Summary
Lanzarote’s most prominent resort embodies the charm people associate with the Canary Islands. It offers a variety of beaches along the oceanfront, vibrant nightlife, exceptional scuba diving conditions, and numerous activities suitable for families.
The island showcases those iconic Canarian lunar landscapes, best experienced at Timanfaya National Park and the Cueva de los Verdes lava tube.
Furthermore, Lanzarote has largely evaded excessive commercial development, with many of its key attractions designed with the influence of artist César Manrique, who imparted them with a timeless, futuristic aesthetic.
1. Playa Chica
The volcanic formations flanking Puerto de Carmen’s premier beach create tranquil, pool-like waters.
Children can safely enjoy the beach, though they should remain vigilant about the rocks scattered throughout the bay.
These natural barriers provide remarkable visibility, making it essential to bring snorkelling gear to explore the vibrant underwater life.
Divers also frequent Playa Chica to access El Veril de la Tiñosa, a notable underwater drop-off a short distance away.
2. Playa Grande
Located just east of Playa Chica, this beach is significantly longer yet slightly more exposed to ocean currents.
If you seek spaciousness and a more tranquil environment, Playa Grande may be the ideal choice for you.
Winds can intensify at times; however, on breezy days, rented sun loungers will include windbreaks.
As with all beaches in Puerto del Carmen, Playa Grande is meticulously maintained, and the Avenida de las Playas that runs alongside features an array of shops and dining options just steps away.
3. Scuba Diving
If you have ever aspired to try scuba diving but have hesitated, Puerto del Carmen offers ample motivation for making your initial plunge.
The waters here are notably mild, as the Canary Islands are positioned along the Tropic of Cancer, receiving warm currents from both the Sahara and Gulf of Mexico.
Additionally, you can explore the spectacular underwater cliff, El Veril de la Tiñosa, which plunges three kilometres downward.
You can experience the adventure of a lifetime without needing to leave the resort.
4. Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
Your admission ticket grants access to Rancho Texas’s water park, zoo, and live animal exhibits.
This attraction warrants an entire day’s visit, which you may structure around various activities: Spend the morning observing diverse wildlife, including cougars, white tigers, sea lions, and armadillos.
As temperatures rise, feel free to enjoy the park’s pools and slides.
Rancho Texas also hosts a vibrant variety of bird species, featuring an eagle performance where these birds of prey swoop perilously close overhead.
5. Golf
Golf is accessible almost every day of the year in the Canary Islands, thanks to the consistently pleasant climate.
Lanzarote features three golf courses, all easily reached, with Lanzarote Golf Resort conveniently situated adjacent to Puerto del Carmen.
This course is a meticulously designed 18-hole par 72, capitalizing on the breathtaking coastal and mountainous vistas.
For those unfamiliar with golfing in windy conditions, the breeziness may present a challenge, but the generous fairways and dark beds of lava gravel along the edges make it easier to recover misplaced balls.
6. Boat Trips
When in the Atlantic, you stand a good chance of observing dolphins and whales, depending on your timing.
A company based in Puerto del Carmen, Waverider, offers high-speed powerboat excursions into the ocean.
You can embark on an ocean safari, pausing the engines in the open water until you spot a pod of dolphins or a Minke whale, which you can track for an hour or more.
Additionally, shorter excursions are available, showcasing more of Lanzarote’s volcanic shoreline or providing an exhilarating joyride.
Other operators also offer similar trips along the coast near Papagayo, where you can anchor at secluded coves for a swim.
7. Local Attractions and Activities
In Puerto del Carmen, families will find ample activities to fill even a two-week stay.
During your visit, you may wish to rent bicycles (traditional or electric) or glide along the promenade on a segway.
The resort also features a go-kart track, Gran Karting, which is enjoyable for groups of friends competing against one another, as well as a designated track for younger racers.
Moreover, if you prefer activities involving four legs, Puerto del Carmen offers stables that provide horse riding lessons, alongside one or two-hour excursions into the countryside.
8. Nightlife
As Lanzarote’s primary tourist hub, Puerto del Carmen caters to those eager to enjoy a vibrant nightlife, featuring karaoke bars, pubs, nightclubs, a casino, and an enticing selection of restaurants.
