Puerto Del Carmen is the most popular tourist destination in Lanzarote. It offers three different areas, these are the Matagorda, Old Town and New Town which is called Avenida de Las Playas (or better known as the Strip).
These 3 areas are very much different to each other but all offer a good amount of bars and restaurants and of course shopping. Matagorda is closest to the Airport, like the other 2 areas Matagorda has a large amount of bars and restaurants to choose from including it own centre with a very good selection of restaurants. The beaches in Matagorda are golden and very long but it can get very windy. Matagorda is also the flattest part of Puerto Del Carmen.
The Old Town which is only a short walk away, is charming and has managed to keep the look and feel of a old Spanish village. The area is filled with many different bars and Restaurants located over the Old Town, many of which are hidden away and are difficult to find. The Old Town is a few minutes walk from the Villa. No need to use a car at all. The Strip (New Town) as is more commonly known is around 6km long with an almost unlimited supply of bars, shops and restaurants for you to choose from. Puerto Del Carmen also offers an impressive shopping centre called the Biosfera which offers 4 floors of shops and bars (with a kids play area to keep them happy). You can also walk to the Strip from the villa, but depending how far along you jaunt, you may well take a taxi (which are cheap and plentiful) home.
Puerto Del Carmen is the most popular tourist destination in Lanzarote, situated to the south of Lanzarote. It is attractive for many people because of the long sandy beaches, number of activities available and excellent selection of bars and restaurants. Puerto Del Carmen has a lot to offer all year round due to the warm climate of Lanzarote. Puerto Del Carmen started life as a fishing village and its picturesque harbour at the southern end of the resort is still very much in action, a lovely place to unwind over a drink and watch the fishing boats come and go. If you wander into the square nearby you will see the locals playing boules.
Puerto Del Carmen is the ideal holiday resort for the sun worshipper, with the beautiful Playa Grande beach, as for the night owl who loves dancing and eating and drinking, or the culture vulture. Suitable for couples and families Puerto Del Carmen has something to offer everyone with a wide selection of shops and shopping centres, entertainment halls, restaurants and bars.
FESTIVALS IN LANZAROTE
Spain and the Canary Islands are famous for there festivals (fiestas) and Lanzarote is no exception!! In Lanzarote throughout the year the island has many carnivals and fiestas, below I have listed a few of the more popular ones and generally larger one that happen! Many fiestas, festivals and carnivals are held in the in or close to the main resorts and towns of the island, so if you are on holiday in Lanzarote whilst a fiesta is taking place, the you should go along and have a look and for the more daring participate, which can do by taking part in the fancy dress and partying alongside it all - it is a brilliant day and night out, with which most do party well into the early hours and some don;t even stop for two days - so be prepared!
Main Festivals
On January 6th is the Dia de los Reyes - Three Holy Kings Day, The Three Holy Kings are celebrated all over the island, and the rest of Spain and the Canary Island. In Lanzarote the eve of Epiphany is marked by a street parade, during which the Three Wise Men distribute Christmas gifts to the children of the towns.
Carnival is celebrated at the beginning of Lent and begins with a parade on carnival eve in Arrecife. It's usually a four day event, with concerts, all night dancing and the procession of floats along the seafront. This is the Canary Islands most popular festival that time of year, with the longest tradition and is celebrated all over all the islands in the Archipelago of the Canaries. Apart from the inhabitants of the island, thousands of tourists are attracted by the fun and colours of the carnival celebrations too. Much of the spectacle of the carnival revolves around the Carnival Queen, who is elected in a grand gala that is held on a night that is considered one of the high points of the carnival. The funfairs are great for the kids but they do not normally get going until about 7pm. After the parade which tends to end at the open air party that has bands and musical tributes, the fun fair is here also and all the bars and restaurants normally have a stall down there too! This party doesn't normally get going until midnight and keeps going generally until the very early hours, literally 6-8am, so I would advise if you are thinking of partying hard with the locals then to join them in their tradition of a siesta!
Corpus Christi - mid-June, a Catholic event, where many streets are decorated with coloured salt and occasionally flowers, leading up to the San Ginés Church in Arrecife.
San Juan (St. John;s Day) - late June, celebrating the rich history and heritage of Lanzarote and marking the Summer Solstice, with parties around the island. Festival highlights include outdoor concerts and dancing, traditional rituals, sporting competitions, and at night time, numerous fireworks displays and bonfires, particularly along the coastline and in northern Lanzarote, with people jumping high over the flames.
San Marcial of Femes -1st week in July
San Marcial is the patron saint of Lanzarote.
Our Lady of Carmen - August 1-11th
The patron saint of fishermen. In the ports there is a maritime procession of fishing boats.
San Gines - 3rd week in August
The patron saint of Arrecife. A ten day celebration with a large fairground & fireworks on the last Saturday night.
The Virgen of Dolores -15th September
The Virgen of the volcanoes. Thousands of people dressed in local costume, from all over the island walk to visit the shrine. Lasts several days and includes a craft fair and folk festival.
There are many more fiestas that happen during the year throughout Lanzarote, If you are lucky enough to be on holiday when one is taking place then I would highly recommend going along to watch and participate!
SPORTING EVENTS
Lanzarote Marathon
The annual Marathon in Lanzarote will take place in Arrecife, the capital of the island; this is the only Marathon event in the Canary Islands and it is celebrating its 20th anniversary welcoming runners of all age groups from all over the world. On the course in front of the beach you will experience the charm of the city, with its new and old buildings where locals have lived in close contact with the sea for centuries