Lanzarote is a Spanish owned island located just off the coast of West Africa.  Part of the Canaries archipelago which has become synonymous with package holidays over the last decade or so.

 

But despite the fact that these seven islands welcome over 9 million visors every year some, such as Lanzarote, retain much of their original character and are largely unspoiled.  With tourism having made little visible imprint.

 

Lanzarote was first conquered by Spain in 1404.  Becoming a stopping off point for the Spanish galleons that crossed the Atlantic between the new World and the Old.  Feeding the growing Spanish empire with Inca silver.

 

Modern package tourism first took root here in the late 1960´s, growing rapidly during the 1980´s.  With the bulk of visitors originating from the UK, Germany and Eire.

 

Island Accommodation

As a relatively developed tourist island Lanzarote offers a wide range of accommodation options for visitors.

 

Lanzarote villas  have grown in popularity enormously over the last few years. Thanks in no small part to the growth of the internet.  Which now enables many tourists to create their own holidays online.  Booking their own accommodation direct with the owners and finding their own flights.

 

Villas in Playa Blanca  are the most popular choice – as this relatively new resort is located in the south of Lanzarote and enjoys the best weather as a result.  With more sunshine hours and higher temperatures.

 

Things To Do & See

Lanzarote only measures 58km by 38km.  But for a small island it offers visitors loads to do.  Explore over ninety beaches, take a tour of the incredible Timanfaya Volcano Park or simply enjoy the atmosphere of the many small white washed villages which dot the island.

 

Outside of the three main resort of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca the island remains untouched by tourism.  Thanks to a man called César Manrique – an artist who battled against over-development and won.  As a result the landscape here is not scarred by high rise buildings as this sort of construction was banned during the 1970´s.

 

Getting There

Flights to Lanzarote are available with major carrier such as Thomason and Monarch all year round.  From all major UK airports and with prices for a return starting from around £170.  The journey time from the UK is four hours.  Making Lanzarote Britain’s closest winter sun destination .

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 3:19 pm and is filed under Europe. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.