In the south of Lanzarote is a small yet very enticing stretch of white sand called Flamingo beach. It lies on the westernmost part of Playa Blanca and is one of the three bays that make up the coastal tourist town. While the artificial lagoon is a little further out than its sister beaches, it’s well worth the trip with its delicate balance of peaceful, natural beauty and modern, well-maintained comfort.
The beautiful day-use beach is for those who prefer sunset dinners over rollicking nightclubs in a much-visited yet uncrowded paradise. Here, your fellow vacationers will likely be young families and tourists looking to relax with spectacular seascapes before them and perfectly fine sand under their feet. If you want to unwind but not be secluded and still have access to modern conveniences, this may be the spot for you.
Why Visit Flamingo Beach
Playa Flamingo is a 200-meter-long stretch of white sand specked with sun loungers and parasols. Well-protected from strong crashing waves, it has two long seawalls built to keep its waters calm and completely safe. Running alongside the beach is a palm-lined promenade hosting a strip of cafes, restaurants, and shops. These features, along with other amenities like showers, disabled access, and lifeguards, make it an excellent place for a family day out or chill walk along the shore. Additionally, it’s a popular spot for watching the sun sink into the vast Atlantic Ocean.
This waterfront destination is very safe, so tourists typically just leave their possessions on the beach bed while enjoying the sea. If you prefer depositing your hand-carries in a secure place, though, you can rent lockers at the supermarket on the right end of Playa Flamingo.
A Beach for Everyone
Hitting the beach with the family creates lifelong fun memories, as long as everyone is happy. Fortunately, Playa Flamingo boasts multigenerational appeal since its calm waters and sandy expanse offer various fun activities. There’s also the convenience of having plenty of dining options within the vicinity.
This beach is perfect for the kids because of its tranquil waters, fine sand, and shallow slope. It is guaranteed to give hours of fun to the little members of the fam and peace of mind to the adults looking after them. Apart from swimming and making sandcastles, taking leisurely walks and lounging out in the sun to unwind while getting that perfect tan are great ways to occupy yourself for the day.
Snorkeling and fish watching are popular, must-try activities on this side of the island. The colorful exotics that call the clear waters of this amazing beach home go near the shore, but you can also slip into the azure and head closer to the jetties for an out-of-body experience.
The knockout sea views of Flamingo beach can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with disabilities, all year round. Its seawater temperature stays above 24° from April onwards, peaking at 28° in December and dipping to 18° by March.
Mirador en Playa Flamingo
At the top of Playa Flamingo cliffs, vacationers will find Mirador en Playa Flamingo. It’s one the best spots in this part of Lanzarote for watching the close of day put a warm orange hue on the waters. Here, you can also observe sailing boats gently glide across the glistening sea and the people below fishing off the rocks.
Other Points of Interests Nearby
Playa Flamingo is an excellent destination not only for its mesmerizing panorama but also because it is nearby other interesting attractions. Whether vacationers are lodged at the accommodations here or planning a day trip to this beach, they can maximize their stay by visiting these popular tourist spots:
Aqualava Waterpark
If you are traveling with kids, a trip to a waterpark is somewhat mandatory. It doesn’t matter if they’ve already spent the entire day in Playa Flamingo, as waterpark fun is hard to match. Luckily, there’s one only a 10-minute walk away from the beach.
Aqualava Waterpark will give the entire family a splashing good time. It offers a range of attractions for various ages, such as a lake with small slides and splash facilities for little kids and thrilling spiral slides for teens and grown-ups. Additionally, there are shops, sunbathing areas, and a snack bar within the park, giving guests, both young and adults, plenty of options to stay entertained.
Montaña Roja
Only a half-hour walk away from Flamingo beach, Montaña Roja is located near Yaiza, Lanzarote. It’s accessible via usual roads, with two car parks near the entrance to the footpath. While conveniently close to other attractions, this extinct volcano is far from being a run-of-the-mill tourist spot with its reddish, lunar-like landscape and crater that visitors can climb down into.
Its 2.9-kilometer loop trail is popular with hikers, runners, and bird-watchers eager to see scenic views of the coast. It takes around 40 minutes for relatively fit and healthy visitors to reach Mount Roja’s summit. The slope is quite steep and has very little shade due to the lack of trees, so best to take plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing, especially during summer. The ideal time to go up this volcano is before daybreak when the air is still cool. This also allows hikers to watch the beautiful canary sun emerge out of the Atlantic. Once at the top, tourists can walk around the crater and admire unobstructed views of the island’s southern tip.
