Best family-friendly hotels in Lanzarote, chosen by an expert

Lanzarote has long been a hotspot for family holidays, and it's easy to see why: year-round sunny weather, safe and sandy beaches, a slew of family-friendly resorts and activities, plus accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes.

Well-established hotels in resorts such as Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are set up for families, and you’ll find a range of activities offered by waterparks, theme parks and kids’ clubs.

Lanzarote is also a great place for family adventure as the island is very easy to drive around and car hire is inexpensive. Children will love exploring the volcanic landscape of the Timanfaya National Park and delight in catching the ferry to nearby La Graciosa or Fuerteventura for the day.

For the best overall hotels, best cheap hotels and best luxury hotels in Lanzarote, see our other guides.

Ross Clarke

At a glance

Playa Blanca

Situated beachfront with far-reaching views across the Atlantic towards Fuerteventura, the Princesa Yaiza Resort is somewhat legendary in these parts. Even though it’s one of the larger properties – the size of about eight football pitches – it has beautiful Canarian architecture details, including pretty wooden balconies. Royal Kids Suites come kitted out with nightlights, bottle warmers, themed kids’ rooms and more.

Outdoor facilities include the large Captain Park with its swimming pools, amphitheatre live shows, sports courts, soft play and a creche for the tiniest of tots, aged four months to three years old. Plenty of food and drink options are available in the resort but kids will likely make a beeline for the Gelateria for ice cream, freshly cooked crepes and other sweet treats.

Address: Av. de Papagayo, 22, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £406

Read more: The best beaches in Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen

Hipotels is known across Spain for its family-friendly accommodation and facilities, and this property in popular Puerto del Carmen lives up to the reputation. It faces Playa de los Pocillos, a clean golden sand beach offering plenty of opportunities for playtime and watersports.

In the hotel, you’ll find the Hipiclub, a kids’ club catering for four to 12-year-olds, offering a mix of activities, games and crafts daily, all supervised by the in-house children’s entertainment team. Different board options are available, although families may wish to opt for the all-inclusive to cut down on unexpected food and drink costs. For adults, there’s a small spa centre and gym, and special packages for golfers looking to take in a balmy 18 holes at either Costa Teguise Golf or Lanzarote Golf course.

Address: C. Júpiter, 5, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £103

Read more: The best things to do in Tenerife’s Costa Adeje, from sunbathing to whale watching

Matagorda – Puerto del Carmen

This beachfront hotel is as you’d expect from the Sol by Melia brand: slick, stylish and comfortable. For starters, there are four swimming pools and direct access to Matagorda beach to idle away the days. Plus there’s a kids’ club with a programme of interactive workshops and games, while outdoors, children can enjoy the adventure playground.

There is a range of spacious family rooms, which come with a full-sized fridge. Adults can chill out with yoga and dance classes, or a trip to the on-site beauty salon.

Address: C. Grama, 2, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £156

Read more: The crowd-free island getaway that won’t break the bank this summer

Costa Teguise

Children of all ages will love H10 Suites in the popular resort of Costa Teguise. There are three different clubs for children, from babies of six months all the way up to eight years old. There are nonstop activities, with themed days, mini discos, pizza-making, zip-lining and more. Outside kids will find their very own pirate ship with slides leading into one of two large swimming pools.

There’s tennis, archery and aerobics, volleyball and even Spanish classes for parents wanting to learn a new skill. A mix of accommodation is available here, from family suites and bungalows, to stylish apartments complete with bunk beds for kids.

Address: Av. de las Islas Canarias, 13, 35508 Costa Teguise, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £149

Read more: Why the Canary Islands should be your next holiday destination

Playa Blanca

This pretty, low-slung resort with six outdoor pools, located just 10 minutes from the pleasant Playa Flamingo sands, is set up for families. There’s a jam-packed itinerary of activities for children every day thanks to the brand’s Pepeland club and facilities. The suites and junior suites at Elba Lanzarote are more like mini bungalows, with private terraces for making the most of the sunshine. Cots, bottle warmers and baby baths are available.

A handy shuttle bus will take you to nearby Playa Dorada – and, most importantly, back again when little legs get weary.

Address: Av. Faro Pechiguera, 1, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £154

Read more: The best hotels in Tenerife

Playa Blanca

Any hotel with “castle” in its name is already guaranteed to be a winner for those with kids, and the Gran Castillo Tagoro certainly leans into the fairytale concept. Besides the fortress-like main building, there is Castleland which tells the stories of dragons, knights, princesses and more via playgrounds, splash parks, games rooms and an enormous dragon slide into one of the many swimming pools in the resort.

