Arrecife Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Papagayo Beach which includes a beach, boating and general coastal views
Papagayo Beach featuring rocky coastline, a sandy beach and general coastal views
Papagayo Beach featuring rocky coastline, general coastal views and boating
Cesar Manrique Foundation
Papagayo Beach featuring a sandy beach, general coastal views and rugged coastline
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

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Argana

Beaches, bars and golf courses are some highlights of Argana. You might stop by Sports City of Lanzarote or El Reducto Beach 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 AU$115 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
AU$115
includes taxes & fees
24 Mar - 25 Mar
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! (148 reviews)
"Was very clean and convienant for the city, will book again, and the price was good."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

Hostal Residencia Cardona
Hotel Lancelot
Hotel Lancelot
3 out of 5
Mancomunidad Av 9, Arrecife, Lanzarote
The price is AU$179 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$179
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (961 reviews)
"Stayed at sea View room. Great sunrise and sunset view from Balcony."

Reviewed on 27 Feb. 2025

Hotel Lancelot
Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Parque Islas Canarias S/N, Arrecife, Lanzarote
The price is AU$314 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$314
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (988 reviews)
"Lovely room, amazing breakfast, great gym, convenient location - only downsides were the service in the rooftop bar was painfully slow and not enough sun beds around the pool."

Reviewed on 9 Mar. 2025

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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (28 reviews)
"The property was great for a short or long stay, spacious, clean, and ocean view. Heads up: the bed is not king size, it’s two twin beds together. The area is safe and walkable, but not the best for historical things, but you have the beach, restaurants, shopping, and groceries around."

Reviewed on 20 Feb. 2025

Plus Fariones Habitat
Blue Marina Suites Boutique Apartments
Blue Marina Suites Boutique Apartments
4 out of 5
La Marina, 9, Arrecife, CN
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Arrecife. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Playa de Matagorda and Pocillos Beach ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Has got great potential
"Fit out, style and size of the apartment were excellent and a good location on the water in Arrecife. There were a few things I felt were missing given this markets itself as a "boutique" apartment. There was only one mug and only 1 towel each, there was no soap or towel in the second bathroom. I ..."

Reviewed on 8 Mar. 2025

Blue Marina Suites Boutique Apartments
Grupotel Cinco Plazas
Grupotel Cinco Plazas
3 out of 5
Calle Anzuelo,56, Tías
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified aparthotel in Tías. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (143 reviews)
"Enjoyed our stay. The staff were exceptional. The big pool is in need of major repairs"

Reviewed on 13 Feb. 2025

Grupotel Cinco Plazas
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.

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