Lanzarote Canary Islands

Lanzarote

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The map requested shows only a limited number of the resorts on the island, if the resort you are looking for is not indicated on the map, please don't give up. If you are looking for a specific resort or place, you may find by browsing through our image gallery that you will find the location you are looking for and a brief summary of the place or image submitted.

We hope to give you a good idea about the location, hotels and places of interest to help you make your mind up and find the perfect holiday destination for you.

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About Lanzarote

Lanzarote, a Spanish island, is the easternmost of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean ca. 125 kilometres off the coast of Africa and 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula. The first recorded name for the island, given by Angelino Dulcert, was Insula de Lanzarotus Marocelus, after the Genoese navigator Lancelotto Malocello, from which the modern name is derived. The island's name in the native Guanche language was Tite-Roy-Gatra, which may mean "the red mountains."
As of 2003, a total of 114,715 people lived on Lanzarote; the population has since risen to about 125,000[citation needed]. The seat of the island government (cabildo insular) is in Arrecife, which has a population of 47,100 (2004). The flag is red and blue split diagonally from top-left to bottom-right.
The island has its own international airport, Arrecife Airport, which receives around 5.5 million passengers per year. Tourism has been the mainstay of the island's economy for the past fifty years. Other industries include agriculture.
Lanzarote is part of the province of Las Palmas, and is divided into seven municipalities:

There are five hundred different kinds of plants on the island, of which 17 are endemic and 180 are lichen. Lichens survive in the suitable areas like the rock and introduce its own weathering. These plants have adapted to the relative scarcity of water, the same as succulents. Plants includes date palms Phoenix canariensis which are founded in damper areas of the north, Pino canariensis, ferns, wild olive trees (Olea europaea). The laurisilva trees which once covered the highest parts of Risco de Famara are rarely found today. After the winter rainfalls, the vegetation comes to a colourful bloom between February and March.
The fauna of Lanzarote is more monotonous than the plant life, except for bats and other types of mammals which accompanied humans to the island, including the dromedary which was used for agriculture and is now a tourist attraction. Lanzarote has thirty-five types of animal life, including birds, falcons, and reptiles. Some interesting endemic creatures are the Gallotia lizards, and the blind deep-water Remipedia crabs found in the Jameos del Agua lagoon, which was created by a volcanic eruption.

Around the Island

Puerto Del Carmen

The dark volcanic sands of puerto Del Carmen are huge contrast to the white sands of the Northern beaches, this is probably the main resort of the island with many great beaches such as Playa Grande and Playa Chica. The beaches all offer an extensive variety of water sports including diving, and if you like to snorkel this area is ideal.

The resort comes to life at night and is ideal for the younger tourist who like the bars and clubs that open well into the night and offer a great night life.

If shopping is on your agenda you should try the older part of Puerto Del Carmen, which has been built up around the old harbour and offers a great range of shops to choose from. Puerto Del Carmen has something for everyone and is the ideal family holiday resort.

Playa Blanca

On the southern end of the island you will find Playa Blanca, it is becoming one of the most popular resorts on the island. Originally a small fishing village it has grown into a thriving tourist centre offering the complete holiday package for all types of tourist.

A great choice of restaurants for your evening meal will just about make the day complete after a day spent by the pool or on the beach.

If it's something different you are looking for why take the ferry across to Feurteventura for the day.

Playa Papagayo

The stunning beach of Papagayo is just one of the many beaches in this area. The beach is quite difficult to get to and for this reason the beach is popular with nudists, however, if this is not your scene do not let this put you off, it is not all nudists and the beach is well worth a visit.

Being off the beaten track and difficult to get to means that there are no facilities on this beach so you will need to go well prepared.

Arrecife

Accerife is the islands capital town with more than half the islands population living here. The town is very busy and the centre of the commercial aspects of the island. The resort is famous for it's lagoon known by the locals as "The Puddle". The town offers just about every sort of entertainment in the evenings and during the day you can take in the two castles, Castillo De San Gabriel and Castillo De San Jiose are well worth a visit.

Playa Farmara and La Santa

If its something a little bit more active that you are looking for then try one of these two resorts on the west coast for their wind surfing, but beware it does get quite rough at times. Both beaches are a favourite with wind surfers who can make the most of the very windy conditions and the open un-sheltered beaches. Due to the conditions it does not attract that many visitors but if if your looking to stretch your legs and stroll along the beach, this is for you. La Santa has grown from a small fishing village a good reputation for excellent fish restaurants that can found here. It is also well known as a sports venue for some well known sports events.

Orzola

Orzola is in the north of the island. The beaches are a little more difficult to get too but the soft white sand is well worth the trouble. The resort itself has been built up around the little fishing village and still keeps some of its old charm. If you are visiting near by attractions take the trouble to visit Orzola, you will not be disappointed. A few local beaches have soft white sand and crystal clear water and make this area very special.

Costa Teguise

Costa Teguise is in the north east corner of the island. One of the main beach's in this area being Las Cucharas and well known for it's wind surfing. Other beach's that can be found in this area are Playa Bastian and Los Molinos.

The area is one of the most important tourist areas on the island, fantastic beaches and a thriving centre that offers restaurants , bars, cafes, night clubs and also a large range of shops.

For the more active who like to include a little golf on their holidays the golf club here in Teguise comes highly recommended and has splendid views, not to be missed.

La Gera

La Gera is the home of Malvasia wine, the grape growing region is situated near the Parque National it is considered to be an excellent wine and is one of the islands better known wines. A number of vineyards flourish on the island and the wine industry is one of the islands biggest employers.

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