Best Things to Do in South Lanzarote: Papagayo, Puerto del Carmen & the Wild Coast

The southern tip of Lanzarote is where the island reveals its most contradictory nature — a landscape of black lava and shattered volcanic rock that somehow contains some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands. The contrast is striking: within an hour's drive you can move from sheltered turquoise coves to dramatic clifftop viewpoints to golden-sand beaches backed by fishing villages that feel untouched by time.

We drove the south extensively during our February week on the island, using Playa Blanca as one of our main bases. The beaches here are excellent for families, and the area gives you quick access to some of Lanzarote's most memorable experiences — from snorkelling at Papagayo to watching the Atlantic crash against black sand at El Golfo.

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El Charco de los Clicos: The Green Lagoon That Defies Logic

On the southwestern corner of the island, near the village of El Golfo, a volcanic crater has slowly crumbled into the sea over thousands of years. What remains is one of the strangest natural phenomena in Europe: a freshwater lagoon that glows an unearthly emerald green, ringed by black sand and surrounded by the deep blue Atlantic.

The colour comes from a species of algae that thrives in the mineral-rich water — a green so vivid that it looks unreal, almost computer-generated. The contrast between the emerald water, the black volcanic sand and the turquoise Atlantic beyond is so extraordinary that the children asked if we had altered the photograph. We hadn't. This is genuinely what it looks like.

A short walk from the car park leads to a viewpoint that overlooks the entire lagoon. It is one of the most photographed spots on Lanzarote, and it absolutely lives up to the pictures. The walk is easy and takes no more than 10 minutes, making it ideal for families with young children. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds — we arrived around 8 am and had the place almost to ourselves.

Combine the lagoon visit with lunch at one of the fish restaurants in El Golfo village itself. The seafood here is genuinely excellent — the restaurants are small, family-run places, and the fish is so fresh you can taste the salt in it. The €12–€18 main courses are good value by Canary Islands standards.

Papagayo: The Coves Everyone Comes For

South of Playa Blanca, a short coastal walk leads to the Papagayo beaches — a series of sheltered golden-sand coves backed by low cliffs, with turquoise water so clear you can see the fish moving in the shallows. The cluster of beaches curves around a natural bay, and each cove has a slightly different character. Some are busy with loungers and beach bars, others quieter and more secluded.

The beaches are excellent for families — the water is warm, calm and shallow, and there is good beach-bar infrastructure for refreshments and shade. On a calm day, the water is so transparent that young children can see everything happening beneath the surface, which transforms the experience from a passive beach day into an exploration of marine life.

Papagayo is also a popular launching point for kayaking and snorkelling tours. The coves are protected from the Atlantic swell, and you can paddle out to small rock formations where fish congregate. Book a kayak and snorkelling tour at Papagayo

Playa Blanca: Where to Base Yourself in the South

Playa Blanca is a modest fishing village that has grown into the southern tourist hub without losing its character. It is less developed than Puerto del Carmen to the east, which makes it a good compromise between family-friendly infrastructure and authenticity. The village has several sheltered beaches, good restaurants, and a pleasant promenade.

The main beach, Playa Blanca itself, is wide and sandy with calm water. It faces back towards the interior of the island, so it is protected from Atlantic swells and ideal for young children. The beach bar scene is active but not frenetic — you can find a lounger, order refreshments, and the children can paddle safely in the shallows.

Beyond the main village, follow signs north to a series of smaller beaches — Playa Dorada and others — which are slightly quieter. The roads are good and the drives short. We stayed in a villa near here for three nights and found it an excellent base for exploring the south and central island.

Puerto del Carmen: The Island's Most Lively Beach Town

Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote's most developed resort, with long beaches, a busy promenade, and enough bars and restaurants to keep the holiday crowds occupied. It is less intimate than Playa Blanca, but it is also more cosmopolitan, with better shopping, a wider selection of restaurants, and more nightlife.

The beaches here are long and sandy, backed by a well-developed promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops. The main drag is called Avenida de las Playas, and it is the commercial heart of the resort. Even in February, the beach was busy with sunbathers and swimmers. In July and August it would be heaving.

Puerto del Carmen works well if you want to stay somewhere with a bit of buzz — there are good restaurants, and the resort has the amenities that family travel sometimes requires (decent supermarkets, pharmacies, a wide variety of accommodation). For us, it felt slightly too built-up for the kind of immersive island experience we were seeking, but it is undeniably convenient.

The Wild Southern Coastline

Beyond the main beach settlements, the southern coast becomes wilder and more dramatic. The landscape is dominated by black lava flows that reach down to the sea, with occasional golden-sand beaches tucked into coves where the lava has created natural harbours.

The drive from Playa Blanca southwestward to El Golfo is one of the most spectacular on the island. You pass through a landscape of volcanic cones, scrubland and scattered white villages, with glimpses of the ocean to your right. Stop at any of the viewpoints along this route — they are not marked with fanfare, but they offer stunning vistas across the lava fields towards Fuerteventura.

The road quality is excellent throughout the south, and distances are short — it is less than 30 minutes from Puerto del Carmen to El Golfo, and under an hour from anywhere in the south to anywhere else. This makes the region ideal for a road-trip approach, where you base yourself in one village and make day trips to explore the highlights.

Where to Stay and Eat in South Lanzarote

Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen have hundreds of accommodation options, from modest apartments to luxury villas. Budget around €80–€140 per night for a comfortable self-catering villa or apartment with kitchen facilities. The advantage of self-catering is flexibility with meal times, especially important when travelling with young children.

For dining, the south is excellent. Both villages have many restaurants, from casual beach bars serving fresh fish and paella to slightly more upmarket establishments. Expect to pay €15–€25 for a main course, and €5–€8 for a simple tapas lunch. The seafood is exceptional — the Atlantic catch of the day is almost always the best bet.

El Golfo village itself is small, with a cluster of fish restaurants right on the waterfront. These are the authentic option — informal, family-run, and specialising in whatever the boats brought in that morning. Lunch here is a genuine experience, not a tourist performance.

Practical Information

How to Get There

South Lanzarote is about 20 km from the airport at Arrecife. A rental car is essential — public transport to the beaches is limited. Compare flights and car hire on Trip.com

Best Time to Visit

The south faces slightly more Atlantic swell than the north, so windier conditions are more common. February, when we visited, was ideal — warm, mostly calm, and not busy. Winter (November–March) is the best season for swimming and beach activities. Summer can be too hot for active exploration.

Budget Guidance

A daily budget for the south might look like this:

• Accommodation: €80–€120 per night
• Restaurant meals: €15–€25
• Beach activities and tours: €20–€40 per person
• Car hire: €25–€35 per day

The region is moderately priced compared to mainland Spain or northern Europe.

Maps

Use our interactive map to find accommodation and explore the southern beaches.

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