Arrecife has the distinction of being the only place in Lanzarote where buildings are taller than palm trees – it was built before César Manrique’s successful, late 20^th century campaign for vernacular, low-rise architecture. But it’s still a charming island capital with a long, elegant seafront, interesting restaurants, designer shops and several historic monuments and museums.

• Home to the island’s main airport and a busy cruise port, Arrecife’s good for nightlife and water sports on big, golden Playa del Reducto.
• Visit for: Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, La Recova Market, Playa del Reducto and del Cable and Charco de San Ginés lagoon.

This is the Lanzarote resort that could make you doubt the island’s biosphere credentials. It’s relentlessly touristy, very busy in summer and the first choice for party loving teens and twenty somethings. That said, the beaches are fantastic and the town’s packed with lively, fun activities for older kids. It’s also the area for good value package holidays, all-inclusive family hotels and larger holiday villages.

• Six kilometres of golden, sandy beaches are the main attraction in Puerto del Carmen. Playa Grand’s great for younger kids and Playa Chica’s the best on Lanzarote for water sports.
• The resort’s busy bars, clubs and tourist restaurants are mainly in and around Las Playas Avenue and Varadero. The historic town harbour’s charming for seafood restaurants and tapas bars.

The southernmost tip of Lanzarote was once only the preserve of more adventurous visitors heading to famous Papagaya or for the ferry to Fuertaventura. Today it’s one of the prettiest resorts on the island and perfect if you want gorgeous beaches, good restaurants and easy access to the dramatic west coast and charming mountain towns and villages.

• Four and five star beachfront resort hotels and a several holiday developments with family self catering villas and apartments.
• The main resort beach Playa Blanca is blue flag.
• Stunning, isolated and paradise Papagaya Beach is a short drive from Playa Blanca.

Lanzarote’s third largest resort was purpose built in the 1970s under the guidance of Cèsar Manrique. It’s lively and family orientated with the island’s only waterpark and five beaches.

• Wide choice of places to stay from budget apartments to large holiday villas and three, four and five star resort hotels.
• The resort’s main beach, Playa Cucharas, has the best windsurfing conditions on Lanzarote.
• Secluded Playa Ancia and Playa Jabillo are good for swimming and Playa Bastian is famous for year-round, sheltered sunbathing.
• Teguise, the ancient capital of Lanzarote, is 15 minutes drive from the resort. This lovely, historic town with its elegant architecture and cobbled streets is well known for its huge Sunday morning market.
• Costa Teguise is 15 minutes drive north of Arrecife and the least sheltered of the island’s resorts: refreshing in summer but not the best choice for winter sun holidays.

Said to be the island’s loveliest village, Haria is 30 minutes drive inland south east of Arrecife. Sitting in the Valley of 1000 Palms against the backdrop of Lanzarote’s highest mountain range, Risco de Famara, it’s famous for lush green gardens, traditional architecture and breathtaking walking and cycling routes.