• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Canarias Lovers Logos EN

Canarias Lovers

To awaken your senses in the Canary Islands

  • FUERTEVENTURA
    • BEST THINGS TO DO
    • WHERE TO STAY
    • CALETA DE FUSTE
    • CORRALEJO
    • COSTA CALMA
    • MORRO JABLE
    • RENTING A CAR
    • BEST EXCURSIONS
  • LANZAROTE
    • BEST THINGS TO DO
    • WHERE TO STAY
    • COSTA TEGUISE
    • PLAYA BLANCA
    • PUERTO DEL CARMEN
    • RENTING A CAR
    • BEST EXCURSIONS
  • ABOUT
  • eBOOK
  • English
    • Français
    • Dansk
    • Nederlands
    • Deutsch
    • Italiano
    • Português
    • Español
    • Svenska
Home » Lanzarote

11 best things to do in Arrecife (+ photos)

By Elisa GROSSET, Region Lovers | August 1, 2024 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (read more)

Looking for an answer to the question: things to do in Arrecife? We have selected for you the best places and the best activities to do in the Capital of Lanzarote!

Between its unmissable port, its cultural offerings and its beach, you won’t have time to get bored! We were charmed by the beauty of this seaside resort’s waterfront.

In this article, you’ll discover a list of 11 ideas, with our practical tips and photos. We’ve added a few bonus activities nearby.

Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars

Discover our selection of must-do activities in Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote!

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Content
Practical tips for visiting Arrecife
1. The port: El Charco de San Ginés
2. The church: Iglesia de San Ginés
3. The typical Callejòn alleyway
4. The seafront promenade
5. Castle and museum: Castillo de San Gabriel
6. MIAC: Castillo de San José
7. The historic market
8. La Playa del Reducto
9. The sculptures
10. Cultural centers
11. An excursion to the north of Lanzarote
Things to do around Arrecife
Frequently asked questions

Practical tips for visiting Arrecife

Is a visit to Arrecife worthwhile?

If you’re staying in Lanzarote for a long time, we recommend a visit to Arrecife to discover the local way of life. You’ll also get a more complete picture of the island. The capital boasts a number of emblematic landmarks such as the Castillo de San Gabriel and the Castillo de San José, former castles that have been transformed into museums.

We really enjoyed the seafront promenade, where the blue of the sky and the ocean mingle. The atmosphere in the seaside resort is lively, with numerous shops, restaurants and hotels. In fact, check out our article on the best places to stay in Lanzarote for an exceptional holiday!

seaside promenade

Things to do in Arrecife

In short, find the essentials not to be missed in Arrecife:

  • San Ginés district: port, church, seafront promenade,
  • the traditional lanes of the old town,
  • the former castles transformed into museums: Castillo de San Gabriel and Castillo de San José.

In the rest of the article, we’ve selected more places to visit to make the most of your stay!

Castillo de San Gabriel
Castillo de San Gabriel

How long will it take and what are the potential difficulties?

We recommend you allow 2 to 3 hours for a simple tour of the historic center and port. However, if you also wish to visit the museums, you’ll need to allow for a full day.

The town is fairly easy to get to. The paved floor is relatively smooth and even, but avoid wearing heels. In the old town, some alleys are narrow and open onto staircases. The seafront promenade is very wide and pleasant, ideal for a stroll in the Canary Islands sunshine!

If you come on Saturday morning for the craft market between 9am and 12pm, access to the parking lot and traffic will be more difficult. There’s also a market on Wednesday and Thursday mornings on cruise days.

Small alley in Arrecife
Small alley in Arrecife

Where is Arrecife – map

Arrecife lies on the south coast in the center of Lanzarote (Canary Islands).

Travel time by car to Arrecife:

  • from Costa Teguise: 15 min,
  • from Puerto del Carmen: 20 min,
  • from Playa Blanca: 35 min.

Here’s a map of Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote to help you find your way:

Our map of Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote.
Map of Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote

How to get to Arrecife – parking

The easiest way to get there is to rent a car and drive yourself.
We loved driving around Lanzarote, and highly recommend this option!
Access to the town is easy and well signposted.

As far as parking is concerned, there are several parking lots throughout the city. We particularly recommend Parking Islas Canarias on Avenida de la Mancomunidad. It’s not free, but it has the great advantage of being open 24 hours a day.

OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Lanzarote
  • Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
  • A small car is all you need.
  • But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
  • Demand is high, so book early.
driving in Lanzarote
See available cars ->

Read our tips

1. The port: El Charco de San Ginés

El Charco de San Ginés is a portion of the ocean that has invited itself into the city. This small port is surrounded by whitewashed houses, restaurants and beach bars. With its fishing boats moored along the quayside, it offers a magnificent view of the old town and the Church of San Ginés.

