Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Playa Blanca vs Puerto del Carmen vs Costa Teguise

I want to save you from the mistake most people make when they’re working out where to stay in Lanzarote.

They pick a hotel because it looks amazing in the photos. Big pool, sea view, decent price. Done. And only when they land do they realise it’s 40 minutes from the airport, a taxi ride from any restaurant, or sitting on the breeziest stretch of the island.

Here’s the thing. Lanzarote is small. You can drive from the southern tip to the northern tip in about an hour. But the three main resorts, Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise, feel like three completely different holidays. Different pace. Different evenings. Different wind. Honestly, even different people at the next table.

I’ve based myself in Playa Blanca twice now, once in December and once in February. And both times, the base decided almost everything. Where I ate, how far I drove, and which beach I ended up on every single afternoon.

So, the short version? The best places to stay in Lanzarote are Playa Blanca for a relaxed, scenic holiday, Puerto del Carmen for restaurants, nightlife and getting around without a car, and Costa Teguise for families, watersports and a quieter base near the north.

Now grab a coffee. I’ll tell you exactly how to choose between them, plus where to go if you want proper quiet, no car, or the cheapest bed on the island.

Where to Stay in Lanzarote: Quick Answer

If you only read one bit of this post, make it this table. It’s basically what I’d tell you if you messaged me asking “okay, but where do I actually book?”

Lanzarote Map: Where the Resorts Are

From south to north, it’s Playa Blanca, then Puerto del Carmen, then the airport and Arrecife, then Costa Teguise.

I’m saying that first because it trips up nearly everyone. Costa Teguise isn’t in the middle. It’s the furthest north of the three, just past the capital, Arrecife. Playa Blanca is right down at the southern tip, staring across the water at Fuerteventura.

The good news? Nothing here is far. The longest hop between two resorts is under an hour. So you’re not really choosing a region. You’re choosing your evenings, your beach, and how much wind you’re happy to live with.

Drive or taxi, one way, without traffic.

Tip: If you’re only here for four or five nights and you won’t hire a car, those airport minutes matter more than you’d think. Forty minutes each way in a taxi eats into a short trip, and your budget.

Playa Blanca: Best for a Relaxed, Scenic Stay

Playa Blanca is the best area to stay in Lanzarote for a relaxed holiday, with the island’s best beaches at Papagayo ten minutes away.

This is my place. I’ve stayed here twice, and if you told me I had to fly to Lanzarote tomorrow, I’d book Playa Blanca again without even looking at the others. It just has that slow, sunny, nowhere-to-be feeling. You wake up, wander the promenade with a coffee, and Fuerteventura is sitting right there across the water like it’s waiting for you.

What it’s like

Playa Blanca is a long, low resort wrapped around the southern tip of the island. The promenade runs pretty much the whole way, past little town beaches, cafés and the old harbour. Evenings here are about dinner and the sunset, not bars. By ten, most people are strolling home.

It’s perfect for couples, families with little ones, and anyone who’s come to actually rest. If you want to be out until 3am, keep reading, because this isn’t your place.

Where to stay in Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca splits into three quite different bases, and this is where people go wrong.

Marina Rubicón is the pretty, upmarket end, east of the centre. Yachts, polished restaurants, a craft market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and very calm nights. Couples, this one’s for you.

The town centre, around the old harbour and Playa Blanca beach, is walkable and cheaper. It’s the easiest if you don’t have a car. My December base was a small apartment two streets back from the harbour, and I loved being able to just wander out for dinner.

The outskirts, especially up the hill and out towards Playa Flamingo, are where the big resort hotels sit. Gorgeous pools. But you’ll be leaning on taxis or a car to get anywhere.

If you want my honest pick? Stay somewhere between the harbour and Marina Rubicón. You get the promenade, the restaurants, and the easiest walk to Papagayo.

Beaches

In town, Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo are calm and sheltered, which is great with kids. But the real reason to stay here is Papagayo, one of my favourite beaches in Spain.

The Papagayo coves sit inside a protected park just east of town. If you drive in, it’s €3 per car (free on foot or by bike), and on my visits the booth only took cards. On foot or by bike, it’s free.

From the eastern edge of Playa Blanca, the coast path takes about 45 minutes to Playa Mujeres. From the harbour to Playa de Papagayo itself, give yourself more like an hour to an hour and a quarter. Honestly, that walk was my best December afternoon in the Canaries.

