Playa Blanca - Lanzarote - Resorts Guide

Overview: The quiet holiday resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of the island and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. Although Playa Blanca has grown considerably over the last few years the old fishing village, in the centre, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants along the promenade but the main attractions are the nearby beaches; some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (six km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared for families and couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18-mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.

Shopping: There are good supermarkets in Playa Blanca that sell all the well-known brands and holidaymakers will find that although the choice is not as good as in Puerto del Carmen, there are a fair number of electrical duty-free stores and other shops geared at tourists near the harbour. It is possible to get good bargains in the electrical duty-free stores, but shoppers should remember that they can't take purchases back to the shop once they've left the island. They should check everything works and that all batteries, cables and plugs are included; that there is a European guarantee, not an Asian one; and that all electrical items have a CE stamp. The busy Sunday Market in Teguise is worth the journey for the most dedicated shoppers; as well as the usual tourist tat a variety of locally produced goods are on sale, from pottery to tablecloths.

Restaurants: La Bocaina, Casa Pedro and Brisa Marina top the list of highly recommended restaurants in the holiday resort of Playa Blanca. There's a huge choice of eateries on the main promenade, which at night bustles with activity. The promenade overlooks the beach and harbour and the lights of Fuerteventura can be seen on the horizon. Restaurants serve anything from Chinese, Indian or Italian to seafood and local dishes. Some restaurants will not accept credit cards.

Nightlife: Most holiday resorts are known for their nightlife, but the nightlife in Playa Blanca is fairly limited, the entertainment is restricted to the shows organised by the hotels. There is a kids disco but those after something hardcore will need to head to Puerto del Carmen, half an hour away by car.

Activities: Holidaymakers wanting to enjoy watersports in Playa Blanca should heat to the beach where activities can be organised by the beachfront and boat trips leave regularly for the Papagayo beaches - the views of the beautiful coastline are stunning and boats can drop visitors off at the beach to be picked up by a later cruise. The Timanfaya National Park is only ten miles (16km) away where visitors can admire the dramatic volcanic scenery and even ride a camel. Ferries depart regularly from the harbour to the nearby island of Fuerteventura, just six miles (10km) away.

Negatives: Whilst water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it is very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomachs. Bottled water should be used for drinking. There is a lot of development going on all over Playa Blanca, check if there is a building site outside your accommodation before booking. The resort is particularly popular with Germans; much of the entertainment is geared for them and they get up early in the morning to reserve the sun beds!