If freezing weather, snow and cold isn’t enough to get you thinking about a sunshine break abroad then just mull on the fact that right now, just four hours away, you could be on the beach soaking up the sun on Lanzarote.  As this little Canary Island is just a short flight away – but worlds apart in terms of the weather it offers at this time of the year.

Misleadingly Lanzarote is also part of the EU – although it is in fact located much, much closer to Africa than Europe.  A legacy of Spanish colonialism which saw the islands conquered as long ago as the early 1400´s.  And today Lanzarote boasts a culture that is a mixture of Spanish, Latin and African influences as a result.

Weather in undoubtedly Lanzarote´s key attraction – especially for British tourists who are the largest market for the island.  And during the winter months it’s possible to bask in glorious sunshine on the beach or by the pool of your rental villa.  With the mercury touching the mid 20´s.

There are load of different places to stay.  With over 200 Lanzarote hotels to choose from – along with an abundance of rental accommodation.  With around 50% of visitors opting for self catering properties in areas such as Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. Lanzarote also offers great value for visitors – with villas in Playa Blanca for example available from as little as €400 per week.  Prices that cannot be matched by many other winter sun destinations.

The cost of getting to the island has also dropped considerably in recent years. With flights to Lanzarote now much cheaper than even a couple of years ago.  As a result of more competition on the route amongst budget airlines.  Which also means that it is possible to arrange flights to Lanzarote from pretty much any airport in the UK. Germany and Eire are two other very important markets – and Lanzarote is also a very popular winter sun destination with many Scandinavian tourists. 

Away from the beaches and the sun loungers it’s still possible to connect with the real Lanzarote and explore a relatively unspoiled island.  As high rise developments and advertising boards were banned here back in the 1970´s.  Thanks to the intervention of a famous local artist called César Manrique – who also went on to create unique visitor attractions such as the Mirador del Rio and the Cactus Garden.