During our family trip to Lanzarote, we quickly discovered just how many beaches the island has to offer. From picture-perfect bays that look like they belong in a travel brochure to family-friendly beaches and rugged stretches of coastline that are better suited for exploring than swimming.
Not every beach in Lanzarote is ideal for families. Some aren’t suitable for swimming at all, while others are beautiful but not places we would personally recommend for young children. Fortunately, there are also plenty of beaches that are perfect for a relaxed day by the sea. That variety is actually one of the things we loved most about Lanzarote.
In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite beaches in Lanzarote with kids.
Mini Guide:
Lanzarote
Best Time to Visit
Thanks to its mild climate, Lanzarote is a great destination year-round.
Where to stay
Hipotels La Geria: A relaxed family-friendly hotel right by the beach.
Casa Los Olivos: A beautiful finca with a garden and private pool.
Finca De Arrieta: Unique eco-friendly accommodations, fun for families.
Before You Go
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Skip ahead to your favorite part
- The Best Beaches in Lanzarote With Kids
- Playa de Papagayo: The Most Beautiful Beach in Lanzarote
- Playa Dorada: Easy and Family-Friendly
- Playa Flamingo: Small and Easy to Explore
- Famara Beach: A Rugged Beach With Waves and Surfers
- Playa Chica: Small, Calm and Easy to Supervise
- Caleton Blanco: White Sand Surrounded by Black Lava
- Punta Mujeres: Swimming in Natural Sea Pools
- Unique Coastal Spots in Lanzarote
- The Best Beaches on La Graciosa
- Practical Tips for Visiting Beaches in Lanzarote With Kids
- Frequently Asked Questions About Beaches in Lanzarote With Kids
- More Inspiration for Your Lanzarote Family Vacation
The Best Beaches in Lanzarote With Kids
Below you’ll find our favorite beaches in Lanzarote, along with a few beaches we didn’t visit ourselves but came across repeatedly while planning our trip. These spots are either known for being family-friendly or simply too beautiful to leave off this list.
Playa de Papagayo: The Most Beautiful Beach in Lanzarote
A sheltered bay with soft sand and turquoise water. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote and also one of the best beaches for families, largely because the water is often calm and shallow. The moment you arrive, it’s easy to understand why Playa de Papagayo is so popular. The bay is tucked away between volcanic cliffs, and the water is incredibly clear.
Getting there requires a drive along a bumpy dirt road. It’s a bit of an adventure, but it also helps keep the area feeling less crowded than you might expect.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Calm and easy to supervise
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Usually calm
- ⭐ Experience: The most beautiful beach in Lanzarote
- 👥 Crowds: Popular, but visitors spread out across the bay
- 🚗 Access: Final section via an unpaved road
- 🍴 Facilities: Restaurant overlooking the beach
Good to Know
- Entrance to the nature reserve costs approximately €3 per car
- There are no sunbeds or umbrellas on the beach
- Natural shade is very limited
- Bring water and snacks
Playa Dorada: Easy and Family-Friendly
Playa Dorada is one of the most accessible beaches in Lanzarote, located right in the heart of Playa Blanca. Everything is within walking distance, making it an easy choice for families. The beach is sheltered, which means the water is usually calm and suitable for children.
We didn’t visit Playa Dorada ourselves, but it is frequently mentioned as one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a relaxed beach day with plenty of facilities nearby.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, calm and easy to supervise
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Usually calm
- ⭐ Experience: Less rugged, but comfortable and convenient
- 👥 Crowds: Can get busy
- 🚗 Access: Very easy
- 🍴 Facilities: Restaurants, restrooms and sunbed rentals
Good to Know
- Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent
- Plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby
- Easy to combine with a walk through Playa Blanca
Playa Flamingo: Small and Easy to Explore
Playa Flamingo is a smaller beach in Playa Blanca that feels a little quieter and more manageable than Playa Dorada. It’s especially popular with families traveling with younger children, as everything is close by and the water is usually calm.
