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The Canaries are a chain of seven Spanish owned islands situated just off the coast of West Africa. A location that makes them very popular with tourists as they enjoy warm weather, loads of sunshine and very little rainfall all year round. This wonderful weather has helped the Canaries to become the second most visited holiday destination in Spain. With over 1.5 million tourists enjoying their holidays in Lanzarote – the fourth largest of the islands – over the course of last year alone.

So lets have a look and see why winter holidays in Lanzarote are so popular and choosing one of the Lanzarote villas and apartments that the island offers is fast becoming the popular self catering accommodation accommodation choice amongst holiday makers.

Lanzarote has a unique character and charm. And is much drier, more arid and barren than the other seven islands. Thanks to the fact that it experiences very little in the way of rainfall and boasts a volcanic terrain created by years of violent eruptions during the 1730?s.

Today this region of the island occupies about a quarter of Lanzarote?s total land mass. And is a hugely popular visitor attraction, known locally as The Fire Mountains or Timanfaya. Where visitors can view a lunar like landscape that has served as a backdrop for a number of science fiction films and most recently the latest release from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, Broken Embraces. Which stars Penelope Cruz and which was shot on location around the island.

There are plenty of places to stay on the island. With visitors able to choose from a large selection of Lanzarote villas, hotels and apartments. The bulk of which are located in the main resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. Whilst rural tourism has also started to grow in popularity over the last few years.

Lanzarote offers more than just sunshine and volcanoes alone though. There are over ninety beaches for visitors to explore. The best of which can be found in traditional coastal villages such as Playa Quemada, Famara, Orzola and Arrieta – which all remain largely unspoiled. Whilst each resort boasts a good selection of beaches too – although many of these are man made, created by using sand from the nearby Sahara desert.

Many tourists visiting Lanzarote for the first time are surprised to encounter so much in the way of things to do and see. As the island boasts an abundance of cultural attractions – with no less than twelve fascinating museums. Such as the Museum of International and Contemporary Art in Arrecife. Along with plenty of picturesque towns and villages, such as Haria and Teguise, the first settlement ever established by the Spanish in the Canaries in the early 1400?s.

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The popular holiday island of Lanzarote in the Canaries is home to three main resorts. As well as the emerging marina of Puerto Calero – where visitors will find two upmarket hotels and an abundance of expensive yachts and craft from around the world.

Each of these resorts has a unique identity and offers a number of different attractions. Whilst also offering plenty of accommodation options – with a variety of Lanzarote villas, apartments and hotels available for visitors to stay in.

So where can you find some of the best holiday hotspots that have an excellent selection of holiday villas in Lanzarote to rent.

Puerto del Carmen

Formerly known as La Ti?osa Puerto del Carmen emerged to become Lanzarote?s leading resort during the package holiday boom years of the 1970?s. And is still the most popular destination on the island today.The resort boasts a large number of apartment complexes – reflecting its position as the best spot for a booking a budget holiday. But there are also plenty of decent hotels and villas in Puerto del Carmen for rent too.

The island government has recently spent over €16 million sprucing up Carmen’s image in order to maintain its competiveness against newer destinations around the world. So there’s never been a better time to visit.

Holiday Villas In Costa Teguise

Situated towards the northern end of the island Costa Teguise is just a short hop away from Arrecife airport. And started life as Lanzarote?s upmarket resort. Designed to attract moneyed Scandinavian and German tourists during the early boom years of the 1970?s.

The resort was developed under the aegis of C?sar Manrique – who created the central hub of the Pueblo Marinero and had a hand in the design of the Gran Melia Salinas Hotel. And is also home to some great beaches. However Costa Teguise?s popularity has waned a little over the last decade thanks to the fact that Playa Blanca in the south has emerged as real rival for visitor numbers.

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca was the last of the main resorts on the island to be developed during the 1990?s. And has quickly emerged to become the second most popular destination on the island – thanks to a winning combination of great beaches and fantastic weather. As well as a fine range of hotels and holiday villas.

The resort is dominated by a sea front promenade that unites the three main beaches of Playa Dorada, Playa Flamingo and Playa Blanca (from which the resort takes its name). Whilst the striking set of bays and coves of Papagayo are around a twenty minute walk from the town centre.

It may lie just 70 miles off the coast of West Africa, but the small Canary Island of Lanzarote is Spanish owned. And has long been a hot favourite with British and Irish tourists – who accounted for over one million visitors last year – attracted by a delightful year round climate, good quality holiday accommodation and the island’s unique volcanic scenery.

Flights to Lanzarote depart on a regular basis from most European countries, and once you arrive there are some fantastic villas in Lanzarote for you to stay in or you could choose a hotel or apartment depending on your preference.

Lanzarote is just four hours flying time from the UK – making it the closest winter sun destination to Britain and Eire. And it’s serviced by numerous low cost flight operators, such as Monarch, easy Jet and Thomas Cook. Making it possible to book flights to Lanzarote from around £200 per person – depending of course on the time of year.

Despite the number of tourists visiting the island there is only one international airport on Lanzarote – and it’s named after the nearby island capital of Arrecife. Although locals refer to it as Gaucimeta. Thanks to its central location and the small size of the island transfer times to the three main resorts are very quick, averaging out at only 20 minutes.

The majority of visitors to the island arrive on package holidays. So they are usually transferred to their resort on board coaches provided by their tour operators. But Lanzarote is also very popular with independent tourists who like to make their own travel arrangements. And they rely on either taxis or hire cars to get them to their resort accommodation.

Hiring a car in Lanzarote is surprisingly cheap in relation to many other holiday destinations around the world. It’s possible to rent a basic class C vehicle for as little as €20 per day, whilst petrol is also much more affordable than in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

Around 40% of all visitors book hotels in Lanzarote, which are of a high standard, particularly in the island’s newest resort of Playa Blanca in the south of the island. There all establishments built over the last 10 years are of a four star standard and above.

Puerto del Carmen is the spot to head for for those planning to book apartments in Lanzarote, as the island’s oldest resort has the highest concentration of apartment complexes of any destination on the island.

Lanzarote also offers holiday makers plenty to do. The island boasts lots of natural beauty – such as the Valley of 1000 Palms and the famous Green Lagoon at El Golfo. Along with some incredible man made attractions – such as the Mirador del Rio and the Cesar Manrique Foundation. Which was constructed by the island bon artist of the same name from five underground bubbles in the lava flow. And which is – by some distance – the most unique property in lanzarote.

For more great travel articles visit the vacations and world travel blog.

NB: See our Lanzarote Gallery for outstanding Lanzarote Prints and Posters.