This southern Lanzarote resort town sits on white-sand beaches near volcanic formations. Marina Rubicon hosts restaurants and ferries to Fuerteventura.
Playa Blanca is at the southern tip of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. You find white sand beaches including Playa Blanca and Playa Flamingo here. This resort was built for visitors and has grown, but it keeps a calm pace. It is different from busier places on the island. You see simple white buildings, a modern marina with yachts, and the Montaña Roja volcano in the background. The sheltered bay includes several beaches good for swimming. Regular ferries go to Fuerteventura quickly.
Beaches and Coastal Activities
Playa Blanca beach is the central beach and gives the town its name. It is a small sandy area close to the town centre. Walk west for about thirty minutes to reach Playa Flamingo. This beach has breakwaters that create calm waters, good for families with young children. You find shops and facilities near Playa Flamingo. A ten-minute walk east takes you to Playa Dorada. This larger sandy beach sits in a man-made cove. It attracts both locals and visitors. Lifeguards are present. You can hire water sports equipment such as pedalos. The Papagayo beaches are a group of small coves in a national park. They are backed by high cliffs. Drive southeast from the town centre for a short distance to get there. You pay a small fee for access. Further east, Playa de Colorados has a black lava shore. It is more suited to water sports than sunbathing. This beach is the starting point for the underwater Museo Atlántico. You can see the sculptures when diving or snorkeling.
Marina Rubicon and Harbour
Marina Rubicon is a modern area and a main part of the town. It is a fifteen-minute walk from the town centre. Restaurants line the marina, overlooking yachts and the harbour. This makes it a good place for meals or drinks. You find a shopping centre at the marina. Regular markets happen on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. They sell local crafts and goods. The marina is a center for boat excursions. These include fishing trips, luxury speedboat tours around the bay, and beginner diving or sailing courses. Just 200 meters east of the marina, you see the Castillo de las Colorados. This 18th-century watchtower was built to warn of pirate attacks. It has a bell that was once rung to signal danger. You cannot enter the tower, but its history is interesting. Nearby, Playa Blanca Port is the landing point for ferries to Corralejo on Fuerteventura. The ferry ride takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Volcanic Landscapes and Natural Features
Montaña Roja is a dormant red volcano west of the town centre. You can hike on trails that go to the crater rim and down into the caldera. These trails give wide views. About 20km north, El Golfo beach is in a partly submerged volcanic cone. It is known for its bright green lagoon, Lago Verde. This beach appeared briefly in the film 'One Million Years BC'. Along the west coast near Punta Pechiguera, you find Los Charcones. These are natural rock pools. Some are small and full of marine life such as crabs. Others might be good for bathing when the sea is calm. Be careful because of sea urchins and possible strong currents. The Faro de Punta Pechiguera lighthouse is at the island's southern tip. It gives views of Fuerteventura, especially at sunset. The path to the lighthouse is rough.
Dining and Local Life
Playa Blanca has many places to eat for different tastes and budgets. Along the beachfront promenade and in the town centre, many restaurants serve traditional Spanish food and fresh seafood. At Marina Rubicon, you find a group of eateries with harbour views. These include Italian, Indian, and international choices. For something different, try Venezuelan arepas at Sabor Venezolano Arepera Bar. Arepas are stuffed maize patties. Evenings are usually relaxed. Bars are in areas such as the Marina, Playa Dorada, the town centre, and the Punta Limones shopping centre near the ferry port. If you want more active nightlife, take a half-hour taxi ride to Puerto del Carmen. The local people come from many places. They include Canarians, British, Germans, Irish, and others.
Getting Around and Practical Information
You can reach Playa Blanca by a 40km drive from Arrecife Airport (ACE) on the main highway. Regular buses, lines 60/62 and 161, connect the airport and Arrecife to the ferry pier bus station in Playa Blanca. Inside the town, Bus 30 runs east and west every 30 minutes. It connects important places such as Montaña Roja, the ferry pier, and hotels in the east. You pay a small fare. An e-scooter sharing system works in the resort area. You activate it with an app. Taxis are easy to find. But note: one spot marked 'Taxi' on Avenida de Papagayo is actually a coffee shop. Lanzarote has mild, dry weather all year. Average daytime temperatures go from 21°C in January to 29°C in August. So you can visit Playa Blanca in any season. Supermarkets such as Hiperdino Express are near the roundabout at the bottom of Avenida de Papagayo.
Nearby Attractions
A short ferry ride takes you to Fuerteventura. You can visit the large sand dunes and beach at Corralejo. In Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park is a volcanic landscape. It is 10km north of Playa Blanca, via Yaiza. The Cueva de los Verdes lava tubes and the Cactus Garden are also good for day trips. You can reach them by car or organised excursion. Puerto del Carmen is to the northeast. It has the island's largest beaches and more active nightlife. The capital, Arrecife, has two island castles. One houses a museum and the other a modern art gallery.
