César Manrique – The “Father of Lanzarote”

No other individual matches César Manrique´s influence on Lanzarote. He was an artist, an architect, construction advisor, and conservationist… and was responsible for shaping the island and preparing it for tourism.

César Manrique was born on April 24th, 1919, in Arrecife. In 1934, his father bought a substantial plot of land in Caleta de Famara and built a house next to the ocean. The house and its beautiful surroundings left a visible, lifelong impression on the artist.

Manrique went to Madrid in 1945 to take a scholarship place at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. He later became Professor of Art at the academy and also started working as an artist, especially while living in New York for two years.

Manrique returned to Lanzarote in 1968 and his influence in the island’s development can be seen everywhere. In fact, it is impossible to imagine Lanzarote as it stands today without César Manrique.

He is particularly known for his ability to combine nature with his own creativity. Unfortunately, Manrique died in a traffic accident in Lanzarote in 1992.

THE César Manrique Foundation is the island’s cultural centre housing many works of art created by the man himself as well as his own art collection by some of the world’s most prestigious artists including Picasso, Miró, Chillida and Klee.

It was his greatest desire that his own love of nature and dedication to conserving the beauty of the planet reached as many people as possible and the Foundation is there to educate young and old about the environment, ecology and conservation.

César Manrique Foundation
Tel 928 843138
Open Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00

The Fire Mountains

TIMANFAYA NATIONAL PARK is the largest volcanic region in the whole of the Canary Islands. It covers approximately 200 square kilometres and occupies the central-western section of Lanzarote.

THE park is made up of the 32 volcanoes that rose up in 1732 to start the beginning of one of the world’s greatest volcanic holocaust.

Tour of the Mountains

Visitors can take a coach trip around the Fire Mountains to discover more about the incredible history of the eruptions. The coach driver will take you for a slow drive around the stunning mountains untouched since the eruptions of the 18th Century apart from the road built to accommodate the coaches.

A recorded commentary (in Spanish, English and German) tells the story of the eruptions including the first-hand account of the parish priest of Yaiza who recorded his observations in a diary.

After the coach trip, guides demonstrate the fact that the earth still retains a temperature of up to 400 degrees centigrade – they throw a bucket of cold water into a hole in the ground and an enormous geyser of steam shoots out within five seconds (the noise alone makes you jump!) Also, they demonstrate the heat by scraping some small stones from the ground and offering them to visitors – who are shocked to find that the stones are hot.

The restaurant, El Diablo, serves chicken on a natural “barbecue”.

Camel Rides – This desert safari is a must for the whole family. Situated in the National Park (keep driving past the main gates to Fire Mountains or look for them on your left if approaching from Playa Blanca), the convoy of camels takes visitors for a 15-minute trek around a hill. It is fun from start to finish and usually has everyone in fits of giggles as they hold on for dear life while the imposing creatures stand up with their passengers on-board. Children love it and you will get some great shots for the holiday album.

Timanfaya National Park
Open every day 09:00 – 18:00
(Last coach trip leaves 17:00)
Restaurant 12:00-17:30

Cueva de los Verdes – A refuge from the pirates!

The Green Caves are a bit of a journey back through time to the days when they were the ideal refuge from invading pirates!

The caves, one of the longest volcanic galleries in the world at 6km long, provided excellent defence as it was completely impenetrable to any form of weapon making it a perfect fortress.

This attraction is not ideal for anyone who isn’t reasonably fit and healthy as it is necessary to climb several stairs and bend over in order to get under many low recesses. Also, it is impossible to take a pushchair into the caves.

All visitors join a guided tour, given in both English and Spanish, to go through the caves. The group, usually about 30 people, must stay together and be lead by the tour guide as there are some fairly dangerous drops to be made aware of and the lighting inside is pretty dim.