Although we didn’t visit this beach ourselves, it is often recommended as one of the best beaches in Lanzarote for families.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, especially for younger children
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Usually calm and sheltered
- ⭐ Experience: Relaxed and easy-going
- 👥 Crowds: Can be busy, but feels more intimate than larger beaches
- 🚗 Access: Easy to reach
- 🍴 Facilities: Restaurants and amenities nearby
Good to Know
- Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent
- Plenty of restaurants within walking distance
- Easy to combine with a stay in Playa Blanca
Famara Beach: A Rugged Beach With Waves and Surfers
Famara Beach feels completely different from the beaches in southern Lanzarote. There are no sheltered bays here, just a wide stretch of sand, rolling waves, strong winds and a rugged coastline.
This isn’t necessarily the place to go for a calm swim. Instead, it’s perfect for a walk along the beach, watching the surfers and taking some incredible photos. Kids can run after the waves, play in the sand and spend hours watching surfers head out into the ocean.
For us, this was one of the most beautiful places we visited during our trip to Lanzarote, and our daughters had a great time here.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, but be careful in the water
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Often rough, with strong currents
- ⭐ Experience: Wild, open and completely different from southern Lanzarote
- 👥 Crowds: Usually not too busy
- 🚗 Access: Easy to reach
- 🍴 Facilities: Restaurants in the village
Good to Know
- Only swim close to the shoreline
- It is often windier here than elsewhere on the island
- Bring an extra layer or a towel
- Easy to combine with lunch in the village
Playa Chica: Small, Calm and Easy to Supervise
Playa Chica is a small beach in Puerto del Carmen that feels particularly family-friendly because of its size. We visited later in the day and immediately noticed how calm the water was.
The surrounding rocks help protect the bay from larger waves, making the sea much calmer than at many other beaches on Lanzarote. In our opinion, this makes it a great option for families with younger children.
The beach itself isn’t very large, but that’s also part of its appeal. It’s easy to keep an eye on your children and everything feels close by.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, including for younger children
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Calm, with rocks helping to break the waves
- ⭐ Experience: Small and easy to oversee
- 👥 Crowds: Can fill up quickly because of its size and location
- 🚗 Access: Easy to reach
- 🍴 Facilities: Restaurants and cafés nearby
Good to Know
- This small beach can get crowded, especially during peak season
- Water shoes can be useful because of the rocks
- Easy to combine with a visit to Puerto del Carmen
Caleton Blanco: White Sand Surrounded by Black Lava
Caletón Blanco is one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Lanzarote. What immediately stands out is the contrast between the white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water and the black lava rocks scattered along the shoreline.
The lava formations create sheltered pools in some areas, where the water is often calmer. During low tide and on days with little wind, these natural pools can be especially enjoyable for families with children.
We didn’t visit Caletón Blanco ourselves, but it is widely known as a peaceful and accessible beach that offers a completely different feel from many of Lanzarote’s other beaches.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, especially in calm conditions
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Shallow and often calm, with sheltered areas
- ⭐ Experience: Stunning color contrasts and unique scenery
- 👥 Crowds: Usually quieter than Lanzarote’s most famous beaches
- 🚗 Access: Easy to reach
- 🍴 Facilities: Very limited
Good to Know
- There are few to no facilities, so bring your own food and drinks
- Natural shade is limited
- At high tide, some of the sheltered swimming areas disappear
Punta Mujeres: Swimming in Natural Sea Pools
Punta Mujeres isn’t a traditional beach. Instead, it’s a charming coastal village where you can move from one natural sea pool to another along the shoreline. These pools were formed by volcanic lava rock and fill with seawater as the tide comes in. During low tide, many of them become calm and sheltered, creating ideal spots for a refreshing swim.
We visited during high tide, and the water was much rougher than we expected. At that moment, it felt less suitable for young children. The difference between low and high tide is significant here, so timing your visit makes a big difference.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, especially at low tide
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Calm at low tide, rougher at high tide
- ⭐ Experience: Playful and very different from a traditional beach
- 👥 Crowds: Usually quiet
- 🚗 Access: Easy, with parking available in the village
- 🍴 Facilities: A few cafés and restaurants nearby
Good to Know
- Check the tide schedule before visiting. Low tide is usually the best time to go
- This is not a sandy beach
- Water shoes are highly recommended
- Swimming is less enjoyable during high tide
- Easy to combine with a short walk through the village
Unique Coastal Spots in Lanzarote
Not every coastal location in Lanzarote is a place where you’ll want to swim. Some are simply fascinating to see and definitely worth a stop during your road trip around the island.
