Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, Playa Blanca

4 Star

Lanzarote

The Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, located on the magical island of Lanzarote, a Bioshphere Reserve, is a complete holiday complex inspired by the culture of the Canary Islands, reflected in its architecture of a typical Lanzarote town, with its painted shiny white walls adorned with volcanic rock, cobbled streets, lampposts and traditional garden benches which are armoniously brought together within a stunning oasis of subtropical gardens, pools and fountains.

The most easterly of the Canary Islands, it is recognised for its large number of volcanoes which stretch across the island. Submarine and lunar landscapes, clear waters, dry earth and palm tree oases. It is a symbol of the harmony between man and nature. Without doubt a land of contrasts.

The hotel is found only 10KM from the Timanfaya National Park, and 900 metres from the picturesque fishing village of Playa Blanca, where you will find shopping centres, bars and restaurants and just 30 minutes from the Arecife International Airport and a 15 minute walk to Flamingo Beach.

Lanzarote

The most northeasterly of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote has embraced the tourism boom with a more laid-back feel than its popular sister islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Nature is still the biggest attraction on this small volcanic island, which measures only 38 miles (60km) in length and 13 miles (21km) across at its widest point. Lanzarote's beaches are varied and dramatic, including long stretches of golden sand, some good surf spots, and some rugged, hidden coves. Camels are often used to transport goods (and sometimes tourists) on this desert-like island, across the dry volcanic ash that covers most of the landscape. UNESCO declared the whole island a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, and visitors exploring the dozens of enchanting and unique spots on the island will soon see why.

Lanzarote's capital, Arrecife, is a small town on the eastern coast, its harbour packed with fishing boats. Although the town itself has little to offer in the way of sights or nightlife, it does have a magnificent beach, El Reducto, which has been granted blue flag status by the European Union. A promenade runs along the beachfront around the San Gines lagoon with its fine golden sand and placid waters. Like the rest of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote offers visitors duty-free shopping, and there is a fun nightlife at the Puerto del Carmen resort.

Lanzarote Attractions

Lanzarote's chief attractions are its resort towns, which offer crystalline waters and fine beaches, plus some of the most reliably balmy weather in the world. Although the flattest of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is also of volcanic origin and so has a dramatic landscape, punctuated with many caves and lagoons.

Those travelling with kids in Lanzerote should visit the Aquapark on the outskirts of Costa Teguise for fun water slides and rides, or enjoy the Submarine Safari near Puerto Calero which takes passengers on an underwater expedition for an hour, allowing everybody to observe the wonderful marine life. Closer to Arrecife there is a fun go-karting facility with really good tracks and cars for kids and adults to race around in. Guinate Tropical Park, at the northern tip of the island near the village of Maguez, has incredible bird life and water features, and Rancho Texas, a wild west theme park doubling up as an excellent zoo, near Puerto del Carmen, is one of the most exciting kids' attractions on the island.

Lanzarote is small and easy to navigate; most of the major resorts and attractions are within ten miles (16km) of each other. Efficient bus services (known as guagua) travel around and between the main resorts and operate until quite late. Taxis are also easily available and fairly good value. Those going off the beaten track may wish to hire a car for a day or two; car rental companies have offices in all the main resorts.

Lanzarote Nightlife

Puerto del Carmen is the main nightspot on the island and its population swells most evenings as tourists from the other holiday resorts of Lanzarote come to enjoy its bars and clubs. There are loads of good English, Irish and Scottish bars in the New Town along The Strip. The Centre Atlantico has a number of cocktail bars and can be a good spot to start the evening. The Hippodrome is also here but more serious clubbers may prefer Caesars. There are also several live music venues and karaoke bars.

