As a result of this clement climate Lanzarote can be enjoyed as a holiday destination at any time of year.  Although most locals would agree that the autumn months are the best time to visit.  As the crowds of summer are long gone but the weather is still fantastic.

It´s become much cheaper for British tourists to visit Lanzarote over he last twelve months thanks to the fact that budget airlines such as Ryanair now offer a large quantity of services.  With flights to Lanzarote now available from all major UK airports.

All flights touch down at the sole international terminal which is located outside of the capital city of Arecife.  Home to about 40% of the islands total population of 140,000 residents.  Although unofficial estimates place this figure at around 10% higher.  With British and Colombian expats forming the largest foreigner groups by nationality on the island.

Lanzarote attracts a fairly mixed balanced of package holidaymakers and independent travellers.  With the majority of visitors staying in one of the three main holiday resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise.  Which are all located within a forty minute maximum drive of the airport.

Accommodation in Lanzarote covers the full gamut of places to stay from cheap studios through to large luxury villas and hotels.  With something available to suit all budgets and tastes.  There are also a lot of options for those who want to get off the beaten track and stay in the countryside.

Many visitors to the island time their holidays to coincide with one of the main annual events on Lanzarote.  This includes Carnival in February, Holy Week over Easter, the large fiesta of Nuestra Senora del Carmen in August and the Costa Musical festival in September. 

The best known and most visited attraction is the Timanfaya Volcano Park which is home to a lot of wild and wonderful scenery.  Whilst the work of the local artist César Manrique is also very popular.  Visit the César Marique Foundation in Tahiche to view the best of his work  – as well as the unique property he created over five bubbles in the lava flow.

Holidays in Lanzarote can be enjoyed at any time of the year and the Christmas and Easter periods tend to be the busiest.

Lanzarote looked set to endure a concrete burial during the 1970´s as tractors and mixers moved across the Costas and the other Canary Islands.  But fortunately the islands favourite son, Cesar Manrique, came to the rescue.  Arguing that in the long term tourism would be best served by a more considered approach. 

How right he was, as now Lanzarote can boast that it is largely untouched by tourist development.  With no high rise hotels or complexes blotting the landscape.  Whilst near neighbours such as Tenerife have been all but swallowed up.  This intelligent approach has ensured that Lanzarote has also managed to retain much of its identity intact, making it a really unspoiled option.

Holidays in Lanzarote still appear in the travel brochures of the main tour operators though and the island welcomed over one million visitors last year despite the economic crisis.  But these guests are all well contained in the islands three main holiday resorts, located in the south.  Whilst the north remain much as it has for centuries.  With plenty of agricultural activity still going on.

For those who prefer the convenience of a holiday resort then there are plenty of Lanzarote villas and hotels available.  Especially in Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen.  As well as a good selection of well priced apartment accommodation.  But for those in search of something different then the countryside offers plenty of possibilities. Such as the islands only eco friendly accommodation, Finca de Arrieta, which runs exclusively on solar and wind power.  And where guests can even pick their own organic fruit and veg from the gardens.

There are also some charming rental properties to be found in the small village of Haria, located in the heart of the Valley of 1000 Palms.  Such as the popular Finca La Crucita, home to eight individual villas all named after local villages.

Such is the appeal of the island that many visitors end up buying into the Lanzarote property market – either to secure their own holiday bolthole or to rent out to other tourists.  As the islands twelve month rental season is a real magnet for overseas investors.  Apartments currently start from as little as €45,000, whilst basic villas cost upwards of €200,000.

The seven strong island chain of the Canaries are part of the EU and owned by Spain.  Making them a familiar destination even though they are located hundreds of miles south of the Spanish mainland and are a four hour flight from the UK.

The island was famously rocked by volcanic eruptions during the 1730´s, which went on for no less than six years and which left large swathes of the interior completely submerged in lava.  Toddy this area is a UNESCO protected biosphere and one of the most treasured national parks in Spain.  Whilst also providing the backdrop for numerous science fiction films, such as the current release from Warners, Clash of the Titans 3.