Getting around

One of my favourite things about Playa Blanca? The ferry to Corralejo on Fuerteventura leaves right from the harbour. It takes about 25 to 35 minutes, and fares start around €17 one way (checked September 2026).

I did it in December and again in February, and it’s the easiest island hop in the Canaries. Several companies run the crossing, and fares vary a lot by time of day, so compare this week’s sailings below before you buy at the port.

For the rest of Lanzarote, you’ll want a car or a tour. Bus 161 runs to Puerto del Carmen and the airport, and bus 60 goes to Arrecife. Taxis are easy to find in town.

The honest downsides

It’s the furthest resort from the airport, about 35 to 40 minutes. It’s quiet at night, which is the whole point, but not if you want a buzz. And the north of the island is a proper drive, so plan a car day or a tour.

Location: Southern tip of Lanzarote (Yaiza) Nearest airport: Lanzarote (ACE), 35–40 minutes Best for: couples, families with young kids, slow travellers, winter sun Not for: nightlife, car-free trips to the north

Where to stay in Playa Blanca:

• Splurge: Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort. Right on Playa Dorada, a short walk to Marina Rubicón, and brilliant for families.
• Mid-range: H10 Timanfaya Palace. Near Playa Flamingo with big sea-view pools, just check you’re happy with a walk or taxi into town.
• Budget: a simple apartment a couple of streets back from the harbour, like the one I had in December. Best value for being able to walk everywhere.

Puerto del Carmen: Best All-Rounder (and Best Without a Car)

Puerto del Carmen is the easiest place to stay in Lanzarote: ten to fifteen minutes from the airport, with the biggest choice of restaurants and a long beach in town.

If a friend told me they were going to Lanzarote for the first time and had no idea where to book, this is where I’d send them. No hesitation. It’s the island’s original resort, and it just works. You land, you’re at your hotel before you’ve even finished your airport snack, and dinner is a short walk away.

I’ll be upfront: I haven’t stayed in Puerto del Carmen. I’ve driven over from Playa Blanca on both of my trips, so what you’re reading comes from those days there, plus a lot of digging into where to stay before I booked my own trips.

Is it the prettiest place on the island? No. But easy is underrated on holiday, and Puerto del Carmen is really, really easy.

Old Town vs the strip

Okay, this is the most important thing to know about Puerto del Carmen. It has two personalities, and which one you book changes your whole trip.

The Old Town is down at the western end, around the little fishing harbour. Seafood restaurants on the water, a slower pace, and way more character. This is the one for couples, and for anyone who’d rather have a lovely long dinner than a late night.

Avenida de las Playas, aka the strip, is the long seafront road running east above the beaches. Bars, shops, Irish pubs, sports on big screens and karaoke. Busy, bright and fun, especially after dark.

So where’s the best place to stay in Puerto del Carmen? It really depends on you. Want atmosphere and quiet nights? The Old Town, or just behind it. Want to be in the middle of everything? The strip. Want a bit of both? Aim for the Playa Chica end, right between the two.

Beaches

Playa Grande is the big one, a long stretch of golden sand right in the middle of the strip. It’s the kind of beach where you plant yourself in the morning and don’t really move until the sun drops.

Playa Chica is the little gem. It’s tiny, tucked just east of the Old Town, and famous for snorkelling. The water is clear and calm, and you’ll spot fish just a few metres out. It’s also where lots of the dive schools start.

Nightlife

Let’s be real about what this is. Puerto del Carmen has the liveliest nights of any Lanzarote resort, and almost all of it lives on the strip. Think bars, live music, cocktails, and a few late clubs. It’s easygoing, it’s fun, and in places it’s very British and Irish.

What it isn’t is Ibiza. You won’t find big-name clubs or a super stylish cocktail scene. But for a few drinks and a dance on holiday? More than enough.

The honest downsides

Parts of the strip are touristy. Menus in six languages, photos of every dish, that kind of thing. Book right on Avenida de las Playas and it can be noisy until late. And the town is long and spread out, so check exactly where your hotel is before you hit book.

