The sun hangs high over the beach at Puerto del Carmen, a town in Lanzarote, Spain. At this tourist hub off the coast of the Canary Islands, people coming from all over Europe gather to escape the seemingly endless winter back home. Along the beach, waves roll in, slow and steady, making a faint noise similar to that of your classic white noise machine. The sun sits high in the sky, warming the bums of sunbathers as they lay, bottoms up to the heavens.
The heat compliments the relaxing coastal scenery of Puerto del Carmen and does not overwhelm you. At 72 degrees with clear skies, the warmth feels easy and comfortable. Sunbathers shift occasionally, adjusting their towels to ensure their sun-deprived skin gets the maximum amount of rays possible. Muffled conversations drift in the air—snippets of Spanish, English, and French.
People on the shore are scattered throughout the water’s end, their towels spread out in a dismantled patchwork of color. A young woman in a mismatched bikini flips onto her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows to watch the water. To her left, a child crouches near the tide, digging furiously at the wet sand, her bucket overturned beside her. Farther from the shoreline, an older English couple lounges beneath a watermelon-patterned umbrella that is staked into the ground. The man leans back, hands laced behind his head, eyes closed. The woman slowly taps at her iPhone, mindlessly digging her toes in the sand as she continues to doom scroll.
In the distance lies a pointed outline of the Peñas del Chache Mountain range. These volcanic peaks, rising to 667 meters above sea level, are the highest on the island of Lanzarote.
The mountains’ deep brown and black hues, shaped by centuries of erosion, stand out against the blue sky, offering a dramatic backdrop to the tranquil beach scene. The waves remain gentle, rolling in with a quiet persistence. Past the subtle white foam, a couple wades in the ocean, circling around each other as the tide pulls them to the left of where they got in. The woman uses her hand to tell an elaborate story—her partner listens attentively as he wades nearby. A lone swimmer moves through the water in smooth, unhurried strokes, his form rising and falling with the rhythm of the ocean.
The breathtaking surroundings of Puerto del Carmen attract tourists from all over Europe, particularly from Ireland, the UK, Germany, Scandinavia, and Spain. The beach stretches seven kilometers along the southern coast, lined with beaches on one side and a lively mix of restaurants, bars and shops on the other. Just inland, apartments, villas, and hotels provide a range of accommodations. The old town offers a quieter escape, where a harbor and docks contrast with the bustling main strip. Restaurants with outdoor terraces overlook the marina, offering views of volcanic mountains and, on clear days, the neighboring island of Fuerteventura.
Shops in both the new and old towns cater largely to visitors, selling souvenirs and locally made goods.
If you go to Puerto del Carmen, the best time to visit is from February to June, when the mid-afternoon offers ideal weather with warm temperatures and full sun coverage. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a towel, and a good book to make the most of your time by the beach! The area is easily accessible by car or bus from Lanzarote’s main towns, and the nearest airport is Lanzarote Airport (ACE). Enjoy your relaxing weekend accompanied by a fun hike through the mountain ranges, a platter of delicious papas arrugadas, and a glass of cold sangria.
