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Town in Canary Islands, Spain
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Puerto del Carmen is a large tourist resort on the south coast of Lanzarote, a few km west of Arrecife the capital and airport. It has long sandy beaches (unusual on this island) which are more sheltered than the exposed north and west-facing coasts. It's part of the municipality of Tías but has far outgrown that small town, and in 2022 it had a population of 11,319.
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A small sandy beach 500 m east of the harbour, sheltered by two arms of rock.
Playa Grande
The main beach, stretching east for 800 m from Hotel Fariones. Playa Vulcano is its east extension.
Broad beach and one km long at the east edge of town. Playa Matagordo is its east extension.
Saramago (1922-2010) came from a humble background in Portugal but became an acclaimed writer, awarded the Nobel Prize in 1998. When one of his books was banned on religious grounds he exiled himself here.
White tees 5762 m, par 72, visitor round €110.
Zoo with animal and dolphin shows plus waterpark.
The Flatboat
Good little restaurant for tapas, paella and seafood.
Reliable friendly place for paella and similar.
Occasional disappointing meals, but mostly good reviews for this place midway along Playa Blanca.
Tiny place serving good pizza, though not Italian style.
Serving trad British breakfasts and similar comfort food.
Filling breakfast and lunch, inexpensive cocktails.
Excellent Paraguayan restaurant by harbour.
Good steaks and other Spanish fare.
Great dining, service and sea views.
Quality Spanish food.
Swish elegant restaurant and cocktail bar. Mostly great reviews, a few found it overpriced.
A beer hall by the harbour.
A trad place by the harbour.
Has live music.
A sports bar.
A sports bar.
Simple relaxing hotel by the beach.
Good scores all round for this family-friendly hotel 500 m from beach.
Mixed reviews for this family-oriented all-inclusive hotel.
Comfy efficient hotel by the beach.
Clean simple apartments by the beach.
Great welcome, service and comfort at this upscale hotel.
They also have apartments 100 m inland.
Mixed reviews for this budget place up a hill 500 m from the old harbour.
Well-stocked small mall, mostly aimed at local customers, with curious architecture built into a cavity in the volcanic rock. There is a handful of bars and restaurants and an array of high street branded fashion outlets undercutting mainland prices.
From Arrecife or the airport follow LZ-2 west and branch onto LZ-40. In 2023 a taxi from either is about €20.
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San Bartolomé · International · ACE
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