Puerto del Carmen started out as a simple, small fishing village on the southeast coast of the Spanish island of Lanzarote. Over the last half a century, this tiny town has transformed into one of the island’s leading resorts. Its sandy beaches, sparkling seas and beautiful old quarter have made it the popular family destination that it is today – but Puerto del Carmen’s relaxed atmosphere and scenic spots will especially appeal to older couples too.
Here are some of the more relaxed activities that are sure to be the highlights of your itinerary.
The Marina
The marina lies at the edge of Puerto del Carmen. Thanks to its location, sailors are forever opting to stop off here as they cross the Atlantic. You’re pretty much guaranteed to glimpse a wide variety of beautiful boats mooring in this idyllic setting while you are strolling around.
There are lots of restaurants overlooking the marina where you can settle in for a spot of lunch, or, if admiring all these ships makes you fancy a trip out to sea yourselves, you can always head down to the waters at the old town harbour and catch a glass-bottomed catamaran cruise. Return trips are reasonably priced and lunch comes included.
Beaches
You can’t talk about Puerto del Carmen without mentioning the soft sands that await you at the resort’s numerous beaches.
For the best sunset views, you’ll want to make your way over to Playa Grande. The waters here are clear and gentle, which should make dipping your toes in no problem at all. The beach also has all the facilities you need to sunbathe comfortably, including sunbed hire, parasols, lifeguards, and showers.
Playa Grande can, however, get a little busy in the high points of the season, so for a quieter day out head to Playa de las Pocillos. The sea is especially calm in this bay, the vibe is very relaxed, and the sands join on to a promenade with some lovely restaurants and shops.
The Old Town
The older part of town is a great place to go for a wander. There are some wonderfully kept gardens in the area, and the views, as always in Puerto del Carmen, are stunning. You can expect to see fishermen sitting out on the rocks and cleaning their catches.
Every Friday the harbour area comes alive with a vibrant market, with sellers showing off all their local produce and handmade gifts. You can find everything here from fresh fruit to intricately crafted handbags, and once you’re done there are plenty of places where you can take a break and enjoy an icy cool drink by the fishing boats.
Local Spa Treatments
As if the resort weren’t relaxing enough already, Puerto del Carmen has spa treatments on offer which make the most of Lanzarote’s natural supplies. Volcanic earth—jet black and rich with minerals—as well as sea salt and aloe vera are combined in skin therapies designed to cleanse and exfoliate.
Dining Out
Bozena’s: The intimate surroundings and lovely views over the old harbour provide the perfect backdrop for dining. As you would expect from a waterside restaurant, the menu here includes a good helping of fresh fish in generous portion sizes. Vegetarians can also find dishes here to suit!
Casa Roja: Right by the waterfront and well known for their consistent quality, Casa Roja is always a good choice for those planning on sampling some traditional Spanish dishes.
La Cabaña: A British-owned restaurant, the menu at La Cabaña features a wide range of top-quality international dishes. The Barbary duck breast and caramelised pork fillet come highly recommended.
La Tegala: La Tegala is commonly recognised as one of Lanzarote’s leading restaurants. The décor is stylish, the wine list is excellent, and the meals here reinterpret local dishes in an impeccable manner.
Puerto Bahia: Another classy take on Spanish cuisine can be found at Puerto Bahia in the old town harbour. Service here is very good, but the best part is that you can see all the way across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. It’s certainly a proven favourite.
Where to Stay
Hyde Park Lane – Situated close to the centre of town and just a ten minute walk away from the beach, The Hyde Park Lane is perfect for those wanting a peaceful and picturesque place to stay. The complex boasts four outdoor pools and 30,000m2 of stunning gardens for you to stroll around, and each of its lovely white bungalows comes equipped with a kitchenette and a terrace.
Apartamentos Temisa – The one or two bedroom apartments at this property are absolutely charming. The accommodation also has a tour desk where you can organise outings with a rep, as well as a gorgeous outdoor pool and tennis courts. Plus, the apartments are only 200 yards from the beach, so going for an early morning swim will be an easy and enjoyable way to start your day—you won’t have to venture far at all!
Agazul – All the apartments at Agazul promise a terrace or balcony overlooking the sea. The accommodation is particularly popular with golfers, as it’s ideally placed for a game at the Lanzarote Golf Resort or Costa Teguise Golf Course. On site there is an outdoor pool, and all the apartments come with kitchens and flat-screen TVs.
How to Get There
Plenty of airlines serve the route from the UK to Lanzarote Airport (ACE). The prices for direct flights are extremely reasonable: British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, and TUI all serve the route, among a few other airlines.
Upon arrival, the quickest and most stress free way to get from the airport to your accommodation is via a private transfer with Shuttle Direct. The journey will only take 8 minutes door-to-door, meaning you can check in and unpack far faster than if you had to try and make your way on public transport or hail an expensive taxi. So, if you pre-book you’ll be taking a dip in the pool in no time!
Overview
- UK TO ACE Flight Time: 4 hours 14 minutes
- ACE to Puerto del Carmen Distance: 7 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 8 minutes
About Shuttle Direct
We at Shuttle Direct are one of the leading companies providing airport transfers across Europe. We are incredibly proud to have such a great reputation for our professional and friendly service, and if you pre-book with us you can look forward to a stress-free journey. We’ll get you to the doorstep of your destination in comfort, wherever that may be.
