This Beautiful & Unspoiled Island In Spain Wants More Americans To Visit

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When you think Spain, it’s probably Barcelona’s soaring Sagrada Família that comes to mind, or perhaps Madrid’s bustling Gran Vía, or Mallorca’s turquoise calas that come to mind, but we have all seen how things to go down in those tourist hotspots once locals get fed up with Americans.

From the usual ‘Go Home’ graffiti, to water pistol antics, los guiris are fair game.

Spain goes head-to-head with France for the title of World’s Most Visited Country, and as much as we don’t condone the hostile anti-tourist approach, we can understand how Spaniards would be pushed to an extreme when their cities have now become barely livable.

That’s because most visitors who touch down in the Iberian country always go to the same 3 or 4 destinations, while completely ignoring everything else Spain has to offer:

One of those unsung destinations that is not only uncrowded, but actively begging for Americans to come, is the Canary Island of Lanzarote:

One Of Spain’s Last Truly Unspoiled Islands

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago off the coast of West Africa known for their volcanic nature, year-round warmer temperatures, and distinct culture. It is, after all, located closer to the nether continent than Europe, proper.

We’re sure you’ve heard of Gran Canaria, or maybe Tenerife: those are the Canaries’ two main hubs, and they’re not immune to overtourism, either. In fact, islanders have even staged mass anti-gentrification protests for at least two summers in a row in an attempt to discourage more tourists from coming.

What most people fail to realize is that, around 123 nautical miles from Gran Canaria, there is a lesser-known Canarian treasure that’s yet to be ruined by the masses.

About 1/5 the size of Rhode Island, the smallest U.S. state, Lanzarote may be tiny, but as is customary in this sun-drenched archipelago, it is packed full of beaches, coastal towns where time seems to slow to a standstill, and natural wonders.

Lanzarote Is Calling On Americans To Visit In 2026

Recently, Lanzarote officials participated in the USTOA Annual Conference & Marketplace, a gathering of Tourism and hospitality leaders, with the sole aim of promoting the offbeat island in the American market.

All this industry talk is incredibly boring, we know, but read between the lines here: if they didn’t want more U.S. travelers to come, why would they even bother participating?

As a recent study by MMGY Global and Turespaña found, a whopping 7 out of 10 Americans plan to visit Spain in the next 3 years. Although a majority of them will be flocking to Barcelona or Costa Del Sol—big yawn—but on the flipside, there’s plenty of room for Lanzarote to grow.

If you’re coming to Lanzarote, however, you should know it’s not your typical Spanish island getaway. In short, you won’t find Playa de las Americas’ week-round nightlife, nor Mallorca’s resort-dominated beaches.

Not The Spain You Know

It’s primarily known for its volcanic landscapes and rugged nature: think jagged peaks surrounded by Mars-like craters, lava-formed pools fed by an agitated Atlantic, and sheltered beaches backed not by palm trees and verdant jungles, but imposing coastal cliffs.

The tour de force here is Timanfaya, a national park filled with otherworldly landscapes, and the home of the Mountains of Fire, a string of active lava fields. By the way, if you can’t resist an unusual dining experience, make sure you book a table at El Diablo, the restaurant in the heart of the park.

Whether it’s the papas arrugadas (wrinkled Canarian potatoes), their chorizo with fried peppers, or the chicken croquettes, all the main courses are cooked over the natural geothermal heat rising from the nearby rocks. How insanely cool??

Volcano-grilled dishes aren’t as expensive as you might think, either: expect to pay around €16–€22 for a half-chicken.

Beautiful Uncrowded Beaches

Other than its scenic volcanic hinterland, Lanzarote boasts roughly 132 miles of coast, most of which is undiscovered by Spain’s usual hordes.

From golden to volcanic-black to pebbly beaches, its calm coves hugged by an azure Atlantic expose Southern Mallorca’s jam-packed calas for the tourist trap they are. In case you’re wondering, some of our favorite swimming spots include:

• Playa Papagayo: known for its golden sands and calm water—not that different from Gran Canarian beaches, actually
• Playa Dorada: equally-sandy, one of the busiest but also best-equipped on the island, backed by laid-back beach bars and eateries
• Playa de Famara: quieter, wilder, and best known for surfing and watersports. We wouldn’t recommend you come here unless you know your way around an unpredictable sea
• Quemada: one of Lanzarote’s many darker-sand beaches, originating from volcanic activity—it’s also right next to the quaint fishing village of Quemada (Casa Tino probably has the best seafood paella you’ll try in your life)
• Playa del Risco: a virtually-deserted stretch of sand, offering crystal-clear waters and a true remote island feel

Right now, it’s a surprisingly pleasant 68–72 °F in Lanzarote. As we pointed out earlier, the island is located closer to Africa than Europe, per se, and when those Saharan heatwaves hit, even in the dead of winter, there’s no mild Atlantic climate that can withstand it.

It will get progressively warmer as we head into spring (72–77 °F), and in summer/fall, even-higher temps are expected (79–84 °F). Needless to say, you’ll barely ever register the passing of the seasons in a permanently summery Lanzarote.

One Minor Issue: This Is Not The Mediterranean

Now, the temperature of the water itself may be a problem for some.

You see, personally, I’m a Southern European child through and through, and I can’t be dealing with sea temperatures colder than 77 °F. That’s the main reason why I typically avoid Portuguese beaches, as they face the freezing North Atlantic.

Lanzarote is no exception: regardless of season, the warmest the water gets is an average 67 °F (72 °F if you’re particularly lucky), so don’t go jumping straight in there thinking it’s a Caribbean-like embrace that awaits you, or you might be in for a chilly surprise.

That said, it’s been noted that the water in Playa Papagayo is slightly warmer than the more exposed northern and western beaches of Lanzarote.

Where To Stay In Lanzarote

The best place to be based while exploring Lanzarote is its small but lively capital, Arrecife. It has a unique mix of history, culture, and oceanfront allure that you seldom get in the overly commercial resort towns.

Castillo de San Gabriel is a small fortress sitting on a tiny islet linked to the Lanzarote mainland by a bridge, and over in the town’s accompanying Castillo de San José, you’ll find impressive interiors designed by none other than Lanzarote’s own César Manrique.

He’s the guy behind the island’s architectural character. You know, the low-rise, white buildings etched onto small coastal cliffs. Anyway, we digress.

It’s probably a good time to mention Lanzarote is significantly more affordable than Spain’s mainstream destinations: this spring, you can find cheap stays in Arrecife (and satellite villages) from as low as $43-a-night (per adult), while meals in inexpensive restaurants range from $10.64 to $23.63.

In sum, Lanzarote is perfect for travelers looking to unwind and escape the drunken lads of Tenerife / Gran Canaria, nature lovers, who could spend hours on end exploring remote landscapes and untouched beaches, and those keen on relaxation first and foremost.

Driving end-to-end will take you around an hour only, so over a long weekend, there’s plenty of time to hit the main sights, check out an ash pit vineyard or two (wine and chocolate tastings at La Geria start from only $28), and indulge in the underrated food scene.

How To Get To Lanzarote

You can get to Lanzarote by ferry from Gran Canaria, by flying in from the larger Canarian islands, or by flying directly to Lanzarote Airport (ACE).

The local airport, albeit tiny, is well-served by numerous low-cost European carriers all year, from hubs such as London-Luton (LTN), Milan-Malpensa (MXP), and even Amsterdam-Schiphol (AMS), with tickets sometimes starting from as cheap as $90:

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.