Papagayo, the beach of a thousand and one sunsets.

Many travellers who come to Lanzarote do so because of its beaches.

They come especially because of the idyllic photos of the beaches of Papagayo in the southern part of the island.

However, upon arrival, they find something that they never imagined: they discover scenery much nicer than that shown the postcards, where the blue sea shines like a precious jewel and the golden sand invites you to come close.

Crystal-clear water, sea breezes, salt-scented air, peace and nature welcome you when you arrive here.

Without a doubt, Papagayo’s beaches are the crown jewel of Lanzarote.

We’d like to show them to you.

Come with us on a journey through the most emblematic beaches in Lanzarote’s south. You’ll find impossible to resist, and will be buying your plane ticket before you finish reading this post.

How to get to Papagayo's beaches?

Papagayo is like the saying “all roads lead to Rome”.

Well, in Lanzarote, all roads end at Papagayo.

Located in the island’s south, they’re just minutes by car from the Playa Blanca tourist destination.

You have various options for getting there, but the most common one by car. This way, you can move from one cove to another faster than on foot.

Papagayo is located inside the Los Ajaches Natural Park, so the first thing you’ll see after passing the checkpoint is an arid area that seems to be endless.

Don’t let this discourage you; at the end of the road you’ll find a shoreline that won’t disappoint you.

Things to keep in mind:

When you get to the checkpoint, you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of €3 per vehicle. This will allow you to enter the protected area and move from one beach to another during the entire day.

Travelling on the dirt road could be a bit uncomfortable, but it provides an added value to the experience. We assure you that it’s worth the trouble.

You are now in the protected natural area, so please be mindful of the environment, stay on the established paths and don’t litter. Each car park has areas provided for dumping any rubbish you might happen to have.

And, of course, bring along a swimsuit, sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes and clothing if you’d like to walk around and explore this location. In addition, if you’d like to spend the entire day here, you can bring your own food or enjoy lunch with views at one of two beach restaurants located there.

What to see and do at Papagayo?

I could tell you that you shouldn’t do a thing once you get to Papagayo; just kick back and enjoy the calm.

However, if you are not one of those people who lie on the beach all day long, this area of Lanzarote offers you various options to spend a day and enjoy it to the fullest.

Even though this area has visitors throughout the year, you’ll discover that its coves are not overcrowded and that you’ll always find a spot to put down a beach towel.

There are beaches to suit all tastes: big beaches with large areas; beaches that are quiet and hidden; family-oriented beaches, nudist beaches, and there is even a small camp ground that opens during the summer and certain other days.

However, they all have something in common: turquoise-blue water and tranquillity.

A lot of tranquillity.

Playa Mujeres beach:

The first beach we find when we arrive by car is also the beach with the best access if you’d like to come by foot. Just follow the path that starts at Las Coloradas beach in Playa Blanca and walk for about 15 minutes.

When you get close, you’ll see a big area of golden sand at your feet that stretches to the sea.

It tends to be visited frequently by families, but its large are gives it a mellow vibe, and there’s plenty of room for you to comfortably find your own space.

Playa de Papagayo beach:

It’s the most famous and photographed of these beaches.

And it’s no wonder.

This small, crescent-shaped cove is protected from trade winds and inclement weather from the sea by two natural breakwaters on the coast and a hillock in its interior that create a calm space that is full of life.

Swimming in its crystal-clear water is a luxury experience for all senses as it teeming with life. Small fish come to greet you just steps from the shore. If you bring along diving goggles, you can enjoy snorkelling along the entire bay.

Two small beach restaurants, where you can eat or enjoy a cool drink while watching the sunset top off the most idyllic beach in Lanzarote.

In between these two beaches there are several other little coves of various sizes, but all with a lot of charm:

Playa de la Cera beach:

It’s the closest beach to Papagayo and one of the best alternatives on the days when Papagayo is crowded with people.

Two minutes by foot from the car park, its access has been improved, so the walk is rather easy.

Playa del Pozo beach:

There’s no parking nearby, so the quickest way to get to this spot is to leave you car at the Papagayo beach car park.

Since it is a bit more remote, you’ll find a big and quite empty beach, just perfect for spending the whole day.

Bring along some food, water and, if you can, a beach umbrella; you won’t need anything else to have your own spot in paradise.

On this beach, you’ll also find the remains of an archaeological site; it’s where the first explorers, who came to the island in 1402, landed.

Caleton del Cobre and Caleton de San Marcial:

Don’t be fooled by their names; these are two small coves are located between Del Pozo and Las Mujeres beaches.

The best way to reach them is by following the coastline from Las Mujeres at low tide. Pass through a rocky area and you’ll reach the first cove. If you continue along the shore, you’ll reach the second.

You can also reach them through the inland paths that start from the car park at Las Mujeres.

These coves are perfect for disconnecting completely and kicking back in a space that will be almost exclusively yours.

Puerto Muelas and Caleta del Congrio:

These two beaches are located to the east of Papagayo. They are perfect for visiting on a hot day as they tend to be cooler due to being less protected from the wind.

Several years ago these beaches were used exclusively by fans of nudism, but now they are mixed-use, making them perfect for a very relaxed day on the beach.

Puerto Muelas is also the beach closest to the camp ground, so keep this in mind when visiting, especially during the summer.

As you can see, Papagayo’s beaches have plenty of special spots and spaces that you could never have imagined.

If you are going to visit, don’t forget your photo camera, a must-have if you’d like to capture the marvellous colours of the sunsets.

In the sand or in the water, let yourself be seduced by the charms of Papagayo and its thousand-and-one sunsets.

This article has been written with all the love we feel for Lanzarote. We hope that you enjoy your visit to Papagayo as mush as we have enjoyed writing this article.