The nightlife in Playa Blanca is fairly limited, with entertainment mostly restricted to the shows organised by hotels. There is a kids disco but those after something hardcore will need to head to Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, half an hour away by car. Similarly, holidaymakers will find that although Matagorda is not lacking in waterfront pubs and bars, most offering some lively evening entertainment, generally nightlife in Matagorda is rather low key. Younger visitors looking for a taste of nightlife in Spain or a more vibrant night out opt to travel the short distance to the rollicking clubs and bars of Puerto del Carmen. The nightlife in Costa Teguise is also not legendary, though it is probably the second most popular choice for those seeking fun after dark. Costa Teguise's Mo Vita Disco Bar is its best-known party venue and there are nice bars around the marketplace to start the evening off. There is also a casino in the Hotel Oasis at Costa Teguise.

Shopping

Holidaymakers can take full advantage of the fact that Lanzarote, like the rest of the Canary Islands, enjoy a special duty-free tax status. Cigarettes, alcohol, perfumes and petrol are much cheaper than in mainland Spain and the rest of the EU. Duty-free prices are far better in the individual resorts than at the airport or on-board flights. Puerto del Carmen is the best shopping destination on the island and is stuffed with shops of all kinds, from duty-free electrical stores and stalls along The Strip targeting holidaymakers, to the excellent clothes shops and boutiques in the Old Town.

The Sunday Market in Teguise is worth a visit for travellers seeking out a variety of locally produced goods from pottery to tablecloths. Costa Teguise itself has a variety of shops around the resort and in the La Cucharas Shopping Complex, selling all the usual tourist tat for holidaymakers, as well as a few electrical duty-free stores. Matagorda has a two-storey shopping centre containing a supermarket and souvenir stores, but the shopping is far better at neighbouring Puerto del Carmen. There are good supermarkets in Playa Blanca that sell all the well-known brands and holidaymakers will find that although the choice is not as good as in Puerto del Carmen, there are a fair number of electrical duty-free stores and other shops geared at tourists near the harbour. For couture shopping most tourists in Playa Blanca head to the stylish Marina Rubicon. It is possible to get good bargains in the electrical duty-free stores, but shoppers should remember that they can't take purchases back to the shop once they've left the island. They should check everything works and that all batteries, cables and plugs are included; that there is a European guarantee, not an Asian one; and that all electrical items have a CE stamp.

Transport

Lanzarote is a very small island, so getting around is fairly easy. Travel between resorts and towns on the coast can be done by bus. The bus service is efficient and reasonably priced, but holidaymakers need to keep in mind that the service is not frequent and the journey times are slow. With well-serviced roads, dedicated cycle paths and light traffic, Lanzarote has a large number of cyclists. Bicycles can be hired on the island. Travellers should be warned that there are large hills in town that are tricky to get up for inexperienced cyclists. Holidaymakers who would like to go island hopping can take a ferry from one of the two terminals in Playa Blanca and Arrecife. A trip to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura takes only 20 minutes. Hiring a car is one of the most comfortable and convenient ways to explore the island quickly and comfortably, with major car hire companies represented at the airport.

Lanzarote Climate and Weather

Lanzarote has a great climate throughout the year, despite the fact it is technically a desert climate. The average temperature is comfortable all year round, rarely dropping below 60°F (15°C) and seldom rising above 82°F (28°C) during the day. During the winter it gets cool in the evenings and the sea temperature drops, but it is never really cold. January is the coldest month with temperatures averaging between 57°F (14°C) and 68°F (20°C), and August is the hottest month, when temperatures rarely drop below 70°F (21°C) and peak around 84°F (29°C). Rainfall in the summer months is almost non-existent, but showers are likely between October and April. Typically, rain showers don't last long and quickly give way to sunshine. Trade winds blow sporadically throughout the year but the windiest month is July, when the cool sea breeze can be refreshing in the summer heat.

The Canary Islands are considered the best winter destination in Spain because it is often still warm enough between December and February to enjoy the beach, but summer, between June and August, remains the most popular time to visit Lanzarote.

