A week in Lanzarote, why it’s great for some winter sun!

Back in the chilly UK after a week in the Spanish sunshine. Being our second time in Lanzarote (Playa Blanca to be specific) we knew what to expect. The pros and cons of the island and really what to expect, what we needed was a week in a villa with a pool, sun of course ample of gin and time just spent relaxing and of course celebrating as it was my dads birthday and was the reason for the trip.

The Weather in March

This March has been surprisingly hot even for the islands standards. Evenings are pretty chilly and a cardigan even a light jacket is needed as the wind can be brutal. The days however for our trip were constantly hot ranging from 24 – 28 degrees so perfect sunbathing weather. The week before we arrived there were a few showers but hardly a cloud in the sky for us, the perfect quick flight from the Uk providing some sun.

Pros and Cons of the Island

Now I thought it would be a little easier to jot down some pros and cons of Lanzarote as well for us there’s a few on both sides.

Food – variety is everywhere in Lanzarote it caters to a tourist market but that’s the thing there tourist. We’re all about eating local and honestly we on both trips have found a few gems but you’re more likely for get burger and chips in most places than traditional Spanish food.

Accommodation – get a villa, you get more for your money and can easily pop to Spar or the nearest SuperDino to stock up on supplies. You can have the luxury of your own space, doing your own thing on your own time. The downside is we found that the heated pool was not actually heated at all which meant no swimming until the afternoon sun had warmed it, also they can come a little dated inside but no biggie there.

Prices – now this is a two way thing some of the prices of things such as beer are not too high still think €1.50 for a large pint of Tropical however it’s €5-9 for a cocktail which I would rather drink so prices come in similar to at home. It used to be cheap and cheerful but the pound to euro has meant you’re not really getting as much for your pennies anymore.

Things to do – it isn’t a big island but I will say there isn’t a hinge amount to do. It’s not steeped in history, it doesn’t have a huge past so things are general new. You can find some activities but the beaches we found a little crowded and unless you’re in a bar or restaurant chilling out by the pool of your villa is a great option. Back to my point around why a villa here is great! Both Marina Rubicon and Peurto Calero marinas have ample of shops and markets but it’s not really a holiday vibe for me. Though there’s some great bars and restaurants around.

Getting around – I would recommend staying near to a beach location so either Peurto del Carmen (really touristy but great beach), Playa Blanca (kinda touristy, not much of a beach) Natura (quote and a bit of a beach). All of these places have taxi ranks close or you can call a 24 hour cab easily. You’ll get most places from €3-5 euros but some will cost you as you’re on a meter. Honestly though much easier than renting a car and they are everywhere so you’ll never wait long for one.

The weather – of course, the main reason we came it was fairly easy to fly too for some glorious sun.

Bars and Restaurants

So here is a few places you should check out while you’re here:

Asia Garden – this is an all you can eat Chinese in Peurto Del Carmen at just under €15 a person you are spoilt for choice. It is better than any Chinese I’ve had at home serving up sushi too and fresh food to take to the chef.

Peurto Blanco Grill – this place is freshly done up and is on the front by Playa Blanca beach. The food is lovely especially the sweet and sour chicken. They do steak on a hot stone but it wasn’t self serve which looses a little of the magic but the cocktails are fab.

Resturante el Argentino – this was the best meal of the holiday down in the quieter Natura beach. We ate here for my dads birthday had complimentary starter snacks shots of limoncello and the best roast potatoes I’ve ever eaten done in paprika. Hugely reasonably priced and family run, they are closed on a Sunday thought so don’t go there and be disappointed.

La Gran Via – another one in Playa Blanca is La Gran Via we grabbed takeaway pizzas here to take back to the villa but went back for lunch one day and devoured tapas and dad fajitas. The barbecoa pizza is a must as well as the prawns in garlic!

Lanis Grill – fancy a fab cocktail and good food head here. It’s in Marina Rubicon and you can complain. The burritos are fab but so are their strawberry daiquiris. Service though is pretty slow so don’t head here if you’re in a rush.

La Delicatezza Cocktail Bar – now the vocalist are fancy but it’s a little out the way and a little pretentious when it comes to the staff. However the mixologist was fab and watching him was like a show, expect the cost to accompany at €8+ a cocktail.

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Rocas Blancus – modern and set in the sunshine. You’ll find cheap beer and cheap cocktails so a win win for all of us.

Bikers Beach Club – another really modern place situated between Playa Blanca beach and Marina Rubicon as you can walk from one to the other. Only place of found to do good pineapple daiquiris outside of the Philippines.

The Irish Anvil – a little walk away, walk to the end of Playa Blanca by the fresh port cross a car park and you’ll find it. Foods good pub grub (really fresh burger) and you can watch sport here too which was a must for some of our travelling party haha.

Heladeria y creperia – best crepes and ice cream I have found here, it is a small kiosk as you walk down to Playa Blanca beach, their coconut and Nutella crepes are amazing but just their pistachio ice cream in a tub with a big dollop of Nutella on the top is even more delicious.

Overall Lanzarote is a good getaway not to far from home. Perfect for a week or so but would I go back, honestly probably not. I’ve been twice and I think that’s enough, there’s so much more of the world to explore.

Have you been to Lanzarote? Where would you recommend for some winter sun?

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