It’s a place we particularly liked, as it has a more traditional and authentic atmosphere. How about a sunset stroll?

port El Charco San Ginés

It’s a charming place to discover local life, and relax in a soothing setting in the heart of Arrecife.

As you continue your walk, you’ll come across a whale skeleton. By observing its reflection in the water, you can imagine the marine animal returning to its natural habitat.

whale skeleton

2. The church: Iglesia de San Ginés

Located in Plaza de Las Palmas, the Church of San Ginés features traditional Canarian architecture. With its white façade and open bell tower, it was built in honor of San Ginés de Clermont, the town’s patron saint. We also really enjoyed the small, shady square in front of the religious building.

exterior Iglesia de San Ginés

The interior of the parish is well worth a visit. Between the many statues, the woodwork and the altar, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the history and religious traditions of the region. The Iglesia de San Ginés is an important place of worship, and a point of historical interest for visitors to Arrecife.
See more photos.

inside Iglesia de San Ginés
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Lanzarote

Choosing where to stay:

  • Where to stay in Lanzarote
  • Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise

Select by hotel type:

  • 5-star hotels
  • Best boutique-hotels
  • Best adults-only hotels
  • Best all-inclusive hotels
  • Best hotels for families

Our favorite: Hotel Cala Lanzarote – See prices, photos and availability

Select by city:

  • Best hotels in Playa Blanca
  • Best hotels in Puerto del Carmen
  • Best hotels in Costa Teguise
hotel CalaLanzarote

3. The typical Callejòn alleyway

Continue your walk behind the parish church. You’ll then discover Arrecife’s most typical alleyway: Callejòn Luis Fernández Fuentes, nicknamed El Aguaresío. Lined with white houses and luxuriant plants, this little hidden corner in the heart of the old town is very charming. We loved the contrast between the blue of the sky, the green of the vegetation and the whiteness of the walls.

typical Callejòn alley

4. The seafront promenade

Before continuing with a cultural visit, you’ll take a stroll along the seafront promenade. We were seduced by the cobblestone paths suspended above the ocean. They bear witness to the town’s history. As you stroll along, you’ll discover incredible views of Arrecife Bay, the historic district, and even the mountains on the horizon! Don’t hesitate to immortalize the moment!

seafront promenade

5. Castle and museum: Castillo de San Gabriel

Built in the 16th century, this castle was erected to protect the town from pirate attacks. It stands on a rocky islet linked to the town by a bridge, the Puente de las Bolas. It is also surrounded by small sandy beaches.

Today, the Castillo de San Gabriel houses the Arrecife History Museum. The museum’s collections highlight local archaeology, art, maritime history and the island’s landscapes. It’s worth noting that some of the old château’s corridors are quite narrow and low-ceilinged.

Castillo de San Gabriel

If you’re a history buff or just curious, we recommend a visit to learn more about Lanzarote’s heritage. Beyond its cultural function, it offers a magnificent view of the coast! We had a great time, both educational and entertaining.

inside the museum

Read our full article on the Castillo de San Gabriel.


HAVE FUN WITH THESE Lanzarote activities
  • Dolphin watching
  • Buggy / Quad
  • Kayak excursion
  • But also: Diving at the Museum of the Atlantic, Catamaran outings, Paddle excursions, Parasailing
Dolphins in Lanzarote
See all activities in Lanzarote -> Lanzarote

6. MIAC: Castillo de San José

Formerly known as the Fortress of Hunger or Fortaleza del Hambre, this fort was once used as a coastal defense against pirate attacks.

It is now home to Lanzarote’s International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC). Abandoned for many years, César Manrique transformed the castle into a museum. We found this venue interesting, as it combines contemporary art with a historical setting. This discrepancy between modern and ancient is surprising!

The museum also houses the Restaurante Castillo de San José (CACT). It boasts unique architecture and superb views over the bay. Find out more here.

Castillo de San José

7. The historic market

The patio of Arrecife’s Town Hall conceals the historic shopping area. As you cross the passageway, you’ll discover old photos of the town, as well as explanations of this place called The town market.

historic trade area

We really enjoyed this place, which bears witness to local history and life. The green doors, magnificent trees and plants made the place particularly soothing. Take the opportunity to sit on a bench and meditate in peace!

city hall patio

8. La Playa del Reducto

Playa del Reducto is Arrecife’s most popular beach. With its calm, shallow waters, it’s ideal for swimming and family activities. It’s a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the sun and ocean.

We enjoyed the fine blond sand, which is very pleasant underfoot. The beach is very long and ideal for walking. There are also showers and toilets.

