Where to go in Lanzarote for families

Is Lanzarote good for families?

It is one of the easier Canary Islands to do with children. Lanzarote's official tourist board puts the island at about 850 km² and points out that its size makes it easy to get from one place to another without long trips. That matters when you have a toddler who hates the car seat: the volcanoes, the beaches and the coves are all within a manageable drive.

The bigger decision is where to base yourselves, because that shapes your beach mornings and your afternoons at the hotel.

Where should families stay in Lanzarote?

We are biased, since our hotel is in one of them, so here is the honest version.

Puerto del Carmen, in the municipality of Tías, has a long run of natural beaches along the Avenida de Las Playas, with golden sand and calm water: Playa Chica, Playa Grande, Los Pocillos and Matagorda, according to the official Tías page. If you want a promenade with one beach after another, that is your resort.

Costa Teguise, on the east coast, is one of the island's main resorts, with a wide choice of places to stay, eat and keep busy, and beaches such as Bastián, Las Cucharas and Jablillo (official Teguise page).

Playa Blanca, at the southern tip, is the one closest to the Papagayo coves. The trade-off is distance: the airport is about 30 minutes away and the sights in the north take a little longer to reach than from the middle of the island. If that does not bother you, it is where we would send a family with young children.

Why does Playa Blanca work so well with kids?

Because of the beaches nearby and the way the seafront is laid out. The Papagayo coves lie inside the Los Ajaches Natural Monument and, as the official Yaiza page puts it, they have golden sand and calm water, perfect for a beach day in the middle of nature. From the hotel they are about ten minutes by road.

On the other side of town, Marina Rubicón has a waterfront walk lined with restaurants and shops, and off Las Coloradas lie Jason deCaires Taylor's underwater sculptures, which you can see snorkelling from the surface. And on the days you would rather not move at all, the Royal Mónica is right on the seafront, with direct access to the sand and no road to cross with small hands in yours.

What is there for children at the hotel?

First of all, the kids' club, for children aged 4 to 12. In summer there is also a programme for teenagers aged 13 to 17, who usually appreciate having their own thing, and there are shows in the evening.

Around the pools there is a shallow toddler pool, open until 7pm, and a pool lifeguard until 5pm in winter and 6pm in summer. Older children can use the tennis court, beach volleyball and multi-sports area. Have a look at the hotel's pools before you come, and for filling the days, here are things to do in Playa Blanca with toddlers and kids.

Can you stay in Lanzarote with a baby?

You can, and a little planning makes it easy. Cots and highchairs are available on request, subject to availability, so mention them when you book. When you search for dates, add your baby (0 to 1) with their age, just as you would for children aged 2 to 12.

For two parents with a baby and an older child, the Family Standard room works well: 47 m² over two areas, on an upper floor with a balcony and room for luggage and pushchairs. One thing to know: the kids' club starts at age 4, so with a baby the days are yours, split between the toddler pool and the sand.

Mealtimes help with planning: breakfast runs from 7.30am to 10.15am, lunch from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and dinner from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. An early dinner is a blessing with little ones.

Which room suits a family of five or six?

A Family room is for two adults and two children. If there are more of you, you can either take two rooms, which the booking engine splits for you, or one larger unit.

Room	Size	Best for
Family Standard	47 m² over two areas	2 adults and 2 children; room for pushchairs
Family Sea View	47 m²	2 adults and 2 children; sea-facing balcony looking towards Fuerteventura
Family Two-Bedroom	63 m²	Up to 6 people: two bedrooms, a living room, four beds and a sofa bed

The two-bedroom family room is designed for families of five or six who want to stay together. There are very few of them: if the booking engine cannot confirm one straight away, our reservations team will finalise the booking. If you need four rooms or more, that counts as a group and our sales team will look after it.

How do you get around from Playa Blanca?

Easily. The airport is about 30 minutes away and the No. 30 bus stops 600 metres from the hotel, every 30 minutes. You do not need to plan every excursion yourselves either: trips to Timanfaya, La Geria, Jameos del Agua, Papagayo and Teguise can be booked at reception.

Much of Timanfaya lies in the same municipality, Yaiza, and its volcanic landscape tends to leave children wide-eyed; near the entrance to the Montañas del Fuego there is a camel station, according to the official Yaiza information. Wondering what the weather will be like? Our Lanzarote weather calendar goes through it month by month.

Is Lanzarote safe for young children?

It is a small island with short journeys and calm-water beaches, such as the Papagayo coves or those along Puerto del Carmen's Avenida de Las Playas. At the hotel, the toddler pool is shallow and there is a pool lifeguard in the daytime.

What age is the kids' club for?

Ages 4 to 12. In summer there is also a programme for teenagers aged 13 to 17.

Can I get a cot in the room?

Cots and highchairs are available on request, subject to availability. Just mention it when you book.