Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca is a beach resort and ferry port on the south coast of Lanzarote, some 50 km southwest of the capital Arrecife. It's part of the municipality of Yaiza, but with a population of 12,960 in 2021 it has far outgrown that village.
Understand
[edit]The resort is named for the central white beach - Playa Blanca - in a 9-km wide bay on the south coast of Lanzarote. Playa Flamingo is the western beach within the bay and Playa Dorada the eastern. These are mostly sandy, and sheltered by volcanic hills from the Atlantic wind and waves, so they're good for swimming and sunbathing. They're backed by restaurants, retail and hotels (mostly low rise) and there's a ferry port and a leisure marina. What's called "Papagayo Beach" is a series of sandy coves 3 km southeast of town.
Get in
[edit]
Highway LZ-2 runs from Arrecife and the airport to Playa Blanca, about 40 km.
Bus 60 / 62 runs from Arrecife via Intercambiador, Playa Honda, Tías, Uga and Yaiza to Playa Blanca ferry pier, every 30 min M-F and hourly Saturday and Sunday.
Bus 161 runs from Arrecife Airport (ACE IATA) T1 and T2 via Puerto del Carmen and Yaiza to the ferry pier. It costs €3.30 (Jan 2023) and runs M-F every 30 min, Saturday hourly and Sunday every 2 hours. On Sunday it might be quicker to take Bus 23 towards Arrecife and change at the Intercambiador west edge of the city for Bus 60 / 62.
1 Estacion de Guaguas the bus station is a roof covered drop-off and bus parking lot with squalid toilets. Buses towards Puerto del Carmen, the airport and Arrecife stop across the road, on the northbound carriageway of Av de las Canarias.
2 Playa Blanca Port is the landing point for Fred Olsen car ferries from Corralejo on Fuerteventura. These sail hourly and take 30 min, for a fare in 2023 of €32 per adult foot passenger, €45 per car plus driver.
Lineas Romero ferries compete on this route, sailing five times a day for €20 per adult, foot passengers only.
Get around
[edit]The central area is compact and walkable but the town sprawls 8 km east-west.
Playa Blanca has 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 their app. In 2023 it costs €1 to unlock then €0.30 per minute.
Bus 30 traverses town every 30 min, from Montaña Roja in the west via the ferry pier and Estación de Guaguas to Sandos Papagayo in the east. The fare in 2023 is €1.40, pay the driver in cash, they give change up to €10.
Taxis are readily available, but "Taxi" at the foot of Av de Papagayo is just a coffee shop.
See
[edit]
- 1 Faro de Punta Pechiguera is the lighthouse at the tip of Lanzarote, a gaunt white cylinder alongside its low-set predecessor. The approach path is rough, and you only come for the view of Fuerteventura and the sunset.
- 2 Montaña Roja is the volcano looming west of town centre. You can hike to the crater rim and down into the caldera.
- Marina Rubicón is the leisure boat harbour, surrounded by shops and restaurants. At night you can see the lights of Corralejo on Fuerteventura twinkling across the channel.
- 3 Castillo de San Marcial de Rubicón de Femés is a stubby tower east end of the marina, first built in 1742 to guard against pirates. There's no entry, but those naughty pirates ignored the sign and torched it.
- 4 Los Charcones are pools formed by the rocks. Some are dinky and you look for crabs, others are suitable for bathing in calm conditions, while others are exposed and the returning surf could sweep you out to sea. All of them are popular with sea urchins. In strong weather there are blowholes. Charcones are all along the west coast but this is the best group, reached by a 2 km dirt track past an abandoned hotel. This track is nowadays closed to vehicles.
Do
[edit]- The Spoon in Concrete is on the seafront, near Av Marítima 44. Yes, it's just a spoon set into the pavement surface, and your task is 1) to find it, and 2) contrive to get a thrill out of the quest and discovery.
- Aqualava Water Park, C Gran Canaria (by Relaxia Lanzasur), ☏ +34 667 588704. Daily 10:00-17:00. Five large slides, queuing and cleanliness acceptable. Adult €23, child €16.
- Dino Water Park[dead link] on C Francia is small, worn, and less fun.
- Scuba diving is year-round, with water temperatures always close to 20 °C (68 °F) and visibility over 25 m (82 ft). Centres include Diving Lanzarote Toninas[dead link], Dawn Dives, Dive College, Bonito Diving, Pura Vida, Windblue Sports, Lanzarote Nonstop Divers and Rubicón.