Kikoland
Another must-visit for families with little kids, Kikoland is a children’s park based in Princesa Yaiza Hotel Resort, around a half-hour walk or 5-minute car drive away from Flamingo beach. It has various age-appropriate casas under the supervision of the animation team, all designed and equipped with their target guests in mind. For instance, Casa Kiko is for children 3 to 5 years old and is suited with swings, a swimming pool, and a handicraft area. On the other hand, 9 to 12-year-olds can enjoy games and sports activities in Gremlyn, as well as try Kayaking or banana boating.
Dining Options
As it is in most touristy areas in the canary islands, the gastronomy scene in Playa Flamingo is heavily based on a mix of Spanish and local cuisine, but there are international options as well. Vacationers can choose from a range of simple, easy-to-eat food for beach picnics to enjoy to something sophisticated for date nights. Here are options from a relatively wide variety of restaurants around the captivating bay:
Restaurante La Bahia
La Bahia has become one of the most preferred dining options in and around Playa Flamingo for multiple reasons. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant, serving delicious dishes from different continents and countries. Additionally, the staff is extremely polite, highly professional, and great with kids.
The boards in La Bahia show Italian food, but their Chinese and Thai set menus are the hottest plates from this restaurant. Some of its other popular dishes include fish croquettes, smoked salmon, spaghetti bolognese, mixed paella, grilled fillet steak, crispy sea bass in tropical sauce, veggie pizza, chicken curry, and garlic prawns.
Besides the lips-smacking good food, La Bahia’s lovely location provides stunning views of the beach that can instantly lift the mood. There’s no doubt that this restaurant offers the best waterfront dining in Playa Flamingo. Plus, there’s free wi-fi.
Casa Joaquin
When tourists pass by Casa Joaquin, they think pleasant ambiance and great view of the beach. Yes, those descriptions are correct, but it’s not the best part of this restaurant. The burgers here are hands down the best in Playa Flamingo.
Each variant passes the visual test—thick patties, dripping with sauce, the right toppings, and a cute little bucket of fries on the side. Most importantly, they taste heavenly, most especially flamingo burger and chicken power burger! The huge juicy patties, along with the other ingredients, give off an explosion of flavor at first bite. If you add the fantastic sea views, the experience is just too good to pass up.
Sebastyan’s Greek Gourmet
If you suddenly find yourself craving for some exquisite Greek flavors while vacationing in Playa Flamingo, give in to your desire and head straight to Sebastyan’s, which is only a 19-minute walk away. It offers sumptuous food along with a breathtaking coastal panorama, a relaxing atmosphere, and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore. You cannot go with that combo!
Whether it’s an after-swim drink, a Mediterranean lunch, or a romantic dinner for two, Sebastyan’s will give a delightful dining experience. The dishes you must try when in this restaurant are kleftiko (lamb leg roasted in tomato sauce and mint), hummus, soutzoukakia (meatballs in spicy sauce), thai prawns (with almonds and coconut in sweet-spicy red curry sauce), spanakopita (phyllo dough stuffed with spinach and feta cheese), and lamb leg roll (in rosemary and honey sauce).
How to Reach Flamingo Beach
The drive or taxi ride from the island capital Arrecife to Playa Flamingotakes less than 50 minutes without any stops via LZ-2. Note that often taxis are unwilling to take tourists all the way to the south of Lanzarote as it’s difficult to get passengers on their way back.
If you are traveling on a strict budget, you can also reach Flamingo beach by public bus followed by a few minutes of leg work or taxi ride. Bus lines 60 and 06 run from the airport to Playa Blanca, while bus line 13 connects Playa Blanca to Teguise Market and back. Once you reach Playa Blanca, head southwest on Av. de las Canarias to C. los Calamares, take the 1st exit onto Calle Av. Archipiélago at the roundabout, then turn left at C. Gran Canaria to reach the beach or the nearest parking lot. Some also choose to take the boardwalk from C. Mlle. de Playa Blanca to the Playa Flamingo promenade.
Must-Visit When in Lanzarote
Playa Flamingo is one of the must-visit places when in Lanzarote. This white sand beach is a perfect spot for relaxation and getting to know what the south of the island has to offer. Its breakwaters protect it from strong currents, keeping the waters calm so the little ones can safely play on the shallow shore. The well-maintained beach has showers, several restaurants and cafes, and ample parking nearby. Additionally, it is accessible via public transportation and is within walking distance of various other tourist attractions.
