Puerto del Carmen City
Popular tourist destination in Canary Islands
Lanzarote resort town built along a long promenade, lined with dive shops and seafood restaurants. People come for Playa Grande swims, day dives over volcanic reefs, and evening meals by the marina.
Puerto del Carmen at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate - $100-150/day - resort restaurants and hotels push prices into midrange for the Canaries.
Safety: Generally safe for tourists - low violent crime; pickpocketing occurs in busy tourist areas and nightlife spots.
Best Time: Year-round sunshine; best Apr-May and Sep-Oct - warm, sunny weather almost year-round; shoulder seasons are less crowded.
Why Visit Puerto del Carmen?#
Long stretches of sand and easy access to the Canary Islands’ dive sites are the main reasons travelers head to Puerto del Carmen. The beachfront promenade around Playa Grande and the lively Avenida de las Playas line up bars, seafood restaurants and surf shops. Food lovers come for Canarian specialties such as papas arrugadas with mojo and fresh grilled fish, while nightlife along the main strip keeps the evenings lively. It’s an island base that combines beach time, coastal cuisine and water sports.
Best Things to Do in Puerto del Carmen#
Puerto del Carmen Bucket List#
Playa Grande (Main Beach) - Long sandy beach popular for sunbathing, swimming, and vibrant seaside promenades.
Puerto del Carmen Old Harbour - Historic harbour area lined with restaurants, fishing boats, and sunset views.
Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park - Family-friendly animal park with shows, rescued species, and landscaped gardens.
Playa Chica - Small sheltered cove ideal for snorkeling and quieter seaside relaxation near town.
Avenida de las Playas promenade - Seafront promenade with cafés, sculptures, and people-watching away from the busiest spots.
Local fish restaurants on Calle Anzuelo - Family-run eateries serving freshly prepared seafood and authentic Canarian flavours.
Timanfaya National Park - Drive to volcanic landscapes and geothermal demonstrations across Lanzarote’s central volcanic zone.
La Geria wine region - Tour vine-covered volcanic soils, visit bodegas, and sample unique Lanzarote wines.
Best Time to Visit Puerto del Carmen#
Puerto del Carmen is great almost year‑round thanks to Lanzarote’s mild subtropical climate. Visit in spring or winter for gentler temperatures and fewer crowds; summer brings reliably warm, beach‑friendly weather.
December - February
16°C - 21°C (61°F - 70°F)
Mild, breezy and pleasantly cool - perfect for long walks on the volcanic beaches without intense sun.
March - May
18°C - 24°C (64°F - 75°F)
Sunny, warm days with low humidity; ideal for exploring beaches, wineries and outdoor cafés before peak crowds.
June - November
22°C - 29°C (72°F - 84°F)
Long, warm days and calm seas - peak beach weather but expect stronger sun and more visitors.
Puerto del Carmen's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 30°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Puerto del Carmen#
Puerto del Carmen is served via Lanzarote Airport (ACE) near Arrecife; most visitors arrive by air and then continue by taxi, shuttle or local bus. The island has no rail network-ground connections are by bus, taxi or rental car.
Lanzarote Airport (ACE): The island’s main gateway sits about 6-8 km from Puerto del Carmen (Arrecife area). Taxis to Puerto del Carmen typically take 10-20 minutes and cost roughly €15-25 depending on luggage and time of day; car hire desks are available at the terminal and rental-driving time to Puerto del Carmen is about 15 minutes.
Arrecife Ferry / Port: Ferries from the mainland arrive in Arrecife; from the port you can take a local bus or taxi to Puerto del Carmen. Taxi transfers from Arrecife port are short (15-25 minutes) and similar in price to fares from the airport.
Train: There is no intercity rail on Lanzarote. Rail travel is not an option for getting to Puerto del Carmen.
Bus: Local buses link Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen (regular lines serving Arrecife-Tías-Puerto del Carmen). Expect short travel times of around 15-25 minutes from Arrecife; single fares are low-typically around €1.50-€3 (exact fare varies by operator). Buses run multiple times per day but check timetables in high season for frequency.
How to Get Around Puerto del Carmen#
Puerto del Carmen is easiest to navigate by short taxi rides, rental car or local buses for budget travel. For door-to-door comfort use a taxi or private transfer; if you plan day trips, renting a car gives the most flexibility.
- Local bus (€1.50-€3) - Regular interurban buses connect Arrecife, Tías and Puerto del Carmen. Buses are inexpensive, run several times daily, and are the most economical option for solo travellers. Frequency increases in high season but check local timetables for exact times.
- Taxi (€15-€25) - Taxis from ACE airport or Arrecife port are the fastest direct option - 10-25 minutes to Puerto del Carmen depending on traffic. They are convenient if you have luggage or arrive late. Expect a fixed short transfer fare rather than a long metered ride.
- Car hire (€25-€60/day) - Hiring a car is popular for exploring Lanzarote’s beaches and interior at your own pace. Rental desks are at the airport; parking in Puerto del Carmen is generally available though busy during peak season. Fuel and parking costs apply as usual.
- Shuttle / Private transfer (€6-€15 (shared) / €20+ (private)) - Shared airport shuttles and private transfers can be booked in advance; they offer door-to-door service and can be cost-effective for groups. Travel time is similar to a taxi but depends on stops for other passengers.
- Walking - Puerto del Carmen’s main resort area is compact and easy to explore on foot - many hotels, beaches and restaurants are within short walking distance. Walking is the best way to get around the promenade and old town area.
Where to Stay in Puerto del Carmen#
Avenida de las Playas - €25-60/night
Puerto del Carmen has many budget studios and small hostels along the strip; simple, close to beaches and nightlife.
Local guesthouses (varied) - Small guesthouses and hostels listed online
Multiple budget options (Booking) - Cheap rooms across the strip
Old Town / San Antonio area - €60-140/night
Plenty of comfortable mid-range hotels with pools and beach access; busy in high season, book early for sea views.
Hotel Fariones - Central, beach-side mid-range hotel
H10 Lanzarote Gardens - Comfortable family-friendly option
Beachfront, Matagorda area - €140+/night
Several premium resorts and boutique hotels offer sea views and full facilities; expect higher prices in peak season.
La Isla y el Mar - Upscale suites and beachfront location
Seaside Los Jameos Playa (nearby) - Higher-end resort amenities
Shopping in Puerto del Carmen#
Shopping is geared to tourists: souvenir stalls, beachwear shops and small boutiques line the seafront and side streets. You’ll also find supermarkets and travel shops for essentials. For larger malls or specialist stores, nearby Arrecife or other towns offer more choice.
Nightlife in Puerto del Carmen#
Nightlife centres on the long seafront strip where bars, pubs and late-night clubs cater to tourists; you’ll find everything from casual Irish-style pubs to cocktail bars and clubs that stay open late. Evenings earlier in the season are family-friendly, while peak summer nights are busier and louder.
