Information
LANZAROTE TOURIST INFORMATION
Timanfaya National Park
If you plan to visit just one attraction when holidaying on Lanzarote then place this at the top of your list. As the Timanfaya National Park is the spot where massive volcanic eruptions rocked the island back in the 18th century. An event that is relatively recent in geological terms so the eerie landscapes and lava flows here are still pristine and untouched by human hands or erosion. making for a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. Timanfaya is also just a short drive from Playa Blanca and is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00.
Jameos del Agua
The influence of the famous island born artist César Manrique is inescapable on Lanzarote. As he was instrumental in the creation of most of the islands main visitor attractions, as well as many fine examples of kinetic art, such as the wind toys that adorn many of Lanzarote's roundabouts. The Jameos del Agua in the north of the island is arguably his greatest work – due to it´s sheer scale. Here he transformed an enormous collapsed lava tube into an amazing underground space, replete with pools, great gardens and a fantastic concert hall. The Jameos typifies Manrique´s philosophy of fusing art with nature and is open daily from 10.00 to 18.30.
The Green Caves
Located just across the road from the Jameos del Agua the Green Caves form part of the same collapsed lava tunnel. And once provided sanctuary for islanders from the frequent pirate raids experienced throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Unlike the Jameos, the Green Caves remain largely unadorned and in their natural state – aside from the addition of atmospheric lighting. And they are also home to one of Lanzarote´s best kept secrets – explore for yourself to discover it! Open daily from 10.00 to 18.00.
Mirador de Rio
Another Manrique marvel the Mirador del Rio occupies the spot of a former lookout post and naval gun battery, fortified by the Spanish during the 1890´s as they fought their ultimately unsuccessful war against the United States. Manrique initially transformed this into a restaurant – but today it´s main purpose is to provide amazing views of the small neighbouring island of La Graciosa, which is situated some 450metres below. Open daily from 10.00 to 17.45.
César Manrique Foundation
The former home and studio of Cesar Manrique is an amazing feat of architecture as it is built over five interconnecting bubbles in the lava flow that surrounds the village of Tahiche. Today it houses a fine selection of modern art drawn from some of Manrique contemporaries such as Picasso and Pancho Lasso. As well as a gallery showcasing some of his best canvasses. A real must for fans of art and architecture the Foundation is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00.
The Cactus Garden
The Jardin de Cactus was created by Manrique in collaboration with the eminent botanist Estanislao Gonzales Ferrer and is a real celebration of the plant world’s spikiest species. It is housed is a former quarry in the heart of what used to be Lanzarote´s cactus country – once the basis for a flourishing trade in the natural red dye cochineal. There are some 1400 different species here – making it a real pant lovers paradise. Open daily from 10.00 to 17.45.
Other Attractions
There are plenty of other fascinating attractions and places to explore on the island, such as the breathtaking Valley of 1000 Palms, the historic former island capital of Teguise and the Monumento Al Campesino in Mozaga – yet another Manrique creation.
To find out more about the what Lanzarote has to offer visit www.lanzaroteguidebook.com.
Healthcare and Medical Services in Playa Blanca
Travel Insurance
Take out travel insurance cover for all your party as soon as you book your holiday.
EHIC Card
Lanzarote is part o the European Union, you will be covered for basic, public health care treatment with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Apply for a EHIC card for each of your party including children, they are valid for 5 years.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx
Chemists charge between 10% – 60% of the costs of medical prescriptions.
Centro de Salud
If you need to see a doctor or attend a local hospital you will receive what is termed ‘medically necessary’ treatment – i.e. x-rays and stitches, prescriptions, etc.
To see a doctor you will need to visit:
Centro de Salud, Av. del Varadero, Playa Blanca (near the petrol station)
You should take your passport and EHIC card with you and you will need to provide your accommodation address.
The receptionist will ask you to fill out a form giving details such as name, address, etc. You will then either be told to wait to see the doctor or given an appointment to attend later in the day or on a subsequent day.
