Things to do in Lanzarote
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Museo de Arte Contemporáneo
Converted in 1994 by the Fundación César Manrique into a sleek modern-art museum, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo is housed in the Castillo de San José, which was built in the 18th century to deal with pirates and, at a time of famine on the island, to provide unemployed locals with a public-works job scheme. Today it houses the most important collection of modern art in the Canaries.
Aside from a couple of early works by Manrique himself (which may help explain why he turned to architecture), artists such as Miró, Millares, Rivera, Gerardo Rueda, Sempere and Tápies are on show. Both gallery and restaurant are well worth the 30-minute walk from the city centre.
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Museo del Emigrante Canario
The Castillo de Santa Bárbara is not only the oldest fort on the Canaries, but the only castle that really looks the part. Perched up on Guanapay peak, with sweeping views across the plains, it was erected in the 16th century by Sancho de Herrera, consequently expanded and then fell into disuse. Since being restored, it houses the modest, yet fascinating, Museo del Emigrante Canario, a poignant collection relating to the long history of migration from the islands to Spain's American colonies.
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Castillo de Santa Bárbara
The Castillo de Santa Bárbara is not only the oldest fort on the Canaries, but the only castle that really looks the part. Perched up on Guanapay peak, with sweeping views across the plains, it was erected in the 16th century by Sancho de Herrera, consequently expanded and then fell into disuse. Since being restored, it houses the modest, yet fascinating Museo del Emigrante Canario, a poignant collection relating to the long history of migration from the islands to Spain's American colonies.
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MIAC Restaurant
Situated in the Castillo de San José, along with the art gallery, is Arrecife's greatest gastronomic-cum-visual experience. Glide down the spiral staircase and order some wonderful meat and fish dishes in the grooviest possible setting. The huge wraparound windows overlook the port and the décor is the usual Manrique mix of airy and inventive. The bow-tied service completes the dress-for-dinner feel.
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El Risco
A superb location, with a terrace overlooking the sea and a nautical blue-and-white interior. Owner Gustavo recommends his fish and goat dishes, but has also introduced a menu of pizzas and savoury crepes to appeal to the less intrepid diner. The result makes this a winner for fussy families. The dining-room is pleasantly informal and there's a small terrace for catching the breeze.
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Casa Leon
Run by affable Frenchman Philippe and his Canarian partner José, this small restaurant shares its locale with a health-food shop and alternative-therapy centre. The cuisine is essentially Moroccan, with a few healthy international options; there is a generous buffet on Sunday. The ambience is laid-back and cosy with warm colours, Moroccan lamps and provocative artwork.
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Centro Insular de Cultura El Almacén
Another vibrant gallery space is the Centro Insular de Cultura El Almacén, a cultural centre housed in a former warehouse that has had a stylish makeover, once again influenced by Manrique. There are exhibitions, a cinema (showing original-version films) and a bar and restaurant named after César's old buddy, Picasso, where you can enjoy live music at weekends.
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Palacio Spínola
Sprawling Palacio Spínola was built between 1730 and 1780 and passed to the Spínolas, a prominent Lanzarote family, in 1895. Nowadays it serves as both museum (of sorts) and the official residence of the Canary Islands government. It deserves a leisurely perusal, although many of the furnishings are clearly a few decades more modern than their surrounds.
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La Tavernetta
There's a smattering of breezy outdoor cafés and restaurants on Calle Ruperto González Negrín and La Marina. La Tavernetta is a winner with its picture windows and vast menu, including bacon-and-egg breakfasts, healthy salads, fish and meat dishes and a heavenly chocolate soufflé.
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Charco de San Ginés
The Charco de San Ginés is an attractive lagoon that could be a commercialised, Portofino-style place but, thankfully, it's not (yet). The buildings and restaurants here are a beguiling combo of mildly down-at-heel and freshly whitewashed with blue trim.
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El Maño
Trip along the long wooden bridge to reach this rare Spanish restaurant, which includes dishes from all over the country, including salmorejo (a thick, garlicky gazpacho) from Cordoba, black pudding from Burgos and a Valencian-style paella.
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Calle José Antonio
There's plenty of nightlife choice in town, ranging from gritty local bars to intimate chill-out cafés - and just about everything in between. The main moving-and-shaking clubs are located on one short strip of central Calle José Antonio .
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Puerte Bahia
Come here for the uninterrupted sea views from a vast terrace and a menu that is predictably multinational but includes some treats, such as vegetable risotto with mushrooms and seaweed, and an above-average seafood zarzuela (stew).
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Olita Treks
Olita Treks conducts excellent local walks, which cover turf such as Isla Graciosa, the island's volcanoes or various coastal stretches. Walks are either half- or full-day, and the price includes pick-up and transport. English is spoken.
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Castillo de San Gabriel
The city's second castle, the curiously squat 16th-century Castillo de San Gabriel was sorely tested on several occasions by Moroccan and European pirates. Today it is home to occasional exhibitions, but generally closed to the public.
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El Almacen de la Sal
An excellent waterfront restaurant, with fish dishes being the pick of the bunch (although a good vegetarian selection is also tempting). It's about halfway between the port and the main beach and has a cheaper lunchtime menu.
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Acatife
A memorable traditional restaurant; look for the ancient wooden door. The interior continues the rustic theme, with beams and chunky wooden furniture, while the food is down-to-earth and hearty, as befits the surroundings.
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Mesón La Tinaja
This restaurant specialises in traditional Basque dishes like black pudding from Burgos, red peppers stuffed with codfish and red sausage from Bera. More international fare includes tasty curried rice with vegetables.
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Restaurant La Puntilla
The breezy blue-and-white colour scheme adds to the charm of this lake-side restaurant with its view of the bobbing boats. The menu includes seafood dishes like octopus with potatoes in mojo and fried squid.
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Patio Canario
This place specialises in fresh fish and seafood from the Isla de la Graciosa. The outside terrace is set in an attractive courtyard, with a handy German bakery across the way for a slice of strudel for afters.
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Casa Roja
Enjoying possibly the best location in town, this is a low-key place overlooking the pretty harbour. The menu is appropriately seafood-based, with the obligatory tank of potential dinner mates at the entrance.
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Playa del Reducto
If you fancy a dip, Playa del Reducto is a superb white sandy beach, a thong's throw from Calle Dr Rafael González Negrín. It's safe for children, reasonably clean and, generally, surprisingly empty.
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Bar Andalucía
Right off the main shopping strut and sporting Andalusian tiles, paintings for sale and straight-from-Seville tapas like stuffed peppers and patatas alioli (fried potatoes with garlic mayonnaise).
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Iglesia de San Ginés
The Iglesia de San Ginés, an attractive church consecrated to the island's patron saint, was built in 1665 and features a statue - which originated in Cuba - of said saint. Opening hours vary.
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Domus Pompeii
The owner of this trattoria is from Pompeii so expect faux-Roman surroundings and delicious thin-crust Neapolitan pizza, plus homemade pasta with simple, fresh sauces. The house wine is superb.
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