Making the most of Arrecife Lanzarote
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships use the cargo docks at Muelle de Los Marmoles Port, around a 30 min walk from Arrecife town centre. Some may instead dock at the new La Boca de Puerto Naos cruise dock, which is closer to town at 1km. Shuttles operate, although they are most of the time not free.
Taxis to Teguise are metered and cost 18E/one way. Teguise remained the capital until 1852, when Arrecife became the capital because it was the island’s main shipping port and trading centre.
A cab to Arrecife costs about 10 Euro.
The city takes its name from the rocky reef covering its beach: “Arrecife” is Spanish for “reef”.
If your Lanzarote stay is longer than a few hours, a ship’s excursion may be worth considering. The siesta lasts from noon to around 5 pm, when virtually everything is closed.
Lanzarote is known for its moon-like landscape, while Arrecife is a somewhat sleepy town that can be covered in an hour or so. Notable sights include El Charco de San Gines, the city centre salt-water lagoon surrounded by fishermen’s houses; and La Casa de Los Arroyo, a patriarchal residence emblematic of Arrecife, a declared Historical Monument and home to the “Blas Cabrera” Scientific center. The Castles of San Jose, with the international Museum of Modern Art, and San Gabriel, with the Archaeological Museum, are also interesting. The Casa de la Cultura Agustin de la Hoz is another attraction...
César Manrique had enormous influence over the regional council, which gave him free hand to do whatever he wanted. Under his autocratic aesthetic guidelines, no building could rise taller than a palm tree, except church towers. The island’s only “skyscraper” is one hotel structure in Arrecife, built while he was away from the island. He banned roadside hoardings and rubbish tipping, required electric cables underground, and recommended that villages decorate only in white and green, with the odd blue permitted in coastal areas. He also encouraged people to renovate...
Getting around
Car hire in Lanzarote is relatively cheap and offers the best way to discover remote wilderness regions. It takes about 40 minutes to drive North to South across the island and about 25 minutes to cross it. A car rental office sits right outside the port, only 50 meters’ walk away, renting cars for less than 40 Euros a day; most major companies have a desk there. Cicar’s rates are very attractive; look for its Muelle de Los Marmoles location. Island roads are in excellent shape.
Island highlights include Teguise, the old capital, and Guanapay Castle on a volcanic cone; oasis-like Haría; and Malpaís de la Corona, whose immense Los Verdes volcanic cave is 6km (3.5 miles) long, alongside nearby Jameo del Agua lagoon. Timanfaya National Park is an awe-inspiring, barren and majestic lava expanse covering nearly one-third of the island. The volcanoes-on-camels trip is the most popular excursion.
With a hired car, drive to Tinajo and follow the signs to Timanfaya. First comes the free Mancha Blanca Visitor Center, with an exhibition and overview of Lanzarote. Next is Islote de Hilario, where the 8 euro entrance fee covers an hour bus ride through the volcanic landscape and a “geyser” demonstration; it is rather thrilling and not to be missed. A mile or 2 farther on, the camels await. Arrecife has three beaches: Playa Blanca, El Reducto and Guacineta. Playa El Reducto, just south of Arrecife, is said to be the best beach.
A four hour taxi excursion costs about 150 euro. Taxi fares are from the port.
Food and shopping
Food and shops cluster around the waterfront avenues of Generalissimo Franco and Leon y Castillo.
Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands have special duty-free tax status. Cigarettes, alcohol, perfumes and petrol cost much less than in Mainland Spain and the rest of the EU.
Money
The currency is the euro.
One euro contains 100 cents. The eight coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, plus 1 and 2 Euro. There are seven banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Staying connected
An internet cafe is on the main shopping street opposite the supermarket; both remain open through the siesta. Many sidewalk cafes offer WiFi.
Dial 112 free of charge for emergencies throughout Spain. Service is in Spanish and, in some tourist areas, English, French and German as well.
Opening Hours and
Museums are generally closed on Mondays.
Nationally.