Playa Blanca or Puerto Del Carmen – Which Lanzarote Town Is Best?

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Stuck between Puerto Del Carmen and Playa Blanca in Lanzarote?

I’ve been to Lanzarote more than 30 times. It was my parents’ favourite holiday destination growing up, and now I travel there with my kids. So it’s safe to say I know a lot about planning a Lanzarote holiday.

Puerto Del Carmen is best for a self-catering holiday. Accommodation here is mainly apartment complexes; there aren’t many hotels or resorts (unless you go up to Matagorda). Because of this, Puerto Del Carmen has a lot of restaurants, bars, and shops.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive holiday, a luxury hotel, or a resort feel, Playa Blanca is best. There are a lot more three-, four-, and five-star hotels here, many of which have entertainment programmes and kids’ clubs.

However, since many hotels in Playa Blanca offer half-board or all-inclusive, there aren’t as many restaurants and bars. There’s still plenty, just not as many as you’ll find in Puerto Del Carmen.

If you’re worried about the travel time from the airport, don’t be. Puerto Del Carmen is closer to Arrecife Airport, about a 15-minute drive. But Playa Blanca is only 35 minutes away and roughly 20 minutes from Puerto Del Carmen, so it’s not a make-or-break factor.

It’s easy to get from Puerto Del Carmen to Playa Blanca. So, if you’re staying in Puerto Del Carmen, I recommend visiting Playa Blanca for the day (and vice versa).

After all, there’s no correct answer to this question. It’s really a matter of personal preference, depending on the type of holiday you want. But by visiting both Puerto Del Carmen and Playa Blanca, you’ll be able to decide which is best for you for a future visit.