Costa Teguise

The smallest and most recently developed of the island's three main holiday resorts, Costa Teguise is situated on the southeast corner of Lanzarote and is a haven for families and sun-seekers. Although it is a purpose built resort, Costa Teguise manages to have a nice community feel to it, with lots of little squares around which the bars and restaurants are located. The resort is more low-key than some but still offers plenty to do with a wide variety of shops and restaurants catering to all tastes, and of course lovely beaches for holidaymakers to relax on. Playa de las Cucharas is probably the best of the three beaches, with uninterrupted views and crystal clear blue waters. Playa Bastian is another idyllic spot to enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine.

Holiday Shopping

Costa Teguise has a variety of shops around the resort and in the La Cucharas Shopping Complex, selling all the usual tourist tat for holiday makers, as well as offering a few electrical duty-free stores. The busy Sunday market at Teguise is well worth a visit, selling a variety of locally produced goods from pottery to tablecloths along with the inevitable 'I've been to Lanzarote' t-shirts. Although visitors should be able to find souvenirs and anything they may need on holiday, Costa Teguise is not suited to big shopping sprees.

Restaurants

There is a good range of restaurants in Costa Teguise catering for all tastes and pockets. For dining out, try Coffee and Cream Bistro Bar, Vesubio Restaurant, Restaurant Montmatre or El Bocadito, which specialises in traditional Spanish tapas. Besides a number of local establishments, there are plenty of Italian, Indian, Thai, Chinese and seafood restaurants. For British visitors longing for home, there are several fish and chip shops that offer traditional cod and freshly made chips, and other places that serve up English breakfasts and screen Premier League football on big screen TVs.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Costa Teguise is not legendary. Party animals generally take a taxi to Puerto del Carmen, a larger holiday resort ten miles (16km) to the west. Costa Teguise's Mo vita Disco Bar is its best-known party venue and there are some nice bars around the marketplace to start the evening off. Try the Fiddler's Bar and the Sunburnt Arms, or Hennessy's Irish Bar if you're craving a refreshing pint of Guinness. For something different try Legends Bar which provides entertainment such as a hypnotist or an Abba tribute band. There is also a casino in the Hotel Oasis.

Holiday Activities

There is plenty of entertainment for holidaymakers in and around Costa Teguise. Water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving, can be arranged from the beaches, while just outside the resort there is an 18-hole golf course and a water park for the kids. Further afield visitors can explore the Timanfaya National Park and the ancient capital, Arrecife. Boat trips and submarine tours go from Puerto Calero, ten miles (16km) west of Costa Teguise, and camel and horse rides can be organised. Most activities can be arranged through the tour operator reps, though it is sometimes cheaper to book directly.

Any Negatives?

It is possible to get good bargains in the electrical duty-free stores when on holiday in Costa Teguise, but remember that you can't take purchases back to the shop once you have left the island. Check everything works and that all batteries, cables and plugs are included; that you receive a European guarantee, not an Asian one; and that all electrical items have a CE stamp. Whilst water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it is very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomach problems. Bottled water should be used for drinking.

Matagorda

Matagorda and its sister resort, Los Pocillos, are just over a mile from Lanzarote's large, bustling holiday city of Puerto del Carmen. It is also connected to the larger, more brash resort by a pleasant, long promenade walkway with great views over Matagorda Bay. This means that visitors who opt for staying at a beach house or in the quieter environs of Matagorda, a former fishing village, can easily access the more boisterous entertainment and nightlife of Puerto del Carmen. Matagorda has a gently sloping beach of fine, dark sand, particularly popular for windsurfing. It boasts a commercial centre with a fair choice of restaurants and a supermarket. In general Matagorda is ideal for those seeking a peaceful, relaxing holiday without too many bright lights or the usual beach resort crowds.

Holiday Shopping

Holidaymakers can take full advantage of the fact that Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands enjoy a special duty-free tax status. Cigarettes, alcohol, perfumes and petrol are much cheaper than in mainland Spain and the rest of the EU. Matagorda has a two-storey shopping centre containing a supermarket and souvenir stores, but for a real shopping spree holidaymakers prefer to descend on neighbouring Puerto del Carmen, which is bristling with a variety for shops from duty-free electrical stores and designer boutiques to stalls selling 'tourist tat' such as beach buckets, spades, umbrellas and souvenirs along the main strip. The nearby town of Teguise hosts a vibrant Sunday market, which is fun to visit.

