Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del Carmen - Overview:

Cosmopolitan Puerto del Carmen is the largest tourist resort in Lanzarote and its irresistible attractions include a particularly mild climate, an extensive choice of shops and restaurants a bustling nightlife and the six kilometre-long beaches of golden sand - without doubt the magnet which draws so many holidaymakers to the resort every year.

Located on the island's south coast, it is Lanzarote's main holiday resort and is an ideal base from which to explore this fascinating island.

Once an idyllic, tiny fishing village, known as Tinosa and nestling on a long sandy beach, it has grown in recent years into a top tourist resort stretching for 5km along the coast, blessed with three fabulous sandy beaches.

There are no high-rise structures here and parts of the town retain a traditional Canarian atmosphere. All buildings have been designed in harmony with the local environment and most are constructed in Lanzarote's traditional architectural style, heavilly influenced by Cesar Manrique.

Puerto del carmen's landscaped promenade, with beautiful walkways and passages surrounded by palm trees and sub-tropical shrubs provides a wonderful setting for a quiet stroll or to enjoy a breath-taking sunset whilst watching the sun disappear behind a chain of volcanoes a little further down the coast.

Puerto del Carmen - Town:

The original part of Puerto del Carmen is the old harbour area, which still has working fishing boats along with leisure craft. From here you can take a day trip in a submarine to explore the underwater world close to the coast, or take a boat especially equipped for diving excursions and sports fishing.

In the square next to the port, you can watch the locals playing their version of 'boccia' and in the immediate vicinity you can sample delicious fayre at many of the seafood restaurants.

The Avenida de las Playas, a bustling seaside promenade east of the harbour, is the main tourist centre. On one side of the Avenida is a pleasant walkway fringed with palm trees and bright sub-tropical plants. On the other side of the road is a vast choice of over one hundred restaurants with food to suit every taste and every pocket from fast food to gourmet. Also a large variety of shops, boutiques and bazaars stocked with everything from duty free electronics to local arts and crafts and designer clothes, shoes or jewellery, bars, cafes, amusement arcades and ice cream parlours - all competing to please the international tastes of visiting nationalities.

Puerto del Carmen - Nightlife:

Puerto del Carmen offers a variety of night-time activities. Bars and clubs offer a wide selection of live and recorded music ranging from rock and roll and jazz and the rhythms of salsa an rhumba to flamenco and Canarian folklore. A more restful evening can be spent in one of the many restaurants or pleasant hotel lounges and cocktail bars. Alternatively you can enjoy the calm tranquility and safe serenity of the warm nights of Puerto del Carmen by talking a leisurely stroll along the beach promenade.

During the week the evening entertainment ends here around midnight, but nightlife continues in a few nightclubs and discos located in the various shopping centres, the most popular of which is the Centro Comercial Atlantico.

Puerto del Carmen - Beaches:

During the day, the most popular area of Puerto del Carmen is the beach. The beaches here are family-friendly and generally safe for swimming. They offer a wide range of water sports, good water quality and boast all necessary facilities for a fun-filled day at the seaside.

The waters are considered among the most tranquil of the Archipelago and can be enjoyed by swimmers and other water sport enthusiasts. Certain parts of the coast attract sufficient wind for windsurfing. The beaches of Puerto del Carmen have all been awarded Blue Flags for their cleanliness.

The most famous of Puerto del Carmen's beaches - and considered by many to be the island's most beautiful are the golden sand beaches Playa Grande (confusingly also known as Playa Blanca like the southern tourist resort), and Playa de los Pocillos. Bothe are over one kilometre long.

At the eastern end of the town is the less crowded Playa de Matagorda.

Puerto del Carmen - Activities:

Activities available in Puerto del Carmen inclue running, walking, jogging, tennis, swimming and diving, windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing. If you want to try something new whilst on holiday, several windsurfing and diving schools are located on the beaches.

The Ironman Triathlon, a major international athletics event takes place each June with the winners qualifying for places at the world finals in Hawaii. Puerto del Carmen's beach promenade marks the start and finish of the race with the swimming stage taking place in the adjacent sea.

Puerto del Carmen - Our holiday accommodation and service:

Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy privileged sophisticated holiday destinations in Lanzarote, including Puerto del Carmen. Holiday villas, apartments and hotels in beautiful coastal and rural locations. Privately owned villas, apartments and villas with pools, hand-picked for an authentic taste of unspoiled Lanzarote.

Additionally, all of the Canary Islands are ideal for a spot of winter sun. So if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling, trekking, exploring Lanzarote's volcanoes in the Timanfaya Natural Park, or simply sunbathing and relaxing on fabulous beaches, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with Canaries flights to Lanzarote, ferry travel and island car hire.