Lanzarote part 1: Arrecife

Lanzarote – is the most unique and one of the most overlooked Canary islands. Everybody heard of Gran Canaria, Tenerife or Fuerteventura. Even pronouncing these names echoes in the deep chambers of your heart with the hissing of the ocean waves on the beach. Just say ‘Fuerteventura’ and it already sounds like summer, vacation, a glass of cold white wine and fresh catch of the day. But Lanzarote? Never heard of it.

It was our time to explore this island.

Of course we started from Arrecife, the island’s capital whose name meens ‘reef’ in Spanish’.

And even though the city has its quiet charm it still does not offer much in terms of landmarks.

Snap colorful fisherman’s boats in the man-made lagoon (Charco de San Ginés)…

…take a walk around the lagoon and have a look at picturesque white-washed houses with blue windows and doors…

…visit a cute church of San Ginés…

…by drawbridge Puente de Las Bolas reach old fortifications of Castillo San Gabriel that used to protect the island against the pirates and now houses archaeological museum…

...walk along the boardwalk and see the bandstand, integral part of Latin culture...

…sunbathe or simply sit under the palm trees on Playa Reducto, Arrecife town beach...

…and this is pretty much all the city has to offer.

You will see that most buildings in the city are not more than 3 stories high. This is due to the efforts of César Manrique, the island native sculpture and architect who recognized Lanzarote tourist potential. His artworks integrating art and nature can be seen all over the island but he also had a major influence on the planning regulations in Lanzarote. One aspect of this is the lack of high rise hotels on the island. The only high next to the beach building looks like an eyesore on these cute little streets:

As for lunch options visit Pelayín Asturian Tavern. Tucked on the side street, it is not easy to find. So follow the Calle Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera away from the city center and do not miss the tiny turn to the right to Miguel de Unamuno, 3.  Pelayín serve hearty rustic food on rectangular plates made of volcanic rock. We went there twice and both time took our favorites: pork cheeks & fabada asturiana, a rich stew made with large white beans (fabes), shoulder of pork (lacón), black sausage (morcilla), and spicy sausage (chorizo). Fabada is served not on volcanic rock but in cast iron pan. We paired it with local Malvasia seco and could taste the volcano in every gulp.

But we kept hearing that the reason we stop on Lanzarote island is it s unusual landscape caused by volcanic activity. Soon we had the opportunity to discover this unique island…

In the next chapter: Los Volcanes National park, La Geria wine region and wine tasting, Salinas de Janubio and more!