Most of Matagorda's restaurants are situated in the central commercial area around a square, where holidaymakers can browse the displayed menus before deciding on their preferred cuisine for the evening. The choice is wide, ranging from Chinese and Greek to British and Japanese, with the usual pizza, pasta and grill houses thrown in. Most visitors rate it as a plus that Matagorda lacks the presence of 'PRs', reps or touts trying to lure diners into their establishments. Those who want a more extended choice or a livelier dining scene can simply take a walk or taxi ride to explore the nightlife and restaurants of larger Puerto del Carmen.

Nightlife

Holidaymakers will find that although Matagorda is not lacking in waterfront pubs and bars, most offering some form of evening entertainment, generally nightlife in Matagorda is rather low key. Younger visitors looking for a taste of nightlife in Spain or a more vibrant night out opt to travel a short distance to the rollicking clubs and bars of 'The Strip' in neighbouring Puerto del Carmen.

Holiday Activities

A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed in Matagorda along the beach, especially windsurfing for which the area is a famed spot. Alternatives range from banana boat rides and jet skiing to parasailing, scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Land sports facilities in the vicinity include tennis, squash, golf and horse riding. Rancho Texas Theme Park is a short drive from Matagorda and tourists wishing to get a real sense of Spain can opt to hire a car and explore the smaller villages inland. There are also several excursions on offer such as boat trips or visits to the dramatic Timanfaya National Park.

Any Negatives?

Holidaymakers seeking bargains in Matagorda in electrical and photographic goods must be cautious and check their purchases before leaving the shop/stall. Many visitors have been ripped off. It is prudent to ensure that the guarantee on electrical items is a Worldwide or European guarantee as unscrupulous shops may try to sell products with only Asian guarantees to European visitors.

Playa Blanca

The quiet holiday resort of Playa Blanca is situated in the very south of Lanzarote and is named after the surrounding white sandy beaches. The resort has undergone a lot of construction and upgrading in the last few years, which, contrary to expectation, hasn't ruined the Spanish charm of this resort but rather added to it by giving tourists an extensive array of holiday accommodation to choose from in Playa Blanca. Despite the extensive growth over the last few years the old fishing village, in the centre, retains its charm and has escaped much of the commercialism that has blighted larger resorts. There is a good selection of cafés, bars and restaurants in Playa Blanca, along the promenade, but the main attractions are the nearby beaches. Some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are just four miles (6km) away at Papagayo. The resort is mainly geared towards families and couples - those wanting a more lively nightlife will need to make the 18 mile (29km) journey to Puerto del Carmen.

Holiday Shopping

There are good supermarkets in Playa Blanca that sell all the well-known brands, and holidaymakers will find that although the choice is not as good as in Puerto del Carmen, there are a fair number of electrical duty-free stores and other shops geared towards tourists near the harbour. For designer clothes most tourists in Playa Blanca head to the stylish Marina Rubicon. It is possible to get good bargains in the electrical duty-free stores, but shoppers should remember that they can't take purchases back to the shop once they've left the island. They should check everything works and that all batteries, cables and plugs are included; that there is a European guarantee, not an Asian one; and that all electrical items have a CE stamp. The busy Sunday Market in Teguise is worth the journey for the most dedicated shoppers; as well as the usual tourist souvenirs and holiday gifts, a variety of locally produced goods are on sale, from pottery to tablecloths.

Restaurants

La Bocaina and Casa Pedro top the list of highly recommended restaurants in Playa Blanca. While La Cocina de Colacho, El Horno de la Aguela and Romantica all garner rave reviews from tourists and locals alike. There's a huge choice of eateries on the main promenade, which at night bustles with activity. The promenade overlooks the beach and harbour and the lights of Fuerteventura can be seen on the horizon. Restaurants serve anything from Chinese, Indian or Italian to seafood and local dishes. Some restaurants will not accept credit cards.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Playa Blanca is fairly limited, with entertainment after dark mostly restricted to the shows organised by the hotels. There is a kids disco and some sedate live music in some of the bars and restaurants, but those after some serious partying will need to head to Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, half an hour away by car.

