Arrecife

Travel Guide
Papagayo Beach showing boating, rugged coastline and general coastal views
Papagayo Beach showing rugged coastline, general coastal views and boating
Papagayo Beach featuring rugged coastline, general coastal views and boating
Cesar Manrique Foundation
Papagayo Beach featuring boating, rugged coastline and general coastal views
A superb exploring destination, this coastal capital offers exciting artisanal markets, tropical beaches, a pirate-filled history and tapas bars by a lagoon.

Sample the relaxed pace of Arrecife, Lanzarote's attractive coastal capital. The 50,000 local residents never seem to rush. Join them in enjoying life's daily pleasures, from desayuno (breakfast) treats to beach tapas.

Begin your day on Arrecife's central thoroughfare, known as Calle Leon y Castillo or Calle Real. Have a hot chocolate served with churros, a sugar-dusted pastry, and explore the many duty-free shops.

For more shopping, visit La Recova Market’s cluster of stalls offering varied artisanal goods. On Saturday, scope out vintage bargains at La Recova's market for second-hand goods.

Arrecife's history is plagued by piracy. Raids by Berber pirates and British privateers were commonplace in the 17th and 18th centuries. Delve into this past as you visit San Gabriel Fort, built after a raid by famed pirate Morato Arraez.

Another battlement, Fort San Jose, offers delightful views of Arrecife's main port, Muelle de los Marmoles, from its on-site restaurant. Within this impressive structure, enjoy innovative pieces at the International Museum of Contemporary Art.

Relax on the gorgeous shoreline, which has a tropical feel with white sand and palm trees. Tan, read or swim at Playa del Reducto, the main beach. Rise early to see the action at nearby Calle Liebre, the fish market, and buy swordfish or sama, a local delicacy.

Let the kids run loose at Parque Tematico, a park with play equipment, skating ramps and manicured gardens. Watch an art film at the Atlantida cinema complex.

Watch model sail boat racing at Charco de San Gines, Arrecife's Lagoon. Admire Iglesia de San Ginés (Church of St. Genesius) or enjoy tapas at bars around the lagoon promenade.

Arrecife is located next to the international airport on Lanzarote's east coast. Get around town by rented car, but be wary of parking regulations as police aren't afraid to tow. After sunset, take a romantic stroll under warm streetlights of the San Gines promenade.

Where to stay in Arrecife

Default Image

Argana

Beaches, bars and golf courses are some highlights of Argana. You might stop by El Charco de San Gines or Sports City of Lanzarote while you're in the area.

Argana
Hostal Residencia Cardona
Hostal Residencia Cardona
2.5 out of 5
Calle Democracia, 11, Arrecife, Canary Islands
The price is €60 per night from 9 Jan to 10 Jan
€60
includes taxes & fees
9 Jan - 10 Jan
Stay at this hostal in Arrecife. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (130 reviews)
Nice
"Central location. Clean room."

Reviewed on 25 Nov 2024

Hostal Residencia Cardona
Hotel Lancelot
Hotel Lancelot
3 out of 5
Mancomunidad Av 9, Arrecife, Lanzarote
The price is €109 per night from 19 Jan to 20 Jan
€109
includes taxes & fees
19 Jan - 20 Jan
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Arrecife. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (951 reviews)
"I had a really nice stay here. The room was spacious, the bed/pillow was very comfortable, it was quiet and the curtains blocked out the light well. A kettle would have made the room better as I drink lots of tea but never mind. Breakfast was included and worth getting up early for. They had milk ..."

Reviewed on 25 Dec 2024

Hotel Lancelot
Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Parque Islas Canarias S/N, Arrecife, Lanzarote
The price is €223 per night from 6 Jan to 7 Jan
€223
includes taxes & fees
6 Jan - 7 Jan
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Arrecife. Enjoy a full-service spa, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (989 reviews)
Special hotel
"Check in was lovely. Very welcoming staff. Room beautiful. Whole hotel was lovely. Special shout out to David our waiter in 17 Blue who made our evening really special including recommendations & great cocktails. Although we had a city view we still had lovely views of the beach & harbour."

Reviewed on 28 Nov 2024

Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Plus Fariones Habitat
Plus Fariones Habitat
3.5 out of 5
Avenida de la Mancomunidad 3, Arrecife
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Arrecife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and rainfall showerheads. Popular attractions Playa de Matagorda and Pocillos ...
8.4/10 Very good! (25 reviews)
"Amazing property!"

Reviewed on 15 Dec 2024

Plus Fariones Habitat
BelleVue Aquarius Aparthotel
BelleVue Aquarius Aparthotel
3 out of 5
Calle Teide 6, Puerto del Carmen, Tías, Lanzarote
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Tías. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), WiFi (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Puerto del Carmen Beach ...
6.8/10 (321 reviews)
"Its friendly athmosphere"

Reviewed on 12 Nov 2024

BelleVue Aquarius Aparthotel
Grupotel Flamingo Beach
Grupotel Flamingo Beach
3.5 out of 5
AV. de las Canarias, Yaiza, Las Palmas
Stay at this 3.5-star spa aparthotel in Yaiza. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (148 reviews)
"Great hotel, very close to the beach."

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2024

Grupotel Flamingo Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Arrecife

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
26
" "5 - Excellent 42%
4 - Good
26
" "4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 5%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Old town nice and beach is okay. Good walking and a range of shops and bars. A little 'rough round the edges' but same as any city really.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Sandy beach and attractions such as Manrique exhibition, San Gabriel Castle.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Quiet town but enough for a few days.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The area has everything from beach to places to shop or eat the public transport it adequate

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely place to visit for a holiday break

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love the shopping in the centre, and the cafe culture & restaurants around San Gines and along the Seafront. Lovely white sandy beach with great amenities (showers, toilet block sun loungers and parasols etc.)