Spanish is the language of daily life in Lanzarote, but visitors should not worry about needing to be fluent. English is widely spoken in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and the island’s main attractions, while German is also common in resort areas.
Still, a few words of Spanish go a long way. They make ordering lunch in a village restaurant, buying something at a market or asking for directions feel easier — and generally earn a warmer response, too. This guide covers the language you are most likely to encounter on the island, from basic greetings to Canarian expressions worth knowing.
For wider advice on planning your stay, choosing a resort and seeing the volcanic landscapes, read the full Lanzarote travel guide.
Check Prices & Availability of Lanzarote Hotels
Table of Contents
What language do they speak in Lanzarote?
Spanish is the official language of Lanzarote, as it is throughout the Canary Islands and Spain.
The island has its own Canarian accent and a handful of regional words, but standard Spanish is used and understood everywhere. In practice, Spanish tends to be spoken quickly and informally between locals, particularly outside the larger resorts.
English is widely used in tourism-facing businesses, including:
- Hotels and apartment receptions
- Car-hire desks
- Main resort restaurants and bars
- Excursion providers
- Major attractions, including Timanfaya and César Manrique sites
- Dive centres, surf schools and boat trips
Once you venture into smaller villages such as Haría, Yaiza, Tinajo, Arrieta or Órzola, English may be less reliably spoken. You can still manage perfectly well, but a polite greeting and a translation app are useful.
Is English enough in Lanzarote?
Yes, for most visitors, especially if you stay in a resort and visit the principal sights. Menus are often translated, staff are accustomed to international visitors, and travel logistics are straightforward.
However, relying entirely on English can make interactions feel more transactional. Learning even a few simple Spanish phrases is worthwhile, especially when eating at local restaurants or shopping at markets.
You do not need perfect pronunciation or grammar. A simple hola, por favor and gracias shows consideration and is always appreciated.
Essential Spanish greetings and polite phrases
These are the phrases you will use most often.
| Spanish | English | Simple pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hola | Hello | OH-la |
| Buenos días | Good morning | BWAY-nos DEE-as |
| Buenas tardes | Good afternoon / evening | BWAY-nas TAR-des |
| Buenas noches | Good evening / night | BWAY-nas NO-ches |
| Por favor | Please | por fa-VOR |
| Gracias | Thank you | GRA-thee-as |
| De nada | You’re welcome | deh NA-da |
| Sí / No | Yes / No | see / no |
| Perdón | Sorry / excuse me | per-DON |
| Disculpe | Excuse me | dis-KOOL-peh |
| ¿Habla inglés? | Do you speak English? | AH-bla in-GLAYS? |
| No hablo mucho español | I don’t speak much Spanish | no AH-blo MOO-cho es-pan-YOL |
| ¿Puede ayudarme? | Can you help me? | PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAR-meh |
A quick note on “gracias”
In mainland-central Spanish, gracias is often pronounced “GRA-thee-as.” In the Canary Islands, you may also hear a softer “GRA-see-as.” Either is understood, so use whichever feels more natural.
Restaurant Spanish for Lanzarote
Food is one of the best reasons to use a little Spanish. Resort staff will often speak English, but village restaurants may have Spanish-only specials boards or menus.
Ordering a table
- Una mesa para dos, por favor. — A table for two, please.
- ¿Tiene una mesa libre? — Do you have a free table?
- ¿Podemos ver la carta? — Can we see the menu?
- ¿Qué recomienda? — What do you recommend?
- La cuenta, por favor. — The bill, please.
Dietary requirements
- Soy vegetariano / vegetariana. — I am vegetarian.
- Soy vegano / vegana. — I am vegan.
- Tengo alergia a… — I am allergic to…
- Sin gluten, por favor. — Gluten-free, please.
- Sin frutos secos, por favor. — No nuts, please.
- ¿Esto lleva marisco? — Does this contain shellfish?
- ¿Tiene opciones sin lactosa? — Do you have lactose-free options?
