Holidays to Puerto Del Carmen

Top attractions

The best part about Puerto Del Carmen holidays is the perfect combination of old Spanish charm and modern amenities. The town has a four-storey shopping mall bursting with designer labels, but also families of fishmongers who stick to their traditional lifestyles - and the two blend together in an unlikely but fascinating way. The safe and clean sandy beaches are perfect for families, and young people will adore the many fun-filled activities and water sports on hand.  From shopping and eating to tours of the natural landscape, there really is something for everyone.

El Varadero on the western edge of town is where the locals spend their time and is full of brightly-painted boats bobbing gently in the sunshine. Before the area was developed, it was an old fishing village and its legacy is still very much alive. The extraordinary landscape of Lanzarote is a natural wonder and from Puerto Del Carmen it is easy to explore all that the island has to offer, from the volcanic terrain of Timanfaya National Park and the famous green lagoon to the Cactus Garden and aptly-named Valley of a Thousand Palms.

Beaches

With some of the best sandy beaches that Lanzarote has to offer, Puerto Del Carmen is the perfect beach holiday location. From long stretches of sand to small but perfectly formed coves, you’ll easily find a spot to suit you.

Playa Grande is the main beach, popular with families for good reason with its safe waters and ample amenities close to hand. For water sports, the smaller Playa Chica Beach is the top spot, with a choice of scuba diving, snorkelling, parasailing, jet skiing and banana boating. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, then do as the locals do and head to one of the small coves along the coastline and stretch out on the rocks or under the shade of the palms.

Eating out

For a traditional Canarian vibe, make your way to the old town and its port where you can enjoy fresh seafood delivered straight from the trawlers. Whilst on holiday in Puerto Del Carmen, you will enjoy some stunning Canarian-Spanish cuisine using the best ingredients from the land and sea. The high quality of the restaurants won’t leave you disappointed, from the likes of La Tegala, serving traditional cuisine with a modern twist to waterfront dining, such as Casa Roja, serving up Spanish classics.

With more than 20 bodegas producing wine on the island, a holiday to Puerto Del Carmen wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local tipple. A short hop inland will bring you to the oldest bodega on the island, El Grifo, where you can take a tour and taste some of the award-winning wines.

Nightlife

Puerto Del Carmen is the liveliest resort in Lanzarote, perfect for those who like to party on their holiday. The nightlife that Puerto Del Carmen is famous for can be found along 'The Strip' or on Las Playas Avenue. Here you’ll find a wide range of bars and clubs, with something for everyone from Irish bars to cocktail bars. Be prepared to stay out late!  

Away from the bright lights of Puerto Del Carmen, you’ll find the more traditional Spanish style of nightlife. Playa Blanca offers a relaxed and sophisticated evening out, with a selection of stylish bars and restaurants overlooking the harbour.

Family holidays

Spend long days on the idyllic sandy Playa Grande beach, awarded a Blue Flag. Its calm, shallow waters are perfect for paddling youngsters. Paddle boats and slides will add to the fun and parents looking to relax can find a shady spot under one of the umbrellas. With restaurants and shops close by, it’s no wonder Playa Grande is a popular spot.

Just outside of Puerto Del Carmen is Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park, a Wild West-themed animal park and water park, with daily wildlife displays.  Animals lovers can also saddle up and explore the area on horseback or by camel at Lanzarote a Caballo.

Make the most of the coastal location and take a yellow submarine safari in nearby Puerto Calero or enjoy an excursion on a catamaran, where children can learn to snorkel or take a jet ski ride with an instructor. Discover the best of the area by taking a short, guided tour through the island’s volcanic landscape in Timanfaya Park, with stops at Fire Mountain and a local bodega.

Couples holidays

Puerto Del Carmen makes a great base for couples looking to explore everything that Lanzarote has to offer, from the unique landscapes of the national park in the south to the stunning views from Mirador del Rio in the north. The town itself has plenty to offer. Take a walk along Puerto Del Carmen’s old harbour and enjoy a romantic meal in one of the restaurants or get cosy in one of the nearby beach coves and enjoy the quiet coastal views.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Puerto Del Carmen and visit the village of Yaiza, often referred to as the prettiest in Spain. Here you can while away the hours wandering the streets, relaxing in cafes and gazing at the volcanoes in the distance. Or head inland to the historic town of Teguise. Stroll around its pretty cobbled streets and relax in one of the town’s squares. Browse the local market, the island’s biggest, or take in the views from the old fortress, Castillo Santa Barbara.

And if you find time after all that, then how about a catamaran cruise, wine tour or a visit to the glamorous residence of Hollywood actor Omar Sharif?

Action & Adventure

Puerto Del Carmen offers a wealth of sports for the active, from diving and windsurfing to cycling and golf, there is something for everyone. Take a trip on a catamaran from the nearby Puerto Calero and spend the day swimming, snorkelling and jet skiing. Or take an excursion to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and explore the national park’s sand dunes. For a different view of the island, head to the marina at Puerto Calero and take a Submarine Safari, where you can dive 60 metres deep from the comfort of the yellow submarine’s seats.

For the ultimate adventure, trek through the lava fields in Timanfaya National Park with an expert guide. A journey through this unique and protected landscape is not to be missed.  For another unmissable day out for adventure-lovers, The Green Caves are just 40km from Puerto Del Carmen.

Culture

Carnivals, fiestas and festivals are in abundance in Lanzarote, many celebrating local patron saints with colourful celebrations. Art lovers will find it hard to miss Lanzarote artist César Manrique’s influence on the island, from his unusual sculptures to his futuristic home, now open to the public.

Culture lovers should head to Arrecife, just 15 minutes up the coast, where Castillo San Gabriel is home to a museum of local history and Castillo San Jose houses the small but highly-rated Museum of International Contemporary Art. A little further north, the volcanic tunnels of the Cueva de los Verdes (the Green Caves) are one of the most intriguing sites on the island and certainly worth a day trip. Above ground, Mirador del Rio, an old lookout point and fort, will leave you with a holiday high as you look out at the wonderful sea vistas.