Arrecife Museum of Contemporary Art
A collection of modern artworks sit on permanent display in the
Castle of San Jose, a fortress in built in 1779 to defend against
pirate attacks in Arrecife. The castle was in military use till
1890 and then stood vacant till 1974 when it was converted into a
modern art gallery and restaurant by architect and artist Cesar
Manrique. The Museo International de Arte Contemporaneo is small
but fascinating. The main attraction is actually the building
itself and the contrast between the old fortress and modern art.
Some of the artists featured are Bacon, Picasso, Miro, Botero,
Damaso, and Luis Feito. The restaurant, which serves superb food
and has a funky decor, is a big drawcard and has fantastic views
over the docks and ocean. It is worth visiting for drinks at the
bar at least. Sunset is the best time to enjoy the views and a
meal, as the view changes dramatically between day and night.
Although there are usually tables available, it is recommended that
you book in advance to get the best views.
Opening time:
Art galleries: Monday to Sunday from 11am to
9pm
Fernando Botero
Roel Wijnants
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park, in the southwestern part of
the island of Lanzarote, is unique because it is the only national
park in the world to have been developed by local residents. Also
unique is what the park offers, including a volcanic field filled
with a variety of geological and geothermic phenomena. In fact, the
reserve is almost entirely made up of volcanic soil, and volcanic
activity continues beneath the surface, although there is only one
active volcano. Attractions include some geysers by the restaurant.
Although the landscape is strange and stark, 180 different plant
species do survive in the park. The whole of Lanzarote is a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve, and Timanfaya is one of the core protected
areas. Access to the park is strictly regulated to protect the
delicate ecosystem and visitors must stick to designated routes. A
journey through this landscape is hugely enriched by having a guide
so don't shy away from organised tours. Some tours offer camel
rides as part of the package. In the restaurant, which has
spectacular views, visitors can end their guided tour of these
wonders by enjoying a meal cooked on geothermal heat emanating from
natural steam vents and geysers.
Opening time:
Daily from 9am to 5.45pm.
Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote
Spanish National Tourist Board
La Cueva de los Verdes
In the northern part of Lanzarote, close to the Monte de la
Corona volcano, is a spectacular system of underground grottos
known as La Cueva de los Verdes. This is one of the largest
volcanic galleries in the world, at just over four miles (6km)
long, formed approximately five thousand years ago in a prehistoric
eruption when a massive stream of lava boiled down to the sea,
hardening around the spaces inflated by gases. Where the tunnel
enters the sea there is an underwater section called the Tunnel of
Atlantis. More than a mile (2km) of these grottos is accessible to
visitors, and lighting effects have been added to accentuate the
contours and colours of the weird shapes resulting from the lava
flows. Feeling like a journey into the mysterious bowels of the
earth, exploring the tunnels is a thrilling experience. Tours take
just under an hour and are conducted in Spanish and English. Those
with mobility issues may struggle negotiating the uneven surfaces,
but tour guides are generally accommodating and adjust their pace
to suit the group as a whole. Evening concerts are sometimes held
in the caverns, and it is incredible to hear the music
reverberating off the ancient walls.
Opening time:
Daily from 10am to 6pm. Last tour at
5pm.
La Cueva de los Verdes
tete_ct
The Cactus Garden
Situated between Guatiza and Mala is an unusual sightseeing
attraction that combines art with nature. Artist Cesar Manrique
created a work of art in the form of a cactus plantation in an old
quarry. The Cactus Garden was Manrique's final piece of work in
Lanzarote. More than 7,000 cactuses from well over 1,000 different
species from all over the world are represented in the garden, with
many coming from Madagascar, Mexico, Chile, Morocco, the US, and
the Canary Islands. The plants come in all shapes and sizes and
have been arranged beautifully in a landscaped garden with many
water features. The site also features a restored windmill, which
visitors can climb. It is a weird and wonderful collection which
makes you feel like you're on another planet, and most people need
at least two to three hours to explore. The old quarry is a sun
trap and gets really hot, so it is best not to visit on a
sweltering day, or at least to avoid the hottest time of day. There
is a cafe at the site which sells light meals and provides welcome
shade.
Opening time:
Daily from 10am to 6pm.
The Cactus Garden
DanTheBeastMan
Lanzarote has a great climate throughout the year,
despite the fact it is technically a desert climate. The average
temperature is comfortable all year round, rarely dropping below
60°F (16°C) and seldom rising above 82°F (28°C) during the day.
During the winter it gets cool in the evenings and
the sea temperature drops, but it is never really cold. January is
the coldest month with temperatures averaging between 57°F (14°C)
and 68°F (20°C), and August is the hottest month, when temperatures
rarely drop below 70°F (21°C) and peak around 84°F (29°C).
