In addition to the standard "see Lanzarote in a day" type trips run by most of
the major tour operators, these are a few of the islands other attractions that
may be worth a visit:
Canarian Cetacean Museum
The Canarian Cetacean Museum is housed in the former dry dock facilities of
Puerto Calero. Before you ask, a cetacean is any member of the group of marine
mammals that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. The museum is run by The
Association for the Study of Cetaceans in the Canary Archipelago, which is often
abbreviated to "Secac", and represents the results of over 20 years worth of
research into the whales and dolphins of the Canary Islands. With the aid of
images, sound, life-size replicas and various skeletons, visitors are able to
experience at first hand the characteristics and lifestyle of these fascinating
creatures. The museum is fully accessible for disabled visitors and explanations
and details of the exhibits are given in three languages. The museum is open
seven days a week from around 11:00am each day and contact details for more
information and bookings are:
Canarian Cetacean Museum
Edificio Antiguo Varadero
1st Planta Local 11
3571
Urb Puerto Calero
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 849 560
Fax: + 34 928 849 561
Email:
info@cetaceos.org
Web site:
www.cetaceos.org
Casa Mayor Guerra
Casa Mayor Guerra, just to the west of San Bartolome, is the 18th Century home
of the former military Governor of Lanzarote, and although at present it is not
open to the general public, the house is currently undergoing a major
refurbishment project that will hopefully see it's doors soon opening to
visitors.
Castillo de San Gabriel
The Castillo de San Gabriel was originally built in 1574 on a small island at
the entrance to Arrecife harbour, which was then connected to the mainland via a
causeway and drawbridge. However, less than 12 years after its construction the
original Castillo de San Gabriel was completed destroyed during a raid by the
Algerian pirate Morato Arraez. The castle was subsequently rebuilt in 1599, and
was then continuously used for military purposes well into the late 1950's. The
castle today is the home to the Lanzarote Museum Archaeological and Ethnographic
and is open to the general public most days. Contact details are:
Castillo de San Gabriel
35500
Arrecife
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 802 884
Castillo de San Jose
The Castillo de San Jose, is substantially bigger than the Castillo de San
Gabriel, and proudly stands overlooking the harbour at Arrecife. Construction of
the castle began in 1776 during the rule of King Carlos III, and it is widely
believed that the only purpose of this project was to create work for the
impoverished local population of Lanzarote. The Castillo de San Jose has since
1974, housed The Museum of Contemporary Art which features a collection of works
by many of the 20th Century's greatest artists including Picasso, Bacon, Miro
and, of course, Lanzarote's own Cesar Manrique. Contact details are:
Castillo de San Jose
Calle Puerto Naos, s/n
35500
Arrecife
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 812 321
Castillo de Santa Barbara
The Castillo de Santa Barbara at Villa de Teguise and was originally built by
Snr. Sancho de Herrera in the early 16th Century as a watch tower to protect the
island from invading Moorish pirates on an extinct volcano. Over a period of
some 100 years or so the original watch tower was extended with further turrets
and moats, into the structure you see today. During the early 1960's a group of
enthusiasts known as the "Friends of the Castles" embarked upon the project to
restore the now almost derelict shell of the castle to it former stature. In all
the restoration took almost 2 decades to complete, and today the castle, along
with the Museum of Emigration inside, is open to the public most mornings
throughout the year from 10:00am. Contact details are:
Castillo de Santa Barbara
Montana de Guanapay
Villa de Teguise
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 845 001
Costa Teguise Aquapark
The Costa Teguise Aquapark, on the outskirts of the resort, is always a popular
attraction. The park is open each day from 10:00am to 6:00 pm and features the
usual selection of high speed slides for teens and adults, along with the slower
flumes for younger children. Admission to the Aquapark costs around 15.75€ for
adults and 9.75€ for children, and their contact details are:
Costa Teguise Aquapark
Avda de Teguise, 315
Costa Teguise
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 592 128
Fax: +34 928 827 290
Cueva de Los Verdes
The Cueva de Los Verdes, which translates into English as the "Green Cave", is
part of a 6Km long lava tube which formed over 3,000 years ago when the Monta?