El Lago Verde (Playa de los Ciclos): A Green Lagoon Surrounded by Black Lava
This isn’t a beach for swimming, but it is one of the most unique places on Lanzarote. El Lago Verde is located inside an old volcanic crater right next to the ocean. Within the crater lies a striking green lagoon that contrasts beautifully with the black volcanic sand and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean behind it.
For children, it’s especially fun because it looks unlike anything they’ve seen before. They can run across the black sand, watch the waves crash against the shore and wonder how the water can possibly be that bright green.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, but mainly for sightseeing
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Not suitable for swimming
- ⭐ Experience: Unique and unlike anywhere else on the island
- 👥 Crowds: Surprisingly quiet when we visited
- 🚗 Access: Easy to reach, followed by a short walk
- 🍴 Facilities: Simple cafés and restaurants near the parking area
Good to Know
- Swimming is not allowed
- A short walk leads to the main viewpoint
- It can be quite windy
- Easy to combine with other attractions in southern Lanzarote
The Best Beaches on La Graciosa
If you have some extra time during your Lanzarote vacation, a day trip to La Graciosa is highly recommended. This small island feels completely different from Lanzarote, with sandy roads, very little development and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands.
One thing to keep in mind: you won’t be able to see everything in a single day. Especially when traveling with children, it’s worth choosing a few highlights rather than trying to visit every corner of the island.
Playa de las Conchas: Wild and Spectacular
Without a doubt, this was our favorite beach on La Graciosa. It’s wide, rugged and offers stunning views of the uninhabited island of Montaña Clara.
That said, this is not a beach where we would recommend swimming with children. The waves are often powerful and the currents can be strong.
Getting there can also be challenging, especially by bike. Still, the views alone make the journey worthwhile.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: No, best enjoyed as a sightseeing stop
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Rough, with strong waves and currents
- ⭐ Experience: One of the most impressive places on the island
- 👥 Crowds: Usually quiet
- 🚲 Access: Difficult, especially by bike
- 🍴 Facilities: None
Good to Know
- Swimming is not recommended
- Bring plenty of water and snacks
- Reaching the beach requires some effort, especially with children
Playa Francesa: Easy to Reach and Relaxed
Playa Francesa is located relatively close to Caleta de Sebo, making it one of the most accessible beaches on La Graciosa.
The water here is often calm, making it a pleasant place to swim or relax with children.
We didn’t visit this beach ourselves, but it is frequently recommended as one of the best beaches on La Graciosa for families.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Usually calm
- ⭐ Experience: Relaxed and easy to visit
- 🚶 Access: Easily reached from the village
- 🍴 Facilities: None
Good to Know
- A great option for a shorter day trip
- Bring your own food and drinks
- There is very little shade
Playa La Cocina: Small and Sheltered
Playa La Cocina is a smaller beach, but that’s part of its appeal. Located at the foot of Montaña Amarilla, it offers a sheltered setting that is popular for swimming and snorkeling.
We didn’t visit this beach ourselves either, but it is often mentioned as one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots on La Graciosa.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Usually calm and sheltered
- ⭐ Experience: Quiet and somewhat secluded
- 🚶 Access: Only accessible on foot or by 4×4
- 🍴 Facilities: None
Good to Know
- Not easily reached by bicycle
- Bring plenty of water
- Usually quieter than many of the island’s other beaches
Caleta de Sebo: A Small Beach in the Village
Right next to the village, you’ll find a small beach with shallow and calm water. It’s a great spot for families with young children, especially if you still have some time before your ferry back to Lanzarote.
What makes this beach special is the setting. Whitewashed houses, sandy streets and fishing boats create a charming backdrop. It may not be the most spectacular beach on the island, but it’s certainly one of the easiest and most convenient.
