Puerto del Carmen is located just 15 minutes from Lanzarote Airport and is the island’s main tourist hub. Here you will find restaurants, nightlife venues and incredible beaches where you can participate in activities and water sports, go on excursions or simply spend a relaxing day under the sun. If you are travelling to the island, here you will find everything you need to know about the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote.
How to use this beach guide
This guide we have prepared for you includes details that will allow you to make the most of the beaches in Puerto del Carmen. Whether you are travelling alone, with friends or with family, you can review this information to find the beach that best suits your travel profile. If you are looking for a beach suitable for young children, if you wish to do water sports, or if you are searching for a place to enjoy traditional Canarian dishes.
Best beaches in Puerto del Carmen
Playa Grande
Stretching for more than one kilometre, this is one of the most famous and largest beaches in Lanzarote. It features golden sands and offers facilities such as showers, sun loungers and toilets. You can also hire pedal boats and rowing boats. Along the promenade adjacent to the beach, you will find several shops and restaurants. There is parking available, although it is limited and may be insufficient during the high season.
Playa de Los Pocillos
This is also a large beach, measuring over 1,000 metres in length, with golden sands and calm waters, and is very popular in Puerto del Carmen. It is located between Playa Grande and Playa de Matagorda. It is an ideal beach for families: spacious, with shallow areas in the water, facilities, and activities suitable for younger members of the family. There are holiday complexes and parking facilities nearby.
Playa Matagorda
At over 800 metres long, Playa Matagorda is a peaceful beach located on Avenida de las Playas in Puerto del Carmen, with easy access from the seafront promenade. It is possible to park in the surrounding area. It has gentle waves and golden sand.
Playa Chica
Unlike the previous beaches, this is a small cove of just 60 metres in length, located in the south-east of the island. It is a natural pool with calm, crystal-clear waters that provide habitat for a wide variety of marine species and reefs. This makes it an ideal spot for diving and snorkelling. Due to its small size, Playa Chica is best visited during the low season.
Playa El Barranquillo / Playa La Lima
Playa El Barranquillo is a less crowded beach, also located along the Puerto del Carmen seafront promenade. It is a small cove with calm waters, fine sand, and facilities, with parking available in the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Playa Lima, also known as Playa de Aviones, is located next to the airport. It is quiet and not very busy, although due to its proximity to the terminal, you will see and hear aircraft flying quite close to overhead. You can reach it by hiring the services of companies, such as Lastminute Transfer.
Activities to enjoy on the beaches of Puerto del Carmen
Water sports
One of the most attractive water-based activities in Puerto del Carmen is jet ski excursions. During these outings, you can admire the beauty of Lanzarote’s coastline and the contrast between its idyllic beaches and rocky formations.
Snorkelling and marine exploration
Thanks to the calm, crystal-clear waters and the diversity of marine species, snorkelling and diving are popular activities on the beaches of Puerto del Carmen. You can enjoy the wonders of the seabed.
Family activities
If you are travelling with your family, you can be sure you will also enjoy wonderful moments on the beaches of Puerto del Carmen. The beaches mentioned in this guide have calm waters where everyone, including young children, can enjoy swimming and playing in the sand.
Practical tips for visiting the beaches
Best time of day to visit
The climate in Lanzarote is sunny most of the year, so whenever you decide to travel, you will enjoy your favourite beaches in Puerto del Carmen. As for the time of day, it is best to go in the morning, until around one o’clock in the afternoon, when there are fewer bathers.
How to get to the beaches
From the Puerto del Carmen seafront promenade, you can reach the beaches on foot. Therefore, if you are staying in the area, the beach will be just a few steps away.
Parking and accessibility
The beaches of Puerto del Carmen are easily accessible, as there are ramps and walkways. At Playa Grande, there are amphibious chairs available for people with reduced mobility. There is free parking along the seafront promenade and in the surrounding streets. It is recommended to arrive early to find available spaces during the high season.
Where to eat near the beaches
Along Avenida de las Playas, there are a variety of restaurants where you can sample Canarian cuisine, especially fresh fish and seafood. There are also dining options in the Varadero area, where fish dishes and tapas are served.
Safety, rules and sustainability
Bathing safety
Although the waters at the beaches of Puerto del Carmen are calm, it is always important to pay attention to the weather conditions, and flags displayed along the coast before entering the water. On beaches such as Los Pocillos and Playa Grande, there are lifeguards.
Respect for the environment
As this is a highly valued natural environment in Europe, visitors to the beaches of Lanzarote must care for and respect their surroundings. Not leaving litter, complying with each beach’s regulations, and respecting animal and plant species are essential to preserving the ecosystem.
Conclusion
We hope this guide to the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote will be useful when planning your travel itinerary. This way, you will know what to expect at each of the beaches in the area.
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.
