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PolskiPuerto del Carmen is Lanzarote’s main resort and the easiest base on the island for a long winter stay. A flat promenade runs for several kilometres past sandy beaches, the airport is about ten minutes away, and supermarkets, pharmacies and medical centres are all within walking distance. It is more touristy than Arrecife or the inland villages, but very comfortable for two to four months.
Puerto del Carmen at a glance
| Puerto del Carmen | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Tías, south-east Lanzarote |
| Winter weather | Sunny and dry, around 21-24°C by day, often breezy |
| Typical rent, furnished one-bedroom, peak winter | About €900-1,500 a month |
| Terrain | Flat along the coast, gentle slopes inland |
| Airport | About 10 minutes |
| Best for | First-time long-stayers, walkers, people without a car |
Rents are indicative ranges from listings; see renting in Lanzarote for 3 months.
Why long-stayers like it
The Avenida de las Playas follows the coast past Playa Grande, Playa Chica and on towards Los Pocillos and Matagorda, so you can walk, jog or cycle for kilometres on the flat. Playa Grande is a long sandy beach, good for swimming on calm days; Playa Chica is a small cove popular with snorkellers and divers. Lanzarote’s low-rise building rules mean no tower blocks, so the town keeps a relaxed scale.
At the western end, the old harbour is the most charming part of town, with fish restaurants, a small port and evening views. The central strip is busier and more aimed at holidaymakers.
Where to live in Puerto del Carmen
- Around the old harbour: characterful, quieter at night, some streets are sloping.
- Central Avenida de las Playas: convenient, close to everything, but busier and noisier.
- A street or two back from the seafront: usually the best value and quieter.
- Los Pocillos and Matagorda: calmer, closer to the airport, with long beaches; check flight-path noise.
Daily life
- Shopping: several supermarkets and plenty of small shops; Arrecife, 15 minutes away, has larger stores.
- Health: pharmacies, private clinics and a public health service nearby; the island’s main hospital is in Arrecife. See what to do in a medical emergency in the Canary Islands.
- Eating out: a wide choice, from tourist restaurants to fish restaurants at the old harbour.
- Costs: read the cost of living in Lanzarote for long-stay visitors.
Getting around
Public buses connect Puerto del Carmen with Arrecife, the airport, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. A car is not needed for everyday life, but Lanzarote’s best sights, such as Timanfaya, the La Geria vineyards and César Manrique’s works, are easiest to visit by car. Many long-stayers hire one for a week or two. See monthly car hire in the Canary Islands.
Weather through the winter
Puerto del Carmen sits close to the airport weather station, so our monthly guides apply directly: about 24°C in November, 22°C in December, 21°C in January and February, and 23°C in March. There is usually a breeze, but the town is reasonably sheltered compared with the north and west coasts.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long flat promenade and good beaches | Touristy central strip |
| Ten minutes from the airport | Some aircraft noise near Los Pocillos |
| Everything within walking distance | Windier than Playa Blanca on some days |
| Rents lower than the main resorts of Tenerife and Gran Canaria | Fewer cultural attractions than Arrecife |
Who Puerto del Carmen suits
It is the best all-round choice for a first winter in Lanzarote, particularly for walkers, retirees and people who do not want to drive. If you want more calm and sunshine, look at Playa Blanca; for lower rents and local life, consider Arrecife. Compare them in wintering in Lanzarote: best towns for long stays.
Frequently asked questions
Is Puerto del Carmen good for a long stay?
Yes. It is flat, practical and close to the airport, with beaches and services along a long promenade.
Is Puerto del Carmen windy in winter?
There is usually a breeze, as everywhere on Lanzarote, but it is more sheltered than the north and west of the island.
How much does it cost to rent in Puerto del Carmen for the winter?
A furnished one-bedroom apartment typically costs about €900-1,500 a month in peak winter.
Is Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca better for the winter?
Puerto del Carmen has more services and is closer to the airport; Playa Blanca is calmer and often slightly sunnier.