A Month in Lanzarote: everything you need to know

In November 2020, the UK went into its second COVID-19 lockdown. And we decided to escape on a holiday in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for the month.

This wasn’t totally out of the blue. We had been considering an extended holiday to make up for all the travel plans that 2020 had forced us to cancel or delay. So a few days before the lockdown started, we packed our bags and left England for Lanzarote.

It wasn’t our usual kind of holiday, but it inspired a trend of winter trips for us. So, why go to the Canary Islands? What are the best things to do in Lanzarote? What is Lanzarote like for holidays? And is Lanzarote a good holiday destination in November? Read on to find out...

Things you need to know before a holiday in Lanzarote

How do you get to Lanzarote?

From the UK, we flew directly to Lanzarote with EasyJet from Gatwick Airport, and back home with RyanAir to Stansted airport. The journey took around 4 hours. Our flights cost less than £100 each, but prices vary throughout the year.

When is the best time to travel to Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is generally considered to be a summer holiday destination as it caters well to family vacations – particular for those who enjoy resorts and all-inclusive hotels.

It’s best (read: hottest and driest) weather is throughout the summer season. But even in November, the weather remained steadily clear and sunny with only a few sporadic downpours.

The temperature was usually in the high 20s, but as it’s a windy island it can feel colder when you’re out at night.

How much time do you need to see Lanzarote?

For a dedicated holiday in Lanzarote, one week would be plenty to see the main tourist sights, fit in a few hikes, and spend mornings or afternoons at the beach.

Two weeks in Lanzarote would allow for more beach time while still enjoying full days of hikes and attractions. And an even longer trip gives you plenty of time to explore the island in full.

We spent four weeks in Lanzarote as we were working at least four days of the week from our villa. This meant we only had two to three days per week to explore the island. So we spent evenings after work visiting beaches and bars and restaurants in town.

Is it expensive to stay in Lanzarote?

We stayed in a two-bedroom villa in a gated road with a free parking space, balcony, and private swimming pool for around $75 per night. You can easily find accommodation cheaper than this in Playa Blanca (and much more expensive if you’re going luxury).

Is it expensive to see sights in Lanzarote?

The majority of tourist attractions are part of CACT, the Art, Culture and Tourism Centres of Lanzarote. CACT owns 9 locations and you can buy tickets individually or in discounted bundles if you’re planning on visiting a few. A single adult ticket is around €10 per location. A voucher for 3, 4, or 6 centres can be purchased for €23-35 per adult.

Want to know more? These were our favourite things to do in Lanzarote.

Is Lanzarote good for beaches?

Lanzarote’s coastline is dotted with stunning beaches that are both family-friendly and adult-friendly. These were our favourite beaches in Lanzarote.

Is Lanzarote good for food?

There’s plenty of fresh seafood and good quality restaurants to be found in Lanzarote. But compared to other travel destinations, Lanzarote isn’t a great spot for foodies.

Is Lanzarote good for nightlife?

We travelled to Lanzarote during the COVID pandemic so restrictions were in place and no night clubs were open. In Playa Blanca there were a few touristy clubs that would usually be open into the night.

There were also plenty of fun pubs and bars including Rosco’s Beer House and The Flagship. But if you’re looking for a Spanish island famed for its great nightlife, Lanzarote probably isn’t the one.

There are also legal ways to obtain and smoke weed via cannabis clubs in Lanzarote, and you’ll notice a couple of them advertised in town.

Is a holiday in Lanzarote good for families?

Lanzarote is a brilliant destination for families, with plenty of entertainment for children as well as enough attractions and beaches for adults to enjoy too.

Do you need a car in Lanzarote?

We hired a car For £153 for 21 days. This meant we could travel the island with ease without needing to rely on infrequent public transport or tourist coaches, which weren’t running regularly during our visit.

If you want to see more of Lanzarote than just the spot where you’re staying, hiring a car is the best way to do it. We hired via Wizz Air and collected and dropped the car off at the airport.

Is it easy to travel around Lanzarote?

With a hire car, travel around Lanzarote is easy. There is no train on the island but there are some buses connecting the main tourist areas.

In the town, we used scooters and the bikes that came with our villa. There are also fairly cheap taxis. We didn’t use any other public transport during our stay.

What is the main thing for tourists to do on holiday in Lanzarote?

Hikes and beaches are the main attractions in Lanzarote. The landscapes feel like being on another planet, in places. If you like fairly easy, scenic walks up volcanos, mountains, and big hills (without climbing or scrambling required) this is the island for you.

These were our favourite hikes in Lanzarote.

What do I need to pack for a holiday in Lanzarote?

Due to the good weather all year round, you can generally pack what you would for any beach holiday for your trip to Lanzarote. You might want trainers and sports clothing if you’re planning to go on any hikes, and nicer clothes for evenings out. But overall, it’s a relaxed location where keeping cool in the sun should be your priority.

For a full list of what I packed for a month in Lanzarote in November, read my blog: What to pack for a holiday in Lanzarote.

Why travel to Lanzarote?

We chose Lanzarote for a few reasons: it’s hot in November, it’s in the same time-zone as the UK, and it’s not too expensive.

The weather

As a sun worshipper, I wasn’t about to spend a month somewhere cold... I could stay in the UK for that. And since the Canary Islands are just off the coast of Africa and not too far from the equator (compared to London), we could pretty much guarantee good weather throughout our November stay.

The time zone

Since we were planning to work for some of our time away, we needed to ensure that our schedules and meetings wouldn’t be disrupted by inconvenient time differences. It also means you won't have to spend any time recovering from jet lag.

The cost

Because we weren’t giving up our London homes to go away for the month, exclusive or expensive countries were out of the picture: we needed somewhere affordable on top of our regular monthly bill payments back home.

Where to stay in Lanzarote

We stayed in Playa Blanca in the region of Yaiza on the south of the island. A resort town, it’s built up with a marina and lots of hotels which were largely empty due to the pandemic.

This was different to the kind of holidays we’d usually take. But since the town was quiet, we got to enjoy seeing Lanzarote and Playa Blanca in a way that might not be possible during the usual busy holiday season.

Location

We chose Playa Blanca due to the beaches, the ease of access to other areas, and the small town vibe that wasn't too remote. We had food, drink, and entertainment close by. But this wouldn’t be available in smaller or more secluded areas.

Costs

We were able to find a villa for around €75 per night. Initially, we booked a one-way plane ticket and accommodation for two weeks. Then we extended it privately with the owner once we’d decided we wanted to stay longer.

On top of this, the price of food and drink and activities in Lanzarote is reasonable... and cheaper than the UK.

Amenities

Our villa was set back from the town. So it took about 30 minutes to walk down to the sea, and was a short drive to some of the best beaches in the area. We used pay-as-you-go scooters to get to and from the bars in town in the evenings.

Picking an area with easy access to supermarkets was also important for us due to the length of our stay.

A Month in Lanzarote, Canary Islands: everything you need to know