Looking to escape the chilly UK winter and treat your kids to a sunny family vacation? I can’t say that I blame you! If you’re looking for recommendations, I think that Lanzarote is the perfect place to do this. For adventure-seeking families, the welcoming resort of Puerto del Carmen (Lanzarote’s oldest resort) is ideal because it offers a relaxed atmosphere, plenty of shopping opportunities and, of course, sun, sea and sand. It is also a great base with many adventurous activities on offer. Here is what your sunny family getaway could consist of.
Beaches
The beaches are the main reason that tourists flock to Lanzarote, and it is easy to see why. There are a few to choose from, but these are the best two for families in terms of activities and facilities:
Playa Grande: Playa Grande is the most visited beach in the area, but it should not be too busy at this time of year. It is very popular because of its central location, but also because of its excellent facilities, which include a sports area, play area, showers, parasols, sun beds and lifeguards. It also borders the wonderful Avenida de las Playas, which is lined with shops and restaurants. You have everything you need here and plenty to keep you all entertained, regardless of whether you want to soak up the sun or play in the sea.
Playa de las Pocillos: Found on the East coast of Lanzarote, Playa de las Pocillos is ideal if you are seeking peace and quiet. It has a lovely laid-back vibe, calm waters and it is connected to a promenade with lovely shops, bars and restaurants. One of the reasons that I like this beach for families is the fact that a handful of the restaurants do free early evening meals for children. It is also just a short drive from the Rancho Texas Park… read on to find out more about this popular attraction.
Snorkelling
If you’d like to show your little ones the great beauty of the world, I can’t recommend snorkelling at Playa Chica enough. Venture beneath the surface to uncover a magical and colourful world where you will see all kinds of stunning creatures, including Barracuda, starfish, arrow crabs, seahorses and cuttlefish. Thanks to its huge amount of marine life, this is one of the most popular beaches in Lanzarote for snorkelling.
There is a range of courses available for beginners as well as more experienced divers, allowing your kids to get the most out of this experience and develop the confidence to explore the waters below.
Rancho Texas Park
Visiting this brilliant animal and water park makes for the perfect day out for adventure-seeking families. Throughout the huge and immaculate park, your kids can see breathtaking species like white tigers, exotic birds, dolphins, cougars, deer, racoons, snakes, horses, pigs, bison and much more. There are also highly entertaining shows that allow you to get up close to the animals, including a dolphin show, sea lion show and birds of prey show. If you’ve got some animal lovers in your family, Rancho Texas Park is a must.
The park also has a splash zone with huge pools and slides, which are perfect for cooling off! The park has a number of cafes and restaurants too, so you can happily spend an entire day wandering around the park, spotting the animals and splashing in the water.
Cycling Tour
If you are the type of family that likes to be active and explore, then Lanzarote will certainly scratch the itch. The climate, roads and the coastal cycling route make Lanzarote ideal for long cycling trips and will showcase the great beauty of the island. The coastal route makes for a fun family activity – especially if you hire the quadruplet bikes! You can also choose a guided tour, which is a great way to learn more about your surroundings whilst getting some exercise and enjoying the views.
How to Get There
To reach Puerto del Carmen, you will want to fly from London into Lanzarote Airport (ACE). This takes a little over four hours and budget carriers like easyJet, Thomas Cook Airlines and British Airways regularly make the flight.
The resort is then just a ten-minute drive from the airport. The most comfortable and convenient way to reach your hotel is to pre-book a Shuttle Direct transfer, as you can get dropped off at the doorstep of your accommodation. Speaking of hotels…
Where to Stay
Seaside Los Jameos Playa: This cool hotel is just a three-minute walk from the beach and a mile from the centre of Puerto del Carmen. The hotel itself has more than enough to keep you entertained, including outdoor pools, tennis courts, a spa, gym and Turkish bath. The main restaurant serves varied meals and has themed nights, whilst the bar hosts entertainment programmes with live music. There are also daily activities for both adults and kids that are sure to keep the little ones happy and engaged.
Hotel Floresta: Just a stone’s throw from beach, you will not struggle to get out and soak up the sun each day here. Hotel Floresta has spacious apartments that are ideal for families, as well as gardens where the kids can play. There is also a bar and restaurant with an inviting terrace where you can enjoy food and relaxed evenings.
Hyde Park Lane: Hyde Park Lane is a popular choice with families, as the bungalows provide plenty of privacy and the option to eat your meals at home, since they have a kitchenette and a supermarket on-site (a great way to save money!). The complex has four outdoor swimming pools, a tennis court, a spa and mini disco. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast each morning and dinner, whilst you can also enjoy snacks at the poolside bar and cocktails in the evening.
About Shuttle Direct
Family vacations require careful planning, and transportation is often the biggest challenge. Eliminate the stress of organising onwards travel with Shuttle Direct, one of Europe’s and North Africa’s most trusted transfer providers. We provide fast, affordable and efficient transfers from and to airports, hotels, train stations and other areas of interest. Book your ride online today!