Location: Central south coast (Tías) Nearest airport: Lanzarote (ACE), 10–15 minutes Best for: first-timers, no-car trips, short breaks, nightlife, snorkelling Not for: anyone after a quiet, local feel on the strip itself

Where to stay in Puerto del Carmen:

• Splurge: La Isla y el Mar, Hotel Boutique. Stylish, grown-up and a real treat for couples.
• Mid-range: Hotel Fariones. A classic, right by Playa Chica, so the Old Town and the strip are both walkable.
• Budget: a self-catering apartment a few streets back from Playa Grande. Close to the beach, away from the noise.

Costa Teguise: Best for Families and Watersports

Costa Teguise is the best area to stay in Lanzarote for families and watersports, and the best base for exploring the north of the island.

Think of Costa Teguise as the sensible middle child. It’s newer than the other two, a bit less polished than Playa Blanca, and a lot calmer than the Puerto del Carmen strip. Wide roads, tidy apartment complexes, and so many swimming pools.

I haven’t stayed in Costa Teguise. I’ve driven up from Playa Blanca to spend time there, so this section is based on those visits rather than a week of living there.

It doesn’t get the Instagram love. But for a family week, or if the north of the island is what you really came for, it quietly makes a lot of sense.

What it’s like

The heart of Costa Teguise is Las Cucharas, a curved, sheltered bay with a promenade, cafés, and windsurf schools right on the sand. Just behind it, the little Pueblo Marinero square has restaurants and a relaxed evening feel. There’s a water park and a golf course nearby too, which is a big win if you’ve got kids.

Where you stay matters here as well. Las Cucharas and the seafront are the easy choice, with the beach and restaurants on your doorstep. The back of Costa Teguise, up the slope away from the sea, is cheaper. But it’s a long walk down and an even longer one back up. With kids and beach bags? That gets old really fast.

Let’s talk about the wind

Here’s the bit nobody tells you. Costa Teguise sits on the east coast, and it catches more of the trade winds than the south does. That’s exactly why the windsurfers love it. Las Cucharas is one of the best spots on the island to learn.

But if your dream week is lying flat on a towel doing absolutely nothing, a breezy few days can be a bit annoying. Sand in your book. A chill in the late afternoon. It’s not a dealbreaker, and plenty of days are calm. Just know it going in, and pack a light layer.

Day trips north

This is where Costa Teguise really shines. The north of Lanzarote is packed with César Manrique’s best work, and from here most of it is a short drive:

• Jameos del Agua, the lava tube he turned into a pool and concert hall. €17.
• Cueva de los Verdes, the cave tour right next door. €17.
• Mirador del Río, the clifftop viewpoint looking over to La Graciosa. €9.
• The Teguise Sunday market, in the old capital, about 15 minutes inland.

Quick heads up: the combined passes for these sights were scrapped in 2024, so you pay for each one separately now (prices checked September 2026). Cueva de los Verdes tickets are online only, for a set date and time, so book before you drive up. And the north coast is hard to link by bus, so this is where a car day or a tour really pays off.

You can book all four on the official CACT Lanzarote website, which is the only place selling Cueva de los Verdes tickets.

The honest downsides

The wind, mostly. It’s also far from Papagayo and the south’s beaches, around 50 minutes. And nightlife is low-key, a few bars rather than a scene.

Location: East coast, north of Arrecife (Teguise) Nearest airport: Lanzarote (ACE), 15–20 minutes Best for: families, watersports, exploring the north, golf, longer self-catering stays Not for: lazy beach days on a windy week, nightlife, Papagayo every day

Where to stay in Costa Teguise:

• Splurge: Barceló Teguise Beach. Adults only, right on the seafront, a proper grown-up treat.
• Mid-range: Hotel Beatriz Costa & Spa. Big pools and a spa, easy walking distance to the centre.
• Budget: a self-catering apartment near Pueblo Marinero. Walkable to Las Cucharas without the seafront prices.

Playa Blanca vs Puerto del Carmen vs Costa Teguise: Side by Side

Playa Blanca wins on beaches and calm, Puerto del Carmen wins on convenience and nightlife, and Costa Teguise wins for families and the north. If you’re a table person (same), here it all is in one place.

Prices are a rough guide for this winter. They jump around Christmas, February half-term and Easter.

Quiet Places to Stay in Lanzarote

The quietest places to stay in Lanzarote are Famara, Arrieta and Punta Mujeres, Haría, La Graciosa, and the inland villages of Yaiza and Femés.

