Arrecife - human settlement in Las Palmas Province, Canary Islands, Spain

Arrecife is Lanzarote's capital and a vibrant cosmopolitan city. With around 61,000 inhabitants (2019), it is by far the largest town on the island and an important commercial and administrative center. Most visitors to Lanzarote will only get to know Arrecife Airport; the city doesn't have many attractions to offer.

Understand

About 40% of Lanzarote's population lives in Arrecife, so it is more of a busy, functional city than a picturesque fantasy resort. Nevertheless it has a lovely beach and seafront, and with buses to everywhere on the island, makes a fine base for exploration.

Arrecife is on the southeast coast of the island. There was a small fishing settlement here as early as the 15th century, and their boats found shelter from pirates in the small bays behind rocks and reefs. The Castillo de San Gabriel was built at the end of the 16th century; it is on a small offshore island. The church of San Ginés was built around 1630 and the fortress of San José was built around 1770. In 1812 Arrecife received city rights. Arrecife became the island capital in 1852, when it replaced the inland city of Teguise.

Get in

By plane

• Arrecife Airport (IATA: ACE), Apartado de Correos 86 (5 km west, via LZ-2), 28.950738°, -13.605766°, +34 913211000, aeropuertolanzarote@aena.es. The island's only airport. 2017-02-17

The city is a 10-min bus ride from the airport. To Arrecife the bus line 22 operates M-F between 6:20 and 22:40 about every 25 min. On the weekend and on public holidays it's the bus line 23 between 7:10 and 21:10 about every 50 min. The price is 1.40€. From the airport there are also buses to Playa Blanca, Playa Honda, Puerto Calero, Puerto del Carmen and Yaiza. More pieces of information you find here. (updated Jan 2023)

A taxi ride with Taxi de Arrecife from the airport to the city is €18 (Jan 2023).

By ship

• Arrecife Port, 28.971492°, -13.526343°. Trasmediterranea, Naviera Armas 2017-02-17

By bus

• Arrecife buses. The island's bus network is centred on the capital. There are two main bus stations: 2020-01-03
  • Estación de Guaguas, 28.966963°, -13.551674°. The main bus station for the city. 2020-01-03
  • Intercambiador de Guaguas, 28.957825°, -13.561911°. Many routes also stop at the Interchange station near the beach (Playa del Reducto). 2020-01-03

Get around

On foot

Arrecife is quite small and almost anywhere of tourist interest is within walking distance.

By electric kick scooters

Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Honda and Costa Teguise are covered by one connected e-scooter sharing system. The service is provided by Superpedestrian Link Scooters and can be used with the according app. You can take one e-scooter anywhere. In Arrecife you can leave it in any designated parking area shown in the app. One ride costs €1 to unlock and €0.30 per minute (February 2023).

By bus

Regular bus services exists. For finding the right bus line, Google Maps and Moovit cover the city and the island. A ticket inside Arrecife costs €1.40 (Jan 2023).

By taxi

There are taxis available, but no e-hailing on the whole island as of January 2023.

See

If you like a bit of history, then Arrecife is the place.

Promenade

A stroll along the promenade takes you to the city's main attractions. Start at the ocher-coloured building of the island government in the west. There are parking spaces and a large bus station nearby. In order from west to east along the coastal road:

• Parque Temático, 28.956695°, -13.561617°. With its statues is beautifully planted, there is a large children's playground and a skate ramp
• Grand Hotel, Parque Islas Canarias, 28.957479°, -13.554486°. The only high-rise building in Lanzarote. From the bar on the 17th floor you have a nice view over the city and can't see the concrete block of the building.
• Parque Islas Canarias, Calle Dr. Rafael González, 28.957404°, -13.553241°. A small park created based on designs by the artist César Manrique.
• Parque José Ramirez Cerdá, 28.957706°, -13.549879°. Also called Parque Municipal. Here you can sometimes find market stalls in which otherwise expensive brands are sold at the lowest prices. Their authenticity is doubtful.
• Iglesia San Ginés, 28.959757°, -13.547329°. The main church of Arrecife stands on the site of a 17th-century chapel; in its current form it was completed in the 19th century. It is open during the day from 09:00-13:00, and from 17:00-20:00.
• El Charco de San Gines, 28.961286°, -13.547259°. A charming seawater lagoon in the middle of the city. 2020-01-03

Elsewhere

• Castillo de San Gabriel, 28.956486°, -13.547866°. Historic fort guarding the harbour, now containing the local history museum. The Castillo de San Gabriel was built on a reef in 1573 to protect against pirates. It didn't do much good, as it was destroyed in 1586. The building visible today was built between 1590 and 1599. Access is via the Puente de las Bolas, a drawbridge with large stone balls. 2020-01-03
• Calle León y Castillo, 28.968163°, -13.547457°. Also often referred to as Calle Real. There are some interesting old houses, further into town you will find modern concrete buildings, in which shopping malls are housed, whose range of goods is tailored to the needs of the islanders.
• Castillo San José, 28.971041°, -13.533444°. Built between 1776 and 1779, it was remodelled by César Manrique and houses a museum of contemporary art. It is open daily from 11:00-21:00, entry is free.
• Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, Castillo de San José, 28.970935°, -13.533235°. Contemporary art museum in another seafront castle. 2020-01-03
• Puerto de Naos, 28.963077°, -13.541743°. A port further east.

