Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is a beach resort on the southeast coast of Lanzarote, the easternmost Canary Island, and a base for beach stays and trips to Timanfaya.
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Puerto del Carmen is a resort town on the southeast coast of Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, which sit off the northwest coast of Africa. Its long sandy beach runs past hotels, restaurants and bars. Beside the harbor, the older streets are narrower and quieter than the seafront. The island's best-known sight, Timanfaya National Park, is a field of dark lava from eruptions in the 1730s, and it is reached by road from the town.
Puerto del Carmen suits beach holidays with short transfers and an evening scene along the front. Spring and autumn are the mild months for a beach stay, though the islands are warm for much of the year. Three or four days allows time for the beach, a day at Timanfaya and a drive around the island. Stay longer if you want to split your time between beach days and island trips. Whether you need a car depends on how many island trips you plan.
Puerto del Carmen in five
- Stay near the Playa Grande for the long beachThe main beach strip runs for kilometers, with bars along the promenade. The old harbor end is calmer and has fish restaurants.
- Book a Timanfaya trip earlyThe park's volcanic drive is the island's headline sight and runs on timed visits and limited tours. Check the park's official site, then plan around its hours.Playa Blanca
- Hire a car for the César Manrique sitesSeveral art and lava-tube attractions lie in the north and are easiest by car. Check opening hours and ticket rules on each site's official page.
- Take a short drive to Arrecife for the capitalArrecife is about 15 minutes away and has a seafront, shops and a small fortress. It makes a calmer day than the resorts.Arrecife
- Plan for wind and cool eveningsThe trade winds keep the coast comfortable and can chill after sunset. A light jacket is useful even in summer.
Things to do in Puerto del Carmen
See all attractions in Puerto del Carmen
Need to know
- Airport
- Lanzarote (ACE), about 10 min by road
- Getting there
- Flights to Lanzarote, then a short taxi or bus ride
- Getting around
- Walk in town; bus or car for the island
- Best base
- Near Playa Grande or the old harbor
- Time needed
- 4–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Mild, windyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Winter sunFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter sun
- MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Winter sunMarchClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter sun
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Warm, calmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- MayClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low18°Warm, dryMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low20°Hot, windyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, windy
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°HottestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low21°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°MildNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Mild, showersDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
Average daily high and low in Puerto del Carmen, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Puerto del Carmen
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 25%
Puerto del Carmen
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°23°25%Monday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Tue25°21°18%Tuesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Wed24°21°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu26°21°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri24°21°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat26°21°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun28°22°34%Sunday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 34%.
Updated 08:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Arrecifeabout 15–20 min by carThe island capital, with a seafront and shopping streets.Read the guide
- Playa Blancaabout 35–45 min by carA calmer resort and the Papagayo beaches.Read the guide
- Timanfaya National Parkabout 25–35 min by carA volcanic landscape reached by timed visits.
Before you go to Puerto del Carmen
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Rules for Puerto del Carmen, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travelers are registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current rules before you travel.
- Lanzarote is outside the EU VAT area and customs union. Shopping here is taxed under the Canary Islands' own system, IGIC.
- Carry your passport or national ID card. Police in Spain can ask to see it.
- Plants, fruit and some foods from outside the EU are restricted. Check the Spanish tax agency's customs guidance before you bring any.
Plan around Puerto del Carmen
Regions, trains, entry rules and money for the whole country
Read the guidePlaya BlancaLanzarote's calmer southern resort and Papagayo beaches
Read the guideArrecifeThe island capital, near the airport
Read the guideCorralejoFuerteventura's dunes, reached by ferry from Playa Blanca
Read the guideCanary IslandsHow Lanzarote compares with the other islands
Read the guidePuerto del Carmen FAQ
Is Puerto del Carmen a good place to stay in Lanzarote?
Yes, for beaches, restaurants and short airport transfers. It is busier than Playa Blanca, and less authentic than the island's villages, but it works well for a first sun holiday.
How far is Puerto del Carmen from Lanzarote airport?
About 10 minutes by road. That makes it one of the easiest resorts for a short stay or a late arrival.
Do I need a car in Puerto del Carmen?
Not for the beach strip and the old harbor. For Timanfaya and the north, a car or a tour is easier. Taxis between resorts add up on longer trips.
Is Puerto del Carmen better than Playa Blanca?
It is livelier and closer to the airport, with a longer beach strip. Playa Blanca is quieter and has the Papagayo coves. Choose by the evening atmosphere you want.
What is the best time to visit Puerto del Carmen?
February to April and October to November are mild and sunny. July and August are hottest, and winter offers warm days with some wind and showers.