None of these are resorts, and that’s exactly why I love them. They’re small, local and a little bit wild. The kind of places where the loudest thing at night is the sea. You’ll want a car for most of them, but if a slow, quiet trip is the dream, start here.

Famara

Famara is a surf village on the north-west coast, sitting right under enormous cliffs. The beach goes on for kilometres, and the light at sunset is honestly unreal. The catch? It’s windy. Like, really windy. That’s why the surfers are here. Stay if you want waves, long beach walks and sandy streets. Skip it if you want a sheltered sunbed.

Arrieta and Punta Mujeres

These two little villages sit side by side on the north-east coast, and they feel properly local. Fish restaurants, whitewashed houses, and natural rock pools you can swim in when the sea is calm. They’re also minutes from Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes, so they make a lovely quiet base for the north.

Haría

Haría sits inland in the Valley of a Thousand Palms, and it’s green in a way the rest of Lanzarote just isn’t. César Manrique spent his last years here, and you can visit his house in the village. Think rural hotels, restored farmhouses, and a small craft market in the square on Saturday mornings.

La Graciosa

La Graciosa is the tiny island off the northern tip, and it has no paved roads at all. None. You get there on a 25 to 30 minute ferry from Órzola, about €16 one way or €29 return (September 2026).

It’s the quietest option on this list by a mile. Sand streets, a couple of cafés, and beaches you might have completely to yourself. Winter sailings are fewer, so always check the last boat back on the Líneas Romero timetable.

Yaiza and Femés

Love Playa Blanca but want a quieter bed? Look inland. Yaiza is a pretty white village about 15 minutes away, and Femés sits up in the hills with views all the way to Fuerteventura. It’s mostly villas and small rural hotels. You’ll need a car, but you get calm nights with the south’s beaches close by.

Where to Stay in Lanzarote Without a Car

Puerto del Carmen is the best place to stay in Lanzarote without a car.

It’s the closest resort to the airport, the seafront is walkable from end to end, and it has the most bus connections on the island. You could honestly spend a whole week here and never sit behind a wheel once.

What works on foot

• Puerto del Carmen. Beaches, restaurants, bars and supermarkets, all along the seafront.
• Playa Blanca town centre. The promenade links the harbour, the town beaches and Marina Rubicón, and you can walk to Papagayo on the coast path.
• Costa Teguise, near Las Cucharas. Totally fine on foot if you stay close to the beach. Much harder from the back of town.

The buses

The island’s buses are run by Intercity Bus Lanzarote, and they’re cheap and pretty reliable. Here are the ones you’ll actually use:

• Line 161: airport to Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, Yaiza and Playa Blanca. About €1.40 to Puerto del Carmen and €3.30 to Playa Blanca.
• Line 60: Arrecife to Playa Blanca, stopping at Yaiza and Puerto Calero along the way.
• Line 1: Arrecife to Costa Teguise.
• Line 2: Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen.
• Line 3: Costa Teguise to Puerto del Carmen, handy for hopping between the two.

On weekends and holidays there are fewer buses, so check the times on the official timetable before you head out. The buses are great for resort hops and Arrecife. They’re much less useful for the big sights. The north coast is hard to link up, and Timanfaya isn’t really doable by bus at all.

Taxis

Taxis wait at ranks in all three resorts, and at the airport arrivals doors. From the airport, expect roughly €15 to €25 to Puerto del Carmen, €20 to €25 to Costa Teguise, and €45 to €55 to Playa Blanca. It’s metered, so night, Sunday and holiday rates cost a bit more, and luggage can add a little on top.

When a tour beats hiring a car

If you only want one or two big days out, just book a tour. Timanfaya is the obvious one. The Montañas del Fuego ticket is €30 now (September 2026), it’s sold online only for a set time slot, and it includes the coach along the Ruta de los Volcanes, which is the only way to see the heart of the park anyway.

Cheapest Places to Stay in Lanzarote

The cheapest place to stay in Lanzarote is usually Costa Teguise, especially the self-catering apartments a few streets back from the sea, with Puerto del Carmen a close second.

But can I tell you a secret? When you go matters way more than where you go. More on that in a sec.

Playa Blanca can be good value too, as long as you skip Marina Rubicón and the big resort hotels. That little December apartment of mine, two streets back from the harbour, was cheaper per night than the same kind of place in October.

