Arrecife is Lanzarote's capital and a vibrant cosmopolitan city.

Understand

About 40% of Lanzarote's population lives in Arrecife, so it is more of a busy, functional city than a picturesque fantasy resort. Nevertheless it has a lovely beach and seafront, and with buses to everywhere on the island, makes a fine base for exploration.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Arrecife Airport (ACE  ^IATA), Apartado de Correos 86 (5 km west, via LZ-2), ☏ +34 913211000, aeropuertolanzarote@aena.es. The island's only airport. (updated Feb 2017)

The city is a short (10 min) bus ride from the airport.

By ship

• 2 Arrecife. Trasmediterranea, Naviera Armas (updated Feb 2017)

By bus

• Arrecife buses. the island's bus network is unsurprisingly centred on the capital. There are two main bus stations: (updated Jan 2020)
  • 3 Estación de Guaguas. the main bus station for the city. (updated Jan 2020)
  • 4 Intercambiador de Guaguas. many routes also stop at the Interchange station near the beach (Playa del Reducto). (updated Jan 2020)

Get around

Arrecife is quite small and almost anywhere of tourist interest is within walking distance.

Beyond that, regular bus services exist; see info under "Get in", above.

See

If you like a bit of history, then Arrecife is the place.

• 1 Castillo de San Gabriel. Historic fort guarding the harbour, now containing the local history museum. (updated Jan 2020)
• 2 El Charco de San Gines. A charming seawater lagoon in the middle of the city. (updated Jan 2020)
• 3 Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, Castillo de San José. Contemporary art museum in another seafront castle. (updated Jan 2020)
• 4 Parque Jose Ramirez Cerda. Seafront park. (updated Jan 2020)
• 5 Parque Islas Canarias. Seafront park. (updated Jan 2020)

Do

• 1 Playa del Reducto. an urban beach popular with families, which holds a Blue Flag tag. Sunloungers, shades etc available for rent and lined with bars, restaurants and hotels. (updated Jan 2020)
• 2 Playa del Cable. Another beach but a contrast from Playa del Reducto - this one is quiet, isolated and a great place to have a beach to yourself. (updated Jan 2020)

Buy

If you like shopping, then Arrecife is the place to buy designer wear at low prices. Arrecife Market is another place to bargain hunt.