Almost two years ago now in late March 2024, we headed to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for our first holiday as a family of four. Lanzarote is sunny all year round so after a long winter some sunshine was needed. We found cheap mid-morning flights – great times with a 3-and-a-half-year-old toddler and 4-month-old baby – and a lovely Air BnB near Playa Blanca that had a shared pool.
Aside from the many beaches dotted around the island, there are several playgrounds and lots of fun things to do with little ones with nothing being more an hour away.
Romy and I enjoyed two fun walks, both being around an hour or so. We hiked to, around and in a volcanic crater – Caldera de Los Cuervos – and on another day climbed Montana Raja for gorgeous views of the coastline.
We enjoyed the bus ride through the otherworldly Timanfaya National Park – a barren landscape dotted with volcanic craters. Entrance fee to the park includes the tourist bus and it’s not permissible to drive around in your own car.
There’s some super scenic driving around the island and we enjoyed visiting the Jardin de Cactus while Romy and I also walked through a cave – Cueva de los Verdes. This was an awesome experience for us both!
If you’re looking for something rather unique, you can go on a submarine ride. Romy was confused at first that we were going under water but wouldn’t be getting wet but once that unease passed, she really enjoyed seeing the handful of fish. I was probably expecting a few more fish and if it was just me I would have perhaps been slightly disappointed but with Romy it was an awesome experience and something different and fun.
As you would expect, we visited several beaches, swimming at Playa Flamingo and building sandcastles on Playa del Jablillo and Playa Blanca. There was little shade at most spots so with Maggie being very young, visits were never too long.
And of course, no holiday would be complete without visiting several local playgrounds and enjoying a daily ice cream. There are few things that make Romy as happy!