Lanzarote Public Healthcare
The main hospital on the island is located just on the outskirts of the capital, Arrecife. If you are taken there for treatment, you may be admitted to the accidents and emergencies department.
Staff at the hospital may not speak English, you will need your EHIC card if you are admitted to hospital.
You should also be aware that unless an ambulance has been requested to take you to hospital by a doctor or member of the emergency services, you will incur a charge for this transport.
Private Medical Care
The main hospital is some distance from Playa Blanca therefore many tourists who need to see a doctor prefer to use one of the private surgeries that can be found in the resort for immediate attention.
As these are private clinics you will have to pay to see the doctor as well as for any prescriptions or treatments given to you.
Dental Treatment
Should you need to visit the dentist while on holiday, there are several dental clinics in Playa Blanca which are all private.
Opticians
Mióptica Opticians
Mióptica Opticians Location Map
Reduced Mobility
Please note the villa is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
Holidaymakers who require equipment such as mobility scooters or wheelchairs can arrange to hire them before they arrive, with Island Mobility who will bring the equipment you require to your accommodation.
www.islandmobility.com
Email: info@islandmobility.com
Tel: 0034 696 389 034
General Health Advice
The main precautions tourists should bear in mind while on holiday are the following:
• Apply a high factor lotion regularly and keep sensitive skin covered
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
• Avoid sun bathing during the hottest hours of the day
Marina Rubicon
A short walk along the coastal path from the villa is the up market yacht harbour of Marina Rubicon. Opened in 2003, it is now a well established landmark in the resort and has a number of different attractions that make it worth a visit.
Designed to mimic a Canarian village, the architectural features of the marina include a replica chapel, while the remaining buildings are copies of the colonial styles that can be found in older houses all over the archipelago, with balconies, pan-tiled roofs, thick white washed walls and volcanic stone quoins used for archways and paving.
Sailing
The marina has its own sailing school, RubiSail, so if you have ever wanted to learn how to sail, you can sign up for a course in lightweight sailing, kayaking or windsurfing. There are also courses tailor made for children so if your kids are keen to learn how to navigate and handle a boat, there is the Optimist course, designed for 8 to 14 year olds. One and two seater kayaks are available to hire for the day for anyone over the age of 8 so you could use these to explore the coastline surrounding Playa Blanca. Courses and training are also available.
Sports Activities
In addition to the sailing activities you can get involved in, there is also a tennis court, paddle court and freshwater swimming pool in the marina. So if you fancy a game of tennis, check availability at the harbour office and hire a court. For a small fee you can use the pool and adjacent sun loungers.
Charters and Excursions
As you´d expect in an aquatic environment, there are several excursions and boat trips that run from the marina. Olum Sailing offer the chance to rent out a sailing boat with crew for the day, with a variety of itineraries available
Alternatively, if you only want to get out to sea for the cooling breeze, the Taxi Boat Princesa Yaiza can take you to the beaches at Papagayo and back (Reservations: 0034 928 519 012).
There is also the Sport Fishing charter with Rubicon Sport Fishing for those who´d like to enjoy a day´s fishing for some of the big game fish to be found in the waters surrounding Lanzarote.
http://www.rubiconfishing.com/
Shopping
As a tax free haven, there are various boutique outlets offering leading brands at lower prices than you will find at home. This also includes perfumes and make up, which are similarly tax-free – head to Perfumeria Sabina for these products. For swimwear, visit Lady Russ, which stocks the latest beach fashions for both men and women. There is a Lacoste shop, San Babila Italian clothing outlet and Custo Barcelona for designer gear.
Souvenirs and presents can be found at Think Natural, which has a range of Aloe Vera products, sponges, jewellery and clothing. Arte de Lava stocks paintings, knick-knacks and gifts, as does the shop Butterfly. For jewellery, there is also Joyeria L’Ermitage, which has both brand name items and watches as well as more generic jewelery for sale.
