PUERTO del CARMEN
Area: Lanzarote
Country: Spain


Location:
On the SE coast of the island, 18 miles NE of Playa Blanca, 9 miles SW of Arrecife, 6 miles SW of airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Position:
Part of an almost continuous line of development linking Los Pocillos and Matagorda. Located on a broad bay, stretching along the coast against a backdrop of dry hills; distinctly hilly in parts.

Description:
The old quarter retains something of the fishing-village atmosphere, but the bulk of the resort is made up of modern, low-rise structures, with some interesting variations on "typical" and "traditional" themes. Overall it's a smart, low-density suburban environment. A car is needed to get around.

Suitability:
Holidaymakers who like beaches, nightlife and bars in abundant supply and easily accessible. It's the island's biggest and most popular resort. Popular with teenagers, although not a "lager lout" resort.

Accommodation:
A strong bias towards apartments and self-catering, almost exclusively in the economy and middle range, with a few good hotels. Strongly geared to package business.

Shopping:
Commercial centres, spaced along the main road parallel with the coast, meet most day-to-day needs. At least 2 miles of continuous shops and restaurants. Local linen and cotton tablecloths and ceramics are particularly good.

Beach:
Superb, long, curved beach of mid-tone sand, gently sloping, and a smaller one at Los Fariones.

Entertainments:
Daytime: tennis, squash, water sports (especially windsurfing), deep-sea fishing, mountain biking. Various scuba diving schools. Horse riding just outside town. Nightlife: discos, live music bars and cocktail bars. Puerto del Carmen is the undisputed holder of the "liveliest resort" title.

Eating:
Some of the more tempting tapas bars and restaurants are found in the old fishing port, but there are numerous alternatives spread throughout. They include fast food and international cuisine as well as local fare. The choice here is the widest on the island.

Public-transport:
From the farther end of the resort, buses leave for Arrecife and all points along the coast road at half-hourly intervals, although these can be unreliable.

Local-excursions:
Cueva de los Verdes (Jameos del Agua), a memorable system of volcanic caves extending some 3 miles to the sea; they are the home of blind albino crabs, usually found only at 600 feet below. One cavern is used as a restaurant and bar with evening entertainment and the occasional concert. Fire Mountains (Timanfaya), whose lava slopes and craters can be ascended by camel. Schooner trips to Papagayo beaches; these remote beaches are accessible by car but can also be explored by jeep. Mirador del Rio in the N is a famous viewing point from which the islands of Graciosa, Alegranza and Montaħa Clara can be seen. Green lagoon _ El Golfo. Sightseeing and shopping in Arrecife. Ferry to Fuerteventura from Playa Blanca, a day trip. Some pretty inland villages; Yaiza wins the "Best Kept in Spain" award year after year for its pristine white-painted houses. Cesar Manrique Foundation _ the famous architect's former home _ can be visited daily. Each Sunday there is a market in the old inland town of Teguise from 8am. Some operators offer a day trip to Marrakech, Morocco, a short flight away.