Holiday Activities

There are lots of things to do in Playa del Blanca, not least of which is sunning yourself on one of the picturesque beaches. Holidaymakers wanting to enjoy water sports in Playa Blanca should head to the beach where numerous activities can be organised. Boat trips leave regularly for the Papagayo beaches - the views of the beautiful coastline are stunning and boats can drop visitors off at the beach to be picked up by a later cruise. The Timanfaya National Park, where visitors can admire the dramatic volcanic scenery, is only ten miles (16km) away. Ferries depart regularly from the harbour to the nearby island of Fuerteventura, just six miles (10km) away.

Any Negatives?

Whilst water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it is very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomachs. Bottled water should be used for drinking. There is still some development going on in Playa Blanca and it is worth checking if there is a building site outside your accommodation before booking.

Puerto Del Carmen

Set beneath a range of steep hills on the southeastern coast of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is one of the island's major holiday resorts and is very popular. The resort's main feature is a spectacular two-mile (3km) golden beach, which is backed by the main road, The Strip, where shops, bars and restaurants of every variety can be found. The Old Town retains some of its old-world charm but for the most part the resort of Puerto del Carmen is a sprawling holiday complex offering entertainment for all ages. It is the centre of Lanzarote's nightlife and boasts the highest concentration of bars and nightclubs of all the resorts on the island, making it the destination of choice for those wanting to party. Puerto del Carmen is within easy distance of all the island's key attractions, making excursions easy to arrange.

Holiday Shopping

Puerto del Carmen is stuffed with shops of all kinds, from duty-free electrical stores and stalls along The Strip targeting holidaymakers, to the excellent clothes shops and boutiques in the Old Town. The Sunday Market in Teguise is worth a visit: as well as the usual tourist tat and holiday souvenirs visitors will find a variety of locally produced goods from pottery to tablecloths. Puerto del Carmen is perhaps the best Lanzarote resort for shopping.

Restaurants

There are hundreds of restaurants to suit all holidaymakers' tastes and wallets in Puerto del Carmen, the most popular including La Bottega Della Pasta, Casa Bodeco's, Bodega, and Chiquito. Most restaurants are on The Strip, serving everything from local cuisine to fast food, as well as Chinese, Mexican and Indian food. There are many fine restaurants near the harbour in the Old Town. Those wanting to get out of Puerto del Carmen for the evening can take a taxi to the old capital, Teguise. It has a lovely atmosphere in the evening and a few good restaurants.

Nightlife

Puerto del Carmen is the main nightspot on the island and its population swells most evenings as tourists from other holiday resorts come to enjoy its bars and clubs. There are loads of good English, Irish and Scottish bars in the New Town along The Strip. The Centre Atlantico has a number of cocktail bars and can be a good spot to start the evening. The Hippodrome is also here but more serious clubbers may prefer Caesars. There are also several live music venues and karaoke bars, while the Star Bar provides great family entertainment.

Holiday Activities

Holidaymakers can enjoy all sorts of water sports on the beach in Puerto del Carmen, from banana boat rides to jetskiing and sailing. Windsurfing is particularly good due to the strong regular winds. Deep-sea fishing is also excellent and can be arranged through a couple of operators. Scuba diving centres take trips to local wrecks as well as offering lessons. For land-lovers there is tennis and squash within the resort and golf and horse riding nearby. Boat trips go from the harbour and from Puerto Calero. Further afield visitors can explore the dramatic landscape of the Timanfaya National Park. Most activities can be organised through the tour operator reps, though it is sometimes cheaper to book directly.

Any Negatives?

Whilst water is safe for cleaning teeth and washing food, it is very high in mineral content and can cause bad stomachs. Bottled water should be used for drinking. There are lots of people trying to sell tourists everything from trinkets to timeshare apartments; if you are not interested avoid getting into a conversation.