Until as recently as thirty years ago Playa Blanca was still a small fishing village – long after the development of resort rivals Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise to the north. Serving as a port from where ferries cross the Bocaina Straits to Fuerteventura, the neighbouring Canary Island. But its great climate and beaches soon caught the eye of developers – and building work started in earnest during the 1990´s. Resulting in a host of new hotel and villa developments.
Visitors arriving by plane and viewing the resort from the air will note that Playa Blanca basically comprises three bays set within one much larger cove. And tourist visitors today can now enjoy a relaxing stroll from one end of the resort to the other. Thanks to the fact that a delightful promenade now runs the entire length of Playa Blanca from the Faro de Pechuguera lighthouse to the outer reaches of the beaches at Papagayo.
Holiday villas in Playa Blanca have become very popular with tourists over the last few years, as they offer decent value for money. And are the best choice during the winter months when the climate here is more favourable than elsewhere on the island.
Holiday villas in Playa Blanca are also in plentiful supply making rental accommodation here cheaper than in the other resorts. And all of these properties boast plenty of luxury extras such as private swimming pools, satellite TV and hot tubs. As well as internet connections for those who need to stay online even when on holiday, making them an ideal choice for families ar even a relaxing romantic holiday for two.
Whilst many guests find it hard to leave the poolside during their stay there are some great beaches around the resort to explore. Such as the small town beach of Playa Blanca (the resorts namesake), Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo. As well as the real star of the show – the stunning set of coves and bays of Papagayo (parrot in Spanish). Which take just fifteen minutes to reach on foot from the centre of the resort. The islands number one tourist attraction, the Timanfaya Volcano Park, is also just a short drive away. And is an absolute must see for anyone visiting Lanzarote.
Despite the recent volcanic activity in Iceland and the chaos this caused for countless travellers plenty of tourists will still be heading for similar hot spots around the globe during 2010. With destinations such as Lanzarote still very popular. This little island still bears the very visible marks of huge eruptions that took place some 250 years ago. With the interior left resembling the stage set of a science fiction movie.
Films and TV series shot on location on Lanzarote and around the other Canary Islands also include:Take a Hard Ride, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth and the classic Journey to the centre of the earth as well as many others
Even though Lanzarote has a volcanic history, property investment on the island is still very viable with countless tourists actually investing in their own holiday apartments.
Lanzarote Villas
Lanzarote without doubt cannot be criticised for a lack of holiday accommodation as there is a whole variety to suit any budget, the question to ponder however is which is the best resort to be staying in?
Whichever resort you choose whether the main two (Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen) or even Costa Teguise do a little research first to get the most from your break.
The third largest resort of Costa Teguise is located to the north of Arrecife airport on the south east coastline. It was created around 35 years ago with the help of César Manrique, a popular local artist who had a hand in the creation of many of Lanzarote´s best known attractions too. He developed plans for an upmarket resort which is still anchored today by the five star Gran Melia Salinas hotel. Which is still one of the best hotels in Lanzarote and where guests can view some of his original canvasses adorning the walls of the public spaces.
Visitors looking to explore the island in greater detail will appreciate the work of Manrique Cesar who sought to create a collection of unique tourist attractions that would provide a worthy alternative to the many golf courses and water theme parks that are so prevalent elsewhere in Spain.For example sites such as the Jameos del Agua, which embodied his desire to fuse art with nature.
Get the lowdown here on Playa Blanca villas
As a form of stress relief, a holiday is probably one of the best antidotes to the daily grind of work and household chores. And the best destinations for switching off have to be those that have plenty of sunshine and a relaxed atmosphere.
Within Europe, there are only one or two places that offer reliably good weather all year round with the main hotspots the Canary Islands. This is undeniably due to their location at the southern most point of the whole Eurozone, off the coast of north Africa. There are seven islands in total in the archipelago, with Lanzarote the most eastern and also the one with the lowest precipitation annually. As a tourist destination, it already has a well-developed infrastructure, due to the fact that it has been welcoming visitors for over forty years.
In terms of places to stay, there are three main resorts and a host of smaller rural settings, with a wide choice of accommodation style and price range. For those who like self-catering, Lanzarote apartments are amongst the most cost effective to select from.
Alternatively, a more spacious kind of accommodation can be found in one of the many holiday villas in Lanzarote. Private swimming pools and spacious comfortable living arrangements are the norm, with entertainment facilities on hand to boot.
A large number of villas in Lanzarote are also visited by their owners at certain periods of the year and this is probably why a majority are maintained in tip top condition and have all the little extras most families would want anyway.
The resort of Puerto del Carmen has numerous good restaurants, many of which are located close to the atmospheric old town area, with views of the harbor. Several of the best can be found just on the outskirts of the town, only a short cab ride from most of the accommodation.
The six kilometers of seafront promenade gives access to beautiful golden beaches. And recent improvements to this maritime roadway means that it is now fully adapted for pedestrians to enjoy, with spacious walkways and very little traffic.
