You're winning on all three fronts on Matagorda holidays – you've got the gold-sand beaches, the laidback town centre and the lively next-door neighbour.

Three-for-one deal

You get a lot of bang for your buck in Matagorda. The resort’s part of a bumper trio – Los Pocillos is just around the corner and you can walk to Puerto del Carmen in an hour. It’s up to its elbows in Canary Island sand, with two beefy patches to choose from. And there’s a little town square full of bars and restaurants.

Beach duo

Beach-wise, this place cuts the mustard. It’s got a sandy patch on each shoulder, so Matagorda’s Beach is really a combo of Playa Lima and Playa Pocillos – both of which are real titans. In fact, they’re so big that overcrowding’s never an issue. There’s a watersports centre right behind the sands, too, which puts jet-skiing, diving and boat rides on the agenda.

Fun-filled days

Matagorda’s super-chilled, but you’ve got one of Lanzarote’s bubbliest resorts on your doorstep – Puerto del Carmen. Along the way, you can pop into Rancho Texas for some family fun. This Wild West-themed zoo is known for its animals and cowboy-style country nights. Or get back to nature at Timanfaya National Park, which is 25 minutes’ drive inland.

At a Glance

  • Go for tapas and cocktails in the town square
  • Get a sunbathing spot to yourself
  • Pan for gold at Rancho Texas