Can You Drink the Water in Lanzarote? A Complete Guide for Travelers

If you’re planning a trip to Lanzarote, one of the most common questions you’ll ask is: Can you drink the tap water? The short answer is yes, but you probably won’t want to. Here’s everything you need to know about drinking water in Lanzarote, including safety, taste, and the best options for staying hydrated.

Technically, tap water in Lanzarote is safe to drink. The island follows strict European Union health and safety standards, just like mainland Spain. This means the water is treated and monitored to ensure it’s free from harmful bacteria and contaminants.

However, there’s an important catch

Unlike many destinations, Lanzarote doesn’t have natural freshwater sources like rivers or lakes. Instead, most of its water comes from desalination plants, where seawater is processed to remove salt.

While this makes the water safe, it often leaves a noticeable taste and smell, which many visitors describe as:

- Slightly salty  
- Metallic  
- Chlorinated  

In reality, most locals in Lanzarote drink bottled water. It’s inexpensive, widely available, and tastes far better than tap water.

You’ll find large bottles of mineral water in supermarkets across the island, and restaurants typically serve bottled water.

Good news, it’s perfectly safe to brush your teeth with tap water in Lanzarote. The same applies to:

- Cooking  
- Washing fruits and vegetables  
- Making tea or coffee (though taste may be affected)

Most hotels in Lanzarote use the same municipal water supply. Some higher-end resorts may install additional filtration systems, but this doesn’t always improve the taste significantly.

Many hotels provide complimentary bottled water, especially on arrival.

If you want to reduce plastic waste while visiting Lanzarote, consider:

- Bringing a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter  
- Using filtered water stations (available in some accommodations)  
- Buying large multi-liter bottles instead of small single-use ones  

This way, you can stay hydrated while being more environmentally conscious

Is the water safe? Yes  
Tastes good? Not really  
Our recommendation? Stick to bottled or filtered water  

While tap water meets safety standards, most visitors prefer alternatives due to its taste. For a more enjoyable experience, bottled water is your best bet during your stay in Lanzarote.