Puerto del Carmen
Located in the southeast of the island just a short distance from the airport, Puerto del Carmen is one of Lanzarote's main tourist centres. The town has endless golden sandy beaches and a wide range of restaurants, shops, hotels and flats.
Looking back
Formerly known as Tiñosa, the area of Puerto del Carmen was already inhabited before the arrival of the Normans to Lanzarote. After the conquest took place in the port of the small fishing village, it would become the most important on the island, although over the years the growth of Arrecife would make it barely visible.
In 1957 it would receive its current name in honour of its patron saint, Nuestra Señora del Carmen. 10 years later, the town began the race to become a major tourist destination, receiving visitors not only from Spain but also from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany.
What to do in Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is one of Lanzarote's most popular tourist destinations.
The most popular area to see in Puerto del Carmen is its endless seafront, a long avenue that follows the ocean offering a variety of restaurants and shops for visitors looking for entertainment.
The beaches of Puerto del Carmen include Playa Grande, Los Pocillos and Matagorda, a total of 5 miles (8 km) of coastline equipped with all kinds of amenities that offer the ideal environment for sports and a variety of water activities.
Once the sun goes down, Puerto del Carmen has much more to offer in addition to its nature and its extensive beaches, as the seafront and its surroundings have excellent hotels and are full of shops, restaurants and colourfully lit entertainment venues.
In the Plaza del Varadero every Friday from 10 am to 2 pm there is a street market full of typical Lanzarote products and handicrafts ideal for souvenirs of the island.
How to get to Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is one of the best-connected towns on Lanzarote. The most common way to get there is by car, as most tourists choose to rent a car in Lanzarote to travel around the island without complications.
The journey from Lanzarote Airport to Puerto del Carmen takes about 10 minutes and the capital, Arrecife, is only 15 minutes away.
If you're not planning to hire a car in Lanzarote, it's also possible to get to Puerto del Carmen by bus, either from the airport or from the main towns on the island.
