Puerto del Carmen is the largest and most popular resort in Lanzarote, combining excellent beaches, a lively atmosphere and easy access to many of the island’s top attractions. Located on the southeastern coast just a short distance from Lanzarote Airport, the resort stretches for several kilometres along a beautiful coastline of sandy beaches, rocky headlands and waterfront promenades.
Before tourism transformed the area, Puerto del Carmen was a small fishing village centred around the harbour now known as the Old Town or Varadero. Although modern development has expanded the resort considerably, the original harbour area still retains much of its traditional character. Fishing boats, seafood restaurants and waterfront cafés provide a reminder of the town’s maritime heritage.
Today, Puerto del Carmen is best known for its long seafront promenade, Avenida de las Playas, which links a series of beaches stretching eastwards towards Matagorda. The largely flat promenade is lined with restaurants, cafés, shops and bars and is one of the most popular walking routes in Lanzarote. Visitors can easily spend an entire day exploring the coastline on foot.
The resort appeals to a wide range of travellers. Families are attracted by the broad sandy beaches and calm swimming conditions, while couples enjoy the restaurants, harbour atmosphere and coastal walks. Water sports enthusiasts can take advantage of diving, snorkelling, paddleboarding and boat excursions, while those seeking nightlife will find plenty of bars and entertainment venues throughout the resort.
Puerto del Carmen also serves as an excellent base for exploring Lanzarote. Timanfaya National Park, La Geria wine region, the César Manrique Foundation and many of the island’s most famous attractions can all be reached within a short drive or organised excursion.
With its combination of beaches, restaurants, nightlife and convenient location, Puerto del Carmen remains one of the most complete holiday destinations in the Canary Islands and continues to be a favourite among visitors to Lanzarote.
Google map – Puerto del Carmen
Best Things to Do in Puerto del Carmen
Walk Along Avenida de las Playas
The seafront promenade is the heart of Puerto del Carmen and stretches for several kilometres along the coast. The route passes beaches, restaurants, shops and viewpoints while offering excellent sea views throughout. The promenade is particularly enjoyable during the evening when visitors gather to stroll beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Explore the Old Town and Harbour
The original fishing village remains one of the most attractive parts of Puerto del Carmen. Around the harbour, visitors will find traditional restaurants, fishing boats and attractive waterfront terraces overlooking the marina. The Old Town generally feels more authentic and relaxed than the newer sections of the resort.
Google map 4.4/5
Relax on the Beaches
Puerto del Carmen is home to some of the best urban beaches in Lanzarote. Several sandy beaches are connected by the coastal promenade, allowing visitors to explore different sections of coastline while enjoying swimming, sunbathing and watersports – see a list of best beaches below.
Take a Boat Excursion
Puerto del Carmen Harbour is one of Lanzarote’s main departure points for boat trips and marine excursions. Visitors can choose from dolphin-watching cruises, catamaran trips to the Papagayo Beaches, fishing charters and sailing excursions along the island’s volcanic coastline. Organised day trips to Lobos Island and Fuerteventura are also widely available and remain among the most popular excursions from the resort.
Go Diving or Snorkelling at Playa Chica
Playa Chica is one of the best diving locations in Lanzarote. The sheltered bay offers excellent underwater visibility and attracts divers from across Europe. Snorkellers can also enjoy clear water and abundant marine life close to the shore.
Visit Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
One of the island’s most popular family attractions, Rancho Texas combines animal exhibits, swimming pools, water slides and live shows. The park is located close to the centre of Puerto del Carmen and is particularly popular with families visiting Lanzarote.
Official website: https://ranchotexaslanzarote.com/en/
Google map 4.6/5
Enjoy the Restaurants and Nightlife
Puerto del Carmen offers one of the widest selections of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues in Lanzarote. Visitors can choose from traditional Canarian restaurants, fresh seafood, international cuisine and lively evening entertainment throughout the resort.
Best Beaches in Puerto del Carmen
The beaches of Puerto del Carmen form a nearly continuous stretch of sand extending from the Old Town eastwards towards Matagorda. Most are connected by the Avenida de las Playas promenade, making it easy to explore several beaches during a single visit.
Playa Chica
Playa Chica is a small sheltered cove located near the Old Town and harbour. The beach is famous for diving and snorkelling thanks to its clear water and rich marine life. Despite its relatively small size, it remains one of the most popular beaches in Puerto del Carmen.
Google map 4.5/5
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is the main beach in Puerto del Carmen and one of the busiest beaches in Lanzarote. The broad sandy beach offers calm swimming conditions, sunbeds and easy access to the restaurants, shops and cafés lining the promenade.
Google map 4.6/5
Playa La Peñita
Located east of Playa Grande, Playa La Peñita offers a slightly quieter atmosphere while remaining close to the resort’s facilities. The sandy beach is popular with swimmers and visitors looking for a more relaxed setting than the busiest central areas.
Google map 4.6/5
Playa El Barranquillo
Playa El Barranquillo is a pleasant sandy beach located between the centre of Puerto del Carmen and Los Pocillos. Calm water and convenient access from the promenade make it popular with families and visitors staying in nearby hotels.
Google map 4.6/5
Playa de Los Pocillos
Los Pocillos is one of the largest beaches in Puerto del Carmen. The wide sandy shoreline provides plenty of space even during busy periods, while the open setting and gentle slope towards the sea make it especially attractive for families and walkers.
Google map 4.5/5
Playa Matagorda
Located at the eastern end of the resort, Playa Matagorda offers a quieter atmosphere than the beaches closer to the centre. The broad sandy beach and long promenade are popular with walkers, cyclists and visitors looking for a more relaxed beach experience.
Google map 4.5/5
Best Day Trips from Puerto del Carmen
Timanfaya National Park
The volcanic landscapes of Timanfaya are among Lanzarote’s most famous attractions. Lava fields, volcanic cones and geothermal demonstrations reveal the dramatic eruptions that shaped the island during the eighteenth century.
La Geria Wine Region
Located in the centre of Lanzarote, La Geria is one of the world’s most unusual wine-producing regions. Visitors can tour vineyards, enjoy wine tastings and learn how vines are cultivated in volcanic ash.
César Manrique Foundation
Built within volcanic bubbles created by ancient lava flows, the former home of César Manrique provides fascinating insight into the artist’s life, work and influence on modern Lanzarote.
Official website: https://fcmanrique.org/en/
Google map 4.7/5
Playa Blanca and the Papagayo Beaches
Southern Lanzarote contains some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Many visitors travel to Playa Blanca and the nearby Papagayo Beaches to experience a different side of Lanzarote’s coastline.
Google map Playa Blanca
Google map Playa de Papagayo 4.6/5
Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua
These two remarkable attractions in northern Lanzarote form part of a vast volcanic lava tube system. Together they offer one of the most unusual and memorable sightseeing experiences in the Canary Islands.
Official website: https://cactlanzarote.com/en/ (Jameos del Aguas)
Google map Cueva de los Verdes 4.6/5
Google map Jameos del Agua 4.4/5