The island is best explored by car – as local bus services are infrequent.  Fortunately car hire in Lanzarote is very well priced at just €15 per day for A small basic model.  Whilst the island is small and therefore managaebale to tour.  With the volcanic region top of the list of things to see for most visitors.

Lanzarote has much more to offer than just volcanoes and sunshine alone though.  As there are close to 100 beaches to explore as well as plenty of pretty little villages and towns.  Such as the former capital of Teguise, which is one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the Canary Islands and hence home to hundreds of historic buildings.  Such as the Palacio de Spinola – the former home of a rich nobleman which is now a popular house museum and an impressive example of a colonial style Lanzarote property.

Many visitors sadly don’t make it out of the main resorts – which is where the bulk of the best accommodation in Lanzarote is located.  That´s a shame – as Lanzarote has a lot to offer and boasts a strong cultural heritage.  Best epitomised by the work of the famous local artist César Manrique – part artist, part architect.  Who was responsible for developing most of the leading tourist attractions on the island such as the Mirador del Rio and the Cactus Garden.

Manrique was also instrumental in gaining UNESCO protected status for the island of his birth.  Which was awarded in 1994 two years after his death.

Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands – which belong to Spain despite their location off the coast of Morocco.  As a result first time visitors will find that the customs and cuisine here are much as they are on the mainland.  Whilst the weather if anything is even better as the islands are much further south than the Iberian Peninsula.

Lanzarote´s appeal has also been boosted in recent years by the availability of more cheap flights.  And it’s now possible to get to the island for as little as £100 return with operators such as easyJet and Ryanair.  With a flight time of just four hours from all major UK airports.

The rise in internet usage has also created a new type of tourist who no longer needs the services of a travel agent as they can build and book their own holidays online.  Creating more demand for self catering accommodation such as apartments and villas in Lanzarote.

The bulk of the best accommodation can be found in the two larger resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, which are both located on the islands south eastern shoreline.

Puerto del Carmen is the spot where tourism on Lanzarote first started and the resort was built on apartment accommodation, with complexes dominating many of the prime spots.  This level of competition impacts on prices and makes it relatively cheap to book Lanzarote apartments – with prices starting at around €180 per week.

The best villa deals can be found in Playa Blanca down at the southern end of the island.  Where there is a large supply of private rental accommodation available from as little as €350 per week.  All villas in Playa Blanca boast private pools and most also enjoy great views down to the Atlantic and across to the island of Fuerteventura.

For anyone seeking to escape the main resorts there are also plenty of accommodation options in the countryside, as rural tourism has grown enormously in recent years.  Today visitors can choose to stay in an eco friendly finca or a chic rural hotel.  With some of the best accommodation to be found in little villages such as Yaiza and Haria.

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.

As a result winter holidays here are very popular – providing welcome relief from the cold weather that has swept across the rest of Europe.  With bookings for hotels, apartments and villas in Lanzarote all taking off as the tempertaures plummet.

Lanzarote is owned by Spain – despite the fact that it is located hundreds of miles away from the Iberian pnensusla.  As the Canary Islands were conquered and subdued for the crown by a Norman nobleman called Jean de Bethencourt during the 15th century.

Today the island is almost totally dependent on tourism and welcomes around 1.4 million foreign visitors every year.  Along with around 300,000 visitors from the Spanish mainland.  Many of whom seek sanctuary here from the oven like heat of summer on the mainland.

Lanzarote is the fourth largest link in this chain and bears little of the visible scars of tourist development that disfigures some other holiday islands.  As high rise buildings and ad hoardings have all long been banned here.  Leaving the natural beauty of the island to shine through.

Tourism is centred in just three holiday resorts all of which are confined to the island’s calm and placid south east coast.  And during the winter months visitors head for either Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen – both of which enjoy a more sheltered aspect than Costa Teguise to the north.

Holiday villas in Playa Blanca are especially popular with tourists from the UK and Eire – as the resort offers the best weather during the winter months, whilst also playing host to some great beaches.  With the famous coves and bays of Papagayo just a short stroll fro the resort centre.