Twice Weekly Market
Every Wednesday and Saturday, there is also a market in the marina. The stalls are set up between the restaurants and shops and cover a range of goods that would make perfect souvenirs or gifts for friends back home. Among the many items on sale are local wines, leather goods, craft items, linen and t-shirts. The market gets underway at 9.00 am and runs until 14.00.
Eating Out
The harbour makes a scenic backdrop for a spot of lunch or an evening meal, with many of the restaurants overlooking the water. There are plenty to choose from so you can have anything from a quick snack and a soft drink to a three course meal depending on your taste and requirements.
For snacks, sandwiches and drinks:
• Afrodite Lounge Bar – an Italian eaterie, offering the usual range of pasta and pizza. They also have a take-away service. Afrodite is located just outside the marina’s central zone, as you head towards the exit.
• La Taberna – this is a Spanish tapas outlet, so if you want to try local cuisine you will find dishes such as garlic prawns and fried calamari on the menu
• Cafe del Mar – Lanzarote has its own version of the famous Ibizan bar, although it is more a drinks venue than a nightclub here.
• Global House – offering a range of sandwiches and breakfasts.
• Lani’s Heladeria – specializing in ice-cream, crepes, milk-shakes and cakes.
• Moulin de Paris – an alternative lunch time spot, with a range of French inspired snacks and dishes. The café is located behind the swimming pool in the marina.
• Lani’s Snack Bar – this outlet offers more in the way of savoury snacks, with pizza, tapas and sandwiches available. The location is right on the water’s edge, so you can gaze out over the yachts in the harbour while you eat.
• Bar One – this is a favourite with many of the locals, from sailors to the staff who work at the marina. Great for lunch time fare, including sandwiches, tapas and salads. Located right behind the marina offices, there is usually a cool breeze coming off the sea here.
For lunch and dinner:
• Restaurante El Mirador – offering modern European cuisine, this restaurant has an extensive menu with warm and cold tapas dishes, snacks, fish and meat mains, desserts and a children’s menu. The location at the edge of the marina means that their outdoor ‘Chill Out’ deck gets the best sundown view back towards Playa Blanca and makes it a lovely place for an early evening drink.
• Casa Roja – situated right in the heart of the marina, this restaurant specializes in fresh fish dishes and tapas. It has a spacious upper terrace giving great views across the marina.
• Lani’s Grill Marina Rubicon – the third of the Lani outlets in the marina, this is the restaurant that offers barbecue fare. Great if you fancy a steak or charcoal grilled chicken. They also have a children’s menu.
• Il Comendatore – a Trattoria style Italian restaurant, with risotto, pasta and pizza on the menu.
• Casa Brigida – this is a Canarian style restaurant specializing in fresh fish. Its location is in the centre of the marina, close to the Café del Mar.
• El Bodegon del Maño – offering a range of Aragornese dishes, this restaurant serves an alternative range of Spanish dishes and home-made desserts.
Nightlife
After dining in the marina you may fancy an after dinner drink. If so, there are a couple of venues you can head to. One is the Cafe del Mar, where the usual soundtrack is ambient, chill out music. Or you can head to the Blue Note Jazz Cafe where there is live music every night. The Blue Note is also a restaurant and bar, so if you prefer you can make it your evening´s destination.
Other Amenities
There is a supermarket, cashpoint and a petrol station.
There is also a car rental outlet.
Should you need to see a doctor there is a medical clinic, Deutsch Klinik, with staff who speak English.
In addition there are two separate excursion operators, so if you wish to book a trip to explore some of the island’s other attractions you can do so here.
Playa Blanca Bus Services
The Playa Blanca Bus services website, available in English, offers full information about services both within the resort and to all points around the island.
Website : www.intercitybuslanzarote.es
Telephone : (0034) 928 811 522
Playa Blanca Bus Station
The main bus station/terminus in Playa Blanca is located on the Avenida Playa Blanca close to the main roundabout at the entrance to the resort from the LZ2.
