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Playa Honda is not a typical tourist resort: it is a residential town that grew up beside the airport and the sea, with almost two kilometres of beach and a peaceful seafront promenade. There are no large hotel complexes, just holiday homes among streets of low-rise houses.
You’ll be just a few minutes from the terminal, Arrecife and the highway south, but far from the nightlife. Here, we explain which part to choose and show you six homes that we selected one by one.
What Playa Honda is like and which area to choose
The town stretches parallel to the coast, between the airport to the west and the boundary with Arrecife to the east. The seafront avenue is lined with terraces and a promenade; inland, near Santa Elena Square and Deiland shopping centre, life has a neighbourhood feel.
- Near Guacimeta Beach (west): closest to the runway, ideal for very early flights; the trade-off is that the planes are more noticeable.
- La Concha area (centre and east): sand, promenade and amenities close at hand, a little farther from the airport. The best-balanced stretch for families.
- Inland streets: quieter and close to supermarkets, useful if you’ll be driving around a lot.
If Playa Honda is just your base for exploring the island, any street will do: parking is what matters, as many homes don’t have their own space.
What type of accommodation you’ll find
On our Playa Honda page, we bring together the properties that pass our filters: of the 28 that currently meet our requirements, 25 are holiday homes, two are hostels and one is a hostel-style albergue. This is a destination for renting an entire home and cooking at your own pace, not for looking for a hotel with a buffet.
These are the six homes that impressed us most, from a villa with a pool for several families to a beachfront bungalow for two.
La casa de la playa
Three bedrooms and two bathrooms for six people, with a sea-facing terrace, garden and barbecue for dining outside. La Concha beach is about 240 metres away, and there is free parking nearby, but not at the property. A good fit for families looking for a quiet stay: parties are not allowed, and the upper floors are only accessible by stairs.
ITY House - Playa Honda
The largest home in our selection: five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a private pool, hot tub and garden, about a hundred metres from Guacimeta. It works well for large families or several couples travelling together. Parking is public, and pool heating costs extra and must be requested in advance.
Casa Makuki
A detached adults-only house with a private pool, garden and terrace, 400 metres from Guacimeta and just a stone’s throw from the terminal. A good choice for couples or friends looking for peace and quiet and planning to cook at home. There is no parking, and the free Wi-Fi doesn’t reach every room.
La Palmera - Fabulosa Casa, LANZAROTE, Playa Honda
Two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a high chair, with a garden, terrace and barbecue: a simple home for families who spend time outdoors. Guacimeta is 400 metres away and the airport is less than a kilometre away, making it handy for early flights. There is no parking, and the upper floor is reached by stairs.
Casa Remo
Its main draw is the location: Guacimeta’s sand is about a two-minute walk away. It has two bedrooms, a high chair, a kitchen with an oven, a terrace and a patio—enough for a small family that doesn’t want to drive to the beach. There’s no parking space, parties are not allowed and there are stairs.
BUNGALOW BEACH&RELAX
An 80 m² bungalow almost on the sand, about twenty metres from La Concha, with a sea-view terrace, outdoor pool and private hot tub. It sleeps four in two bedrooms and is designed for relaxing. Check-in ends at 22:00, and you need to let the property know your arrival time: bear this in mind if your flight lands late.
Things to do in Playa Honda and nearby
The beach is at the heart of it all: around 1,900 metres of fine sand with usually calm water, showers, a children’s area and a seafront promenade. It’s often windy, and from Guacimeta you can watch planes take off and land at very close range—something children love.
In the municipality of San Bartolomé, you’ll find the Monumento al Campesino, a work by César Manrique. Arrecife, with its Charco de San Ginés, and Puerto del Carmen are very close by; La Geria and Timanfaya National Park are less than an hour away by car.
The celebrations for Santa Elena, the town’s patron saint, take place around 18 August. The 35th IRONMAN Lanzarote takes place in May 2027, based in Puerto del Carmen: demand along the east coast surges during those days, so book early.
Getting there and getting around
César Manrique Airport, which ended 2025 with almost nine million passengers, is right next door: direct buses to Playa Honda and Arrecife leave from the terminal stop, and a taxi takes just a few minutes. Find flights and ferries in our guide to getting to Lanzarote.
A car is the most practical way to explore the island. Since August 2025, an underpass beneath the LZ-2 has eased traffic at the town’s double roundabout, and work on Santa Elena Square, awarded in 2025 and including underground parking, may still affect traffic in the centre.
Who Playa Honda is for (and who it isn’t for)
It’s a good fit if you’re travelling with family or a group, have flights at awkward times or prefer a town atmosphere to a hotel resort; it’s also a convenient base for exploring Lanzarote. It’s not for you if you’re looking for nightlife or absolute silence: for somewhere livelier, consider Puerto del Carmen, and for an urban atmosphere, Arrecife.
Playa Honda is just one of several possible bases on the island. If you’re still unsure, compare areas in our guide to where to stay in Lanzarote, discover where to stay in Puerto del Carmen and where to stay in Playa Blanca, or take a broader look at where to stay in the Canary Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Some of the most common questions when planning a trip to Playa Honda.
Is Playa Honda a good area to stay in Lanzarote?
Yes, especially if you’re looking for a whole home, a peaceful urban beach and good connections. It’s next to the airport, about ten minutes from Arrecife and a quarter of an hour from Puerto del Carmen, making it a good base for exploring the island. It’s a residential town with supermarkets and a seafront promenade, but no large hotels or nightlife.
Are the planes very noisy in Playa Honda?
You can hear them, as the town borders the runways at César Manrique Airport. The noise is greater in the western part, near Guacimeta beach, and lower around La Concha and in streets farther from the terminal. The wind also plays a part, determining which way planes take off and land. If you’re a light sleeper, choose the eastern end of town.
How do you get from the airport to Playa Honda?
It’s the shortest transfer on the island. Direct bus routes leave from the terminal bus stop on the ground floor, past the taxi rank, and stop in Playa Honda before continuing to Arrecife. A taxi takes just a few minutes. If you’re hiring a car, pick it up at the airport and you’ll reach your accommodation in no time, though it’s worth checking in advance where to park.
Do I need a car if I stay in Playa Honda?
Not for the beach, promenade and basic shopping, as everything is within easy walking distance. To explore Lanzarote, though, a car is almost essential: Timanfaya, La Geria and the north of the island are far from the more frequent bus routes. Before booking, check whether your home has its own parking space, as many only offer public street parking.
What type of accommodation is there in Playa Honda?
Almost everything is a holiday home: of the 28 properties that currently pass our filters, 25 are entire homes, alongside two hostels and one albergue. Options range from beachfront bungalows for two to villas with five bedrooms and a private pool. Check each home’s rules: several prohibit parties or ask you to let them know your arrival time.
