When you think of islands in Spain, it’s probably places like sun-drenched Mallorca or party hub Ibiza that come to mind. They rank among the country’s top vacation hotspots, and they’re indeed epic sunny getaways, but it’s no secret you need to up your budget when heading there.
Between the whopping average hotel rate of $428, and Palma-bound tourists’ estimated daily expenses of $90 on meals alone, they’re not exactly easy on the wallet—and you know, Spain is supposed to give you good bang for your buck.
Well, it turns out that if you’re hoping for $3 beer, golden sands that are not exclusively to beach club frequenters, and beachfront hotels that won’t cost an arm and a leg, maybe you’ve simply been looking in all the wrong places:
An Unspoiled Paradise In The Canaries
Tucked away in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago lying off the coast of West Africa, Lanzarote is a small island, roughly 37 miles long and 16 miles wide, characterized by its epic volcanic landscapes, paradisiacal beaches, and laid-back coastal towns.
It’s also yet to be discovered by most Americans, though Brits and Germans have been let in on the secret a long, long time ago—but hey, it’s never too late to join the party, and trust us, once you see these prices, you’ll be booking the next flight out in no time.
According to a recent study conducted by Aquacard, a U.K.-based credit card provider, Lanzarote is the fifth most affordable summer destination in Europe this year, and in Spain specifically, it ranks as the cheapest island to visit.
Let’s break down their finds:
How Cheap Is Lanzarote?
Based on Aquacard’s extensive research on the topic, tourists will spend on average $1,175 a week in accommodation in Lanzarote (for 2 people).
That’s only $587.50 per person, or around $83 per night. Additionally, the calculated price of low-cost meals stands at only $11.88, a pint of beer at $2.82, and the round-trip fares (from mainland Europe) are an economical $204.
Sounds enticing enough, but how accurate is this estimate, or could it even be a lot cheaper? After all, if you’re visiting Spain in the fall, you can expect the summer prices to drop significantly.
What About Hotels?
The main resort town in Lanzarote is the lively Puerto del Carmen, featuring a long sandy beach, a thriving nightlife scene, and plenty of bars and restaurants to pick from.
In early September, there are apartments with access to a shared pool (Apartamentos Tisalaya) for only $99 for 2 adults, or a mere $49.50 each. If you’re the resort type, the 4-star Bakour Lanzarote Splash, with its water park and deluxe villas, will set you back $67.50 as a traveling couple.
Over in Playa Blanca, the more laid-back, family-friendly alternative to a bustling Puerto del Carmen, there is a Palmeras Garden with prices for a one-bedroom apartment with terrace starting from $150 ($75 per adult).
Even the much-more luxurious Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, with its winding pools, backed by palm trees and beautiful pavillions, will run you up an acceptable $114.50 per adult, per night.
Those on a more limited budget will be thrilled to learn that, in Arrecife, Lanzarote’s less-touristy capital, private rooms in guesthouses (Hostal San Ginés or Residencia Cardona), rooms range from $76–$84.
Food Is Incredibly Cheap, Too
There’s a Lanzarote for every budget, but considering we’re focusing on low-cost travel, perhaps you’d like to know what are some of the best inexpensive eateries on the island.
If you’re based in Playa Banca, La Tapita is a tried-and-true tapas spot serving Canarian tapas (these typically include wrinkled potatoes and grilled octopus), with menu prices starting at around $4.40.
For a full meal, we’d suggest you head to Plaice in the Sun (yep, that’s the spelling), which caters primarily to British tourists craving pub fare and fish & chips away from home, but trust us, they serve a mean steak burger ($9.80).
Out in Las Caletas, a beach lover’s paradise part of the equally-trendy Costa Teguise, menus del día with fresh seafood are priced around $10.90–$16.35 (check out El Fondeadero), and we know Arrecife is all but an entry point into Lanzarote for many, but the local food is truly unrivaled.
Malecón Restaurante & Copas, on the marina, specializes in authentic Canarian dishes and it offers great value ($13–$18), and in case you’re in fancy of some pizza, La Rústica is a popular takeout spot with ‘pizza of the day’ deals for $6–$8.
Getting To Lanzarote For Cheap
The last category relevant to us is flights, and boy, oh boy, are they a great bargain.
Yes, Lanzarote is quite far away, hundreds of miles from mainland Spain, and in fact closer to Africa than the European continent, but a wide range of budget carriers offer year-round services.
If you happen to pass through any of these cities on your European trip, we’d strongly suggest you check round-trip fares going to Arrecife in Lanzarote (ACE), as they’re usually less expensive than commuting within certain countries:
- From Dublin, Ireland, Ryanair has deals from $145 return between September 1–10
- From Düsseldorf, Germany, Condor has an average round-trip fare of $69 through September 2
- From Hamburg, Germany, the same airline operates nonstop flights for approximately. $92 return
- From London (Stansted), England, Ryanair has fares as cheap as $38 in the fall
- From Manchester, England, the Irish low-cost airline offers tickets from, again, as low as $38 return
So yeah, Aquacard’s $204 average is already pretty decent for a Canary Island getaway, but you can usually find it for much cheaper when booking in advance, and from select European airports where these airlines operate.
Heading to Spain this fall? Have a look at this other offbeat, equally incredible Spanish destination that won’t break the bank.
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.
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