Landmarks of Arrecife, Spain
Arrecife is the atmospheric capital of Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands. Arrecife is the largest town on the island when it comes to the number of permanent residents. The town is located on the east coast of Lanzarote. Due to the presence of the port, Arrecife also has an important economic role on the island. Tourism is mainly concentrated in surrounding seaside resorts such as Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen. You will certainly find tourists in Arrecife. Some stay here for a few days or longer. The majority of tourists are day trippers who spend their holidays elsewhere on the island and then take a trip to Arrecife.
Top 10 sights of Arrecife
#1. Castillo de San Gabriel
According to CAMPINGSHIP, the Castillo de San Gabriel stands off the coast of Lanzarote. This castle was built in the sixteenth century as a defense fortress against the pirates who regularly attacked Arrecife. Today, the structure serves as a museum and is a beautiful viewpoint of the city. You can reach the castle via the Puente de las Bolas, or the Bullet Bridge, among other things.
#2. Calle León y Castillo
The main shopping street of Arrecife is Calle León y Castillo. This car-free street is the shopping heart of the city. Although most shops are closed during the siesta, the street does not seem deserted at that time. This is due to the various restaurants and cafeterias that have their terraces in Calle León y Castillo.
#3. Charco de San Ginés
Arrecife has a city lagoon which is a popular place for the local people to visit during the day but especially at night. The fishing boats of Arrecife float on the clear blue water of Charco de San Ginés. In the evening you can relax here in the restaurants and bars around El Charco.
#4. Playa del Reducto
The city beach of Arrecife is Playa del Reducto. The white sandy beach is fairly sheltered on the south side of the city. The beach is almost five hundred meters long and is bordered by a pedestrian promenade. You will not find any beach bars on the beach itself, but if you cross the street for a while, you can enjoy a snack and a drink there.
#5. Mercado Turístico y Artesanal
Every Saturday, the weekly market is held on and around Plaza de Las Palmas. This market contains almost a hundred stalls where daily fresh products such as vegetables, fruit, fish and meat products occupy about a third of the market. The rest is for selling crafts, local products, ceramics, paintings and souvenirs. The market is held from 9 am to 2 pm.
#6. Church of San Ginés
The Iglesia Matriz de San Ginés Obispo is a church dedicated to the patron saint of the island of Lanzarote. The original church was built in 1574. This was washed away after which the current church was built in 1667. Extensions to the church were made in the 18th and 19th centuries.
#7. Parque Islas Canarias
The Parque Islas Canarias is a modern city park built on the water in Arrecife. The sleek park mainly consists of walking paths and benches supplemented with a limited amount of greenery. The modern appearance of the park is therefore completely in line with the adjacent Arrecife Gran Hotel.
#8. Castillo de San José
A second fortress that was built in Arrecife is the Castillo de San José. This castle was built in the eighteenth century on a cliff near the port of Arrecife. From the fort you therefore have a beautiful view of this busiest port of Lanzarote. Today, the Castillo de San José houses a museum; the International Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo – MIAC). The small museum offers a varied mix of modern paintings, sculptures and other art objects.
#9. Arrecife Gran Hotel
The seventeen-storey five-star hotel is a thorn in the side of many islanders. The Arrecife Gran Hotel differs in color, shape and height from what is usual in Lanzarote. This has created a point of recognition. After all, if you drive towards Arrecife, you will see the hotel towering above the other buildings from a distance. The bar on the seventeenth floor offers a beautiful view of Arrecife, the port and the airport.
#10. Carnival Carnival
is celebrated quite exuberantly in the Canary Islands. The week leading up to Ash Wednesday is also full of celebrations in Arrecife. Colorful parades, samba music and Murgas liven up the city streets. The end of the carnival period is heralded on Ash Wednesday with the burial of the sardine.
