above.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lanzarote worth visiting?
Yes, if you want unusual landscapes, calm southern beaches and a slower pace. It is less varied than Tenerife and its resort hotels were more expensive on our dates, so it suits couples and young families more than groups chasing activities.
How much does Timanfaya National Park cost?
The island council's Timanfaya center charges $34 (€30) per adult, with children up to 6 free. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and the visit lasts about 90 minutes.
Which is better, Lanzarote or Fuerteventura?
Lanzarote has more to see: the volcano park, the Manrique centers and the wine country. Fuerteventura has longer, emptier beaches and cheaper rooms on our dates. Many visitors combine them by ferry.
Can you fly direct to Lanzarote from the US?
No. Lanzarote's airport has no US or Canadian routes. Plan one connection in a European hub such as Madrid or Lisbon.
Is Lanzarote good for families?
Yes for young children. Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and Playa Grande are sheltered, drives are short and the volcano tours suit all ages. Teens may find it quieter than Tenerife.
Further reading
Official sources
- ISTAC / Turismo de Islas Canarias, FRONTUR December 2025 – Lanzarote 3,455,200 tourists in 2025 (principal plus secondary island), up from 3,406,911 in 2024; checked October 20, 2026
- RTVC, Lanzarote fue en 2025 la isla canaria con el crecimiento turístico más contenido – Lanzarote had the slowest 2025 growth among the islands, citing ISTAC; checked October 20, 2026
- ISTAC, vacation homes, December 2025 – 47,117 vacation homes in the Canaries, 15.5% on Lanzarote; checked October 20, 2026
- Kayak hotel search, Puerto del Carmen – Cheapest 3-star-plus hotel in Puerto del Carmen: Gloria Izaro Club Hotel $169 (Jan 13, 2027) and $151 (Jul 14, 2027), stay total incl. taxes; Arrecife and Matagorda results noted; checked October 20, 2026
- Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo de Lanzarote (CACT) – Timanfaya $34 (€30), Jameos del Agua from $19 (€17), Cueva de los Verdes $19 (€17), Mirador del Río and Jardín de Cactus $10 (€9), hours; converted at the ECB rate of $1.1225 per euro (October 19, 2026); checked October 20, 2026
- Wikipedia, Lanzarote Airport – Airlines table lists no US or Canadian destinations; checked October 20, 2026
- US State Department, Spain country information – Passport valid 3 months beyond departure, no visa under 90 days; checked October 20, 2026
- European Commission, ETIAS – Not in operation; fee $22 (€20); 90 days in any 180-day period; checked October 20, 2026
- USDA APHIS, pet travel from the US to Spain – EU pet entry requirements; checked October 20, 2026
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hermine (2022) – Record rainfall and flooding on the Canary Islands; checked October 20, 2026
