El Golfo, Lanzarote: Holiday Guide for British Travellers
Provincia de Las Palmas · Canary Islands · Spain · 500 residents · on the coast
El Golfo is a tiny coastal settlement of around 500 people on Lanzarote, sitting practically at sea level on the island's western side. Its great draw is location: Timanfaya National Park lies about 4 miles away, and the beach at Playa del Cochino is a similar distance. The climate is remarkably steady, with daytime highs from 22°C in February to 29°C in August and very little rain at any time of year. Lanzarote Airport, which has direct flights from the United Kingdom, is roughly 14 miles away, around 20 minutes by car. For British travellers drawn to volcanic landscapes, nature and a quiet base rather than a big resort, El Golfo makes a compelling case.
Why go
- Timanfaya National Park, the island's volcanic national park, lies only about 4 miles from the village.
- Year-round warmth, with highs between 22°C and 29°C and barely any rain from July to September.
- Lanzarote Airport has direct UK flights and is just a 20-minute drive away.
Top sights in El Golfo
Volcanic Landscapes and a Nearby Beach
The headline sight is Timanfaya National Park, a national park around 4 miles from El Golfo and by some distance the most notable place in the area. It suits travellers who come for nature and a bit of adventure, and it is the main reason many people base themselves on this side of Lanzarote.
Closer still, about 3.5 miles away, is Playa del Cochino, a beach that works well for families wanting a simpler day by the sea.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page, where you will find a selection of activities to compare.
1national park
Playa del Cochino
beach · 4 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in El Golfo
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around El Golfo can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in El Golfo
A Small, Quiet Coastal Base
With only around 500 residents, El Golfo is a small coastal village rather than a resort town, so expect a quiet stay focused on the sea and the surrounding landscape. There is no old town versus seafront divide here; the whole place sits on the coast at barely 2 metres above sea level.
If you prefer more going on in the evenings, the much larger Puerto del Carmen is about 11 miles away and could serve as an alternative base. Live hotel prices for El Golfo and the surrounding area are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach El Golfo and the villages around it is a hire car from Lanzarote (ACE), about 20 min away.
Best time to visit El Golfo
Warm Weather Every Month
- 23°CJan2 mm
- 22°CFeb12 mm
- 23°CMar14 mm
- 25°CApr5 mm
- 24°CMay11 mm
- 25°CJun7 mm
- 27°CJul1 mm
- 29°CAug3 mm
- 27°CSept1 mm
- 28°COct11 mm
- 26°CNov9 mm
- 23°CDec10 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Every month of the year counts as a good time to visit El Golfo, which is unusual even by Canary Islands standards. Winter highs sit around 22°C to 23°C with lows near 16°C, ideal for escaping a British January.
The hottest stretch is late summer, peaking in August at around 29°C, with October still reaching 28°C. The wettest month is March, with about 14 mm of rain over six days, while July, August and September are almost completely dry; September typically records no rain days at all.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C | 16°C | 2 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 22°C | 16°C | 12 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 23°C | 16°C | 14 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 25°C | 17°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 18°C | 11 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 20°C | 7 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 27°C | 21°C | 1 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 22°C | 3 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 21°C | 1 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 28°C | 21°C | 11 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 26°C | 19°C | 9 mm | 10 h |
| Dec | 23°C | 16°C | 10 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drive Times and Ferries
The nearest airport is Lanzarote (ACE), around 14 miles from El Golfo, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. The drive takes about 20 minutes, so car hire on arrival is a practical way to reach the village and explore the island.
For island hopping, the port at Playa Blanca is about 9 miles away and runs 30-minute crossings to Corralejo on Fuerteventura. Arrecife's port, roughly 17 miles away, has routes to Las Palmas and to Corralejo via Playa Blanca.
By air
- Lanzarote (ACE)14 miles, about 20 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Playa Blanca (9 miles), Corralejo (17 miles), Arrecife (17 miles).
El Golfo is good for
Around El Golfo
Day Trips Across Lanzarote
Puerto del Carmen, the island's large resort town, is about 11 miles away, as are Tías and Tinajo. San Bartolomé lies around 13 miles off, while Teguise and Nazaret are both roughly 17 miles away.
The island capital, Arrecife, is also about 17 miles from El Golfo. For a change of island, Corralejo on Fuerteventura is a short 30-minute ferry hop from Playa Blanca.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
El Golfo is home to only around 500 people, so it is worth keeping expectations modest about the range of services on your doorstep; larger towns such as Puerto del Carmen are within easy driving distance.
With the airport 20 minutes away and the main sights spread across the island, car hire makes life much simpler. And since the weather is mild all year, there is no real off-season here: winter is just as viable as summer, and the driest months are July to September.
Questions people ask
How far is El Golfo from Lanzarote Airport?
Lanzarote Airport (ACE) is about 14 miles from El Golfo, and the drive takes around 20 minutes. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes El Golfo an easy destination for a short break or a full fortnight.
How close is El Golfo to Timanfaya National Park?
Timanfaya National Park is roughly 4 miles from El Golfo, making the village one of the closest bases to the park. It is the area's most notable sight and the natural focus for anyone interested in nature and volcanic scenery.
Is El Golfo warm in winter?
Yes. Daytime highs in December, January and March reach about 23°C, with February around 22°C and night-time lows near 16°C. Rainfall is light, although March is the wettest month with around 14 mm over six days.
Is there a beach near El Golfo?
Playa del Cochino is the nearest beach listed, about 3.5 miles from the village, and it is suited to families. Puerto del Carmen, around 11 miles away, is a larger resort if you want more choice.
Can I visit Fuerteventura from El Golfo?
Yes. The port at Playa Blanca, about 9 miles from El Golfo, runs ferries to Corralejo on Fuerteventura in around 30 minutes. Arrecife's port also offers connections to Corralejo via Playa Blanca, as well as to Las Palmas.