- Playa Flamingo west of the ferry port and Iberostar Hotel is sheltered by breakwaters so it's calm for kiddy-bathing. It's popular for shore-based diving: you head out over the sand to a drop-off. The "Blue Hole" is a short swim-through, entered at 26 m and you pop out at 18 m.
- Playa Blanca ("white beach") is central and gives its name to the town: it's sandy but small.
- Playa Dorada east side is larger and sheltered by breakwaters.
- Playa de Colorados is east by Sandos Papagayo Resort: it's black lava, so you come here for water sports not beach lounging.
- Museo Atlántico is an underwater sculpture park off Playa de Coloradas. The sculptures are in 12-14 m depth and are especially appreciated by nervous novice divers.
- Playa Mujeres and Playa del Pozo are attractive sandy beaches a few km further southeast. You need transport to enjoy them: there's a €3 road toll.
- Golf: sorry, "golfo" is just the Spanish word for a gulf or sea inlet. The nearest 18-hole course is on LZ-505 between Tías and Puerto del Carmen.
Buy
[edit]- Supermarkets cluster near the roundabout at the foot of Av de Papagayo, for example Hiperdino Express, open daily 08:00-22:00.
- Centro Comercial Rubicón is a shopping centre on C El Berrugo by the marina, open daily 08:00-22:00.
- Marina Market is held at Av Marítima 159F on Wednesdays and Saturdays 09:00 to 14:00.
Eat
[edit]- Beachfront eating places face the midday sun, so lunchtimes indoors can be stifling. They're more comfortable at dusk.
Budget
[edit]
- Fresh baked goods are available at Spar, Superdino and Hyperdino Express supermarkets.
- 1 Sabor Venezolano Arepera Bar, C Don Jaime Quesada El Maestro 24, ☏ +34 928 517999. Tu-Sa 10:00-22:00. Venezuelan restaurant: arepas are stuffed maize patties.
- 2 Restaurante Típico Español, Av de Papagayo 19B, ☏ +34 928 517539. Daily 10:30-23:00. Can feel touristy, but a reliable budget option for trad Spanish.
- Avenida 55, Av de Papagayo 55 (next to R Típico Español), ☏ +34 686 167642. M-Sa 18:30-22:30. Good value authentic Italian.
- 3 Chacho Fresh Burger, C la Corriquia 5, ☏ +34 928 517748. F-Tu 13:30-22:30. Good burgers including vegan.
- La Esquina Snack&Cocktail, Centro Comercial Punta Limones (entrance to ferry port), ☏ +34 828 730820. Daily 09:00-22:00. Reliable clean place for coffee, light bites or meals.
- La Gondola, Av Marítima 63 (Block west of R Puerto Blanca), ☏ +34 928 349657. Daily 09:00-22:30. Cheerful place with vegan options.
- Chinese restaurants near central beach are Royal China Wok, Buen Gusto, Jumbo, Asia Playa Blanca, New Oriental Asiatico and Mr Panda.
- Indian restaurants near central beach are Spice Fusion, Indian Delights[dead link], Tamasha, Imagine India and Curry House. Mumbai Masala is at the marina.
Mid-range
[edit]- 4 Restaurante Puerto Blanco, Av Marítima 92, ☏ +34 928 517630. Daily 10:00-23:00. Deservedly popular for its good service and filling cuisine.
- 5 Los Hervideros, C El Marisco 11. M-W, Sa 13:00-16:00, 19:00-22:00, F 19:00-22:00, Su 12:00-16:00. Great little restaurant hidden away on a side street.
- Sergio, C Limones 91 (east side of La Cuadra), ☏ +34 928 639800. F-Tu 13:30-15:00, 19:00-22:30. Great cuisine and service.
- 6 Restaurante la Cuadra, C Limones 107, ☏ +34 928 518781. M-Sa 12:00-23:00. Good Spanish cuisine and service.
- 7 Restaurante Cocina del Puerto, C del Chinchorro 11, ☏ +34 928 517681. W-Su 13:00-16:00, 19:00-22:00. Excellent meals, predominantly seafood, at this little place near the ferry port.
Splurge
[edit]- 8 La Cocina de Colacho, C Velázquez 15, ☏ +34 928 519691. M-Th 18:30-22:30. Rave reviews for the creative cuisine at this small restaurant.