La Corona last erupted and, combined with the nearby Jameos del Agua, this is
widely recognised as being one of the longest volcanic tunnels in the world. In
1964 approximately 2km of the tunnel was opened to the public, following the
installation of lighting to a design by Jesus Soto. A special feature of the
Cuevas de Los Verdes is an optical illusion that will be shown to you towards
the end of the guided tour, which for obvious reasons we will not spoil the
surprise here. Contact details are;
Cuevas de Los Verdes
35520
Haria
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 173 220
Deiland Commercial Centre
Although not an attraction in the truest sense, the Deiland shopping centre has
nevertheless become a favorite shopping and leisure area for the local
population. Centro Commercial Deiland is built over 3 floors and covers an area
of 28,000m2 with additional free car parking for 800 cars. Once inside you'll
find shops, restaurants, caf?, along with a multiplex cinema and bowling alley.
For more information their contact details are:
Deiland Centro Commercial
Calle Chimidas 20
35509
Playa Honda
Lanzarote
Email:
info@deilandplaza.com
Web site:
www.deilandplaza.com
El Grifo Wine Museum
North of San Bartolome in the district of La Cena is where the islands major
vineyards are to be found. The highly acclaimed Malvasia wines are produced here
from grapes grown from individual vines that are surrounded by semi-circular
walls of volcanic stone. The El Grifo Wine Museum is situated on the road from
the Monumento del Campesino to Uga, close to the village of Masdache, attracts
over 50,000 people through its door each year. Once inside there are displays of
wine making equipment, ancient presses, bottling tools, pumps and filters, and
laboratory instruments used in the wine making process over the years. The
museum also offers visitors the opportunity to join wine tasting courses and to
purchase a wide selection of wines and souvenirs from their gift shop. Contact
details are:
El Grifo Wine Museum
El Islote, 121
35550
San Bartolome
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 524 951
Fax: +34 928 832 634
Web Site:
www.elgrifo.com
El Golfo
The green lagoon at El Golfo is a semi-circular volcanic crater that has filled
with sea water, in which algae has grown giving it a highly distinctive green
colour.
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
The Cesar Manrique Foundation was established in 1992 as a non profit making
institution, and displays Manrique's private collection of works by Picasso and
Mira etc. The house is situated in the village of Taro de Tahiche, and was
originally built in 1968 on top of a volcanic trail from an eruption that
occurred around 1730-36. A visit to the Cesar Manrique Foundation is without
doubt one of Lanzarote's most popular cultural attractions and receives in
excess of 300,000 visitors per year through its doors. Contact details for more
information are:
Fundacion Cesar Manrique
35550
Taro de Tahiche
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 843 138
Fax: +34 928 843 463
Web Site:
www.fcmanrique.org
Go Karting San Bartolome
The track on the outskirt on the road towards Arrecife, is one of only two
tracks on the island, and features a selection of machines to suit all ages and
abilities. Contact details are:
Go Karting San Bartolome Ctra. Arrecife - San Bartolome Km 5
35550
San Bartolome
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 520 022
Golf de Costa Teguise
Costa Teguise currently has the only golf course on the island, which is
actually built at the base of a now long extinct volcano. The course was first
opened to the public during 1978 to a challenging design by John Harris. Contact
details for more information are:
Golf de Costa Teguise
Avda. del Golf, s/n
35509
Costa Teguise
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 590 512
Fax : +34 928 592 337
Email:
info@lanzarote-golf.com
Web site:
www.lanzarote-golf.com
Guinate Tropical Park
The Guinate Tropical Park is situated on the outskirts of Guinate which is a
small village some 5km to the north west of Arrieta that is overlooked by the
imposing Monte Corona which is one of the highest mountains on Lanzarote. The
park covers an area of over 45,000m2 and is home to a wide selection of exotic
birds and wild animals from all over the world including parrots, mear cats and
ostriches. There's a show approximately every hour throughout the day where you
get to see a selection of the animals close up, along with a children's play
area. Admission to the park is approximately 14€ for adults and 5€ for children.
Contact details for more information:
Guinate Tropical Park
Calle Majadita, 14
Guinate
Lanzarote
Telephone: +34 928 835 500