Caleta de Famara, White sand beach in Lanzarote, Spain.

Caleta de Famara is a 190-metre beach on Lanzarote's north coast, backed by the Risco de Famara cliffs that rise from the sand. The shoreline is light-coloured sand and the seabed slopes gently, but currents strengthen offshore.

Caleta de Famara grew around a fishing harbour on Lanzarote's north-west coast, where boats were hauled onto the sand below the Risco de Famara cliffs. In the 20th century the catch was sold locally and the settlement stayed small. From the 1980s onward surfers and windsurfers came for the waves, and the old fishermen's cottages were joined by surf schools and holiday rentals.

Caleta de Famara takes its name from the small cove sheltering the fishing boats pulled up on the sand. The village grew around that landing, and the low whitewashed houses behind the beach still belong mostly to fishing families. Surf schools and rental shops now occupy part of the seafront, but the boats and the daily catch remain part of village life.

The water here is known for strong waves and currents, making it ideal for experienced surfers and kitesurfers. Swimmers should be cautious and stick to the shallower areas or check local conditions before entering the water.

The beach changes appearance with the seasons - summer reveals wide light-colored sand while winter exposes rocky formations underneath. These natural shifts mean each visit can feel quite different depending on when you come.