- 9 Afrodite Little Italy, Puerto Marina Rubicon, C el Berrugo 1, ☏ +34 928 349706. Tu-Sa 11:30-15:00, 18:00-23:30. Excellent Italian food, with sax music W & Sa evenings. You may wait awhile to be seated, portions are small and every little thing is charged for.
Drink
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- Papagayo Beach: Paolo's, Las Coloradas and Alfie's are all within El Pueblo shopping centre.
- Marina area has The Flagship, ONE Sailors Bar de Navegantes and Golden Beach Club.
- Playa Dorada has The Harp, Barney's[dead link], Wax Sports Bar and Waikiki nightclub.
- Town centre has O'Connors, Bar Avenida, Old Mill Bar, Kaos shisha and Rosco's,
- Irish Anvil Bar, Centro Comercial Punta Limones (Shopping centre at ferry port entrance), ☏ +34 928 517272. Daily 09:30-01:00. Mellow place for decent food and drink.
- Popeyes is a Sports Bar, likewise within Punta Limones shopping centre.
- Vineyards: the island's main wine-producing area is 15 km northeast at La Geria near Yaiza, which also has a gin distillery.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel SBH Royal Mónica, C Irlanda 1, Montaña Roja, ☏ +34 928 517777. Relaxing quiet hotel near the lighthouse. B&B double €120.
- 2 H10 Rubicon Palace, Av Faro Pechiguera, Montaña Roja (2 km west of centre), ☏ +34 928 518500. Smart hotel with good service and comfort. B&B double €160.
- 3 Relaxia Lanzasur Club, C Gran Canaria 26 (by water park), ☏ +34 928 517533. Pleasant hotel with good scores for comfort, cuisine and entertainment. B&B double €150.
- 4 Labranda Alyssa Suite Hotel, C España 1 (No direct access from Av Faro Pechiguera), ☏ +34 828 128800. Good hotel all round, 500 m from beach. B&B double €100.
- 5 Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park, Av Archipiélago 7, ☏ +34 928 517048. Relaxing comfy hotel by Playa Flamingo. B&B double €160.
- 6 Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, Av Faro Pechiguera 1, ☏ +34 928 518000. Great reviews for comfort, service and entertainment especially for children. B&B double €200.
- 7 H10 Lanzarote Princess, C Maciot 1, ☏ +34 928 517108. Large hotel complex drawing good reviews. B&B double €160.
- Princess Yaiza Suite Hotel, Av Papageno 22 (next to Dreams), ☏ +34 928 519300. Large hotel with good comfort and service. B&B double €200.
- 8 Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort, Av de Papagayo 24, ☏ +34 911 229855. Great reviews for comfort and service. B&B double €200.
- Barcelo next to Dreams is scheduled to open in Dec 2023.
- 9 MYND Yaiza, C Janubio 3, ☏ +34 822 255199. Pleasant family-friendly mid-price hotel. B&B double €160.
- H10 White Suites, C Janubio 1 (next to MYND Yaiza), ☏ +34 928 517037. Mid-range adults only hotel. B&B double €180.
- 10 Hotel THB Tropical Island, C La Fragata 2, ☏ +34 928 519250. Good value family-friendly hotel in its own grounds with lots of amenities. B&B double €80.
- 11 Hotel LIVVO Volcán, C Castillo del Águila 1, ☏ +34 928 099394. Relaxing resort by the marina. B&B double €180.
- 12 Gran Castillo Tagoro, C Playa de Afre 2, ☏ +34 919 490606. Good comfort and service, child-friendly. B&B double €150.
- 13 Tacanda Bocayna Village, C El Moral 2, ☏ +34 919 490606. Simple inexpensive hotel. B&B double €80.
- 14 Sandos Papagayo, C Las Acacias 6 (2 km east of town centre), ☏ +34 928 519111. Friendly beach resort east edge of town. B&B double €160.
- Self-catering: lots available.
Connect
[edit]As of Nov 2023, Playa Blanca and its approach highways have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from Masmovil, Movistar and Orange.
Go next
[edit]- Yaiza 10 km north is the entrance to Timanfaya National Park, a volcanic badlands.
- Puerto del Carmen is a large resort with the island's best beaches.
- Arrecife the capital has two island castles, one a museum the other a modern art gallery.
- Fuerteventura is the next island south, 30 minutes by ferry.