When we arrived at our seafront hideaway in the quiet fishing village of Punta Mujeres, we had the sublime sense that we'd landed plum on our feet. This was the real Lanzarote, a world away from the big resorts elsewhere on the island. And the feeling continued as we visited their other properties, both coastal and inland, dotted around the northerly tip of the island. These are fabulously characterful and varied rentals, including a romantic one-bedroom Arrieta Hideaway, with ancient wooden beams and a candlelit bathtub.
Other choices include a gorgeous yurt sleeping a family of four, with al fresco living areas and a plunge pool (in Tabayesco); and three whitewashed villas with a shared pool (in Punta Mujeres), a short walk from the beach. The owners also run a handful of beach apartments further down the coast in Costa Teguise and Arrecife, as well as two enormous supervillas, also in Tabayesco. But most of all, we loved our own seafront apartment, right on the shimmering water's edge, with views to make your heart skip.
This coast of Lanzarote is wonderfully tranquil, with small boats bobbing just off shore, and a handful of excellent cafés, bars and restaurants. It's only a short drive up to the astounding viewpoint of El Mirador del Río, or north to Orzola for boats to the sleepy satellite isle of La Graciosa. Some of the rentals come with a courtesy hybrid car, and all have English-speaking managers on hand for advice and adventure.
Highs
- Wonderful locations, great facilities and soul-feeding views in a tranquil, unspoilt corner of Lanzarote
- Most houses have beaches and restaurants within walking distance
- The varying sizes, from one to four bedrooms, make them suitable for everyone: couples, groups of friends and families
- Great value, especially if you stay for a week or more
- The locally-based British managers offer great info and services, including meal deliveries, babysitting and farmers' grocery boxes
Lows
- Don't expect five-star luxury: the houses are all comfortable but some have quirks (e.g. Arrieta Hideaway has an external shower; plus a bathtub indoors)
- A surcharge applies if booking less than seven nights
Best time to go
Lanzarote has a warm climate year-round, reaching highs of around 25-30C in August, and around 17-25C in January. Rainfall is infrequent. According to locals, the best time to visit is between September and December, as the weather is most settled then. It’s a wonderful place to escape winter cold in northern Europe.
Our top tips
Don’t miss a visit to the incredible end-of-the-world viewpoint El Mirador del Río, a short drive away. From nearby Orzola, take a half-hour ferry ride across periwinkle-blue sea to La Graciosa, a car-free island with some fantastic fish restaurants. It's also well worth going wine-tasting in La Geria region, between here and the island's extraordinary volcanic park.
- Villas & Apartments
- 7 rentals for 2-8
- Self-catering (restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The properties vary widely, but the majority - including those in Punta Mujeres and Arrieta - share a rustic Canarian style brought up-to-date in a pleasingly simple way. Expect white walls, tiled or wooden floors, patches of exposed volcanic stone, and plenty of space. Some have four-poster beds while others feature free-standing bathtubs with views. We loved the quirky local touches, such as weathered canoes converted into wine racks or bookshelves, and the pebble-lined showers.
The two Seafront Apartments and the Arrieta Hideaway are bang on the water's edge, with dreamy panoramas from their bedrooms and sitting rooms. All three are romantic choices for couples, or would suit small families.
The three whitewashed Punta Mujeres villas fan out around a shared solar-heated pool. Each has lovely indoor and outdoor dining areas and a great kitchen; the medium villa is an end-of-terrace, so carries a premium. They're a short walk from the beach and, sleeping 4-8 (plus baby cots), they are ideal for families or groups of friends travelling together.
Features include:
- Microwave
- WiFi
Eating
All properties have spacious open-plan kitchens: the bigger the villa or apartment, the better the kitchen. A welcome basket includes coffee, tea bags and UHT milk, as well as a bottle of drinking water (tap water is not drinkable on the island). Before arrival you’ll be able to place orders for a farmers' grocery box, shopping and various other services. Almost all properties have a BBQ as well.
Local villages have small supermarkets for self-caterers. However, the Punta Mujeres-Arrieta area is home to some surprisingly good restaurants. We loved La Piscina, a small tapas place with great seafood, fresh fish and views out to sea; and family-run El Lago restaurant. There are some cool bars along Garita Beach, too. An information pack in your rental recommends others, both local and across the island.
Features include:
- Microwave
- Restaurants nearby
- Basic ingredients
Activities
- Pretty sandy beaches line the northerly coast, along with several natural swimming pools
- Before arrival you can book various activities, such as walking tours across the island and in-villa massages or yoga
- You’re within a short drive of many incredible sights, including El Mirador del Río, the ferry for the island of La Graciosa, and several lava-formed caves
- In-villa information packs also provide many other recommendations including walking tours in Parque Nacional de Timanfaya in the west of the island, submarine boat tours, watersports including SUP and surfing, wine tasting in the island bodegas, and more
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Golf
- Hiking
- Nightlife
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Wine tasting
Kids
Most rentals are superbly suited to families. All have a full kitchen and indoor and outdoor dining tables, and there are lots of bathrooms and space so families can spread out in comfort. Beaches and restaurants are generally within walking distance from the Arrieta Hideaway and the Villa, and the latter shares a pool.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
The Punta Mujeres Large Villa sleeps up to 8, and shares a pool, so it's a great choice for big families or smaller groups holidaying together. Baby gates and cots can be provided. The village of Punta Mujeres has several sea-water bathing pools (protected by breakwaters) and it's 2km to the sandy beach of La Garita.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
On request
Kids Activities nearby:
Close to beaches. Local activities include lava caves, watersports and glass-bottomed submarines.
Families Should Know:
No pools are gated
Distances:
- Arrecife Airport: approx. 30km from Punta Mujeres, Arrieta and Tabayesco
- Shops: 5 mins' walk (Punta Mujeres & Arrieta rentals) / 5 mins' drive (Tabayesco rentals)
- Arrecife Hospital: approx. 30km from Punta Mujeres, Arrieta and Tabayesco
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Most of the Lanzarote Hideaways are in or around the fishing village of Arrieta, in the lesser-trodden north of the island.
> See all properties on a Google map
By Air:
Fly into Arrecife (30km), Lanzarote's only airport, in the island's capital.
From the Airport
Most guests self-drive. You can take a taxi or catch the bus but a car is essential if you want to tour the island. Most guests will need to hire one but those staying in the following properties receive complimentary exclusive use of a Toyota Hybrid car: Seafront Hideaways 1 and 2.
Detailed directions to your villa will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Lanzarote Arrecife 30.0 km ACE
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km