The majority of these establishments are situated along “The Strip,” adjacent to Avenida de las Playas, which runs behind the main beaches.
Your options depend on your preferences: you can choose from various Irish pubs or clubs where electronic music pulses until dawn, or perhaps visit the Island Bar, renowned for its excellent live music.
The old town, just in from the marina on the western side of the resort, also boasts a range of restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars, providing an appealing alternative worth exploring.
9. Timanfaya National Park
In under 20 minutes, you can arrive at one of Spain’s most cherished national parks.
This volcanic region emerged dramatically in 1730 when Timanfaya erupted, covering a quarter of the island in lava over the next six years.
Describing the landscape as “pretty” would be misleading; it resembles a post-apocalyptic terrain, in the most captivating sense! At El Diablo restaurant within the park, you can witness a demonstration of the volcanic activity lurking beneath the surface, where temperatures soar to 600°C. Additionally, you can indulge in a geothermal grill experience, allowing you to share with friends that your meal was cooked on a volcano!
10. Cueva de los Verdes
Another remarkable volcanic feature is this six-kilometre lava tube, one of the longest globally.
This formation originated approximately 5,000 years ago following the eruption of the La Corona volcano.
Molten lava flowed beneath cooler, solidifying rock to create a winding tunnel that ultimately descends to the sea.
During the early modern period, when Barbary corsairs attacked from North Africa, the island’s residents sought refuge in these caverns.
The cave has been preserved in its natural state, augmented only by a strategic lighting system that highlights the vibrant colors on the walls, resulting from the oxidation of iron in the basalt.
11. Walks
On nearly all but the hottest summer days, Lanzarote provides optimal walking weather, aided by its coastal breezes.
This is promising news for those drawn to the island’s unique landscapes.
One of the finest walks in the region leads west to the upscale resort of Puerto Calero.
Equipped with sturdy footwear and a water bottle, you can embark on a cliffside adventure.
During your journey, you will pass multiple serene beaches where you can pause to admire the scenery, and there are likewise restaurants and cafes along the way for convenient refreshment stops.
12. Mirador del Río
Arriving at Lanzarote’s northernmost point takes a mere hour or less.
Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by an unparalleled landscape.
From a platform elevated 475 metres atop an escarpment, you can take in the magnificent view of the Island of Graciosa, with impressive cliffs cascading down to the water on either side.
This viewpoint, along with its viewing windows, was designed by the artist César Manrique, who created numerous works across the island.
There is an entry fee, so it is advisable to check the weather forecast before you go, as the lookout can occasionally be obscured by clouds.
13. Famara
Situated on Lanzarote’s more rugged and less commercialized northern coast, Famara is a quaint coastal village nestled against dramatic cliffs and alongside a stunning natural beach.
The bay extends for three kilometres, featuring moderate waves that attract water sports enthusiasts from around the globe.
Surfing and kitesurfing are the primary activities, as the trade winds sweeping across the Atlantic create ideal conditions for advanced boarders.
For everyone else, it serves as a picturesque setting to marvel at the untamed beauty of the seascape.
14. Charco Verde
Located on the lower edge of Timanfaya National Park, adjacent to the sea, lies another of Lanzarote’s enchanting sites.
At the foot of steep mountains behind a windswept beach is a peculiar pool of bright green water.
This pool appears striking against the barren gravel beach and its rocky surroundings.
The unique hue is attributed to the presence of a particular alga in the water, along with its high sulfur content.
The optimal viewing point is situated just north of the bay, offering the best photographic opportunities on sunny days when the lagoon takes on a radiant glow.
15. Jardín de Cactus
César Manrique was also the architect behind Lanzarote’s Jardín de Cactus, located approximately 25 minutes north of the island, past Guatiza.
This garden is situated in a former quarry; a small depression in the moonlike landscape.
Manrique established stone pathways on the quarry floor, interspersing them with beds containing roughly 1,100 distinct species of cacti, each showcasing diverse shapes and sizes.
Although it is a compact attraction, it is brimming with imaginative details reflecting Manrique’s artistic style, all set within a surreal landscape.
Visitors can meander along the paths before enjoying refreshments at the stylish bar beneath the restored windmill within the garden.
