Quick Answer
The best things to do in Puerto del Carmen include swimming at Playa Grande and Playa Chica, walking the promenade, exploring the old harbour, day trips to Papagayo and Timanfaya, open-air cinema at Biosfera Plaza, a boat trip from the marina and eating your way through the old town rather than the resort strip. Puerto del Carmen works best when you treat it as a base for exploring the wider island rather than the destination itself.
The Beaches
Playa Grande
The main beach. Long, wide, golden sand, calm enough for families and well set up with sun lounger hire and several beach bars. On a good day the water is clear and warm enough that you will understand why Puerto del Carmen became popular in the first place. It gets busy in high season, particularly the central section. Walk further towards either end and it thins out.
Playa Chica
Smaller and more sheltered than Playa Grande, Playa Chica is popular with divers and snorkellers because the water tends to be clearer and the marine life more interesting. It sits at the quieter end of Puerto del Carmen near the old harbour. Go for a snorkel, not a sunbathing session. The water is the point.
Playa de los Pocillos and Playa de Matagorda
These beaches extend north-east of central Puerto del Carmen towards the airport end of the resort. They are longer and generally less crowded than Playa Grande, which makes them worth knowing about if the main beach is heaving. The trade-off is that they are slightly more exposed to the wind.
The beach areas at either end of Puerto del Carmen are notably quieter than the central section. If space and calm water matter more than being close to everything else, walk ten minutes in either direction.
The Old Town and Harbour
The Varadero area around the old harbour is the part of Puerto del Carmen that existed before the resort did. It still feels different from the main strip. Traditional Canarian architecture, restaurants that have been there long enough to have regulars, fishing boats in the harbour and a general absence of souvenir shops.
Walk down from the main promenade towards the harbour and you are in a different version of the same town. The seafood restaurants here are consistently recommended locally. Not every restaurant in the old harbour is excellent but the area as a whole is a considerably better option for a proper dinner than anything on Avenida de las Playas.
The Promenade
Avenida de las Playas is the main promenade running along the beach. It is exactly what it looks like: bars, restaurants, ice cream, souvenir shops, tourist offices and people walking up and down in both directions. That is not a criticism. A promenade is supposed to be a promenade.
The best version of an evening here is a walk after dinner rather than dinner itself. Eat in the old town or somewhere away from the main strip, then walk along the seafront while the sun goes down or after it does. That combination works well.
Things to Do Beyond the Beach
Open-air cinema at Biosfera Plaza
The Starlight Open Air Cinema at Biosfera Plaza runs films on a rooftop terrace with wireless headphones, which means you can watch in English without the person next to you watching in German at the same volume. Food and drinks can be ordered from your seat. Worth booking in advance for popular screenings. Check current schedules directly as operating hours and programmes change by season.
Boat trips from the marina
Several operators run boat trips from Puerto del Carmen marina including whale and dolphin watching excursions and trips to Papagayo. The quality varies between operators so read recent reviews before booking. Whale and dolphin sightings are common enough around Lanzarote that this is a reasonable activity rather than an empty promise, but they are wild animals and nothing is guaranteed on any given trip.
Diving and snorkelling
Puerto del Carmen has a strong diving scene. Playa Chica in particular is a popular entry point for shore dives and there are several dive schools operating in the resort. The waters around Lanzarote have good visibility and interesting marine life. If you are a certified diver, this is worth doing. If you are not, some schools offer introductory dives and PADI courses.
Day Trips from Puerto del Carmen
Papagayo
About 45 minutes by car or closer by boat from the marina. Go early. The car park fills up fast and the coves are considerably better before the main crowd arrives.
Timanfaya National Park
About 30 minutes from Puerto del Carmen. Book tickets online in advance. One of those places that actually lives up to the photographs, which is rarer than it sounds.
Teguise Sunday market
About 25 minutes north. The Sunday market runs 09:00 to 14:00. Go early and see the old town as well as the market.
La Geria
About 20 minutes away. Vines in hollows in black volcanic ash, semicircular stone walls, bodegas where you can stop for a tasting. Or just drive through. The landscape does the work.
Where to Eat in Puerto del Carmen
The best eating in Puerto del Carmen is not on Avenida de las Playas. The main strip has perfectly acceptable restaurants but the old harbour area around Varadero is where most locals and returning visitors end up. Fresh fish and seafood, grilled meats, Canarian classics and restaurants that are not primarily designed to turn tables quickly.
Walk five minutes from the main tourist strip and prices drop noticeably. The old harbour area is where most of the better meals happen.
Lunch is often better value than dinner in Puerto del Carmen. Many restaurants offer a menu del día at lunchtime with two or three courses included. That is usually the right moment to try somewhere you are not sure about.
Using Puerto del Carmen as a Base
Puerto del Carmen is not the most interesting part of Lanzarote. It is, however, one of the best places to stay if you want to actually see the island. It is centrally located, has good road connections, a wide range of accommodation and enough amenities that you can sort out everything you need without drama.
The mistake is treating it as the destination. Spend two or three evenings on the promenade and a lunch in the old harbour, and use the rest of your time to explore what is actually around you. Timanfaya, La Geria, Papagayo, Teguise, Jameos del Agua and Famara are all within 45 minutes. That is a good position to be in for a week.
Frequently Asked Questions What is the best beach in Puerto del Carmen?
Playa Grande for a classic sandy beach day. Playa Chica for snorkelling and clearer water. If you want to get away from the crowds, the beaches at the Matagorda end of the resort are quieter and still perfectly good.
Is Puerto del Carmen good for families?
Yes. Playa Grande is safe for children, the promenade is easy to navigate, there are boat trips and water sports nearby and the resort is well set up for families. It is not wild or remote, which is exactly what works when you are travelling with children.
What is there to do in Puerto del Carmen at night?
The old harbour area for dinner, the main promenade for a walk and a drink, open-air cinema at Biosfera Plaza when it is operating, and the resort has conventional nightlife on Avenida de las Playas if that is what you are looking for. Check VidodoGuide for any local events during your stay.
Is Puerto del Carmen touristy?
Yes. It is the most visited resort in Lanzarote and it does not pretend otherwise. The old harbour area feels more local than the main strip. Everything else is fairly standard resort territory. That is not necessarily a problem.
How far is Puerto del Carmen from Papagayo?
About 45 minutes by car. Closer if you take a boat trip from the marina, which is also a reasonable option.
How far is Puerto del Carmen from Timanfaya?
About 30 minutes by car. Straightforward drive, well signposted.
What is the old town area called in Puerto del Carmen?
The old harbour area is called Varadero. It is where the fishing harbour is and where you will find the more locally-rooted restaurants and the traditional Canarian architecture that predates the resort.
Is Puerto del Carmen a good base for exploring Lanzarote?
Yes. Centrally located, good road access, 30 minutes to Timanfaya, 45 minutes to Papagayo, 25 minutes to Teguise and 20 minutes to La Geria. If you have a hire car, Puerto del Carmen is a sensible base for the whole island.
To Wrap Up
Puerto del Carmen is the resort most visitors to Lanzarote end up in, which means it gets a lot of criticism for being exactly what it is. But it does what it is supposed to do well. The beaches are good, the location is central, the old harbour is genuinely pleasant and there is enough here to keep you busy without leaving the resort.
The better version of a Puerto del Carmen holiday is one where you use it as a base rather than a destination. Sleep there, eat breakfast there, use the beach when you want it and then spend your days driving through the volcanic landscape that is sitting right behind the resort waiting to be discovered.
