Puerto del Carmen
This is the spot where package tourism first started on Lanzarote.  Back in the early 1970´s in and around the Old Town Harbour area.  Today this former fishing village has expanded exponentially – and now extends all the way along the coastline where it merges with the smaller neighbouring resort of Matagorda.

The bulk of the best villas in Puerto del Carmen are located in and around areas such as Montana Tropical and Los Mojones, which sit above the Old Town Harbour area.  As their elevated position grants guests great views down to the Atlantic below and across to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura.

Expect to pay upwards of £700 per week for a holiday in on of these villas in Lanzarote.

Playa Blanca
Rapidly emerging as a serious challenger to Puerto del Carmen in the south of the island, Playa Blanca boasts a great microclimate and some stunning beaches.  Such as the all natural bays at Papagayo.

Playa Blanca is the most recently developed resort on the island – and as a result villa accommodation in the town is of a high standard.  Boasting modern amenities and facilities such as high speed internet connections, Jacuzzis and hot tubs.

There´s a huge selection of villas in Playa Blanca for visitors to select from.  And popular areas within the resort include Moñtana Roja, Playa Flamingo and the stylish Rubicon Marina.  Home to a number of excellent bars and restaurants as well as luxury yachts.

Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise is the most northerly of Lanzarote´s three main resorts.  Located around fifteen minutes from the island sole international airport at Arrecife.

The resort was purpose built during the 1970´s and boasts a selection of six excellent beaches.  Costa Teguise is very much the resort of choice for those who like to combine sunbathing with sightseeing.  As most of Lanzarote´s main tourist attractions – such as the Jardin de Cactus and the Jameos del Agua – are within  twenty minute radius.

The resorts central hub is the Pueblo Marinero – a recreation of a traditional Canarian fishing village which was created by a local artist and architect called César Manrique.  Famous for his work both on Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands.

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On the eastern most island of Lanzarote the holiday industry first really took off in and around the resort of Puerto del Carmen.  Which is located within a sheltered bay on Lanzarote´s calm south east coastline, ensuring ideal bathing conditions and protection from the Trade Winds that buffer the island from April to August.

Puerto del Carmen in fact started life as La Tiñosa – a tranquil little fishing village blessed with great beaches and a wonderful microclimate.  When package holidays started to grow in popularity in Spain the village was earmarked for development.  And rapidly expanded into the largest and most popular holiday resort on Lanzarote.

Today Puerto del Carmen is nominally divided into two main zones.  The Old Town – which is located around the small harbour area from where the local fishermen used to set sail.  And the New Town – which runs parallel with the main beach of Playa Grande and the seafront promenade of the Avenida de las Playas.

The bulk of the accommodation here is self catering – as the resort is only serviced by two main hotels.  With many visitors preferring to book apartments and villas in Puerto del Carmen direct online.  Prices start from around £500 per week – which will secure a standard two bedroom villa with pool. 

Puerto del Carmen owes much of its popularity to the resorts excellent beaches.  Los Pocillos on the edge of the town is a huge stretch of sand which links the neighbouring resort of Matagorda and Puerto del Carmen.  Whilst within the resort itself Playa Grande provides sunbathers with over 5km of golden grains to explore.

There´s also a couple of smaller, more atmospheric beaches.  Such as Playa Chica, close to the Old Town.  And Playa Fariones – which is located right in front of the Los Fariones Hotel.

For those who want to do more than just soak up the sun Puerto del Carmen provides loads to do.  A new golf course has just opened on the outskirts of the resort.  Whilst the old town harbour has been transformed in a luxurious new marina.  With boat trips departing along the coastline and across to Fuerteventura throughout the day. Come nightfall Puerto del Carmen is also home to one of the best selections of restaurants in Lanzarote.

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Carnival first arrived in the Canary Islands in the 15th Century – imported by the Spanish conquistadors from Europe.  And for centuries served as a sort of social safety valve – enabling the have nots to let off steam before the advent and sacrifices of Lent.  Whilst also blurring the rigid social boundaries of the time with masks and costumes.

Today some would argue that little has changed.  As Carnival remains both deeply hedonistic and anti-authoritarian.  With many revellers opting for costumes that cock a snook at both their political represtantives and perceived social injustices.

That being said the main accent of Carnival is always on fun and excess.  And the Canarians have proved themselves highly efficient on both fronts over the centuries.  So much so that Carnival was in fact effectively banned on the islands by General Franco from 1936 through until the 1960´s. 

Carnival actually goes on for weeks on islands such as Lanzarote where the celebrations roll from one town to the next.  Effectively bringing much of local government and commerce to a halt.

The highlight of each Carnival event is always the main procession – which features a succession of themed and brightly decorated floats.  Which are often mobile platforms for a batacuda drum band or similar mass rhythm section.  With the noise levels taken to decibel busting levels as the procession wends its way through the throng.

Carnival kicks off in the island capital of Arrecife on February 17th until the 25th.  Before decamping for the main holiday resort of Puerto del Carmen where the whole party starts all over again from the 26th onwards.

Such is the scale of Carnival these days that many tourists plan their holidays in Lanzarote around this unique annual event.

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 Once a small fishing village called La Tiñosa, the resort has exploded since package tourism first took off on Lanzarote back in the 1970´s.  Transforming this quiet pueblo into the most popular holiday destination on the island.  Creating a magnet for both holiday makers and overseas property investors alike  – attracted by the year round rental returns generated by this buoyant tourist trade.

 But to a large extent Puerto del Carmen has also become a victim of its own success.  As thirty years of tourism have had a deleterious effect upon the resorts infrastructure.  Leaving it looking tired and a little downmarket.

 Nowehere is this more apparent than on the main ´shop front´ of the resort – the Avenida de las Playas.  Which runs for 6km along the sea front and which is home to a host of neon lit bars and restaurants.  

 Here tourists have to jostle for space so limited is the pavement area –and cars rule the roost – with two lanes of traffic passing by just inches away.  Creating a very poor impression – especially by comparison with other purpose built holiday destinations around the world, such as Dubai.

 As a result, island authorities have resolved to reinvent tourism in the resort by green lighting a multi million euro improvement scheme that will not only improve the tourist offering but also add a new marina in what is currently the Old Town Harbour area.  Which is expected to have a positive impact upon the market for property in Puerto del Carmen over the long term.

 The first phases of this project are in fact already underway.  As plans to part pedestrianise the Avenida de las Playas are already in motion.  Island authorities then plan to impose new shop fronts and fascias on to all of the businesses lining the ´strip’ – in order co create a more aesthetically pleasing image for the resort.

 Perhaps most ambitious though are the plans to transform the Old Town harbour area into a luxury marina.  In a bid to emulate the success of nearby Puerto Calero – which has proved to be a fantastically popular mooring spot with owners of luxury yachts and cruisers.

 Currently the Old Town harbour is home to a few old fishing boats but the redevelopment plans encompass the creation of smart new jetties and boardwalks.  Which in tandem with the opening of a new golf course on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen next year is expected to attract a more affluent type of tourist to the resort.

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