How many cliff-backed beaches are there in Lanzarote?

Our verified inventory contains 15 cliff-backed beaches in Lanzarote, ranked with Blue Flag certifications first, then organized beaches with full amenities, then alphabetically. The count reflects only beaches we've independently verified with confirmed coordinates, attributes, and a hand-written description — for the full list, see the global guide.

How are the beaches in this guide ranked?

Beaches are sorted with Blue Flag certified ones first (the strongest external quality signal), then organized beaches with on-site amenities, then alphabetically. This isn't a "best to worst" ranking — it's a "most reliable for the average visitor first" ordering. Less-developed beaches further down the list often have better scenery or fewer crowds but require more preparation to visit.

How were the dramatic cliff beaches in Lanzarote chosen?

Each beach appears here only because its own verified description records cliffs backing, framing or enclosing the shore — we don't infer cliffs from a photo or a place name. That keeps the list honest, but the experience varies: some are wide black-sand bays under a single headland, others are slivers of sand between vertical lava reachable only by boat or a steep descent down a barranco.

Which Canary Islands have the most dramatic cliff beaches?

The rugged north and west coasts of the western islands hold most of the cliff drama in our inventory — Tenerife's black-sand north, the steep young coastlines of La Palma and El Hierro, and the wild west of Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria — with La Gomera's cliff-backed pebble coves close behind. Even Lanzarote, the flattest of the main islands, keeps a few cliff-sheltered coves on its north and west shores.

Are Canary cliff beaches safe and easy to reach?

Treat access as the main variable. Many involve long staircases, loose tracks down a barranco, or boat-only arrival, and falling rock is a real hazard beneath undercut lava walls, so heed local signs and keep clear of the cliff base. Natural shade is often limited once the sun moves off the wall, and the most enclosed coves have no facilities — bring water, sun cover and proper footwear, and check each beach page for its specific access before you go.

Cliff Beaches in Lanzarote: Canary Coves (2026)

Cliffs are why the beaches on Lanzarote look the way they do — dark volcanic walls that frame the water and drop straight to the shore. This page gathers only the beaches our verified inventory records as backed, framed or enclosed by cliffs on Lanzarote, so you are planning from each beach's own notes rather than marketing gloss.

Arrival is the trade-off: expect steep steps, a rough track or a boat, and pack shade and water because a cliff cove often loses its sun early. Compare access, surface and amenities on the full Lanzarote beach list, or widen the search with the best Canary beaches.

Getting down to the water here

Cliffs are what give these Lanzarote beaches their drama — and why arrival takes planning. Expect some combination of steep steps, a barranco path, a dirt track or boat-only access, and bring shade and water because a lava cove often loses its sun early and has no facilities. Conditions shift with the wind too: a headland that blocks the northeast trades on one side can funnel them on another. Use the full Lanzarote beach list to compare access, surface and amenities before you commit your morning, or widen the search with the best Canary beaches.

The verified beaches

Showing #1 – #10 of 15 beaches

MoveinBlue

Caletón Blanco

Lanzarote

Setting: Caletón Blanco is a small cove on the north coast of Lanzarote, sheltered by cliffs and known for its white sand and clear, turquoise waters.

Caletón Blanco is a small cove on the north coast of Lanzarote, sheltered by cliffs and known for its white sand and clear, turquoise waters. The beach is protected from the prevailing trade winds, resulting in calm sea conditions ideal for swimming. Its natural pool-like setting makes it a popular spot for families.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full Caletón Blanco guide See on Google Maps

Alberto-g-rovi

El Charcón

Lanzarote

Setting: Known for its natural rock pools, the beach is sheltered by cliffs, creating calm waters ideal for swimming.

El Charcón is a small beach on the northwest coast of Lanzarote, near the village of Órzola. Known for its natural rock pools, the beach is sheltered by cliffs, creating calm waters ideal for swimming. The setting is rugged and volcanic, typical of Lanzarote's coastline.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full El Charcón guide See on Google Maps

Marc Ryckaert

Playa de las Coloradas

Lanzarote

Setting: Its golden sand and clear, calm waters are protected from the prevailing northeast winds by low cliffs.

