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Puerto del Carmen is one of the main tourist hubs in Lanzarote, and one of my favorite towns on the island. With nearly five miles of incredible beaches in Puerto del Carmen, you can easily spend the day sunbathing, practicing watersports, and admiring the lovely scenery.
Several of the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen are in an area known as Grandes Playas, which consists of a series of fine sand beaches. Even outside of this area, there are other small coves and picturesque beaches you can’t miss.
Some of these beaches are among the best places to visit in Puerto del Carmen and offer convenient services and facilities for a comfortable beach day. To help you choose which Puerto del Carmen beach to visit, I’ll share my top recommendations with details about each.
1. Playa Grande, the most famous beach in Puerto del Carmen
Playa Grande, also known as Playa Blanca, is one of the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen, and the most popular one. It stretches over half a mile along the touristic center of town, and while it’s an urban beach, it boasts a beautiful environment with golden sand and calm waters.
1. Playa Grande, the most famous beach in Puerto del Carmen
In fact, Playa Grande is considered one of the best beaches in Lanzarote, and its proximity to the Avenida de las Playas promenade means you’ll be close to all kinds of shops, bars, and restaurants. Not only that, but the beach has all the necessary services you need for your vacation, including sunbeds, umbrella rentals, toilets, showers, parking, and accessible ramps.
This beach in Puerto del Carmen is a great place for families as well as those who love watersports and aquatic activities like jet skiing and parasailing. If you’d like to do the latter activity, I recommend this tour, which lets you soar up to 200 feet in the air for panoramic views of the coast.
2. Playa Chica, the best beach in Puerto del Carmen for diving
Playa Chica is next to Playa Grande, and it’s another top beach in Puerto del Carmen that you should check out. What makes Playa Chica stand out is its contrasting golden sand and turquoise waters as well as the marine biodiversity along its coast.
The beach is just 200 feet long, but it’s a lovely place to sunbathe and swim in the clear waters. You can even find lava flows along the coast, making this a one-of-a-kind environment you can’t miss. Also, even though it’s a smaller beach, there are modern services that will help you fully enjoy your stay.
2. Playa Chica, the best beach in Puerto del Carmen for diving
Of course, the crown jewel of this lava beach in Puerto del Carmen is the seabed, so don’t miss the chance to explore this underwater world. We decided to try scuba diving at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, and it was an impressive experience!
There are several diving centers in the area, so I recommend a scuba diving tour like this one. You’ll get all the equipment and training you need to take a 40-minute dive through the colorful waters of Playa Chica.
3. Playa de los Pocillos, one of the most beautiful Puerto del Carmen beaches
Playa de los Pocillos is a little over half a mile long and owes its name to the nearby community of Los Pocillos. In addition to its golden sand, the changes in the tide create small holes along the coastline, and these natural pools are popular among small children.
This makes Playa de los Pocillos one of the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen for families since kids can safely wade in the shallow waters. Moreover, the entire beach is surrounded by pretty gardens and palm trees, creating a paradisiacal atmosphere.
3. Playa de los Pocillos, one of the most beautiful Puerto del Carmen beaches
Although this is a windy beach, the waters remain calm, so you can enjoy a nice swim during your visit. Further out from the coast, you may even see windsurfers and kite-surfers practicing on the water.
With its crystal clear sea, golden sand, and proximity to several restaurants and bars, this beach at Puerto del Carmen is a must-see. There are even lifeguards, lounge chairs, umbrella rentals, and restrooms, plus it’s easy to get to. From Puerto del Carmen’s town center, it’s a 15-minute drive or bus ride.
4. Playa Matagorda, a quiet beach in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
If you’re looking for a quiet beach at Puerto del Carmen, one of the best options is Playa Matagorda. With half a mile of fine sand and calm waters, it’s the ideal spot to rest, sunbathe, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. While it’s a great place for chilling out, it’s a windy beach, so it’s popular with windsurfers.
4. Playa Matagorda, a quiet beach in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
Playa Matagorda is connected to Guacimeta Beach, the last beach in Puerto del Carmen, so take advantage of your visit to walk around and see two tranquil beaches in one day.