Apartments vs hotels

Apartments are where the savings are. You get a kitchen, a balcony, usually a shared pool, and it costs a lot less than a hotel with breakfast. Every resort has big supermarkets, so cooking a few nights brings the cost right down. Breakfast on the balcony in the sun is half the fun, anyway.

Hotels make more sense for short breaks, or if you want everything done for you.

When prices drop (and when they don’t)

Okay, the secret. The first half of December is one of the best-value times to be in Lanzarote. Then Christmas hits, and everything jumps. That same apartment I booked for the first week of December was close to double for the week of the 22nd. Wild.

For UK travellers, the expensive weeks are Christmas and New Year, February half-term, and Easter. The best-value windows are early December, January after the first week, and early March. November is lovely value too.

Per night, for two people, in winter. A rough guide only. Always compare on the map before you book.

Best Area to Stay in Lanzarote for Couples, Families and Nightlife

Best area for couples

The best area to stay in Lanzarote for couples is Playa Blanca, ideally near Marina Rubicón. Sunset drinks by the boats, a slow walk along the promenade, and a lazy day at Papagayo. It’s hard to beat, honestly. For young couples who want a bit more going on, Puerto del Carmen’s Old Town gives you harbour dinners, with the strip’s bars a short walk away if you fancy it.

Best area for families

The best area to stay in Lanzarote for families is Costa Teguise, with Playa Blanca a very close second. Costa Teguise has sheltered Las Cucharas, a water park, and loads of apartments with huge pools. Playa Blanca has calm, shallow town beaches like Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo, which are perfect for little ones.

Best area for nightlife

The best area to stay in Lanzarote for nightlife is Puerto del Carmen, on or near Avenida de las Playas. It’s the only resort with a real late-night scene. Just a friendly warning: don’t book right on the strip if you’re also hoping to sleep.

Where to Stay in Lanzarote in Winter (and for Long Stays)

Playa Blanca is the best place to stay in Lanzarote in winter, because the far south is usually the most sheltered from the trade winds.

Winter is when I know Lanzarote best, and I think it’s the island’s sweet spot. In December, you’re looking at daytime highs around 21°C, a sea of about 20°C, and sunsets around 6pm in Playa Blanca. Swimmable, but not tropical. February feels much the same, just with a little more light in the evenings.

It won’t be blue sky every single day, though. On my stays, the only white sky I had was a calima, the dusty haze that blows over from the Sahara. It pushed the temperature up about four degrees, turned everything a bit soft and golden, and cleared in two days. So if you get one, don’t panic. It passes.

I’ve written much more about Lanzarote’s winter weather, month by month, including what to pack.

A month of winter sun

For a long stay, it really comes down to how you like to live. Playa Blanca is lovely if you want calm and sea views every day. Puerto del Carmen is the practical pick, with the most shops, restaurants and buses, so it’s the easiest for a month without a car. Costa Teguise suits active types who want to windsurf and explore the north.

Most long stayers go self-catering. And here’s a tip: always ask the host for a monthly rate, because plenty of places will knock the price down for four weeks or more. Book early for January to March, as that’s when the long-stay crowd arrives.

Working remotely?

Check three things before you book. Real Wi-Fi speeds (ask the host for a speed test screenshot, seriously). A proper table and chair, not just a sofa. And whether there’s a café within walking distance for a change of scene. Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca’s town centre make this easiest.

Still deciding between islands? I compared the warmest Canary Islands for winter sun, month by month.

Where Not to Stay (Honest Mistakes)

Most disappointing Lanzarote trips come from a mismatch, not a bad resort. I read the forum threads, and it’s the same four stories again and again.

1. Booking Playa Blanca and expecting nightlife. It’s gorgeous, and it’s quiet. By 11pm, the promenade is mostly couples walking home. Want a night out? You’ll be in a taxi to Puerto del Carmen.
2. Booking right on the Puerto del Carmen strip for a peaceful trip. Avenida de las Playas is fun, but it’s loud until late. If you want calm, stay in the Old Town or a few streets back.
3. Booking Costa Teguise for lazy beach days on a windy week. The breeze that makes it amazing for windsurfing can make lying on the sand a lot less fun. If a calm beach is the whole plan, the south is the safer bet.
4. Booking far from town with no car. Those huge hotels on the edge of Playa Blanca, or up the hill in Costa Teguise, look incredible in photos. Without a car, you’ll either spend a fortune on taxis or never leave the pool.