What to Expect
- 👶 Family-Friendly: Yes, especially for younger children
- 🌊 Water Conditions: Shallow and calm
- ⭐ Experience: Small but full of character
- 🚶 Access: Located directly in the village
- 🍴 Facilities: Restaurants and cafés nearby
Good to Know
- Perfect as a final stop before catching the ferry
- Not the island’s most impressive beach, but very practical
- A nice place to relax for a short break
Practical Tips for Visiting Beaches in Lanzarote With Kids
Planning to visit several beaches during your family trip to Lanzarote? There are a few things worth knowing before you go. Water temperatures, ocean currents, shade and accessibility can vary quite a bit from one beach to another.
These tips will help you make the most of your beach days in Lanzarote.
Sea Temperature and Swimming Throughout the Year
The Atlantic Ocean around Lanzarote stays relatively cool year-round. That said, swimming is possible during most months, although the water can feel a little chilly when you first get in.
- January to March: Cool water temperatures. Swimming is possible, but not everyone will find it comfortable
- April to May: Pleasant enough for swimming, though still on the cooler side. We visited during this period and happily spent time in the ocean
- June to October: The best months for swimming. The water feels noticeably warmer and more comfortable
- November to December: The sea starts cooling down again, but swimming is still possible on warmer days
➜ Our Experience: We visited in late April and early May and had no problem swimming in the ocean. Many swimming pools, however, were still quite cold.
Pay Attention to Waves and Currents
Not every beach in Lanzarote is suitable for swimming, especially with children.
- Beaches along the north coast and west coast, such as Famara, are often rougher
- Sheltered beaches like Playa de Papagayo and Playa Dorada usually have calmer water
- Always pay attention to warning flags and local safety advice
➜ If you’re unsure about the conditions, stay close to shore or choose a sheltered bay.
Many Beaches Have Little Shade
A lot of Lanzarote’s beaches offer very little natural shade.
- Bring a beach umbrella or sun shelter
- Hats, UV-protective swimwear and sunscreen are highly recommended
- This is especially important when visiting with children
Bring Your Own Food and Drinks
Not every beach has restaurants or facilities nearby.
- Places like Playa de Papagayo, Caletón Blanco and many beaches on La Graciosa have limited services
- Always carry enough water and snacks, especially on warmer days
Renting a Car Makes Everything Easier
Many of Lanzarote’s most beautiful beaches are spread across the island and can be difficult to reach without a car.
A rental car gives you the freedom to combine several beaches in one day and explore at your own pace.
➜ Compare prices with DiscoverCars, Booking.com and Sunny Cars.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beaches in Lanzarote With Kids
Yes, but not at every beach. For families, we recommend choosing sheltered beaches such as Playa de Papagayo, Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo, where the water is usually calmer.
If swimming is your main goal, beaches like Famara are generally less suitable for young children because of the stronger waves and currents.
Yes, but not at every beach. For families, we recommend choosing sheltered beaches such as Playa de Papagayo, Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo, where the water is usually calmer.
The ocean around Lanzarote is never truly warm, but swimming is possible throughout much of the year.
Winter: Cool
Spring: Comfortable for many visitors
Summer: Warmest and most pleasant
Fall: Still suitable for swimming
The best months for swimming in Lanzarote are generally June through October.
Yes, but mainly in sheltered bays. Good examples include: Papagayo, Playa Flamingo & Playa Dorada.
Completely wave-free beaches are rare, but these locations are usually much calmer than the island’s more exposed beaches.
Yes, in most cases a rental car is highly recommended. Many of Lanzarote’s most beautiful beaches are spread across the island and can be difficult to reach by public transportation. Having your own car makes it much easier to explore multiple beaches during your trip.
More Inspiration for Your Lanzarote Family Vacation
Ready for a break from the beach? Lanzarote has much more to offer than just its coastline. From charming villages to unique volcanic landscapes, there’s plenty to explore beyond the island’s beaches.
➜ Lanzarote With Kids: 9 Best Things to Do for Families.
➜ Discover the Most Beautiful Villages in Lanzarote.
➜ Read Our Tips for La Graciosa, the Best Day Trip From Lanzarote.
Plan Your Lanzarote Family Vacation
Where to Stay in Lanzarote
➜ Discover the best family-friendly accommodations in Lanzarote
Rent a Car in Lanzarote
➜ Compare prices with DiscoverCars, Booking.com and Sunny Cars
Best Tours and Activities in Lanzarote
➜ Browse the best tours, excursions and activities in Lanzarote
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