Lanzarote has three main beach resorts, a small capital and a volcanic interior. Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca sit on the sheltered coast, well apart. Timanfaya and the northern lava sites need a separate outing.
Puerto del Carmen runs along beaches south of the airport, with restaurants and apartments around Playa Grande and Los Pocillos. Costa Teguise is northeast of Arrecife, with beaches around Las Cucharas and an easier route to the northern sights.
Playa Blanca occupies the far south, near Marina Rubicón and the ferry port for Corralejo on Fuerteventura. The protected Papagayo beaches lie beyond the resort. It is a longer airport transfer than Puerto del Carmen.
Arrecife is the working capital, with the Charco de San Ginés waterfront and Playa del Reducto. On the exposed northwest coast, Caleta de Famara draws surfers to a long beach below the cliffs. Neither is a planned resort like those in the south.
Lava fields in Timanfaya National Park and the vineyards of La Geria sit inland. César Manrique’s work includes Jameos del Agua and Mirador del Río in the north. Buses connect the main towns, but a car helps for scattered sights and smaller villages.