Explroing the beaches of Lanzarote

Exploring the Beaches of Lanzarote The long cold winter, combined with the credit crunch, has made the last few months drag on interminably. But one of the more positive things to come out of this economic crisis has been even cheaper holidays. This is especially true in Lanzarote, where package holidays have long been offered at very affordable prices. More recently, a greater number of low cost airlines have started flying to this Canary Island, making it less expensive for holidaymakers who like to tailor their own holiday in Lanzarote.

The independent traveller will now find that not only can they get here at much more reasonable prices, but that there is a huge range of private accommodation just waiting to be booked.

The growth of holiday villas in Lanzarote has been particularly noticeable over the last few years, with many based in the southern resort of Playa Blanca. This is the newest town to have been developed as a coastal holiday destination. It benefits from close proximity to the stunning beaches of Papagayo, a collection of six coves and bays that have shimmering turquoise waters lapping their edges. These beaches are also very much unspoilt, as no development has been allowed in their immediate vicinity.

In fact, they form part of a natural reserve that can only be entered by a dirt-track road. Thus stopping them from being swamped by hoards of people all the time. But this does mean that tourists have to make their way to Papagayo under their own steam. Which is not particularly difficult if you opt for car hire in Lanzarote as part of your holiday experience.

This not only opens up Papagayo but the whole island for exploration. And with plenty of alternative beaches, it is worth getting in a hire car and driving around to find your favourite stretch of sand. In the far north of the island is a white sand beach known as Caleton Blanco. The sand was created over thousands of years by the erosion of sea shells so that now it forms the perfect contrast to the black volcanic stone that surrounds it.

Also well worth a detour is the beach at Famara. A seven kilometre long horseshoe shaped bay, it has one of the most imposing backdrops to any beach, in the form of the Famara Massif. Huge chocolate coloured cliffs that rise to nearly 700 metres, they give the beach a unique outlook and beauty.