Before you go, be sure to check the tide times if you want to be sure of getting in for a swim.

Playa del Reducto

9. The sculptures

Visiting the old town and port, you’ll see many sculptures depicting human beings or abstract forms.

Here are our 2 favorites:

  • Los Buches: a work by local sculptor Evelina Martín,
  • La Mirada de César: a sculptural work by Manolo González in homage to César Manrique.
Escultura Los Buches - Evelina Martín
Escultura Los Buches – Evelina Martín

WITH OUR GUIDE PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO lanzarote

All the information you need for your trip:

  • 7 maps that make planning easier
  • + 75 pre-selected locations
  • Practical advice
  • + 140 photos to help you choose
Discover –>
Guide-Voyage-Lanzarote-eBook-cover

10. Cultural centers

La Casa Amarilla

Former seat of the island’s government, the Casa Amarilla organizes temporary exhibitions on the knowledge and memory of Lanzarote.

You can take a virtual tour to soak up the atmosphere. Find the link here.

La Casa de la Cultura Agustín de la Hoz

Located on the seafront promenade, this cultural center hosts art exhibitions, including works by César Manrique. Find out more here.

Originally the residence of Agustín Feo, governor of the island, it was first a casino and then the property of the town council. We were impressed by the state of conservation of the building and its remarkable woodwork!

La Casa de la Cultura Agustín de la Hoz

El Centro de Innovación Cultural El Almacén

Following on from the Agustín de la Hoz House of Culture, the El Almacén Cultural Innovation Center offers art exhibitions.

On the first floor, you’ll also find a great tapas bar. It’s an eclectic place where art blends with a cosy, pleasant space!

For more information on current exhibitions, please visit the official website here.

11. An excursion to the north of Lanzarote

alleys of Teguise
Best things to do in the old town of Teguise

Staying in Arrecife and keen to explore the island further? We highly recommend a guided bus tour to discover the north of Lanzarote.

You’ll make several stops along the way to take in the magnificent scenery. Between the old town of Teguise, the cliffs of Mirador del Río, the Valley of 1000 Palm Trees, and the Jameos del Agua cave, you’ll spend an exceptional day that you won’t forget! These are places that left a deep impression on us during our trip to the island.


Find out more about the excursion from Arrecife here.


Things to do around Arrecife

You can combine your visit to Arrecife with other places nearby.

Costa Teguise

seafront promenade

Located 15 minutes’ drive from Arrecife, Costa Teguise is a must-see seaside resort on the island of Lanzarote. With its beaches, water park, aquarium and wide choice of activities on land and at sea, you’ll never see the time go by!

We loved walking along the seafront promenade, especially at sunrise and sunset. You’ll skirt a series of beaches and be able to see the peaks of volcanoes on the horizon.


See our article on the best things to do in Costa Teguise.


The César Manrique Foundation

César Manrique Foundation

The foundation’s headquarters are in a home designed by César Manrique, where he lived for 20 years. The building is set in a very special landscape. It was built in the middle of a lava flow caused by major eruptions that shook the island between 1730 and 1736.

Some rooms are housed in volcanic bubbles and linked by tunnels. We really enjoyed exploring the place, and learning more about the work of this renowned artist!

It’s a 10-minute drive from Arrecife.

If you don’t have a car, you can book a tour that combines the foundation and the cactus garden – see prices, photos and availability.

Las Grietas

Las Grietas

If, like us, you love rock formations and slot-canyons, we highly recommend exploring Las Grietas de Montana Blanca. It’s a place that’s not very well known yet, and it totally won us over!

The crevasses on the volcano’s slopes are magnificent. A fascinating and easily accessible place, with several small canyons of different sizes to discover.

From Arrecife, it’s a 15-minute drive.


Read our article on Las Grietas canyons in Lanzarote.


OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Lanzarote
  • Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
  • A small car is all you need.
  • But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
  • Demand is high, so book early.
driving in Lanzarote
See available cars ->

Read our tips

Frequently asked questions

Where is the wreck of the Telamon (Barco Fantasma)?

Located north of Arrecife towards Costa Teguise, we photographed the famous wreck of the Telamon boat, nicknamed the ghost ship. Unfortunately, since our trip, it has been dismantled and is no longer visible. Find out more here.

Telamon shipwreck (Barco Fantasma)

Is there a museum at Lanzarote Airport?

