Arrecife Holidays

Canarian capital

Lanzarote’s capital ticks a whole lot of boxes. The city doubles up as the base for the island’s airport and cruise port, so with that many arrivals it’s no wonder Arrecife’s blazing its own trail on the tourism front. From museums to castles, shopping centres to waterfront restaurants, and even a Blue Flag beach, this compact metropolis on the island’s east coast has plenty of tickable to-dos in its locker.

Sights galore

Lanzarote’s lunar landscape is scattered with top-notch sights, and Arrecife more than holds its own on that front. The Castle of Saint Gabriel is one of the most famous. It’s set on its own island with a bridge connecting it to the waterfront, and it attracts just as many visitors for its front-row views over the Atlantic as its museum which details the city’s history. Back on the mainland, the museum of contemporary art’s another firm favourite, and if you just fancy a spot of shopping, there’s an open-air mall in the city centre that’s teeming with big-name brands.

Beaches on tap

Arrecife might not be top of the tourist itinerary when it comes to Lanzarote’s beach resorts, but the city does boast its own Blue Flag-approved swathe. El Reducto’s stretch of palm tree-lined sand’s backed up by plenty of bars and restaurants, and there’s even a park and a skate park pulled up alongside, too. If you’d prefer to head along the coast to the more traditional tourist spots, it’s just a 15-minute taxi ride to Costa Teguise or a 15-minute drive the other way to Puerto del Carmen.