Playa Quemada is Lanzarote's hidden bolt-hole — a quiet dark-sand beach in a tiny fishing hamlet, tucked away down a lonely road south of Puerto Calero. There's no resort here, no promenade of shops, just a handful of low white houses, a scatter of fishing boats and a couple of simple restaurants serving the freshest of fish. For travellers who like to escape the crowds and eat where the locals do, this little cove off the tourist trail is a small piece of the real Lanzarote.
How to get there
Playa Quemada lies on the south coast of Lanzarote, reached by a single quiet road that branches off south of the marina at Puerto Calero. You really need a car to get here — public transport is minimal, and that isolation is exactly what keeps the hamlet so peaceful. It's a short drive from the resort of Puerto del Carmen and from Puerto Calero, making it an easy detour for a long, lazy lunch by the sea.
What it's like
This is about as low-key as a Lanzarote beach gets. The shore is a modest stretch of dark volcanic sand and shingle, backed by the plain white cubes of the fishing village and the bare, biscuit-coloured hills behind. There are no sunbed rows or beach bars pumping music — the soundtrack is the sea and the clink of cutlery from the seafront restaurants. It feels genuinely off-radar, a working hamlet where a few visitors come mainly to walk the coast and eat well rather than to sunbathe in style.
A scenic coastal footpath links Playa Quemada with Puerto Calero and the beaches around Puerto del Carmen — a lovely, quiet walk with sea views, perfect for working up an appetite before lunch.
Swimming and safety
The little bay is reasonably sheltered and the water is clean and clear, making for a pleasant, quiet swim on calm days. The sand-and-shingle mix means water shoes are useful for a comfortable entry. As with any small, undeveloped Canarian beach there are no lifeguards, so bathe within your limits, keep an eye on children, and take care if the wind and swell pick up along this open southern coast.
Facilities
Facilities are minimal by design. The village has a small number of restaurants — the reason many people come — where you can eat simply cooked fresh fish and Canarian staples looking out over the boats. Beyond that, expect little in the way of shops, sunbed hire or organised activities. Bring water, sun cover and anything else you'll need, and treat it as a peaceful half-day escape rather than a full-facility beach day.
Best for whom
Playa Quemada suits independent travellers, couples, walkers and seafood lovers who want to trade resort comforts for authenticity and calm. It's ideal if you have a hire car and fancy a quiet swim followed by an unhurried fish lunch away from the crowds. It's not the place for families needing full facilities, sun-lounger service or entertainment, nor for anyone without their own transport — for those, the developed beaches of Puerto del Carmen are a far better fit.
Nearby
The busy resort of Puerto del Carmen, with its long beaches, promenade and restaurants, is a short drive up the coast, while the smart marina at Puerto Calero — a departure point for boat trips and dolphin-watching — is even closer. Inland lie the vineyards of La Geria and the volcanic wonders of Timanfaya, and César Manrique's landmarks are dotted across the island. To plan the rest of your holiday, see our full guide to Lanzarote.