Do

• Playa del Reducto, 28.958521°, -13.558329°. An urban beach popular with families, which holds a Blue Flag tag. Sunloungers and shades available for rent and lined with bars, restaurants and hotels. 2020-01-03
• Playa del Cable, 28.954921°, -13.575640°. Another beach but a contrast from Playa del Reducto - this one is quiet, isolated and a great place to have a beach to yourself. 2020-01-03

Buy

If you like shopping, then Arrecife is the place to buy designer wear at low prices. Arrecife Market is another place to bargain hunt.

In the shopping street Calle León y Castillo or Calle Real you will find a wide range of goods, mainly tailored to the needs of the locals. Cosmetics and cigarettes are particularly cheap, the price level corresponds to that of the airport duty-free shops, but the same quantity restrictions apply to duty-free goods when you return home. There are also numerous small shops along the promenade.

In the shopping centre Buganvillas are more likely to be found for everyday needs. If you are looking for Canarian specialties such as mojo sauce or almogrote, you will find it in normal supermarkets.

Eat

Budget

All these are in the city centre:

• Hamburguesería Superguay, C. Canalejas, 51, 28.9581540°, -13.5538509°. Really close to the tall Gran Hotel Arrecife. Full of local people. Burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches are very tasty. Good treatment. Local and trustworthy atmosphere. It might be full and the waiting time somewhat longer. 2022-12-01
• La Miñoca Cafe del Charco S.C.P, Avda Cesar Manrique nº22 Charco San Ginés, 28.9622527°, -13.5470143°. The service is very attentive and the manager is a crack. Friendly staff and very tasty tapas. Very good location at the Bahía. Good atmosphere in the afternoon. A very cozy place. Good vibes. 2022-12-01
• Pizzería Amore Mio., Av. Fred Olsen, 1, 28.9584063°, -13.5563702°. Quality Italian food, good service. The lasagne is amazing. Excellent food, professional service, clean, pleasant place with a wonderful view. Very delicious pizzas right on the beach. Amazing garlic bread with cheese its a must try. 2022-12-01
• Mr.A, C. Eugenio Dors, 3, Local, 2, 28.9596847°, -13.5552379°. The roast chicken and the fish salad is delicious, the mixed salad has everything and the croquettes have a lot of flavor. Latin Colombian style, the taste of chicken, tortilla, potatoes or rice dishes are excellent. In addition, they offer a whole roasted pork leg which is delicious. Nice variety. 2022-12-01
• El Nuevo Local, C. Luis Morote, 16, 28.9580997°, -13.5507714°. Very delicious food prepared with care. Even if you don't speak Spanish, the staff is very kind. If you want to eat tasty and home made food, this is the place. They have a variety of meals and on Thursdays they have a special menu with goat stew.The omelettes they prepare are out of this world. The menu is only in Spanish. 2022-12-01
• Don Albahaca, Pinsa Romana, Calle Dr. Rafael González, 15, 28.9579704°, -13.5531334°. Great pizza dough. Very good attentive service. Original and quality Italian food. Fantastic pinsa with fresh quality Italian products, fabulous porchetta. 2022-12-01
• Domus Pompei, C. José Betancort, 19, 28.9583910°, -13.5512881°. Family atmosphere. Spectacular employees as well as their food. 100% handmade pizzas, a wide variety of flavors and best of all, it will always take you a while to decide from its extensive menu to choose from. The pasta is incredible. 2022-12-01

Mid-range

• Barbacana Bar & Grill, C. Ginés de Castro y Álvarez, 10, 28.9591549°, -13.5477935°. Little restaurant that stands out from the crowd in Arrecife. Spectacular food and treatment. The grilled meat is very good! Quality Uruguayan food. And a great Argentine wine! And there is Uruguayan radio in the background. The staff is warm and friendly! 2022-12-01
• Restaurante Cala by Luis León, Av. César Manrique, 18, 28.9622838°, -13.5466210°. Nice and cozy restaurant in the center of Arrecife. Friendly waiters and good and generous food. Menu with various proposals for hamburgers, cuts of meat, tapas and portions, as well as fish and my choice, this delicious zarzuela with potatoes. Fast service. 2022-12-01
• Restaurante Naia Lanzarote, Av. César Manrique, 33, 28.9620626°, -13.5482320°. Great location, perfect for dinner or lunch after a walk along the seafront. The smoked sardines are spectacular, and a risotto is incredible. Also recommended are the potato omelette and the creamy rice. The restaurant has beautiful views of the sea. An essential in Lanzarote. 2022-12-01
• La Puntilla, Av. César Manrique, 51, 28.9603087°, -13.5467813°. Pretty little restaurant with excellent food and beautiful wines. The tapas are wonderful and the tasting menu is heavily recommended. The service is very friendly and helpful. Surprising recipes that are not common in Lanzarote. Very refined and original cuisine. 2022-12-01
• Divina Italia el Charco, Avenida César Manrique, 16, 28.9625159°, -13.5465949°. Excellent restaurant, appreciated are the spaghetti with tomato sauce. Kind and friendly staff. Great selection of vegan options. The service might be slow. 2022-12-01

Splurge

• Restaurante Lilium, Centro Comercial Marina Lanzarote, Av. Olof Palme, 28.9624716°, -13.5390005°. An exquisite dinner. One of the best places in Lanzarote to have a fine dinner. Local food and lovely stuff. Pleasant impeccable service. A reservation avoids disappointment. 2022-12-01

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