Puerto del Carmen

About 15 minutes drive from Arrecife airport, Puerto del Carmen offers 5km of broad, pale sandy beaches as well as a wide variety of places to eat and drink and it remains a popular destination for holidaymakers from far and wide.

Made up of a 'new' and 'old' town, Puerto del Carmen has no high-rise structures and almost all buildings are white and unpretentious. In the evenings you can watch the locals taking part in a few games of boules in the old town, which seems to be a nightly occurrence.

The old town also offers a great variety of restaurants serving fresh fish, while if you head off into the holiday area you'll find everything from traditional English sports bars to Chinese restaurants.

Entertaining nightlife combined with the relaxed charm and traditions of the old town, Puerto Del Carmen offers something for all holidaymakers.

Just along from the main 'strip' there's a quieter haven where the old fishing harbour has survived along with a few traditional bars and restaurants.

Back from the seafront the streets are generally wide and the buildings low with neatly landscaped grounds giving a spacious feel.

The resort's best feature; long, gently sloping and clean mid-tone sand with rows of sun loungers. Watersports include; windsurfing and scuba-diving. Drinks and snacks available along the front.

Well-placed for trips around the island. Fire Mountain is a 'must see' along with the famous lava caves ( Cueva de los Verdes) which spread for miles underground. Also further up the coast; Costa Teguise has a water park and full size golf course. Shop-a-holics won't be disappointed with the quantity of local outlets.