When you visit Arrecife’s charming San Gines district, you won’t want to miss this pretty parish, typical of the Canary Islands.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to San Gines church.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to San Gines worthwhile?
Yes, the Church of San Ginés in Arrecife is well worth a visit. This parish church, located in the historic quarter, is the town’s oldest and most important, and features typical Canarian architecture, with a Mudejar-style ceiling and volcanic stone walls.
This is one of Arrecife’s main attractions.
What you can see
The lime facade
The facade is both simple and elegant, with a beautiful tree-lined square in front. Take the time to admire it from different angles and take note:
- Its whitewashed walls are typical of Canary Island architecture.
- Its bell tower, on the right-hand side, not too high so that we can see the bells.
- The overall architecture of the façade reflects the traditional style of Canary Islands churches.
- Its semi-circular pediment
- Lava stone to accentuate corners
San Gines is the patron saint of Arrecife. The full name of the church is Mother Church of San Ginés Obispo.
Interior structure
This church dates back to 1665 (but stands almost on the site of an earlier church dating from 1564, moved slightly to avoid flooding). It was modified in the 19th century, including the lengthening of the nave and the bell tower.
The church has a square floor plan with 3 naves. Note the arches separating the naves, which are elegant and not typical.
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Lanzarote
Choosing where to stay:
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:
Wooden ceiling
Our favorite architectural feature was the Mudejar-style wooden ceiling.
The carvings were not too busy.
We found the stylistic effect very successful.
Painting La Charité
The church is not overloaded with paintings and sculptures, and everything stands out well against the white walls.
Among the works to admire is this painting of eight figures representing the Act of Charity.
It was painted by Manuel Ponce de Léon in 1847.
The little organ
It’s not a masterpiece, but we found the church’s tiny organ surprising, so we’re sharing a photo with you. We’d love to have heard its sound, and its limitations.
Le Tableau des Animas
On the opposite wall is the Tableau des Animas, dating from 1819.
It was painted by Don Luis de la Cruz y Rios, painter to King Ferdinand VII.
It shows the Trinity and saints who have reached different levels of perfection.
As in the other painting, it shows charity, which leads from purgatory to heaven.
The chapels
On the sides you’ll also find good-sized chapels with more sculptures and paintings.
The stained glass windows
Take time to look at the small stained glass windows. They’re very colorful, and sometimes surprising.
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Lanzarote
Choosing where to stay:
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:
Iglesia San Gines in Arrecife: how to get there
Where to find the church
- In Arrecife
- In the old town, to the north, near the San Gines fishing port
Access by car and parking
The church is on a semi-pedestrian street.
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.
Visiting difficulties
The neighborhood and church are easy to visit. The floors are in good condition.
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
Visit: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Free access.
Open daily 9am-1pm and 5pm-8pm
Mass daily at 7:30pm and at other times on certain days.
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 15min.
Eating out
You’re in the old town, so there are a few tavernas around.
We had an orange juice at Strava – Vermuteria with a great atmosphere.
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
- 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
