This 18th-century tower, built to fend off pirate attacks, stands guard over the southern coastline 2.5km east of the centre (just beyond the Marina Rubicón).
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Fundación César Manrique
18.86 MILES
Upon returning definitively to Lanzarote, César Manrique built his spectacular house and creative centre, Taro de Tahíche, into the lava fields just…
Parque Nacional de Timanfaya
10.9 MILES
Lanzarote's most spectacular sight, the eerie 51-sq-km Parque Nacional de Timanfaya sprawls around the Montañas del Fuego (Mountains of Fire) formed by…
Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo
18.59 MILES
Converted into an art gallery in 1976, on César Manrique's wish, the well-preserved 18th-century Castillo de San José houses one of the Canaries' major…
LagOmar
20.23 MILES
Carved into the rock face, with fanciful chimneys, cupolas, lookouts and twisting staircases, this gallery, restaurant and bar with a New Mexico–meets…
Castillo de San Gabriel
17.38 MILES
On a little islet just off the seafront promenade, reached via the 18th-century Puente de las Bolas or a more recent Franco-era bridge, the 16th-century…
Museo de la Piratería
21.04 MILES
Perched 396m high on the Montaña de Guanapay, 1km east of town with sweeping views across the plains, the 16th-century Castillo de Santa Bárbara doubles…
Nearby Playa Blanca attractions
1. Playa Mujeres
1.12 MILES
Blessed with fine pale, blonde sand and wild dunes, and particularly popular with snorkellers and surfers, picturesque and secluded 90m-long Playa Mujeres…
2. Playa Blanca
1.24 MILES
A small curve of pale soft sand (hence the name Playa Blanca), the small Blue Flag main beach at the heart of town is popular.
3. Playa del Pozo
1.43 MILES
Another of the gorgeous, back-to-nature Papagayo beaches, this sandy light-gold strand is 600m north of the punta, framed by volcanic-rock cliffs. Like…
4. Playa del Papagayo
1.65 MILES
Hemmed in by the punta's craggy cliffs, deliciously unspoilt and protected Playa del Papagayo is one of Lanzarote's loveliest beaches, with pale-gold sand…
5. Playa Flamingo
1.87 MILES
This golden-white family-friendly beach, 1.5km southwest of central Playa Blanca, has plenty of sunbeds and facilities and lovely views across to…
6. Playa de Janubio
5.53 MILES
A lengthy, surf-battered volcanic beach, 8km south of El Golfo, makes for an atmospheric stroll, but swimming here is dangerous due to strong currents. It…
7. Salinas de Janubio
5.68 MILES
Around 8km south of El Golfo, just inland from Playa de Janubio, Lanzarote's only working salt pans were set up in the late 19th century; up to 15,000…
8. Playa Quemada
5.71 MILES
Refreshingly secluded and unspoilt, this rocky volcanic-black beach fringed by low white buildings and superb seafood restaurants lies 1.5km southwest of…