Beach holidays are consistently the preferred vacation style for Britons; the Canary Islands are among the most visited on the continent.
Gran Canaria and Tenerife usually steal the spotlight. Still, Lanzarote presents a unique holiday experience with its striking volcanic landscapes and stunning beaches – one of which has been hailed as the best on the island.
A steadily warm climate, with temperatures that stretch into the mid 20s during the colder months, makes Playa de Papagayo even more impressive. The top-rated beach has a prime location in the Los Ajaches Natural Park.
It features white sand, turquoise waters, and a protected cove environment to shelter it from the wind.
According to Met Office forecasts, the dreary British winter is a worthy reason to book a trip to Lanzarote, with average highs of 21.5C in February and 22.9C in March.
Tripadvisor members who have visited Playa de Papagayo at this time of year advise: “If you are exploring the island of Lanzarote, make sure you make a point of visiting this beach.”
They continued: “It is beautiful, and you can enjoy a fun desert drive to get to it. There are a couple of bars and restaurants there, too, if you fancy a drink or bite to eat.”
Another holidaymaker chimed: “Best beach on the island. Lots of waves, beautiful sand, along with awesome views. Can not say a single bad word. Already miss it.”
A third remarked: “Fabulous beach for snorkelling and sunbathing. Beautiful cove and view. Stay for the sunset. Little Rock pool. Caves. And secluded beach you can swim to.”
One woman described the beach as “breathtakingly beautiful”, noting that it was very clean and had “crystal clear water”.
Reviews of the beach suggest it can get very crowded in the peak summer months – June, July, and August – though many Tripadvisor recommendations still praise Papagayo for its beautiful scenery, snorkelling, and swimming opportunities.
However, it’s somewhat secluded, so tourists are advised to bring their own refreshments.
Papagayo isn’t just about basking on the beach. The surrounding area has hiking trails that offer stunning views of Lanzarote’s unique volcanic landscapes.
Just a short drive away, the charming town of Playa Blanca invites visitors to explore its quaint shops and savour delicious cuisine at local eateries.
Getting to Papagayo Beach is very easy by car. If you drive through Playa Blanca in the south, you’ll reach the end of the buildings and a sign saying “Playas de Papagayo”, leading to a dirt track. Just 4.5km from the sign, you’ll find the Papagayo Beach car park.
This is a very bumpy road, so it is advisable to drive slowly and carefully, but it should be easily accessible with almost any car. The beach itself is located in the Ajaches Natural Park and requires a three Euro (£2.50) fee to enter.
Lanzarote is easily accessible from the UK and is served by nonstop flights from numerous airports. It takes approximately four hours to reach this sun-soaked destination.
According to Skyscanner, return direct flights in February from London start from £49. From Bristol they start from £54 and from Birmingham, £57. Glasgow flights start from £59.
March is the cheapest month with direct flights from Liverpool costing £16, £18 from London, £25 from Birmingham and £26 from Glasgow.
