Neighbourhood
Playa Honda area guide.
A real residential town. Not a resort. Here's what you need to know before you arrive.
About Playa Honda
Playa Honda is a quiet residential town on the east coast of Lanzarote, about 5 km south of the island capital Arrecife and the same distance from Lanzarote Airport. It's not a tourist resort — there are no all-inclusive hotels, no strip of souvenir shops, no neon-lit entertainment zones. What it does have is a decent beach, a long promenade, a large supermarket, a handful of good restaurants, and a calm that's hard to find in the purpose-built resort areas further south.
Most visitors here are either staying in one of the residential apartments or passing through to the beach. That's a good thing. You're sharing the neighbourhood with people who actually live here.
The beach
Playa La Concha is the main beach — a modest stretch of dark sand with calm water, no hire loungers, and no beach bar. It's sheltered enough to be good for swimming most days. The sea bottom is sandy with some rocks at the edges, so water shoes are useful but not essential.
The beach is at its quietest early morning and on weekdays. On Sunday afternoons in summer, local families descend in numbers — still never crowded by Canarian standards, but noticeably busier than a weekday morning.
There are outdoor showers and a small children's play area at the southern end of the promenade. No lifeguard — as with most residential beaches in Spain.
Full Playa La Concha beach guide →The promenade
The promenade (paseo marítimo) runs the length of Playa Honda and continues north into Arrecife. It's flat, well-maintained, and wide enough for walkers and cyclists side by side. Walking to Arrecife takes about 45 minutes; cycling takes 15. There are benches, street lamps, and views of the sea the whole way.
Heading south from Playa Honda, the promenade winds along the coast towards Puerto del Carmen, though there are some sections that require getting back onto the road.
Shopping
The Deiland Shopping Centre is 5 minutes on foot from Casa Sol y Playa. It has a large HiperDino supermarket (good for groceries, wine, and fresh produce), a pharmacy, a Vodafone store, a few clothing shops, and a food court. It's open daily including Sunday mornings.
For a wider range of shops — including a Mercadona — Arrecife city centre is a short drive or a pleasant 45-minute walk along the promenade.
Restaurants & bars
Playa Honda is not overloaded with restaurants, but the ones it has are solid. Most cater to a local clientele rather than tourists, which keeps prices reasonable and quality consistent.
La Opera
One of the most popular spots in Playa Honda. Good Spanish and international food, friendly service. Popular with locals and expats alike — book ahead at weekends.
Restaurante El Ancla
A reliable fish and seafood restaurant near the promenade. Decent fresh fish, no frills, honest prices.
Bar La Lonja
A classic local bar serving tapas and cold beer. Good for a quick lunch or an afternoon drink.
Deiland food court
Fast food options inside the shopping centre including a bakery and a café. Good for breakfast or a quick bite.
For a wider dining scene, Puerto del Carmen (20 min drive) has significantly more choice.
Getting around
On foot: For daily life in Playa Honda — beach, supermarket, restaurants — you don't need a car. Everything is within a 5–10 minute walk.
Taxi: There's a taxi rank near the Deiland Shopping Centre. Taxis are reliable and reasonably priced. Airport: approx. €10–12. Puerto del Carmen: approx. €15–20. Arrecife: approx. €8–10.
Bus: Line 23 connects Playa Honda to Arrecife and the airport. Infrequent — check arrecifebus.com for timetables.
Car hire: A car opens up the whole island — Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Papagayo beaches. Hire from CICAR, the reliable local company. Book in advance — they sell out in high season.