Rainfall in the summer months is almost non-existent,
but showers are likely between October and April. Typically, rain
showers don't last long and quickly give way to sunshine. Trade
winds blow sporadically throughout the year but the windiest month
is July, when the cool sea breeze can be refreshing in the summer
heat.
The Canary Islands are considered the best winter
destination in Spain because it is often still warm enough between
December and February to enjoy the beach, but summer, between June
and August, remains the most popular time to visit Lanzarote.
Lanzarote Airport
Location: The airport is located about three miles (5km) southwest
of Arrecife.
Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and
the last Sunday in October).
Transfer Between Terminals:
Terminal 1 (international flights) and Terminal 2 (local
flights) are within walking distance of each other.
Getting to the city:
There is a public bus into Arrecife; the trip takes 10 minutes
and costs about €1.40. Buses also run from the airport to Playa
Honda, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca.
Car Rental:
There are several car rental companies at the airport, including
Avis, Auto Reisen, Cabrera Medina, Cicar, Goldcar, Hertz and
Europcar, all located in the arrivals area.
Airport Taxis:
There are metered taxis outside the arrivals hall at both
terminals. Minimum charges are in effect.
Facilities:
Facilities at Lanzarote Airport include ATMs, police services, a
first aid station, lost and found, as well as shops, restaurants,
and cafes.
Parking
Parking is available at Lanzarote Airport, at car parks outside
each terminal.
Puerto del Carmen is the main nightspot on the island
and its population swells most evenings as tourists from the other
holiday resorts of Lanzarote come to enjoy its bars and clubs.
There are loads of good English, Irish, and Scottish bars in the
New Town along The Strip.
The Centre Atlantico has a number of cocktail bars
and can be a good spot to start the evening. The Hippodrome is also
here but more serious clubbers may prefer Caesars. There are also
several live music venues and karaoke bars.
The nightlife in Playa Blanca is fairly limited, with
entertainment mostly restricted to the shows organised by hotels.
There is a kids disco but those after something more hardcore will
need to head to Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen, half an hour
away by car. Similarly, holidaymakers will find that although
Matagorda is not lacking in waterfront pubs and bars, most offering
some lively evening entertainment, generally nightlife in Matagorda
is rather low key.
Younger visitors looking for a taste of nightlife in
Spain or a more vibrant night out opt to travel the short distance
to the rollicking clubs and bars of Puerto del Carmen. The
nightlife in Costa Teguise is also not legendary, though it is
probably the second most popular choice for those seeking fun after
dark. Costa Teguise's Mo Vita Disco Bar is its best-known party
venue and there are nice bars around the marketplace to start the
evening off. There is also a casino in the Hotel Oasis at Costa
Teguise.
Lanzarote is a very small island, so getting around is fairly
easy. Travel between resorts and towns on the coast can be done by
bus. The bus service is efficient and reasonably priced, but
holidaymakers need to keep in mind that the service is not frequent
and the journey times are slow.
With well-serviced roads, dedicated cycle paths, and light
traffic, Lanzarote has a large number of cyclists. Bicycles can be
hired on the island. Travellers should be warned that there are
large hills in town that are tricky to get up for inexperienced
cyclists.
Holidaymakers who would like to go island hopping can take a
ferry from Orzola Harbour. A trip to the neighbouring island of
Fuerteventura takes only 25 minutes. Hiring a car is one of the
most comfortable and convenient ways to explore the island quickly
and comfortably, with major car hire companies represented at the
airport.
Lanzarote's chief attractions are its resort
towns, which offer crystalline waters and fine beaches, plus some
of the most reliably balmy weather in the world. Although the
flattest of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is also of volcanic
origin and so has a dramatic landscape, punctuated with many caves
and lagoons.
Those travelling with kids in Lanzerote should
visit the Aquapark on the outskirts of Costa Teguise for fun water
slides and rides, or enjoy the Submarine Safari near Puerto Calero
which takes passengers on an underwater expedition for an hour,
allowing everybody to observe the wonderful marine life. Closer to
Arrecife there is a fun go-karting facility with really good tracks
and cars for kids and adults to race around in.
Guinate Tropical Park, at the northern tip of the
island near the village of Maguez, has incredible bird life and
water features, and Rancho Texas, a wild west theme park doubling
up as an excellent zoo, near Puerto del Carmen, is one of the most
exciting kids' attractions on the island.
Lanzarote is small and easy to navigate; most of
the major resorts and attractions are within ten miles (16km) of
each other. Efficient bus services (known as guagua) travel around
and between the main resorts and operate until quite late. Taxis
are also easily available and fairly good value. Those going off
the beaten track may wish to hire a car for a day or two; car
rental companies have offices in all the main resorts.