Castillo San Jose in Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands; Shutterstock ID 177666716; Your name (First / Last): Tom Stainer; GL account no.: 65050 ; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Best in Travel 2018

Shutterstock / Joanna Zaleska

Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo

Top choice in Arrecife


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 contemporary art collections. Aside from a couple of early works by Manrique himself, its thoughtfully presented rooms spanning the 1950s to 1970s star works by such greats as Miró, Millares, Tàpies and Lanzarote-born Pancho Lasso. It's a walkable 2km northwest of central Arrecife.

The castle was built to deal with pirates and provide unemployed locals with a public-works job scheme, and today also hosts a smart restaurant.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Arrecife attractions

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2. Iglesia de San Ginés

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3. Casa Amarilla

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4. Museo Arqueológico de Lanzarote

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5. Castillo de San Gabriel

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7. Biblioteca Universitaria Municipal

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8. Playa del Reducto

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