Playa de los Pocillos

Playa de los Pocillos is the long, wide, golden beach at the quieter end of Puerto del Carmen — a generous ribbon of pale sand stretching along the seafront just north of the resort's busy old town. Where the main strip can feel lively and packed, Los Pocillos is roomier, calmer and more relaxed, backed by a pleasant promenade and low-rise apartments rather than a wall of high-rises. It's one of the most easygoing family beaches on Lanzarote, and a lovely place to slow the holiday down.

How to get there

Los Pocillos runs along the northern half of Puerto del Carmen, so if you're staying in the resort you can simply walk to it along the seafront promenade. The beach is an easy stroll from the many apartment complexes set just behind it, and the resort's promenade links it all the way down to the old harbour and the main Playa Grande. Drivers will find parking along the streets behind the beach, though spaces fill up in high season. Lanzarote's airport is only a short taxi or bus ride away, which makes this stretch popular with visitors who want the sea within minutes of touching down.

What it's like

This is a long, open beach with plenty of space to spread out, which is exactly its appeal. The sand is soft and golden, the beach is wide even at higher tides, and a tidy promenade runs the length of it with cafés, bars and shops just across the road. Because it sits away from the densest part of the resort, the mood is calmer than on the central strip — families lay out towels, walkers pass by, and there's room to breathe. The views out to sea are open and uncluttered, and on clear days you can see across to Fuerteventura on the horizon.

Swimming and safety

The water at Los Pocillos is generally gentle and shallow as it eases out, which makes it well suited to families and less confident swimmers. On calm days the sea is clear and inviting, with a soft, sandy bottom underfoot. As always on an open Atlantic beach, conditions can change with the wind, and there can be a little more swell in the afternoons, so keep an eye on children and take normal care. During the busy season the beach is usually supervised in parts — always follow any flag system and lifeguard guidance, and swim within your limits.

Facilities

For all its relaxed feel, Los Pocillos is a properly serviced resort beach. You'll typically find sunbeds and parasols for hire, showers and toilets, and lifeguard cover in the main season, while the promenade behind is lined with cafés, restaurants, bars and small shops for everything from an ice cream to sun cream. Because the beach is long, it never feels as crowded as its central neighbour, so it's usually easy to find a spot with a sunbed and a drink close at hand. There are pedestrian crossings and gently sloping access points along the front.

Best for whom

Los Pocillos is ideal for families and couples who want a real beach day without the crush — sunbathers who like space, swimmers who prefer calm shallows, and anyone happy to have cafés and a promenade a few steps away. It suits those staying in the quieter northern apartments of Puerto del Carmen and visitors who want easy access straight from the airport. It's less of a fit if you're after a wild, undeveloped cove or a party-strip atmosphere — for the former, the island's protected coves deliver, and for the latter, the resort's central Playa Grande is livelier.

Nearby

You're spoilt for beaches here. A short walk south along the promenade brings you into the heart of Puerto del Carmen, with its harbour, restaurants and the central beach, while just beyond the old town lies the tiny sheltered cove of Playa Chica — the island's favourite spot for shore diving and snorkelling. Inland, the volcanic drama of Timanfaya National Park and the artistic legacy of César Manrique are within easy reach by car. To plan the rest of your trip, see our full guide to Lanzarote.