Why you should make Lanzarote your winter sun destination

If the January blues are setting in and you need some winter sun… read on! 

I should also add, just before we get into it – if you’re planning a summer trip just swap all mentions of winter to summer as this destination is perfect for both as Lanzarote gets on average about 15 days of rain a year. So it’s a little more tropical than the UK for a start…

In mid December, ahead of the Christmas rush and desperate for some sunshine, I flew off to Lanzarote with Jet2Holidays on a girly trip with my sister.

Getting there

With an average temperature of 22 degrees, it makes for a balmy winter trip and these temperatures comfortably rise if you’re visiting in spring/summer too. Only 4 hours from the UK, it’s an easy short haul flight with Jet2. Just remember your SPF as the breeze might fool you into thinking it’s cooler. 

Whether you’ve been to Lanzarote before, or you’re new to the Spanish islands, it’s worth taking a look at what Canary Islands Jet2Holidays packages are available.

Where we stayed

Melia Salinas with Jet2Holidays

Meliá Salinas, located in the resort town of Costa Teguise, oozes luxury. The gardens and pool area of the flagship Meliá hotel on the island were designed by César Manrique (he’s quite a big deal in Lanzarote – keep reading to find out more) it’s really unique, with interesting artistic features, like the garden in the centre of the hotel and the huge lagoon pool with nods to the volcanic beginnings of the island.

Booking with Jet2Holidays you get a generous 22kg baggage allowance each and transfers included, so no stress getting to your hotel and dropping off your bags. As we were staying for 4 nights, we just took the one case between us – knowing that we’d be wearing each other’s clothes. Classic sister situation! In all honesty, I’m so used to packing hand luggage for a week long trip that it seemed a task to fill up a case -The main perk has to be full sized toiletries!

Costa Teguise as an area offered plenty restaurants, cafes and bars when we wanted to explore further from the hotel. Meliá Salinas is actually right beside Playa de las Cucharas (where I took the sunset photo in this post) and the beach bar, that’s part of the hotel is a great spot for an evening drink.

If you’re wondering, Costa Teguise was about a half hour transfer from Arrecife airport, so felt really quick getting from the plane, through security and to lounging by the pool.

Why visit Lanzarote?

It’s one of the quieter Canary Islands with a population of just under 150,000 and yes, tourism might hike up in the summer, but if you time your winter sun trip right you’ll possibly be able to get the beach to yourself  for a moment. I know we certainly did at El Golfo and it was lovely to take a moment to watch the waves roll in against the black sand.

See the works of Cesar Manrique, a Spanish artist, architect and activist who had a huge impact on the island. Sustainable tourism ideas were introduced before the concept as we know it today really came into existence. Advertising billboards were banned, phone cables are laid underground to avoid distracting from the landscape and everything fit within Manrique’s mantra of Arte-Naturaleza, Naturaleza-Arte” (Art-Nature, Nature-Art) integrating what is manmade with nature. Visiting Lanzarote it’s striking how you’ll notice this, subconsciously at first – the white painted houses are aesthetically pleasing, but it goes deeper than that – doors and window shutters are painted specific accent colours. 

There’s something for everyone, whether you choose to go paragliding, or you want to visit a cave formed by a volcanic lava tube over 3,000 years ago (would recommend a visit to Cueva de los Verdes) or enjoy relaxing by the pool/sea.

If you try one dish when you visit Lanzarote, make it the Canarian potatoes or ‘papas arrugadas’ in Spanish. One day we had them as a side for lunch and dinner and I regret nothing. The mojo sauce they serve the potatoes with is delicious. Also makes a nice paella side dish, if you like a good carby meal like me.

What to do and see in Lanzarote

Look at: The scenery! Volcanoes, dramatic cliffs and some glorious beaches. It’s everything you need for a long weekend away to relax, or a full week of sunshine and time to yourself. The volcanic landscapes at Timanfaya National Park could be mistaken for Mars, rather than an island off the coast of West Africa. To visit here you’ll need to book an excursion, or take a hire car and hop on the bus as only coaches are allowed to drive the route of the craters.

Visit:

So aside from Timanfaya National Park, as I trust that’s on your list already. Here’s another 3 that you can’t miss on your trip to Lanzarote:

Jardin de Cactus, Guatiza is a must visit if you’re fond of a succulent. You can even sample a cactus burger in the cafe if you feel that way inclined.

Cuevas de los Verdes & Jameos del Agua (these two are within a short distance of each other, so if you hire a car – which I would recommend – you can easily do both in an afternoon. If you don’t have a licence or don’t feel comfortable driving, there are plenty excursions you can book which will take you across to various tourist spots.

I’ll do another post with a full breakdown of our itinerary (also because I have SO many more photos I want to share, so look out for that!)

Tempted…?

Take a look at Jet2 Flights to Lanzarote here.

Have you been to Lanzarote? Let me know about your favourite places to visit for winter sun.

Our hotel, flights and transfers were gifted on behalf of Jet2 for this trip. Thanks so much! We paid for our excursions/activities and food/drink during the trip and all photos are my own. Please ask before using them.