A holiday honeypot since the 1960s, Lanzarote’s touted as a year-round sun spot. And that’s in no due part to its sensational shoreline.

The island’s ringed by beaches – while some are manmade, many are beautiful works of Mother Nature. That means you can spend one day stretched out an tropical white-sand charmer and another wandering across an eye-catching volcanic number.

Slip on your flip flops and pack the essentials into your beach bag – it’s time to explore Lanzarote’s best beaches.

Playa del Papagayo

Fringed by rugged cliffs and lapped by aquamarine waters, Playa del Papagayo is one of Lanzarote’s prime beach spots. Pad along the soft sand to find your place among the grains – it’s best to head here early in the morning as it can get busy. This is a deliciously unspoiled part of the island, so pack everything you’ll need for a day at the beach!

Playa de Famara

Sporty types, make a beeline for this ample beach on Lanzarote’s north-west coast. Its blustery conditions and exposed nature make it perfect for surfing and windsurfing. Hire a board and conquer the waves or simply lay back on the dark, golden sand and watch surfers do their thing.

Playa Quemada

Peel away from Lanzarote’s bustling beach resorts, in favour of this untouched slice of shore. Playa Quemada’s blanketed in inky volcanic sands and more often than not, frequented by a relatively local crowd. This hidden gem’s walkable from Puerto Calero along the wild coast or you can reach it by car. It’s backed by seafood restaurants too – who’s up for grilled sardines and garlicky prawns?

Playa Flamingo

One of Playa Blanca’s prized patches, Playa Flamingo dazzles with an arc of golden sand and turquoise waters. Swaying palm trees add to the tropical feel. The shallow waters are ideal for paddling and filling up buckets, while their crystal-clear nature make them a great snorkelling spot as well. Strap on your mask and see if you can spot any fish!

Playa del Reducto

Staying on the island’s east coast? Enjoy a beach day at Arrecife’s chief beach. A gently curving bay blanketed in gold sand, Playa del Reducto’s got plenty of deck chairs, sunloungers and parasols for you to rent and enjoy for the day.

Playa de la Cucharas

Say hello to Costa Teguise’s golden girl. This sandy sweep’s a windsurfing favourite and great for a relaxing day in the sun, with stacks of sunbeds up for grabs. If you’re looking for a bite to eat at lunch or sticking around for sunset, you’ll find a promenade snaking along the front, providing access to buzzing bars and restaurants.

Playa Dorada

Translating as ‘Golden Beach’ in Spanish, Playa Dorada’s named for its glistening grains that cloak the bay. As it’s a super clean slice of the coast, with calm waters for swimming, it’s a big hit with families! Plus, it’s handily located in the centre of Playa Blanca on the southern tip of Lanzarote.