During the walk through the cave, lasting about 60 minutes, the visitor hears about people who used to inhabit the area thousands of years ago and it is incredible to believe that people once lived in the caves…

Cuevas de los Verdes
Tel 928 173220
Open every day 10:00-18:00 (Last tour starts at 17:00)

Jameos del Agua

Jameos del Agua is a cave with a difference. We are not talking dark and eerie tunnel with nothing interesting to look at – we are talking enchanting, mystical, magical…

Jameos del Agua was formed through a volcanic eruption that took place more than 3000 years ago from Mount Corona to the north of the island. The Jameos (which translates as “bowel” or “hollow”) was created as a result of a formation of gas explosions within a volcanic bubble. Over the years, seawater flooded the tunnels until eventually a lagoon was left behind.

The lagoon is the home of thousands of tiny white crabs that have become blind through many years of living in poor light.

There is a bar and restaurant at Jameos del Agua – and even a nightclub three times a week!

Jameos del Agua
Tel: 928 848020
Open every day – 09:30-19:00
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday nightclub – 19:00-03:00

Mirador del Rio – A breathtaking view

MIRADOR del Rio is a unique lookout point across to a small inhabited island, La Graciosa and two tiny islets, Montaña Clara and Alegranza

César Manrique excavated an opening in the top of a mountain in Yé, Haria, and created an indoor observation terrace and café so that people could come and enjoy the wonderful views in comfort.

It is advisable to visit on a clear day to ensure that you get the best possible view – and you will certainly not be disappointed. Mirador del Rio is one place you should not miss when in Lanzarote.

There are stairs leading to higher terraces (not for the faint-hearted!) where the view of the sea and the smaller islands is truly amazing – you have to see it to believe it.

Mirador del Rio
Open every day – 10:00-18.00

Casa Museo y Monumento al Campesino
(The House and Monument to the Farm Labourer)

Designed by César Manrique and constructed by J. Soto in 1968, the Monumento al Campesino stands just before Mozaga in the centre of the island. Beside it, the Casa Museo al Campesino (House and Museum) is a museum, shop and restaurant serving typical Canarian dishes.

The Museum and Monument were built as a tribute to the local farmers and their way of life. Over the centuries, the farmers have developed a unique method of cultivation in an arid environment.

The sculpture is composed of former water tanks, wrecked fishing boats and cutters and depicts the farmer with his cattle.

The Restaurant serves traditional Canarian food and the Gift Shop sells local Crafts including the local pottery, which is still made using traditional techniques – on a potter’s wheel and fired in an open fire.

Jardin de Cactus – A spectacular plantation of more than 1,400 cacti

More than 1,400 different species adding up to a total of about 10,000 cacti from all over the world have been planted together in a small area of land to create the beautiful Cactus Garden.

Set on different levels, the cacti together form a sea of green that is stunning and provides an opportunity for some wonderful holiday snaps. There is also a restored windmill to walk around, the top floor offering wonderful views of the garden and the surrounding villages.

When you are approaching the garden, don’t be fooled by the giant cactus at the entrance; although it looks like the real thing from a short distance, it is actually made of metal (you can tell by the rust!)

The Cactus Garden
Tel 928 529397
Open 10.00-18.00
Bar and Café open 10.00-17.00

Castillo de San Jose

An ancient castle in Arrecife housing the Contemporary Art Museum.

Castillo de San José, was built between 1776-1779 during the rule of King Carlos III. It is directly opposite the harbour and today houses a contemporary art exhibition. It is said that the king ordered the construction of the castle to create work for many of Lanzarote´s long-suffering and starving people – and for this reason the castle became known as the Fortaleza del Hambre (Hunger Fortress).

The Museum of Contemporary Art was another of César Manrique´s creations. It opened in the 1970´s with a collection of art featuring works by some of the world´s greatest artists such as Picasso, Bacon, Miró and, of course, Manrique himself.

The castle also has a restaurant with floor to ceiling windows offering wonderful views of the harbour.

Open daily
Gallery 11:00-21:00
Bar 11:00-01:00
Restaurant: 13:00-16:00 & 20:00-23:30

For more information contact us on: : 07423 431645 (From outside the UK: 0044 7423 431645) or email: info@onlylanzarote.com