Buses From Arrecife Airport to Playa Blanca
The number 61 bus from Arrecife Airport to Playa Blanca also stops at Matagorda, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero and Yaiza en route to the resort.
In Playa Blanca the 61 stops at the main bus station Eastacion de Guaguas
The estimated journey time is around 1hr 15 minutes, but that can vary greatly depending on passenger numbers.
The 61 operates from 07.30 until 21.30 on Mondays to Fridays and 08.00 to 20.00 on weekends and festival days. With services running every half an hour.
Buses From Playa Blanca To Other Destinations
You can reach other parts of the island on public buses from Playa Blanca.
You can visit the market in Teguise, one of the most popular weekly visitor attractions on the island. The number 13 bus departs from the main bus station just after 09.00 every Sunday morning, heading towards Teguise, via Arrecife.
The return bus from Teguise leaves at 13.30 make sure you don’t miss it as it is the only direct service back to Playa Blanca. If you do miss the bus take a bus to the central bus station (Eastacion de Guaguas) in Arrecife and catch the number 60 bus back to Playa Blanca.
The number 60 bus from Playa Blanca runs to a number of places of interest, including the marina at Puerto Calero and the picturesque village of Yaiza.
Bus Services In The Resort
There is a bus stop a few hundred meters from the villa.
The number 30 bus runs within Playa Blanca itself and operates daily from 06.30 until 22.00. The service starts at the bus station and stops at most points around Playa Blanca, including the harbour/ferry port and the popular beaches of Playa Dorada and Playa Flamingo.
You can view a full timetable
Playa Blanca Excursions
There are a wealth of things to do if you are staying in Playa Blanca and fancy a break from the pool or the beach. As you´d expect given the resort´s proximity to Fuerteventura there are a number of different options for exploring both the neighbouring island and little Los Lobos (The Wolves in English), the small spit of rock which lies just of its coastline.
The ferry port is the place to head for to browse some of the maritime adventures available to you. Here you´ll also find smaller operators who transport you along the coastline to the beaches of Papagayo or a little further out to sea on a glass bottom boat.
Boat Trips & Excursions
Tourist Ticket
Tourist Ticket are the largest operator of excursions in the resort – they have two offices in the town and you will also find another office in the ferry harbour. They offer a number of tours, including an excursion to Los Lobos which costs from €15 per adult and which allows guests to explore this fascinating little island at their own leisure. As well as a whale watching tour, which is obviously a big hit with kids and which costs from €65 per adult, with concessions for kids.
Their best seller though is the Fuerteventura Grand Tour, which takes in all of the key historic towns and villages on the island as well as the amazing Dunas National Park just outside Corralejo. Prices start from €40 per adult.
How To Book
Online : Visit the Tourist Ticket website at:
Telephone: +34 928 514 322
Offices in Playa Blanca:
FERRY PORT OFFICE
C/ La Lapa, s/n, Caseta muelle bajo 35580 Playa Blanca
OPEN: 08:30-17:30 Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat | 8:30 a 16:30 Thu & Sun
Telephone: +34 928 349 215
LIMONES OFFICE
C/ Limones, 87, bajo 35580 Playa Blanca
OPEN: 10:00-19:00 Mon-Wed & Fri | 10:00 to 16:30 Thu & Sat-Sun
Telephone: +34 928 349 730
MARINA RUBICÓN OFFICE
C/ El Berrugo, nº2, Local 8º Marina Rubicón 35580 Playa Blanca
OPEN: 10:00-18:00 Mon-Sat | 10:00 to 16:30 Thu & Sun
Telephone: +34 928 594 385
Chill Out Cruises
For something a little more exclusive book with Chill Out Cruises. Their beautoofulsixteen metre sailing vessel transports a maximum of 12 passengers along the southern shoreline of Lanzarote, dropping anchor in the bays of Papagayo, where guests can swim, snorkel and paddle surf or simply soak up the sun on deck with a cool drink in hand.
