Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote has been an established resort for well over 40 years now.
Like so many areas of mainland Spain, it developed from its origins as a fishing village mainly in response to the upsurge in popularity for package holidays in the Canary Islands.
There is now a wide range of older and newer holiday villas in Puerto del Carmen, as well as holiday apartments and hotels.
In fact, the town itself is undergoing something of a facelift currently, with a central feature being a more pedestrian friendly main thoroughfare.
This is due to be completed well in time for the main summer holiday season in 2010.
The first feature to note is the overall scale of the resort, especially the length of the beaches (Playas), and the main road that connects them, the Avenida de las Playas.
Affectionately known as 'the strip', it extends for some 6 kilometres, connecting the Old Town to the South, with Matagorda (nearest the airport and capital Arrecife) to the North.
It is so long, in fact, that four complete laps of it constitutes the route of the marathon stage of the annual Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon.
The Lanzarote Ironman basically takes over the whole of Puerto del Carmen for an entire weekend in late May each year.
The Avenida de las Playas not only plays host to the road race, but also some 5,000 racing bikes that the runners have to leave behind whilst they run the marathon - and this after cycling a complete lap of the island for 5 hours in the heat of the day.
No wonder they are referred to as Ironmen and Ironwomen! Puerto del Carmen beaches are very safe for bathing, and well patrolled by lifeguards, and this is one of the reasons why it is such a popular family holiday destination.
Because of the size and length of the beaches, they rarely get over crowded.
Parasols and loungers can be hired by the day, and there is a wide choice of bars and restaurants on the main Avenida immediately behind the beach.
Jet ski and other boat hire is readily available directly on the beach as well, so there is plenty to keep all ages entertained.
Nightlife is also big in Puerto del Carmen, and again centres on the Avenida de las Playas.
There is a great choice of restaurants with cuisines of all types represented, and to suit all budgets as well.
The bars and clubs are a magnet for the younger holidaymakers, often staying open until 6 in the morning - so if this is a problem for you, it may be best to avoid choosing accommodation that is on, or near, the Avenida.
Of course many people will not want to spend their entire holidays on the beach or at the poolside.
If this applies to you, you may want to explore some of the nearby attractions.
If your thing is golf, there is now a long and interesting course at nearby Tias.
A handicap certificate is not required here, and especially if you plan to play on a weekday, you probably won't find the course over busy.
You will, however, enjoy fantastic views of the Atlantic from most parts of the course.
Buggies and clubs can be hired here, so it is not essential to take your own.
More sedate views can be enjoyed at Puerto Calero, just 5 kilometres to the South of Puerto del Carmen, and easily and cheaply reached by taxi.
Puerto Calero is an upmarket marina, with many 30 to 40 foot boats on display, and a good range of designer boutiques and shops, as well as a good range of restaurants.
There is also the Museo de Cetáceos (whale and dolphin museum) which is a very popular family attraction.
In fact, one of the big benefits of staying in Puerto del Carmen is the ease of getting anywhere on the island - it is really never more than 30 minutes by road from any of the island's other attractions.
In terms of holiday accommodation in Puerto del Carmen, there is a wide choice.
Because the town slopes down to the sea, this has encouraged the development of holiday apartments in Puerto del Carmen itself, but there are also many high specification villas in Puerto del Carmen and the surrounding areas just outside the town.
For those preferring a more formal environment (or as much formal as you get in Lanzarote!), there are also many good hotels in Puerto del Carmen, again to suit all budgets.
In short, Puerto del Carmen is a big resort, with big aspirations to retain its position as Lanzarote's number one resort.
We think that most of you will enjoy it - just avoid the nightclub areas after 10 pm if that is not your scene!
Like so many areas of mainland Spain, it developed from its origins as a fishing village mainly in response to the upsurge in popularity for package holidays in the Canary Islands.
There is now a wide range of older and newer holiday villas in Puerto del Carmen, as well as holiday apartments and hotels.
In fact, the town itself is undergoing something of a facelift currently, with a central feature being a more pedestrian friendly main thoroughfare.
This is due to be completed well in time for the main summer holiday season in 2010.
The first feature to note is the overall scale of the resort, especially the length of the beaches (Playas), and the main road that connects them, the Avenida de las Playas.
Affectionately known as 'the strip', it extends for some 6 kilometres, connecting the Old Town to the South, with Matagorda (nearest the airport and capital Arrecife) to the North.
It is so long, in fact, that four complete laps of it constitutes the route of the marathon stage of the annual Lanzarote Ironman Triathlon.
The Lanzarote Ironman basically takes over the whole of Puerto del Carmen for an entire weekend in late May each year.
The Avenida de las Playas not only plays host to the road race, but also some 5,000 racing bikes that the runners have to leave behind whilst they run the marathon - and this after cycling a complete lap of the island for 5 hours in the heat of the day.
No wonder they are referred to as Ironmen and Ironwomen! Puerto del Carmen beaches are very safe for bathing, and well patrolled by lifeguards, and this is one of the reasons why it is such a popular family holiday destination.
Because of the size and length of the beaches, they rarely get over crowded.
Parasols and loungers can be hired by the day, and there is a wide choice of bars and restaurants on the main Avenida immediately behind the beach.
Jet ski and other boat hire is readily available directly on the beach as well, so there is plenty to keep all ages entertained.
Nightlife is also big in Puerto del Carmen, and again centres on the Avenida de las Playas.
There is a great choice of restaurants with cuisines of all types represented, and to suit all budgets as well.
The bars and clubs are a magnet for the younger holidaymakers, often staying open until 6 in the morning - so if this is a problem for you, it may be best to avoid choosing accommodation that is on, or near, the Avenida.
Of course many people will not want to spend their entire holidays on the beach or at the poolside.
If this applies to you, you may want to explore some of the nearby attractions.
If your thing is golf, there is now a long and interesting course at nearby Tias.
A handicap certificate is not required here, and especially if you plan to play on a weekday, you probably won't find the course over busy.
You will, however, enjoy fantastic views of the Atlantic from most parts of the course.
Buggies and clubs can be hired here, so it is not essential to take your own.
More sedate views can be enjoyed at Puerto Calero, just 5 kilometres to the South of Puerto del Carmen, and easily and cheaply reached by taxi.
Puerto Calero is an upmarket marina, with many 30 to 40 foot boats on display, and a good range of designer boutiques and shops, as well as a good range of restaurants.
There is also the Museo de Cetáceos (whale and dolphin museum) which is a very popular family attraction.
In fact, one of the big benefits of staying in Puerto del Carmen is the ease of getting anywhere on the island - it is really never more than 30 minutes by road from any of the island's other attractions.
In terms of holiday accommodation in Puerto del Carmen, there is a wide choice.
Because the town slopes down to the sea, this has encouraged the development of holiday apartments in Puerto del Carmen itself, but there are also many high specification villas in Puerto del Carmen and the surrounding areas just outside the town.
For those preferring a more formal environment (or as much formal as you get in Lanzarote!), there are also many good hotels in Puerto del Carmen, again to suit all budgets.
In short, Puerto del Carmen is a big resort, with big aspirations to retain its position as Lanzarote's number one resort.
We think that most of you will enjoy it - just avoid the nightclub areas after 10 pm if that is not your scene!
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