And I’ve made my own version of this mistake, just across the water. On Fuerteventura, I spent afternoons at the Corralejo dunes watching people rebuild little stone windbreaks, while El Cotillo sat there, sheltered, the whole time. I really wish I’d gone there first. The lesson? Where you sleep decides what your wind, your beach and your evenings feel like. So pick it on purpose.

Want Help Planning Your Lanzarote Trip?

If you’ve read all this and you’re still torn between two resorts, I get it. That’s exactly what I help with.

Tell me your dates, who you’re travelling with and what kind of trip you want, and I’ll:

• pick the right area (and the right part of it) for you
• build a day-by-day plan around the weather, the wind and the drives
• add the beaches, viewpoints and restaurants I’d actually go back to
• show you how to fit in Fuerteventura or La Graciosa if you want to island hop

Plan my Lanzarote trip →

FAQ: Where to Stay in Lanzarote

What is the best area to stay in Lanzarote?

Puerto del Carmen is the best all-round area to stay in Lanzarote, especially for a first trip. Pick Playa Blanca for a relaxed, scenic holiday, or Costa Teguise for families and watersports.

Is Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen better?

Playa Blanca is better for a calm holiday and the Papagayo beaches. Puerto del Carmen is better for restaurants, nightlife, being close to the airport, and getting around without a car.

Which part of Lanzarote is warmest in winter?

The south, around Playa Blanca, usually feels warmest in winter because it’s the most sheltered from the trade winds. Daytime highs on the coast sit around 21°C in December.

Where should I stay in Lanzarote without a car?

Stay in Puerto del Carmen. It’s 10 to 15 minutes from the airport, walkable along the seafront, and bus 161 links it to both the airport and Playa Blanca.

What is the best area to stay in Lanzarote for couples?

Playa Blanca, near Marina Rubicón, is the best area for couples. Puerto del Carmen’s Old Town is a great second choice if you want a bit more life in the evenings.

Where is the cheapest place to stay in Lanzarote?

Costa Teguise is usually the cheapest, especially self-catering apartments a few streets back from the sea. Travelling in early December, January or early March saves even more.

Is Costa Teguise too windy?

Costa Teguise is breezier than the south because it faces the trade winds on the east coast. It’s brilliant for windsurfing and fine most days, but not the best pick if calm beach days are all you want.

How far is Playa Blanca from the airport?

Playa Blanca is about 35 to 40 minutes from Lanzarote Airport by car or taxi, and a taxi costs roughly €45 to €55. It’s the furthest of the three main resorts.

Is Arrecife a good place to stay in Lanzarote?

Arrecife, the capital, is the cheapest and most local base, with the best bus links on the island. But it’s a working town rather than a resort, so stay there for value and convenience, not for a beach holiday.

What about Puerto Calero?

Puerto Calero is a small, upmarket marina between Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, on the 161 bus route. It’s very quiet and polished, with yachts and a handful of restaurants, but few shops. It’s a lovely base for couples with a car, and too quiet for most families.

Before You Book

If you’re still torn, here’s what I’d do. Decide what you want your evenings to feel like first. Quiet dinners and sunsets? Playa Blanca. A bit of life and no car? Puerto del Carmen. Kids, pools and the north? Costa Teguise.

Then open the map and check exactly where your hotel sits inside that resort. Honestly, that one little step saves more holidays than anything else in this post.

And please don’t stress too much, because you really can’t go that wrong. Lanzarote is still my favourite of all the Canaries. The volcanic landscapes, the black sand beaches, César Manrique’s buildings, and those vines growing out of the ash in La Geria. Wherever you base yourself, all of it is under an hour away.

And if you’re still weighing up Lanzarote against Tenerife, my guide to where to stay in Tenerife compares its areas the same honest way.

Now go book the thing. And send me a photo of your first sunset.

Still Planning? Read These Next

• Not sure Lanzarote is the right island? I compared the warmest Canary Islands month by month.
• Coming between November and March? Here’s what Lanzarote is really like in winter: the weather, the sea and the calima.
• Tempted by the ferry from Playa Blanca? See what Fuerteventura offers in winter, just 25 minutes across the water.
• And if your trip is part of a bigger Spain plan, my guide to coastal Spain brings together everything from the Costa Brava to Andalusia and the islands.