Playa de las Coloradas is a small, sheltered beach on the south coast of Lanzarote. Its golden sand and clear, calm waters are protected from the prevailing northeast winds by low cliffs. The gentle conditions make it ideal for swimming and relaxing.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa de las Coloradas guide See on Google Maps

Paul Stephenson from London

Playa de las Malvas

Lanzarote

Setting: Its dark sand and pebble shore is backed by cliffs, and the sea is often rough with strong currents.

Playa de las Malvas is a secluded beach on Lanzarote's west coast, exposed to Atlantic swells. Its dark sand and pebble shore is backed by cliffs, and the sea is often rough with strong currents. There are no facilities, making it a natural, unspoiled spot for experienced swimmers and surfers.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Wavy
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa de las Malvas guide See on Google Maps

Dguendel

Playa de los Clicos

Lanzarote

Setting: The surrounding cliffs and unique geological features attract visitors for sightseeing rather than water activities.

Playa de los Clicos is a striking black volcanic sand beach on Lanzarote's west coast, nestled within a volcanic crater beside the vibrant green lagoon of Charco de los Clicos. Its sheltered location and calm waters make it suitable for relaxing, though swimming is often restricted due to safety and environmental…

Type: Sandy
Wave conditions: Calm
Parking: No parking

View full Playa de los Clicos guide See on Google Maps

Alexey Komarov

Playa del Paso

Lanzarote

Setting: The beach is backed by volcanic cliffs and offers a natural, less crowded setting with roadside parking.

Playa del Paso is a black sand beach on the southwestern coast of Lanzarote, near the Janubio salt flats. It is open to the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in wavy sea conditions that attract surfers occasionally. The beach is backed by volcanic cliffs and offers a natural, less crowded setting with roadside parking.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Wavy
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa del Paso guide See on Google Maps

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Playa del Risco

Lanzarote

Setting: Playa del Risco is a secluded black-sand beach on the northern coast of Lanzarote, backed by dramatic volcanic cliffs.

Playa del Risco is a secluded black-sand beach on the northern coast of Lanzarote, backed by dramatic volcanic cliffs. Exposed to the Atlantic swell and prevailing trade winds, the sea here is often rough with strong currents, making swimming hazardous.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Wavy
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa del Risco guide See on Google Maps

Chmee2

Playa El Pozo

Lanzarote

Setting: It features dark volcanic sand and is backed by cliffs.

Playa El Pozo is a small beach on the west coast of Lanzarote, near the village of El Golfo. It features dark volcanic sand and is backed by cliffs. The waters are typically moderate, with occasional swells from the Atlantic. Roadside parking is available.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Moderate
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa El Pozo guide See on Google Maps

Fry72 (Karel Frydrýšek)

Playa Francesa

Lanzarote

Setting: The surrounding cliffs and arid landscape create a remote, natural setting.

Playa Francesa is a secluded cove on the rugged northern coast of Lanzarote, characterized by dark volcanic sand and pebbles. Exposed to the Atlantic swell, the beach experiences moderate to strong waves, making swimming potentially hazardous. The surrounding cliffs and arid landscape create a remote, natural setting.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Wavy
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa Francesa guide See on Google Maps

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Playa la casa

Lanzarote

Setting: The beach is accessed via roadside parking near the coastal cliffs.

Playa la casa is a small beach on Lanzarote's west coast, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. Its dark volcanic sand and frequent swell create wavy conditions, making it suitable for experienced swimmers. The beach is accessed via roadside parking near the coastal cliffs.

Type: Other
Wave conditions: Wavy
Parking: Roadside

View full Playa la casa guide See on Google Maps

Dramatic Cliff-Backed Beaches in Lanzarote

Getting down to the water here

The verified beaches

Caletón Blanco

El Charcón

Playa de las Coloradas

Playa de las Malvas

Playa de los Clicos

Playa del Paso

Playa del Risco

Playa El Pozo

Playa Francesa

Playa la casa

Full list of cliff-backed beaches in Lanzarote

Common questions about cliff-backed beaches in Lanzarote

Other guides for Lanzarote

Browse the same guide for all of the Canaries

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Dramatic Cliff-Backed Beaches in Lanzarote

Getting down to the water here

The verified beaches

Full list of cliff-backed beaches in Lanzarote

Common questions about cliff-backed beaches in Lanzarote

Keep exploring

Other guides for Lanzarote

Browse the same guide for all of the Canaries

Explore more of Lanzarote