Puerto del Carmen is the jewel in the crown of Lanzarote´s tourist industry. Boasting wonderful beaches, excellent nightlife and high standards of accommodation. All of which have just been further enhanced by a massive cash injection of over €16 million from the local tourist board. Who are keen to keep the resort in tip top condition in order to beat off competition fro newer destinations around Europe and the Near East – such as Turkey, Egypt and Dubai.
Tourism in Puerto del Carmen certainly predates all of these newcomers – and this is in fact that place where package holidays first started being taken on Lanzarote during the late 1960´s and early 1970´s. At that time Lanzarote was considered a novel, even fashionable, destination. With VIP visitors such as Peter Sellers and Omar Sharif enjoying holidays here. Despite the fact that at this time there were no roads on Lanzarote and just one hotel – the Los Fariones, which remains open to this day.
As the cost of air travel and holidays abroad fell during the 1980´s Lanzarote and Puerto del Carmen become synonymous with package tourism. And during this period the resort really exploded from its original base in the Old Town Harbour area. Extending all the way along the beachfront in the direction of the airport at Arrecife. Creating two distinct areas – the Old Town and the New Town.
The Old Town remains the more atmospheric of the two, with the harbour at its heart. But the New Town is where most visitors will find themselves staying as this is where the majority of apartments and villas in Puerto del Carmen are located. Offering keenly priced accommodation that starts from as little as €180 per week for a basic studio on a centrally located complex.
The New Town also boasts the best beaches – most notably in the form of Playa Grande. Which is very aptly named as this is a sizeable stretch of sand that becomes packed with tourists during peak holiday seasons such as Christmas, Easter and the school summer holidays.
Puerto del Carmen makes an excellent base for tourists who want to visit the key sights on the island. As it is just a fifteen minute drive from the majestic volcanoes of the Timanfaya National Park and the many creations of the famous local artist Cesar Manrique. Holidaymakers can even visit the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura by signing up for a boat trip – all of which depart from the Old Town harbour area.
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I am adding this to my vacation list for sure!! Luxury beautiful villas can make your holiday just pure fun. However, I have been struggling to find villas which are up to my standards. A friend recently recommended that I check out Elysian Holidays. Apparently they are villa specialists. I’ll let you know how it works out but so far I have been absolutely impressed with their service.