For more information visit:
Yaiza District
Playa Blanca is located within Yaiza, one of five muncipalities on Lanzarote. Whilst most of Lanzarote’s main attractions, such as the Jameos del Agua and the César Manrique Foundation, are located in the North of the island there´s still many attractions to see and do in the district of Yaiza.
Yaiza village
The small village of Yaiza is the administrative capital for the entire municipality of the same name. But it could hardly be described as a throbbing metropolis – on the contrary in fact as this picturesque pueblo has been voted Spain´s Prettiest Village on no less than two occasions.
It certainly conforms to the traditional image of the quintessential Spanish village, with pretty white washed houses and churches predominating, interspersed with colourful flashes of bougainvillea.
Yaiza also boasts a fair bit of history – it is also known locally as The Miracle Village as this is the spot where lava flows from the eruptions at Timanfaya in the 1730´s finally slowed to a halt, after submerging thirteen other hamlets in its fiery path.
Apart from the pretty local church – Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios - the oldest and most impressive local buildings are now home to hotels and restaurants. The Hotel La Salinas for example occupies the beautiful red coloured edifice that is located on the edge of the village as you enter from the north. Pop in for a drink or a meal.
Whilst the La Era restaurant is located within the thick white washed walls of a former farmhouse that was originally built in the 17th century, and was developed into its current incarnation as a showcase of traditional Canarian cuisine by the local artist César Manrique, in conjunction with his close collaborator Luiz Ibañez.
The Centro de Artesania, situated close to the church, is also an interesting spot to explore as it plays host to regular exhibitions of the work of local artists.
La Geria – Wine Country
Wine lovers will adore the unique growing methods and spectacular scenery of the La Geria region. Here local farmers have defied Lanzarote´s windy arid conditions and exceptionally low rainfall to produce good quality wines since the 1700´s, by using the local volcanic chippings known as picon to mulch their vines, whilst protecting them in stone circles, called zocos´, from the elements.
Best of all, the single road that runs through the region is dotted with delightful bodega´s, some offering free samples and the opportunity to pick up a selection of local varieties.
The sweet white grape Malvasia is very popular, but increasingly good quality reds and roses are also flowing off the local production line too. Should you fancy a bite to eat whilst you´re exploring La Geria then we´d recommend dropping into El Chupadero, where you can enjoy good quality tapas and great views of the vineyards.
Femés
The small village of Femés is known locally as El Balcon and is located a few hundred metres above Playa Blanca, which means visitors can drink in some spectacular views of the resort and the southern shoreline.
There´s not that much to do here other than drink in those views – although there are a couple of good restaurants that are worth visiting, especially Casa Emiliano, whilst the sizeable local church is also an impressive example of traditional loal arhcitrcurtre.
El Golfo
If fresh fish is your thing then the small coastal village of El Golfo is a real must see. As here one of the main attractions is the string of fish restaurants that adorn the rugged volcanic coastline.
Once suitably fed and watered you can then take a stroll back along the coast to visit Lanzarote´s famous Green Lagoon, which has provided the cinematic backdrop for a number of major motion pictures, including Pedro Almodovar’s Broken Embraces and the cult sci-fi classic One Million Years BC. Best remembered by some for Raquel Welch´s appearance in an animal skin bikini!
Los Hervidores
Los Hervidores translates as boiling pots in Spanish and a visit to this well weathered stretch of volcanic coastline soon reveals why, as the tide crashes riotously in and hisses out through myriad blow holes and caves.
The ubiquitous César Manrique designed a low impact walkway through the area which really helps to optimise the experience. Whilst local honesty stalls also sell a selection of volcanic olivine, a green semi-precious stone.
Salinas del Janubio
Salt production used to be one of the mainstays of the island economy in centuries past and visitors can still buy and sample this locally produced crystal at the Salinas del Janubio, a much photographed set of brightly coloured salt flats located close to Los Hervidores.
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