Half-board and all-inclusive options are available depending on tastes and budgets, as are various room types, although the Kids’ Adventure rooms are the best option for younger children with a themed bedroom for them and a chilled-out one for parents.

Address: C. Playa de Afre, 2, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £162

Read more: The best beaches in Spain

Playa Blanca

If there are water babies among your tribe, then they’ll be in their element at this five-star resort. Dreams has nine pools and its own waterpark for slipping, sliding and splashing under the Canarian sunshine. Kids’ clubs cater for those between four and 17 with a cool, chill-out space for the older ones complete with board games and table football.

All of the 447 rooms and suites are spacious, but for something a bit special, opt for the “Preferred Club” family Ocean View Room. It’s sleek and stylish with an ample walk-in shower. You also get access to the exclusive pools, pillow menus, a turndown service and entry to the private club lounge where you can enjoy breakfast and snacks all day.

Parents will want to book in for a blissful Timanfaya Ritual in the spa, which includes a volcanic lava scrub, wrap and aloe vera hydration treatment.

Address: C. Playa de Afre, 2, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £153

Read more: The best things to do in Gran Canaria

Playa Blanca

There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained at this seafront hotel in Playa Blanca. The big advantage of the Flamingo Beach resort is that all rooms are apartments complete with kitchenettes – ideal for pleasing picky eaters – but the board basis is all-inclusive, meaning your meals at any of the three restaurants are included, offering the best of both worlds.

There are three pools here with slides and a splash park, plus a kids’ club with activities throughout the day and evening. Swimming lessons are also available for those aged four and up.

Address: Avenida de Canarias, S/N, 35580 Playa Blanca, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: From £91

Read more: The winter sun holiday island that offers an otherworldly adventure

Las Palmas

A sports resort, Club La Santa has been welcoming everyone from top athletes to active holidaymakers for decades. Beside the three Olympic-size swimming pools, running tracks, multi-use courts and training suites, there are options for kids to play tennis, padel and football, and to surf. There’s also an adventure playground, trampoline park and a dedicated children’s pool – and equipment for kids is included free of charge.

Apartments are clean, spacious and some come with impressive sea views.

Address: Avenida Krogager, s/n, 35560 Tinajo, Las Palmas, Spain

Price: Contact hotel

Read more: My child has additional learning needs — this is how we travelled on our first holiday abroad

The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert Canary Islands travel writer, Ross Clarke, who used to live in Gran Canaria and has been travelling to the Canary Islands for many years. When picking which places to include, Ross considered his own experience staying in the hotels and evaluated location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.

When is the best time to visit Lanzarote?

Holidaymakers travelling with children will be all too familiar with the often eye-watering price hikes faced by families during the main school holidays. Consider travelling during February, May or October half-term to dodge the highest prices. In February, visitors can expect an average daily temperature of 18C, while May and October see daily averages of 21C and 23C respectively. Children might struggle with soaring temperatures across the Mediterranean during high summer, making spring and autumn a great alternative.

Which areas are the nicest parts of Lanzarote?

Lanzarote has a great blend of beach resorts, scenic rural escapes and charming villages. Playa Blanca on the south coast is home to some of the island's best beaches, including Papagayo and Playa Dorada, and is a great option for families and couples. Costa Teguise is flat (ideal for little legs and buggies) with a long sandy beach, popular with windsurfers and active travellers and home to some good-value hotels. Seeking a culture fix? Try Teguise, the old capital, which is packed with whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets and a Sunday market. In the northern highlands of Haría, expect a more authentic side of Lanzarote, plus plenty of hiking options. This makes it a good choice for active and families with older children.

What is Lanzarote famous for?

Lanzarote is most famous for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, picturesque beaches and year-round pleasant weather. Timanfaya National Park is home to otherworldly lava fields and craters, and resembles a lunar landscape that’s ripe for exploration. Golden and black sand beaches with crystal clear waters are ideal for watersports or simply lazing and frolicking in the waves. Lanzarote is also a popular diving spot, with reefs, shipwrecks and even an underwater sculpture museum to discover.

Much of the island has a less commercial feel than many of its neighbours, in part thanks to celebrated local artist and architect César Manrique. See his work, blending nature and architecture, at the cactus garden, Jameos del Agua, and viewpoint, Mirador del Río.