Puerto del Carmen also has plenty to recommend it – not least as the islands oldest resort has recently enjoyed a €16 million facelift as local tourist authorities spend to improve facilities and amenities here.  Maintaining Puerto del Carmen´s competitiveness against newer destinations in the Middle East and Turkey.

Winter holidays in Lanzarote are also something of an affordable luxury as rental accommodation here is much cheaper than in other winter sunspots.  Whilst flights to the island can be booked with budget airlines such as easyJet.

Package holidays in Lanzarote first took off in the 1970s – and within ten years this small island was welcoming big visitor numbers of up to 2 million arrivals per year.  At this time there were only two main resorts for visitors to choose from in the form of Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen.  With Costa developed as the upmarket alternative to the budget break destination of Carmen.  Attracting well heeled German and Scandinavian tourists.

The resort was initially developed as a coastal twin to the inland former capital of Teguise.  With the input of the ubiquitous Cesar Manrique overseeing and advising on the project.  Making input into the creation of the pueblo Marinero which is still the central organic heart of the resort.  And the five star Gran Melia Salinas – widely regarded as the best hotel in Lanzarote.

Over the years though Costa Teguise´s star has waned.  Thanks to the creation of a resort rival in the south of the island in the form of Playa Blanca.  Which stole Costa´s crown over the last decade – relegating it to third place in the league table of island resorts.  As a result of enjoying some of the best weather in Lanzarote during the winter months.  Whilst Costa can be grey and overcast then.

However Costa Teguise still retains plenty of charm and many plus points.  As it boasts some great beaches such as Playa Cucharas and Playa Bastian and is ideally located for anyone planning to tour the island.  As all of the main attractions such as the Jameos del Agua and the Mirador del Rio are all within a twenty minute radius.  There’s also plenty of good places to stay in the resort – with a large selection of apartments and holiday villas in Costa Teguise available for rental. 

The resort is also ideal for anyone who enjoys eating out.  As Costa Teguise boasts some of the best restaurants in Lanzarote.  Such as El Meson Jordan, Isla Bonita and Oscars.  Along with plenty of less formal good value tapas bars.

During the summer months the islands are especially popular with guests from mainland Spain.  Who escape to the cooler climes of the Canaries in order to escape the searing heat of the Peninsula. But during the winter Northern European tourists tend to flock here.  As the islands offer an escape from the gloomy winter weather of home.

Lanzarote is particularly popular with visitors from the UK, Germany and Eire.  And despite the economic crisis still expects to welcome hundreds of thousands of guests from these countries this winter.

Part of the islands appeal is its affordability.  This winter, flights to Lanzarote are, for the first time, available at proper budget prices.  Thanks to the arrival on the scene of the leading low cost flight operator Ryanair.  Who have launched 16 new services to the island.  Taking advantage of a temporary suspension in airport taxes as Spain seeks to kick start its faltering tourist sector.

Accommodation can also be found at very reasonable rates too.   With holiday apartments in Lanzarote available from as little as £160 per week.  Whilst two bedroom villas in Lanzarote with private pools can be rented from around £400 per week.

Where are the best spots to stay on the island?  During the winter months the further south one heads the better.  As even on a small island such as Lanzarote there is a pronounced microclimate.  Making Playa Blanca and Puerto de Carmen the best resort options.

Playa Blanca is located around forty minutes from the airport – so the transfer time is longer than to Puerto del Carmen by some distance.  But on the upside the resorts boasts great beaches, excellent restaurants and loads of things to see and do.  Visitors can even hop over to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura on ferries that run regularly from the harbour area.

Puerto del Carmen offers better nightlife than Playa Blanca.  As this resort is home to the highest concentration of bars, restaurants and clubs on the island. And has also recently been revitalised by a €16 million cash injection.  As local authorities have invested to improve the resorts infrastructure and overall tourist offering.

Either option will ensure that visitors are basking in temperatures of 20 degrees plus this winter.  A welcome alternative to rain, sleet and snow.