Around 15 minutes drive from the airport, Puerto del Carmen is the main tourist resort on the island and a town of extremes - with the quaint and peaceful Old Town area with its harbour-side restaurants on one hand and the purpose-built holiday area with its numerous restaurants, shops, bright lights and superb night-life on the other.

It really does have something for everyone. You can be close to the bright lights but away from the bustle.

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 will find everything from English breakfasts to Chinese restaurants.

Puerto del Carmen boasts over 3km of golden sand including Playa Blanca, Playa Grande, Playa de Matagorda and Playa de los Pocillos so those wanting a beach holiday will not be disappointed but all the main complexes have swimming pools so, beach-lover or not, you will be able to take advantage of Lanzarotes sunshine.

Puerto del Carmen is also a great base for those who wish to explore the island as it is situated half way between the resort of Playa Blanca on the south coast and the Mirador del Rio on the northern coast.