Thinking of taking a sunshine break on the popular holiday island of Lanzarote this year? You certainly won’t be alone if so, as during the course of 2009 close to 1.4 million tourists visited this unique little Canary Island. Located just off the coast of West Africa. With many planning their trip around specific events and festivals that take place on Lanzarote every year.

Hundreds of thousands of British tourists will be enjoying a break on the island during the course of 2010. With around 50% opting to stay in self catering accommodation, with apartments and villas in Lanzarote proving especially popular. Many choose to build their visit around specific events on the island – as there’s a whole raft of fiestas and festivals taking place throughout the course of the year.

For independently minded travellers the islands many self catering Lanzarote villas available all year round.

In February Carnival sweeps across the island – bringing work to a halt for at least a couple of weeks. With events taking place in different locations and on different dates. This is arguably the most colourful and best attended event of the year and attracts huge crowds. Featuring cleverly decorated floats that wouldn’t look out of place at the Notting Hill Carnival, massed ranks of drum bands and hordes of dancers dressed in real Carmen Miranda fashion. With plenty of riotous dancing and drinking.

Iron Man hits the island in late May. This event is widely regarded as one of the toughest triathlons the world. As over 1000 super fit contestants battle it out over a course comprising a 3km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride – all topped off with a full marathon. The top 60 entrants win a slice of the prize money and a coveted slot in the Grand Final in Hawaii. Although plenty of entrants never even make it to the finishing line such is the gruelling nature of this competition.

Lanzarote is also a great destination for music lovers too as there are concerts and festivals taking place throughout the year. Among the best is Jazz Canarias which visits the island every July. And which showcases some of the best young talent from the world of jazz. In previous years featuring free live performances from the likes of the guitarist Kyle Eastwood –offspring of the famous actor Clint Eastwood. All of which takes place in the atmospheric setting of the historic former island capital of Teguise.

September is also a great time for booking holiday apartments in Lanzarote. As the Costa Music Festival takes place that month. Bringing an eclectic mix of live dance acts and top DJ talent to the beach at Playa Bastian in Costa Teguise. And like so many other events on the island this is also entirely free of charge – attracting crowds in their thousands.

Click here for further information on holiday villas in Playa Blanca .