Enjoy our quick guide to Puerto del Carmen, the main tourist town on the island of Lanzarote in Spain’s Canary Islands.
Below we feature an expat interview with Sophie Talbot-Imber of Real Estate Lanzarote who covers the Puerto del Carmen area.
Specifically, we asked Sophie on the advantages of choosing Puerto del Carmen as a place to live and the value for money that one can get if you decide to stay permanently in the area.
Sophie, thanks for helping our readers. I guess we should start off by asking what would you say would be the advantages to living in Puerto del Carmen compared to other Lanzarote towns?
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
It is a busy and touristic area, most properties within close proximity to the beach have small outside spaces. It would not suit someone looking to get away from the bustle.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
As it is a tourist area I would say more international than Spanish but there are Spanish living in the area.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
The shopping is good. In the Old Town of Puerto del Carmen there is a shopping center called Biosfera. The main beach is large so doesn’t get too crowded. The sea is normally very calm which is great for swimming.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
Taverna del Nino, located in the Varadero, Old Town Puerto del Carmen. Is wonderful for Spanish food and Montaditos.
Enjoy, located on the main strip is great for modern Asian food. It does a mean Thai green curry!
Mardeleva, located in Old Town Puerto del Carmen is great for tapas and fresh sea food.
For night life and a dance the varadero is good, bars like Heiniken and San Miguel. But be warned they don´t get going till 1am!!
For AMAZING cocktails go to La Delicatezza Cocktail Bar on the main strip.
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
Yes there are a selection of private doctors and the social security health centre in Puerto del Carmen. There are several dentists and a veterinary clinic in Tias which is less than 10min drive away. There are all types of shops, there wouldn’t be much you couldn’t find in Puerto del Carmen.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
Tias is residential area popular with English residents. Puerto calero is along the coast and has more exclusive properties.