Ten Reasons to Holiday on Lanzarote

According to ASOLAN, the Lanzarote hotelier’s association, occupancy levels in the island’s hotels and apartments averaged a smile-inducing average of 77% during 2011 which, for an island known predominantly for its winter sun, is pretty good going. So what is it that brings visitors to Lanzarote in their droves?

Sunshine. It’s the number one reason why so many northern Europeans flee winter at home and our beautiful island is blessed with it all year round. With the daytime winter mercury rarely falling below 20°C and an average of 7 hours sunshine a day, Lanzarote is a sun-lover’s paradise.

Distance. Within four or so hours flying time of northern Europe, Lanzarote offers all the tropical benefits of a long haul destination, without the long haul.

Safety. Lanzarote lies just 140km off the coast of Africa yet is a thousand miles away from its troubled neighbours. Part of the wholly autonomous Spanish region of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Lanzarote enjoys a safe and laid back lifestyle with a generous sprinkling of ‘amable‘ (friendliness).

Sports. The island’s temperate, year round climate and unique landscape make it the consummate destination for sports enthusiasts. Home to the Lanzarote Ironman triathlon and host to the PWA windsurfing World Tour, Lanzarote has superb facilities and conditions for an energy-sapping choice of air, land and sea based sports.

Landscape. Birth place of the world renowned architect, sculpture and artist César Manrique whose influence ensured Lanzarote’s trademark, uniform white and low buildings, the island’s landscape is truly unique. Black volcanic terraces flashed with the yellow green shoots of vines, and rose quartz volcanoes in ash gray overcoats form a spectacular foreground against the azure Atlantic and sky.

Timanfaya National Park. Born of the longest volcanic eruption in history that, for six years from 1730, tore the island apart, Timanfaya National Park is a magnet for visitors keen to witness the volcanic wonderland where latent intense heat sets dry bushes alight and cooks lunch over one of the world’s only volcanic ovens.

Food and Wine. With 17 bodegas (wine producers) around the island, getting to know Lanzarote’s wines can be a pleasurably time-consuming affair. Coupling the aromatic crispness of a Malvasía Seco with some of the island’s creative cuisine is a favourite local pastime and you’ll find excellent tapas bars in most towns and resorts.

Walking. For those who enjoy pulling on the boots and strapping on the rucksack, Lanzarote offers superb guided walking routes that will take you to volcanic landscapes, palm filled valleys, dramatic cliff tops and tropical islands.

Secret Canary Islands. Lying just a short boat trip off the northern coast of Lanzarote are three islands – the nature reserves of Alegranza and Montaña Clara where Egyptian vultures, Osprey and the beautiful Eleanora falcon comes to nest, and the paradise island of La Graciosa where you can leave your shoes at the shore and collect them on your way home.

Sands Beach Resort. If you still need a reason to holiday on Lanzarote, look no further than Sands Beach Resort where sunshine, sports and fun in the sun combine with beautiful, beach or poolside villas and a tranquil Costa Teguise location to bring you the very best that Lanzarote has to offer.