Lanzarote has a wide variety of attractions to visit, so much more than just the official Centres of Art Culture & Tourism. We’ve listed places of interest across the island including privately owned museums, castles, theme park, aquarium and a cave.
Seven Official Attractions
The Mirador del Río visitor centre has been built into the top of the magnificent Risco de Famara cliffs close to the village of Yé on the Northern tip of Lanzarote. When you arrive all you can see is the stunning coast road leading off to the left and a semi circular building made from traditional stone walls at the rear of the car park.
A visit to the Cueva de Los Verdes is a chance to go underground and take a guided walk along a 1km section of a lava tunnel. This tunnel system was a refuge for lanzaroteños during the pirate attacks, there is a well kept surprise too. The cave also includes a natural auditorium there are a range of concerts performed in this location through the year.
The Jameos del Agua was the first site to be created by César Manrique as a cultural centre in Lanzarote which opened back in 1966 and is part of the volcanic tunnel formed with the eruption of the Volcán de la Corona.
César Manrique found the site of the old disused quarry (el antiguo rofero) and mill (el molino) in Guatiza in the seventies and although work began in 1976, the Jardín de Cactus wasn’t inaugurated until much later in 1990, this would be César’s last project in Lanzarote
Arrecife has two castles on the waterfront, the Castillo San José sits overlooking Puerto Naos. Now home to the Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo (MIAC), this castle was built between 1776 and 1779 as ordered by King Don Carlos III.
César Manrique designed the Monumento a la Fecundidad for the geographical centre of Lanzarote which stands at the entrance to the Monumento de Campesino centre. The centre is a museum dedicated to Lanzarote farmers and agriculture.
The Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) are the most popular of the Lanzarote attractions for it is here, in the Parque Nacional Timanfaya (National Park Timanfaya) that you will start to understand the true beauty of Lanzarote and the effect that the eruptions in the 1730 – 1736 made to the island.
Other Places To Visit
The Museo Tanit (Ethnographic Museum Tanit) in Lanzarote is fascinating! Set in the heart of San Bartolomé this traditional Canarian house dates back to 1735.
Arrecife has two castles, Castillo San Gabriel is the one situated right in the centre of town on the end of the main shopping street Leon y Castillo. The castle was originally a wooden fortress, built in 1573 to defend Arrecife from pirates and attacks from North Africa.
The Fundación César Manrique is based in Taro de Tahíche, the building was the former residence of César Manrique from 1968 until it became their headquarters in 1992.
Rancho Texas Theme Park is a fun day out for all the family, it’s an animal park, there’s entertainment shows, and a waterpark.
The Lanzarote Aquarium in Costa Teguise is the largest in the Canary Islands. There’s lots of individual tanks where you can find Nemo, walk through the shark tunnel, look through the shark eggs to see a tiny embryo growing, watch the seahorses and more.
Waterpark is in Costa Teguise – take the main road out of town towards the golf course and you’ll see the park on your left. There are three main slides, of varying steepness, which plunge into the main pool area, and there’s a terrific “rapids” ride which you do on a large rubber ring and which takes you all around the park.
LagOmar has a fascinating history, it’s a museum, art gallery, bar and restaurant built into the hillside at Nazaret, close to the old capital of Teguise.
There’s plenty to see at this free visitor centre, discover lots of interactive information about volcanoes or take a guided walk through the Timanfaya National Park.
Previously the Palacio Spínola, this beautiful old house has been converted into the Timple Museum and open to the public. Worthy of a visit if you like Canarian architecture or music.
The original airport for Lanzarote which was founded in 1946 and used until 1970 is now home to Aeronautical Museum.
The Museo Agrícola El Patio was the best developed farm in Lanzarote and dates back to 1840. The museum has some wonderful Canarian buildings including a windmill and animal mill as well as lots of history and artefacts.
The Museum of Religious Art is situated in the beautiful Convent of San Francisco in the old capital of Teguise. Each exhibit is detailed with information in English and Spanish giving an explanation and the orgin.
César Manrique’s House Museum is situated in the valley of a thousand palms. Preserved as the artist left it on the day of his fatal accident, the property offers a fascinating insight into the private life of Manrique.
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