The Independent name their 7 best beaches in Lanzarote

The Independent, a newspaper in the U.K. have detailed an article naming their 7 best beaches in Lanzarote.

Lanzarote, described by the media outlet as "Nature’s colour palette of black, red and gold grains form volcanic and man-made stretches of sand, fringing buzzing coastal resorts from north to south." has over 100 beaches and coves, many hidden away from the public. Their selections come of no surprise to anyone that knows the island well, although there is a distinct absence of beaches in Puerto del Carman and Costa Teguise.

And, although technically La Graciosa is an island in its own right these days, Playa de las Conchas did make the cut.

Playa Papagayo

It's probably a given that Playa Papagayo was number one on the list, although the Papagayo Beach itself is only one of the many coves in what is universally known to many tourists as Papagayo Beaches which includes 7 golden sandy beaches in the Los Ajaches Natural Park. In the article they specifically mention the cliff top cafe / restaurant so we assume they are specifically talking about Playa Papagayo and not all 7 beaches in the park itself. Playa Mujeres was also included in the list.

Playa de Famara

Famara, a popular water-sports destination set against the backdrop of the impressive Risco cliffs also understandably makes the cut. This huge stretch of beach starts at the small surfing village of Famara and runs underneath the imposing backdrop of the Riscos.

Charco de Los Clicos

Maybe more surprising is the inclusion of Charco de Los Clicos, which is the black sand beach at Lago Verde, El Golfo. This beach isn't really a hotspot for tourists or bathing, although the contrast of the black sands vs the emerald green of the lake is something to be admired.

Playa Dorada

Maybe another surprise on the list is Playa Dorada in Playa Blanca. However, this is a very popular beach with tourists and offers activities such as Jet Skis and Banana Boat rides. It's also a great beach for snorkelling and bathing in the crystal clear waters that surround the island, although we can think of other less popular beaches that might have made the cut above Playa Dorada

Playa del Reducto

An unknown to many, as Arrecife isn't a huge tourist spot, Playa del Reducto offers golden sands and has been awarded blue flag status. The beach is popular with Arrecife locals and you'll often find various activities taking part here during certain times of the day. It's shallow and protected waters are perfect for bathing and the beach sits under the shadow of the only high rise building on the island, The Gran Hotel

Playa de las Conchas, La Graciosa

As we mentioned earlier, although not technically a Lanzarote beach the bleached white sands of Playa de las Conchas also made the newspapers top 7. La Graciosa is well worth a visit for anyone staying in Lanzarote and can be accessed by Ferry from the port of Orzola. There are also organised excursions to the island, along with Catamaran Sailings that anchor in the stunning turquoise waters.

Other beaches worth mentioning

It's unsure as to why the article limited the number of beaches to 7, and some of the choices may be questionable with frequent Lanzarote visitors. Some of the omissions that we might add would be:

• Caletón Blanco
• Playa Grande, Puerto del Carmen
• Playa de las Malvas (for its seclusion and privacy
• Playa Chica
• Playa de las Cucharas

What beaches might you include?