Enjoying the beaches, walking along the promenade, and discovering the seabed by snorkelling or aboard a submarine. These are just some of the things to do in Puerto del Carmen. Visit one of the most popular family resorts in Lanzarote, which is the ideal place to go with your family, as there are activities for both adults and children.
Top 10 things to do in Puerto del Carmen
There are many things to do in Puerto del Carmen, but if we had to make a top 10, these are the ones you cannot miss:
- Relax on Playa Grande, the main beach and one of the resort’s most popular stretches of sand.
- Snorkel at Playa Chica, known for clear water and marine life close to shore.
- Go diving, since Puerto del Carmen is a top base for scuba and dive centres.
- Try watersports like jet skiing, paddle boarding, parasailing, windsurfing, and surf-style activities.
- Join a catamaran trip, including cruises towards the Papagayo area.
- Walk from the harbour towards Puerto Calero for a scenic coastal outing.
- Visit Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park for animals, shows, and water fun.
- Take a submarine-style excursion from the nearby marina area, a popular family outing.
- Spend an evening around the old harbour for drinks, dinner, and sea views.
- Explore the promenade and Avenida de las Playas for a beachside atmosphere, shopping, and nightlife.
Best beaches in Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen was a small fishing port that became one of the most important tourist centres in Lanzarote. Among its attractions are the beaches that you can visit as a family.
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is the most popular beach in Puerto del Carmen. It is an extensive beach with golden sand and calm waters. It has a wide variety of services, and in the surrounding area, there are shops, bars, and restaurants.
At Playa Grande, you can practise water sports or lie down to relax in the sun. It is busy, but with more than a kilometre of length, there is enough space for visitors.
Playa Chica
Playa Chica is a small cove, but it has great charm. The water is calm and transparent; furthermore, it is protected from the wind. Close to the shore, there is abundant marine life, which makes it an excellent place for snorkelling.
Los Pocillos
Los Pocillos is a wide beach to the east of Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote weather in May is perfect for visiting it. It is also a wide beach with shallow waters, which makes it ideal for families with children. At Los Pocillos, the wind conditions create a good environment for windsurfing and kite-surfing.
Matagorda
This is a semi-urban beach that connects with Puerto del Carmen via the promenade. It receives fewer visitors than Playa Grande, so it offers a quieter atmosphere.
Water sports and adventure activities
If you are a lover of water sports and adventure, you will have plenty to keep you busy.
Diving is one of the Puerto del Carmen activities that you will be able to enjoy. The area has abundant marine life, underwater caves, and shipwrecks. Contact any of the available dive centres and start your adventure on the seabed.
Matagorda and Los Pocillos have the ideal conditions for practising windsurfing, surfing, paddle surfing, and jet skiing. You can hire the equipment, and if you are a beginner, there are schools that can teach you.
Catamaran tours are another of the attractions in Puerto del Carmen. Embark on a tour to see the coast from another perspective.
Finally, live a unique experience aboard a submarine. Explore marine life, shipwrecks, and volcanic landscapes from the comfort of a submarine.
Family-friendly activities
If you are looking for the Puerto del Carmen attractions to enjoy with the family, the options include Rancho Texas, the submarine safari, and the Aquapark.
A few minutes from Puerto del Carmen is Rancho Texas, a themed park that combines wildlife with western shows.
At the Lanzarote Aquapark, you can spend a fun day. This water park with slides, swimming pools, and play areas is in Costa Teguise, but you can get there from Puerto del Carmen with ease.
Restaurants and dining
In the Old Harbour and Avenida de las Playas, there are some of the best restaurants in Puerto del Carmen. In these areas, you will find restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea, where you can sample fresh fish and seafood.
Local dishes you must try
During your visit to the restaurants in Puerto del Carmen, you must try the local dishes. Among these are papas arrugadas with mojo, gofio, sancocho canario, and fried goat’s cheese with palm honey.
Nightlife in Puerto del Carmen
The Avenida de las Playas is the hub of the nightlife in Puerto del Carmen. Along the area, there are bars and restaurants that offer food and music until late.
There are places to suit all tastes. You can have a quiet cocktail facing the sea at a bar with a terrace or go to one of the live music venues and late-night bars at the harbour.
Day trips from Puerto del Carmen
From Puerto del Carmen, you can also go on excursions to other attractions in Lanzarote:
- Timanfaya National Park: enjoy the tour through this lunar landscape that originated in the volcanic eruptions of the 18th century.
- La Geria: discover unique vineyards planted in hollows dug into the volcanic ash.
- Costa Teguise market: you can buy local crafts, clothing, souvenirs, and a wide variety of products.
You can also find things to do in Playa Blanca and in other areas of Lanzarote.
How to get to Puerto del Carmen from Lanzarote Airport
Puerto del Carmen is 10 minutes from the airport, and you can get there by taxi or bus. But the best way to get there is by booking a transfer from Lanzarote airport to Puerto del Carmen.
A driver will be waiting for you at the airport upon your arrival to take you to your destination. Book your airport transfer now and ensure a comfortable arrival in Lanzarote.
We hope that this list of things to do in Puerto del Carmen helps you plan your trip to the island.
FAQ
Is Puerto del Carmen good for families?
Yes, Puerto del Carmen is one of the best family-friendly resorts in Lanzarote. It has attractions for the whole family, with all services accessible and many options for food and entertainment.
What’s the best beach in Puerto del Carmen?
Each of the beaches in Puerto del Carmen has its own charm, and the best one will depend on your tastes. However, the most popular is Playa Grande.
Is Puerto del Carmen walkable?
Yes, the town is very walkable, especially the Avenida de las Playas, which will allow you to walk along the coastline, where there are shops, restaurants, and bars.
Sources:
- https://thetravelexpert.ie/family-holidays/things-to-do-with-kids-in-puerto-del-carmen/
- https://enjoycanaryislands.com/puerto-del-carmen-lanzarote/#Relax_at_the_Beaches
Specialist in the tourism sector of the Canary Islands with a proven track record in experience management in Lanzarote. My work has always focused on promoting iconic destinations and optimizing transfer and excursion services on the volcanic island.
