Arrecife
Holidays
The capital of Lanzarote. Most people arrive at the Arrecife airport and move on, but surprisingly this modern and metropolitan city boasts more than enough attractions to keep you happy.
Around its lively city port - originally a small fishing village shaped by both its seafaring past and rapid growth, tangled whitewashed streets and tree-lined squares lead to a urban sprawl of hustle and bustle, together with interesting buildings, shops galore, parks, a promenade and buzzing frenetic night-life. Along the seafront promenade and hub of El Charco, atmospheric restaurants beckon, whilst nearby, streets offer chic shops, leafy parks and relaxed cafes. Arrecife's historical heritage is readily available in the Castillo San Gabriel, dating from 1590 and now home to the islands Ethnographic museum, where visitors can learn all about the Gaunche - the original, aboriginal inhabitants of Lanzarote. That's not all, on the outer fringes lies Castillo San Jose - originally built to repel pirates and alleviate poverty on the island in the wake of the major volcanic eruptions of the 1730's. As a result it became known locally as the Fortress of Hunger.
And, don't forget to venture into the beautiful interior countryside, laden with orchards and ancient towns like Haria, Lanzarote is a island full of amazing landscape and surprises all ready waiting to be explored.
