Major city · Spain
Puerto del Carmen
Stay 4–7 nights if you want a beach-and-sun base with easy airport access; skip it if you came for quiet villages or hiking.
Puerto del Carmen is Lanzarote's main resort strip: 6 km of sheltered sandy beach east from the old harbour, backed by hotels, bars and restaurants along Avenida de las Playas. It is a base, not a sight in itself — the island's volcanic interior, Timanfaya and the wine country are all day trips from here. Most visitors come for a week of sun, diving and easy eating, and the airport is 10 minutes away.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (peak crowds and prices), school holidays
- Airport
- ACE
- Nights
- 4–7
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Puerto del Carmen112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Puerto del Carmen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a resort of this size; the real risks are sunburn, the sea when the wind is up, and bar tabs with no posted prices…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 092 Local police (Policía Local) · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportACE Lanzarote (Arrecife) (About 10 min by taxi or bus 161 along the hotel strip; taxi roughly €20 (≈ US$25)).
- Getting aroundThe resort is a single 6 km (3.7 mi) strip: buses 3 and 161 run its length, and most people walk the promenade.The resort is a single 3.7 mi (6 km) strip: buses 3 and 161 run its length, and most people walk the promenade.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beerdraught on the strip€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the resort€6–10 (≈ US$7–12)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 3-star or apartment, a night, per room€110 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room, 3-star or apartment, a night, per room€200 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €220 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ACE Lanzarote (Arrecife) (About 10 min by taxi or bus 161 along the hotel strip; taxi roughly €20)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jan (4 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Puerto del Carmen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The resort is a single 6 km strip: buses 3 and 161 run its length, and most people walk the promenade. Rent a car for the interior, Timanfaya and the wine country — parking at the old harbour is the easiest anchor. E-scooters cover Puerto del Carmen, Playa Honda, Arrecife and Costa Teguise on one app (unlock fee plus per-minute rate).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Timanfaya National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Car via LZ-2 and LZ-67, or an organised coach tour
Go at opening; the volcano-road loop is by park bus only and queues build by mid-morning.
Arrecife
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Bus 6 every 20 min, or 15 min by car
Capital with two offshore islets, one a museum and one an art gallery; half a day is enough.
Teguise Sunday market
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus 12 on Sunday morning, returning early afternoon
Only on Sunday; the bus is the easy option because parking fills early.
Playa Blanca
goDoor to door: About 1 h by bus
Bus 161 via Puerto Calero and Yaiza, or 30 min by car
Quieter south-coast town and the ferry port for Fuerteventura.
Costa Teguise
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h by bus
Bus 3 via Arrecife, or 30 min by car
Another resort beach; only worth it if you want a change of scene or the aquarium.
La Geria wine country
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via LZ-30, about 20 min inland
Volcanic-ash vineyards around La Geria; taste and buy, but someone must drive back.
Haría and the north
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via LZ-1, about 45 min
Palm valley and César Manrique's house; pair it with the Cueva de los Verdes.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old Town / harbour
Whitewashed low-rise, restaurants and the harbour; quieter, hillier, best for couples and divers.
Playa Blanca strip (Av de las Playas)
Beachfront hotels and apartments mid-strip; walk to everything, but busy and noisier at night.
Playa de los Pocillos / Matagorda
East end near the airport; broader beach, family hotels, cheaper beds, 10 min drive from the old town.
Tías hillside
Inland above the resort; cheaper and quieter but you need a car or taxi for every beach trip.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 3-star or apartment1 × 5 nights × €110 | €550 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 5 days × €110 | €1,100 |
| Taxi ACE airport → strip, one way1 × €20 | €20 |
| Bus 161 airport → strip, one way2 × €2 | €4 |
| Car hire, one day plus fuel1 × €45 | €45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €174 |
| Trip total≈ €191 per person per day, bed included | €1,913≈ US$2,500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beer, draught on the strip | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Menu del día, weekday lunch | €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) |
| Paella or seafood main | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Taxi across the resort | €6–10 (≈ US$7–12) |
| Scuba dive, guided with kit | €45–60 (≈ US$55–70) |
| Car hire, one day | €30–60 (≈ US$35–70) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The strip climbs steeply inland — check the gradient to your hotel if you have mobility limits.
- Small electronics and camera shops on the strip have a poor reputation; beach hawkers are pushy.
- Tap water is safe but desalinated and brackish; most people drink bottled.
- Sun and wind burn fast here even when it is cloudy — the trade winds hide the heat.
Emergency numbers
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Local police (Policía Local)
- 092
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Puerto del CarmenPuerto del Carmen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Emergency (police, fire, ambulance)112
- Local police092
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
No embassies in Puerto del Carmen; the US, UK and most others are in Madrid, with consulates in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ACE airport → Puerto del Carmen, taxi: about €20 (≈ US$25), 10 min
- Bus 161 airport → hotel strip: every 30 min, continues to Puerto Calero, Yaiza and Playa Blanca
- Bus 6 Arrecife → strip: every 20 min
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syas)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
Tap water is safe but desalinated and brackish; bottled water is the norm.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Puerto del Carmen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (peak crowds and prices), school holidays · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ACE: last bus 161 and taxi fallback field-checked, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: old harbour, Playa Chica, mid-strip Playa Blanca, Playa de los Pocillos.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Timanfaya, Casa Museo José Saramago, Rancho Texas, Biosfera) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wind and sun fixtures so beach days and dive days can go green or be swapped.