Besides, getting to Playa Matagorda is easy since it only takes about 20 minutes to drive or take a bus from the city center.
5. Playa Peña Grande, the best Puerto del Carmen beach for families
Playa Peña Grande is another Puerto del Carmen beach that I recommend, especially for families with children. It’s a quiet beach that has all the services you need for a comfortable day on the beach.
5. Playa Peña Grande, the best Puerto del Carmen beach for families
This small cove is only about 130 feet long, but it’s very beautiful thanks to its fine, golden sand and stone walls. Just a few feet away is the waterfront promenade and a garden area where you can have a picnic or let the little ones play.
Moreover, this is one of the beaches in Puerto del Carmen with sunbeds and other rentals, so you’ll have everything you need to relax on the Lanzarote coast. To get there, you can take public transportation or drive.
6. Playa Lima, a great beach in Puerto del Carmen for watersports
Playa Lima is another interesting beach in Puerto del Carmen right by Lanzarote Airport. Stretching about half a mile, its fine sand is the perfect spot to lay out a towel and watch the planes go by.
6. Playa Lima, a great beach in Puerto del Carmen for watersports
Despite its proximity to the airport, this is a quiet beach with few crowds, so you shouldn’t have any problems enjoying the calm waters. You may even see a plane flying overhead, just a few hundred feet above you.
Besides the planes, Playa Lima is a popular Puerto del Carmen beach for activities like windsurfing, so keep your eyes peeled for athletes practicing this sport in the distance. On land, there is a garden area, a playground, restrooms, and a parking lot, so you can drive here or take public transportation.
7. Los Fariones Beach, the first beach in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
Hotel Fariones was the first resort to open in Puerto del Carmen and all of Lanzarote. Its opening sparked a tourist movement throughout the island, making Lanzarote and the Canary Islands a popular tourist destination.
7. Los Fariones Beach, the first beach in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
Los Fariones Beach owes its name to this iconic hotel, although this Puerto del Carmen beach stands out on its own. It spans 200 feet and boasts calm, clear waters, golden sand, and a beautiful landscape. It’s also one of the quietest beaches in Puerto del Carmen despite being close to the town center.
Here, you’ll see the famous “muellito”, a small platform over the water that serves as a makeshift diving board. If you want to jump into the refreshing sea below, or just visit Los Fariones Beach, you must follow the signs along the old stone path. The route is a bit neglected and begins in Pila de la Barrilla, next to Playa Chica.
8. Playa El Barranquillo, another must-see beach in Puerto del Carmen
Finally, be sure to check out Playa El Barranquillo, a scenic and peaceful beach in Puerto del Carmen where you can escape from the crowded urban beaches near town. This beach has an extensive coastline stretching from Playa Grande to La Peñita Beach and contains several smaller coves.
Along with its fine golden sand and incredible natural environment, Playa El Barranquillo is close to shops, markets, and Avenida de las Playas, Puerto del Carmen’s commercial center. So, it gives you the best of both worlds: tranquility and seclusion as well as lively bars and restaurants.
8. Playa El Barranquillo, another must-see beach in Puerto del Carmen
Personally, I think this is one of the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen because it’s naturally beautiful and often goes unnoticed by tourists. Here, you can see volcanic rock scattered in the sand, which adds a wild, rustic touch. One of my favorite parts of visiting this beach is watching the sunrise or sunset from the coast.
If you’re visiting with family, Playa El Barranquillo is a good option, although the sand can be rocky. There are restrooms and showers, but no lifeguards, so keep an eye on the kids.
Map of Puerto del Carmen beaches
I hope you enjoyed learning about the best beaches in Puerto del Carmen! Here is a handy map of Puerto del Carmen’s beaches so you can locate each one and plan your itinerary.
Of course, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment with any questions or suggestions, or to share your review of a Puerto del Carmen beach. If you don’t know where to stay, I recommend checking our guide on the best hotels in Puerto del Carmen. I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope you have a wonderful vacation in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote!