Yes, there’s the Aeronautical Museum at Lanzarote Airport. Housed in the small original building, it welcomed passengers between 1946 and 1970. Its reduced size reflects the evolution of the airport’s infrastructure, and the consequences of the explosion in tourism on the island. Find out more here.

lanzarote airport
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Lanzarote

  • Best of

Most beautiful landscapes
Best things to do in Lanzarote
Most beautiful beaches
Most beautiful villages
Best boat tours
César Manrique’s attractions
Secret places, off the beaten track
Most beautiful hikes

Monta Cuervo

  • Practical advice

25 tips for a successful trip to Lanzarote
How to get around
How to rent a car in Lanzarote
Driving tips

Where to stay in Lanzarote
Best hotels in Lanzarote

Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days

hotel in Lanzarote

  • The must-dos

Dolphin watching on Lanzarote
Timanfaya National Park
Best things to do in the old town of Teguise
Jameos del Agua
Cactus Garden
La Graciosa Island
Vineyards
Lanzarote’s water parks

Dolphin in Lanzarote
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
SHE WROTE THE ARTICLE Elisa

Region Lovers' 10 commitments
  1. Visit all the places we tell you about.
  2. For each city, stay in at least one hotel and visit the ones we recommend.
  3. For each city, eat in at least one restaurant, visit the ones we select.
  4. Pay all our invoices in full, refuse any partnership or sponsorship.
  5. Periodically update our articles, with the help of our readers.
  6. Enrich our articles with our first-hand experiences.
  7. Use 99% of our own photos
  8. Use digital tools in a reasoned and transparent way, feeding them with information verified on site.
  9. Provide information on the traveler/writer pairing that gave rise to the article.
  10. Tell you what we do, and do what we tell you!

Claire and Manu

Find out more about the team and our history.


Primary Sidebar

Claire et Manu

Une sœur passionnée de voyages, un frère épicurien, des valeurs familiales bien ancrées, une équipe qui s'enrichit pas à pas…

l'équipe et notre histoire


Search

Footer

Canarias Lovers Logos

our videos on Youtube

our photos on Instagram

our news on Linkedin

contact form

SEARCH OUR SITE

Search

  • English
    • Français (French)
    • Dansk (Danish)
    • Nederlands (Dutch)
    • Deutsch (German)
    • Italiano (Italian)
    • Português (Portuguese (Portugal))
    • Español (Spanish)
    • Svenska (Swedish)

Legal information – Terms of use – Privacy policy

Terms and conditions of sale

About us

Copyright Canarias Lovers © 2025

Gérer le consentement aux cookies
We share everything with you: our favourite places, our tips, our good plans... and without invading you
with ads! To bring you the best possible site, cookies are an essential ingredient. Do you accept them?

Find out more
Fonctionnel Always active
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est strictement nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de permettre l’utilisation d’un service spécifique explicitement demandé par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur, ou dans le seul but d’effectuer la transmission d’une communication sur un réseau de communications électroniques.
Préférences
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de stocker des préférences qui ne sont pas demandées par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur.
Statistiques
Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement à des fins statistiques. Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement dans des finalités statistiques anonymes. En l’absence d’une assignation à comparaître, d’une conformité volontaire de la part de votre fournisseur d’accès à internet ou d’enregistrements supplémentaires provenant d’une tierce partie, les informations stockées ou extraites à cette seule fin ne peuvent généralement pas être utilisées pour vous identifier.
Marketing
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire pour créer des profils d’utilisateurs afin d’envoyer des publicités, ou pour suivre l’utilisateur sur un site web ou sur plusieurs sites web ayant des finalités marketing similaires.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Voir les préférences
{title} {title} {title}
Gérer le consentement aux cookies
Pour offrir les meilleures expériences, nous utilisons des technologies telles que les cookies pour stocker et/ou accéder aux informations des appareils. Le fait de consentir à ces technologies nous permettra de traiter des données telles que le comportement de navigation ou les ID uniques sur ce site. Le fait de ne pas consentir ou de retirer son consentement peut avoir un effet négatif sur certaines caractéristiques et fonctions.
Fonctionnel Always active
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est strictement nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de permettre l’utilisation d’un service spécifique explicitement demandé par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur, ou dans le seul but d’effectuer la transmission d’une communication sur un réseau de communications électroniques.
Préférences
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de stocker des préférences qui ne sont pas demandées par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur.
Statistiques
Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement à des fins statistiques. Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement dans des finalités statistiques anonymes. En l’absence d’une assignation à comparaître, d’une conformité volontaire de la part de votre fournisseur d’accès à internet ou d’enregistrements supplémentaires provenant d’une tierce partie, les informations stockées ou extraites à cette seule fin ne peuvent généralement pas être utilisées pour vous identifier.
Marketing
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire pour créer des profils d’utilisateurs afin d’envoyer des publicités, ou pour suivre l’utilisateur sur un site web ou sur plusieurs sites web ayant des finalités marketing similaires.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Voir les préférences
{title} {title} {title}