At night, there are many bars and clubs that make good destinations for an after dinner drink, with most open until the early hours. For those who are more active during the day, there is a huge array of activities to select from, Lanzarote golfing holidays for example are extremely popular.
Excursions are very popular for those who don’t wish to drive, whilst there are also many sports to participate in, including fishing, sailing, cycling and hill-walking to name but a few. Many visitors to the island are charmed by the tranquility and unspoiled scenery, often choosing holidays in Lanzarote year after year.
Booking a holiday abroad has never been easier. Thanks to the advent of the Internet, which to a large extent has rendered travel agents redundant. With tourists now able to book breaks to holidays hot spots such as Lanzarote direct online.
Lanzrote forms part of the Canary Island group. Which is part of Spain and the EU but which is located close to the coast of West Africa. During the 1980´s these islands briefly became a byword for package holidays – but today there are just as many upmarket luxury accommodation options as there are good value choices. With Lanzarote for example boasting no less than six 5 star hotels.
Lanzarote, the fourth largest of the islands and one of the most unspoiled, boasts no less than six 5 star hotels. Including the sumptuous Gran Melia Volcan, which is located right at the southern tip of the island in the fast growing resort of Playa Blanca. The Volcan forms part of the stylish Rubicon Marina development which is home to loads of luxury yachts. And along with sister establishment the Gran Melia Salinas in Costa Teguise is regarded as one of the best Lanzarote hotels.
Arguably the best known hotel on the island though is the Arrecife Gran. As this occupies a building which was a notorious landmark on Lanzarote during the 1990´s. As it was originally built by flouting local planning laws – which prohibited high rise constructions taller than a Canarian palm tree. So for many years this building lay burnt out and derelict right on the seafront. Eventually though the island government took the pragmatic approach and granted permission for creation of a luxury hotel. Which spans 17 floors and is the tallest edifice on the island.
The Gran Melia hotel is owned by Spain´s Sol hotel chain, who also have another 5 star establishment in the southern resort of Playa Blanca. The Gran Melia Volcan is situated right next to the upmarket Rubicon Marina development, which provides an atmospheric environment for dining out or strolling around the shops. The Volcan also has a unique entrance hall atrium which is designed to echo the islands most famous landmark – the volcanoes of the Timanfaya National Park which are located just a short drive away from the resort.
Around half of all visitors to Lanzarote prefer self-catering accommodation to hotels and there’s a wide selection of Lanzarote villas for them to choose from across the island. Apartments in Lanzarote also provide a good value alternative for these seeking to book a break in the sun on a budget.
You can find details of Lanzarote 4 star hotels and further Lanzarote villas here.
There´s a huge amount of things to do and see on the small Canary Island of Lanzarote. Despite only measuring just 60km by 40km. Boasting over 100 great beaches, a host of natural wonders, the creations of local artist César Manrique and plenty of picturesque towns and villages.
Lanzarote is the fourth largest island in the Canaries – and is a hugely popular hot spot with tourists from across Europe. Welcoming in the region of 1.5 million visitors every year – the majority of them from the UK, Germany and Eire.
The island has been welcoming tourists for over forty years and enjoys great weather all year round. Thanks to Lanzarote´s location just 100 miles off the south west coast of Morocco.
Accommodation standards are high – with lots of good options available across the island. During the winter months the best weather can be found in the south – where visitors will also find a good range of hotels and holiday villas in Playa Blanca to choose from.
Exploring the island is easy – as the roads are quiet outside of the main resorts.Whilst car hire is cheap – starting at around €13 per day. Petrol is cheap too – at around €0.80 per litre.
1) The Timanfaya Volcano Park
No holiday in Lanzarote would be complete without a tour of the Fire Mountains.Which was forbed by huge eruptions during the 1730´s.
These wiped out many villages and destroyed farmland.Leaving spent volcanic peaks and fields of solidified lava in its wake.Creating strange and surreal scenery that very much resembles the surface of the moon.
2) The Jameos del Agua
This huge collapsed tunnel in the lava flow was being used as a rubbish dump by locals until César Manrique transformed it into a breathtaking underground concert venue and grotto. Complete with bars, restaurants and a swimming pool reserved for the sole use of the King of Spain.
This was Manrique´s first major creation on the island and I helped to establish Lanzarote as a hot new holiday destination in the early 1970´s.
3) The Valley of 1000 Palms
Lanzarote is a dry and arid island with little in the way of greenery. So the Valley of 1000 Palms provides a real surprise – as it is packed with thousands of Canarian Palms.As locals maintain a tradition of planting a palm tree for every new born baby. Creating a stunning oasis.
4) The Mirador del Rio
This former naval gun battery was converted by Manrique into an incredible look out point.Which is situated around 450 metres above sea level at the northern tip of the island.And offers great views of the neighbouring island of La Graciosa.Thought to be the real location of Robert Louis Stevenson´s classic novel Treasure Island.
5) The Cactus Garden
This celebration of the plant world’s spikiest species is another Manrique creation. Located in the heart of what was once the islands cactus growing country and regarded as one of the most comprehensive collections of cacti in the world. With over 10,000 plants on show.