Looking for a holiday destination that´s big on beaches? Then take a look at little Lanzarote in the Canaries. Where there are nearly 100 superb playas to explore, some of them regarded as amongst the most stunning in Europe.

The Canaries are a very popular holiday destination situated in the Atlantic and close to Africa. With a highly developed tourist industry on larger islands such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria, where the best beaches are concentrated in the south. A picture replicated on Lanzarote, with the north of the island largely untouched by tourism whilst the south is home to the islands main resorts.

On Lanzarote none of these are very over developed as there is no high rise construction allowed. With strict planning laws created during the 1970´s to control development. Making the island a very pleasant and attractive place to explore.

Flights to Lanzarote from the UK have a journey time of four hours – and are now available from virtually every major airport. With a variety of operators offering services, including Monarch, Thomas Cook and easy Jet. In the past many tourists would have booked their flights and accommodation together as a package. But the internet has changed all that – and now holidaymakers can build their own breaks direct online.

This phenomenon has resulted in a big increase in demand for Lanzarote villas and apartments – with hotel occupancy falling slowly but perceptibly year on year as a result. From highs of nearly 90% in the 1980´s to around 75% today.

Most of the islands visitors arrive from the UK, but Lanzarote is also very popular with German and Scandinavian guests. Whilst Spanish tourists flock to this and the other Canary Islands in the summer to escape the intense heat of the mainland.

The fastest growing resort is Playa Blanca, which can be found in the south of the island. Villas in Playa Blanca have become popular with British tourists over the last few years thanks to their relative affordability. Whilst the resort itself is a dream, with loads of great beaches and decent restaurants to enjoy.

Puerto del Carmen remains the big daddy of island tourism though – as this is still where the majority of tourists will stay. And here they can enjoy the expansive sands of Playa Grande, which lies in the heart of the resort. And which boasts excellent facilities such as showers and sun loungers.