Lanzarote was once famously dubbed Lanzagrotty by the Monty Python team.
An unwarranted tag that this holiday island has found hard to shake off in the UK. But in the rest of Europe Lanzarote is regarded as a unique holiday destination – boasting great beaches, raw volcanic scenery and the many inventive works of a locally born artist called César Manrique.
Despite the Monty Pythons team jibe Lanzarote has still proved hugely popular with British tourists over the last thirty years. With visitors from the UK accounting for well over 50% of the 1.5 million foreign travellers who spend their holidays in Lanzarote every year.
All of the leading low cost flight operators, such as Ryanair easyJet and Monarch operate direct services to the island and one way fares are available from as little as £49.99. Making the island accessible to all.
Tourism first took off here in the 1970´s – as General Franco sought to open Spain up to overseas visitors in order to generate some much needed foreign currency for his failing economy. And today package holiday makers will find themselves staying in one of the three main resorts on the island; Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise.
Playa Blanca is the newest resort on the island and home to the best selection of four star hotels on Lanzarote. Which are all arrayed along the coastline, granting great views across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. A growing number of guests prefer to opt for self-catering accommodation – and villas in Playa Blanca are now proving hugely popular as result. With the best selection to be found in and round the Montaña Roja area of the resort.
Puerto del Carmen is the oldest – and still the most popular – resort on the island. This is where Lanzarote´s holiday industry first started up – transforming a fishing village called La Tiñosa into the bustling resort that it is today. Puerto del Carmen boasts a high concentration of apartment complexes and is ideal for anyone seeking a break on a budget.
Costa Teguise is the third largest resort on the island and is located along the coast from Puerto del Carmen just past the island capital of Arrecife. The resort was developed under the aegis of the local artist Cesar Manrique, who had a hand in the creation of so much of Lanzarote´s tourist infrastructure. And is home to the Gran Melia Salinas – widely regarded as the best luxury hotel on the island.