What to pack for Lanzarote

You do not need much for Lanzarote, and you can buy almost anything you forget once you are here. But a handful of things catch first-time visitors out, and they are all worth getting right before you fly, because they are the difference between a great week and a slightly sore, slightly under-prepared one. The theme of the whole island is the same three words: strong sun, steady wind, and a landscape that rewards proper shoes.

Here is what actually earns its place in the bag, and why.

Sun protection, and more of it than you think

This is the one to get right above all others. The sun in Lanzarote is stronger than it feels, because the constant breeze cools your skin while you are quietly burning underneath it. Sitting so far south, the island gets serious ultraviolet levels for most of the year, not just in July.

Pack a high-factor sun cream, factor thirty as a floor and fifty for children and fair skin, and bring more than you think you will use, because it costs noticeably more in the resort shops. Add a hat with a brim, proper sunglasses, and an after-sun or aloe gel, which is fitting given the island grows a lot of aloe vera. Reapply far more often than you would at home, and especially after every trip into the sea. If you take one thing from this whole list, take this one.

A windproof layer

Lanzarote is a breezy island, and the wind is part of its character rather than a fault in the forecast. It is what keeps the summer heat bearable and what draws the surfers and paragliders to the north coast. But it means a light windproof layer earns its place in the bag all year round.

You will want it for the exposed beaches on the north and west, where the wind whips the sand about even on a warm day, for any boat trip, and above all for the evenings in winter and spring, when the temperature drops away sharply once the sun goes down. You will not need a heavy winter coat, but you will be genuinely glad of a packable jacket that cuts the wind.

The right shoes, not just flip-flops

Most people pack for the beach and completely forget that half of what makes Lanzarote special is out on foot over volcanic ground. Flip-flops are miserable on lava and sandals leave your toes exposed on rocky, gritty paths.

Bring at least one pair of closed, comfortable shoes or trainers you do not mind getting dusty, alongside the beach footwear. That single pair quietly unlocks the caves, the coastal walks, the volcano viewpoints, the markets and the towns, without a second thought. If you plan to do any real walking, on the cliffs at Famara or the trails through the lava, a light pair of walking shoes with a bit of grip is even better.

For the water and the beach

The sea is warm by northern-European standards but can feel brisk in winter and spring. If you feel the cold, a rash vest adds a surprising amount of comfort and doubles as sun protection for your shoulders and back, which are the first things to burn while you swim. Water shoes are worth packing for the rockier entries and the volcanic pebble beaches, and a small dry bag keeps phones, keys and cards safe on the sand. A beach towel that packs down small saves buying one here.

The small things that quietly save the day

• A refillable water bottle. You will drink far more than at home, and staying ahead of the sun matters more than you would think. Tap water is not always to everyone’s taste, so many people top up from large bottles at the supermarket.
• A power bank. Long days out with a phone doing double duty as camera and map drain a battery fast.
• A light day bag or small rucksack for beach days, viewpoints and excursions.
• Any regular medication and a small first-aid kit. Island pharmacies are good and easy to find, but a familiar brand is not guaranteed, and you do not want to spend a morning hunting for one.
• A European travel adapter, since Spain uses the two-round-pin plug, in case you are coming from somewhere that does not.

What you can safely leave at home

You do not need formal clothes: even the nicer restaurants are relaxed, and the whole island runs on smart-casual at most. You do not need to lug a full first-aid pharmacy or cases of water, as supermarkets cover both. And you do not need specialist gear for most activities, which are set up to provide it.

If a ride out is on the cards

If you think you might spend a morning on horseback while you are here, the packing could not be simpler: long trousers and closed shoes are all you actually need to bring. Certified helmets are included, so there is nothing to buy in advance and nothing specialist to remember. You can read exactly how a first ride works on our rides page, but honestly, if you have packed sensible shoes, long trousers and good sun cream, you have already packed for it.

Get the sun, the wind and the shoes right, and everything else is detail. Those three are the whole island in a nutshell, and the people who pack for them are the ones who come home glowing rather than peeling.