Hello everyone and happy new year, I'm new to the forum and trying to plan a holiday for summer time this year.

I have been to Lanzarote once although it was absolutely ages ago, it was about 9 years ago and we stayed at the San Marcial apts in Matagorda, absolutely lovely people and weather and I really enjoyed it. Has it changed unrecognisably since then? Would I be better to consider a different part of the island?

We have only holidayed in Ireland and the UK since then due to relationship breakup and finances etc but thankfully this year can afford an overseas one so I want to make it a fantastic one.

My main question would be would you recommend on part of the island as 'safer' than the other? I have very limited knowledge of Lanza and when we travel it will be myself and my 3 sons, eldest who is 15. I'm a bit cautious about it although to be honest it's not just Lanza I'm thinking this about it would be any foreign country as I haven't taken the kids that far alone before.

Aside from the Timafaya (spelling?) park what are the best excursions or the ones worth avoiding?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can advise and sorry for all the questions.

Well ,its great for plane spotting ,you obviously are one staying at Matagorda lol , joking apart,seems lovely little place so tranquil and quiet {apart from the thrust of aircraft engines},but as my more informative friends would say if you want more busy and nightlife then its PDC, or for tranquil and some life Playa Blanca

thanks Garry I had looked at pdc but I don't fancy being right in the main resort all the time, with 3 kids I don't think a bit of aircraft noise would bother me...I might welcome it lol.

edited to add, nightlife isn't important at all as I won't be seeing any

Last Minute travel do some reasonable tours. You have lots of options.

The Grand Tour is what it says, full Island in 1 day, or if you had time and money do it over 2 days by going on the South Tour one day and North tour the 2nd.

Check the listings to the side of this post and click on attractions, this will give you an idea of what is available to see on the Island.

Most tours will take you to El Golfo, Los Hervideros, Timanfaya Volcano's, Mirador del Rio and Jameos del Agua.

Other tours are availble to Cesar Manrique's house, Green Caves, the cactus garden, Teguise Market etc.

Have a good time out there!

The whole island is safer than most of UK. I wouldn't worry about that. Obviously, local situations change, so some parts where there are a lot of bars are not as safe around midnight as the beach is in the afternoon, but if you take the same sort of precautios you do in UK, you'll be fine.

thanks Cymmon and Walker

I'm going to get something definitely booked over the next few days, so excited!

thanks again everyone

Hey Emerald, what can I say, I LOVE Matagorda!

Like others have said, it isnt as lively as PDC but even so, it can still be as lively or as quiet as you want to make it!

Its close enough by taxi or bus, or even feet if you fancy a stroll, to PDC and doesnt cost the earth. Its also a lovely starting point if you fancy walking along the seafront in the opposite direction to Playa Honda. If you do this you can virtually stand at the end of the runway as the planes go over - you feel close enough to touch them!

There is a centre with bars and restaurants, oh and a couple of Spars too lol

Anyway, wherever you decide to go, I hope you have a lovely time!

SG x

yea , cool Sg , its brillthere ,its also good at the side to watch the planes take off ,such a sureal contrast , the mountains ,the sea , and then a colourful ,gigantic ,noisy,metal bird takes to the skys,and you get a suntan included

Emerald, I can't see past Matagorda, peace and quiet all the time, gentle nightlife at the front. We stayed in Mata the first couple of times we ever went then tried staying more central PDC but I just preferred the serenity of Mata so have gone back everytime over last 3 years and not once have the planes bothered me, I rarely hear them (think you just get used to it) and it'll be great for the boys to walk along the front of the airstrip on the beach to Playa Honda, standing under the planes as they are about 20 feet above your head coming into land, fab! (although some of my mates think I'm a sad plane spotter geek). The Promenade between Mata and main strip PDC has been done up over the last few years, it's still a fabulous lazy stroll, and there are always the busses and taxi's if you can't be bothered. Do the tours that cymmon has recommended or hire a car and just explore. They'll love hervideiros and the green caves (cueva de los verde). And take them to Famara, it is my favourite beach in the world. just goodle any of these places for descriptions and check out locations on google maps. have a fab time.

I would suggest that you consider staying on the end of PDC close to the San Antonio hotel which is not noisy at all and there is much more to do especially if you are taking children with you on holiday. We have stayed in La Penita which is very well run and family friendly. A short walk (or taxi) takes you to Matagorda or the old town in PDC which has some fabulous restaurants and is much quieter than central PDC (aka "the Strip")