Useful menu words
| Spanish | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pescado | fish |
| marisco | shellfish / seafood |
| carne | meat |
| pollo | chicken |
| queso de cabra | goat’s cheese |
| papas arrugadas | salted, wrinkled Canarian potatoes |
| mojo rojo | red pepper and garlic sauce |
| mojo verde | green herb sauce |
| pan | bread |
| agua sin gas | still water |
| agua con gas | sparkling water |
| vino blanco | white wine |
| vino tinto | red wine |
| postre | dessert |
When ordering water, be specific. Agua sin gas means still water, while agua con gas means sparkling.
Useful Canarian words to know
The Canaries have several regional terms that you may hear during your trip. You do not need to use them yourself, but recognising them makes local conversations, signs and bus information easier to understand.
Guagua: bus
The most useful word is guagua, which means bus. Elsewhere in Spain, you are more likely to hear autobús, but in Lanzarote locals commonly refer to buses as guaguas.
Useful phrases include:
- ¿Dónde está la parada de guagua? — Where is the bus stop?
- ¿A qué hora pasa la guagua? — What time does the bus come?
- Una guagua a Arrecife, por favor. — A bus to Arrecife, please.
Other local expressions
- Chacho / chacha — An informal “mate,” “friend” or expression of surprise. You may hear it among locals, but visitors do not need to force it.
- Papas — Potatoes. In much of mainland Spain, patatas is more common.
- Mojo — The traditional Canarian sauce served with potatoes, fish and meat.
- Gofio — Toasted cereal flour, used in traditional Canarian dishes and desserts.
Spanish for taxis, directions and car hire
Hiring a car is the easiest way to explore Lanzarote’s beaches, volcanoes, vineyards and northern villages. If you are using buses or taxis instead, these phrases can help.
- ¿Puede llevarme a…? — Can you take me to…?
- ¿Cuánto cuesta hasta…? — How much does it cost to…?
- ¿Puede llamar a un taxi? — Can you call a taxi?
- ¿Dónde puedo aparcar? — Where can I park?
- ¿Hay una gasolinera cerca? — Is there a petrol station nearby?
- Estoy buscando… — I am looking for…
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet?
- A la derecha / a la izquierda — To the right / to the left
- Todo recto — Straight ahead
- Cerca / lejos — Near / far
If you are driving, remember that traffic travels on the right. Roads are generally well maintained, though access tracks to places such as Papagayo can be rough and unpaved.
Shopping and market phrases
At the Sunday market in Teguise or in smaller artisan shops, you may find that Spanish is more useful than English.
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you accept card?
- ¿Puedo pagar en efectivo? — Can I pay in cash?
- ¿Tiene cambio? — Do you have change?
- Solo estoy mirando, gracias. — I’m just looking, thank you.
- Me lo llevo. — I’ll take it.
- ¿Tiene otra talla? — Do you have another size?
Cards are accepted widely across the island, but it is sensible to carry some euros for markets and independent village businesses.
Hotel and emergency phrases
Most hotel reception staff speak English, but these phrases can be useful in apartments, rural stays or unexpected situations.
- Tengo una reserva. — I have a reservation.
- Mi habitación es la número… — My room is number…
- No funciona el aire acondicionado. — The air conditioning is not working.
- Necesito un médico. — I need a doctor.
- Necesito una farmacia. — I need a pharmacy.
- He perdido mi pasaporte. — I have lost my passport.
- ¿Puede ayudarme, por favor? — Can you help me, please?
- Es una emergencia. — It is an emergency.
For a serious emergency in Spain, dial 112. The service can assist in multiple languages. For official travel and local practical information, Spain’s tourism website is a useful resource before departure.
How to pronounce Spanish in Lanzarote
You do not need to master Spanish pronunciation before arriving, but a few basics make common words easier to recognise and say.
- Every vowel is pronounced. Unlike English, Spanish vowels are consistent:
- a as in father
- e as in bed
- i as in machine
- o as in hot
- u as in rule
- J is pronounced like a strong English “h”.
Jameos sounds roughly like “ha-MAY-os”. - LL usually sounds like a “y”.
Playa is pronounced “PLY-a”. - H is silent.
Haría sounds like “ah-REE-ah”. - R is lightly rolled or tapped, but do not worry if you cannot roll it. A normal English-style r will be understood.
- C before e or i may sound like “th” in much of Spain, although pronunciation in the Canaries is often closer to an “s”. For example, gracias may sound like “GRA-thee-as” or “GRA-see-as”.
