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Playa Blanca Lanzarote Canary Islands -
The Canary Islands are less than four hours flying time from the UK, with charter
flights from most provincial airports. They are an ideal all year round choice for
a relaxing break. Lying just north of the tropics, sharing a latitude with Orlando,
Florida, the Bahamas and Elat in Jordan, the Spanish owned Canaries promise as near
guaranteed year-
Lanzarote (a Holiday Which? July 2010 ‘Treasure Island’) is just 100 miles from the
Western Sahara coast of Africa and is less frenetic than either Tenerife or Gran
Canaria. Lanzarote also boasts some of the finest golden sand beaches in the Canaries.
Many of these are in the stunning Papagayo National Park which is only a short drive,
bus journey, boat ride or, for the more energetic, walk from Playa Blanca. The wild
empty sand beaches of the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura are only a 20 minute
ferry ride away.
Lanzarote is an island of contrasts; pretty white villages with an absence of high-
Playa Blanca is a former fishing settlement nestling
on a sheltered, south facing bay with views of the misty mountains of Fuerteventura
across La Bocana. It has a traffic free, paved promenade lined with good quality
al fresco restaurants, boutiques and gift shops and at its centre a small, sandy
family beach. This paved promenade stretches some 10 km from El Pechiguera lighthouse
at the southern tip of Lanzarote all the way to the edge of the Papagayo National
Park. En route is the Rubicon Marina with its restaurants and designer shops surrounding
floating jetties lined with yachts and motor cruisers of all shapes and sizes. A
small port close to the Casas del Sol development is used by ferries sailing to Fuerteventura
and Fred Olsen’s new hydrofoil makes the 20 minute crossing six times daily.
Although Playa Blanca has seen some dramatic changes over the past few years it still retains much of its original character and has become a prestigious ‘neon free’ family resort in a delightful setting. As well as the town beach there are two larger, sheltered sandy beaches a short walk away on either side of the town; Playa Flamingo, ideal for younger families and Playa Dorada for those looking for perfect swimming conditions. Both of these beaches offer water sports, all are well served with restaurants and beach facilities and all beaches are an easy walk from Casa Margarita.