The important thing is to speak clearly and politely rather than aiming for a perfect accent.
Language etiquette in Lanzarote
Lanzarote is used to international visitors, especially in the coastal resorts, but a few simple habits make interactions more pleasant.
Start in Spanish
Begin with hola, buenos días or buenas tardes, even if you expect to continue in English. It is a small courtesy that sets a friendly tone.
Use formal language with strangers
When speaking to shop staff, taxi drivers, older people or anyone you do not know, use por favor and gracias generously. You do not need to worry about complicated formal grammar; politeness matters far more.
Do not assume everyone speaks English
Many people working in tourism speak excellent English, but this should be treated as helpful rather than expected. If someone struggles, speak slowly, use simple wording and avoid raising your voice.
Mealtimes may feel later than at home
Restaurants in Lanzarote cater to visitors throughout the day, but local lunch and dinner schedules can be later than in the UK. A traditional Spanish lunch may start after 2pm, while locals may dine from 8pm onwards.
A greeting matters in small businesses
When entering a small shop, bakery, café or pharmacy, say hello first. Likewise, say goodbye when you leave:
- Adiós — Goodbye
- Hasta luego — See you later
- Que tenga un buen día — Have a good day
Using translation apps respectfully
Translation apps are useful in Lanzarote, particularly for reading Spanish menus, supermarket labels, pharmacy instructions and handwritten signs. Download Spanish for offline use before travelling in case mobile signal is weak in remote areas.
A few tips make them work better:
- Translate short phrases rather than long, complicated sentences.
- Show the translated text to staff if speaking is difficult.
- Use the camera feature for menus and signs, but check unusual translations against the context.
- Avoid holding your phone in someone’s face or relying on voice translation in a busy queue.
- Learn a few basics anyway; an app works best as backup, not as a replacement for courtesy.
For food allergies, it is wise to prepare a clear Spanish sentence in advance and show it to restaurant staff. Repeat the key allergen verbally as well, rather than relying only on an automated translation.
A small phrase list to save before your trip
If you only remember a handful of phrases, make them these:
- Hola — Hello
- Por favor — Please
- Gracias — Thank you
- ¿Habla inglés? — Do you speak English?
- No hablo mucho español. — I do not speak much Spanish.
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?
- La cuenta, por favor. — The bill, please.
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet?
- ¿Dónde está la parada de guagua? — Where is the bus stop?
- Necesito ayuda. — I need help.
Learning these phrases will cover a surprising number of everyday situations, whether you are ordering papas arrugadas, taking a guagua into Arrecife or asking for directions on the way to a beach.
For more practical advice on money, transport, driving, weather and what to pack, explore Travelerium’s essential island advice.
Frequently asked questions about language in Lanzarote
Do they speak English in Lanzarote?
Yes. English is widely spoken in Lanzarote’s main resorts, hotels, restaurants, car-hire companies and tourist attractions. In smaller villages and independent businesses, Spanish is more commonly used, so a few basic phrases are helpful.
What is the main language in Lanzarote?
Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language in Lanzarote. The island is part of the Canary Islands, an autonomous region of Spain.
Is Canarian Spanish different from Spanish in mainland Spain?
Canarian Spanish has its own accent, vocabulary and speech patterns, but standard Spanish is understood throughout the island. Visitors do not need to learn a separate dialect. Knowing that guagua means bus is one of the most useful regional differences.
What does guagua mean in Lanzarote?
In Lanzarote and across the Canary Islands, guagua means bus. On mainland Spain, the more common word is autobús.
Do Lanzarote restaurants have English menus?
Many restaurants in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise have English menus. In more local restaurants, menus may be in Spanish only or have a limited translation, so it helps to know basic food words or use a translation app.
Should I learn Spanish before visiting Lanzarote?
You do not need to speak Spanish to enjoy Lanzarote, but learning simple greetings, restaurant phrases and numbers will make your trip easier and more rewarding. Locals generally appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation is not perfect.
What number do I call in an emergency in Lanzarote?
Dial 112 for police, ambulance or fire emergencies in Lanzarote and elsewhere in Spain. The service can provide assistance in several languages.
