Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain

Arrecife is the capital of the island of Lanzarote, located in the eastern part of the Canary Islands in Spain. This island is undoubtedly the most interesting of the entire archipelago: intense volcanic activity has created a lunar landscape, making it truly unique. Arrecife is the closest Canary port to the African coast, serving both fishing and passenger traffic. Ferries to Tenerife and Gran Canaria depart from here, and large cruise ships occasionally visit. On the feast day of the city's patron saint, August 25, a grand fiesta is held in Arrecife, featuring music, dancing, folk festivities, and fireworks. In February-March, the annual carnival takes to the streets of the capital: while not as large-scale as those in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, it is quite charming. The main resorts of the island are located on both sides of the capital, Arrecife. The most popular and well-known resorts among tourists are Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. **Climate** The climate in Lanzarote is subtropical, sunny, and dry (due to the low relief, rain is extremely rare here). Overall, the climate on the island of Lanzarote is somewhat cooler than on the other islands of the Canary archipelago. The island is the easternmost in the group, thus lacking natural protection and being the first to encounter the northeast trade winds from the ocean, which determine the weather in the Canaries. The northern coast of the island is considered the windiest, while the numerous volcanoes located in its central part serve as a kind of shield, protecting the resort areas in the south. The average air temperature in the summer months is +25…+27 ºC, while in the winter months it is +19…+21 ºC. The ocean water temperature year-round is around 19…20 ºC. Several times a year, the Canary Islands experience African heat brought by the "Calima," a dry southern wind from the Sahara Desert. On average, for 3-4 days, the air temperature rises to +35..+38 ºC, visibility decreases as the sun is obscured by haze, and the streets are covered with a thin layer of sand blown in from the desert. The coolest time in Lanzarote is from mid-December to early March. The best time to visit the island is September, when there are almost no winds, and the ocean water warms up to the maximum possible temperature. ## About Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain is a popular cruise departure port, offering access to incredible destinations. ## Main Attractions **Fort San José** Fort San José was built in the eastern part of the city in the eighteenth century during the reign of King Carlos III. Its main task was to protect the city and port from pirates. Today, it houses a modern art museum. Its creation is entirely the work of César Manrique, who transformed the fortress into a gallery and collected a collection of abstract paintings and sculptures from the 1950s to 1970s. For weary visitors, there is a decent restaurant in the basement. The museum is open daily, and the entrance fee is only 2.5 euros. **Fort San Gabriel** One of the main attractions is Fort San Gabriel. It was built in the sixteenth century, but just thirty years after its construction, it was burned by pirates. Later, the fort was rebuilt by the court architect of Philip II, and it was connected to the mainland by the Puente de las Bolas bridge. Today, the fort houses a small archaeological museum, and the bridge is a symbol of the city. **Iglesia de San Ginés** Iglesia de San Ginés is the main Catholic church of the island, built in 1665, featuring a beautiful dome and a square tower. **Charco de San Ginés** Charco de San Ginés is a lagoon in the central part of the city, surrounded by a picturesque area with charming fishermen's houses, a palm-lined promenade, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops. ## What to See **Spend a Day at the Beach** The small, well-maintained beaches located at the resort of Arrecife, Playa La Concha, Playa del Reducto, and Playa del Cable are covered with delightful white sand. The European Union has awarded them the Blue Flag, confirming that the environmental condition of these beaches is excellent. Playa del Reducto is a true pride of Arrecife and often hosts various sporting events, including Canarian wrestling - a traditional Canarian sport. The beach is situated in the stunningly beautiful San Ginés lagoon, whose waters are serene and clear, and the sand is fine and white, like semolina. Access to the beach is completely free, and for a small additional fee, sunbeds and umbrellas are available for your use. **Go Shopping** The city features a pedestrian street that begins at the bridge leading to San Gabriel, called Leon y Castillo. Here, there are numerous shops and other establishments where visitors can spend their money. The shops in Arrecife attract tourists from the resort centers of Lanzarote with their relatively low prices, compared to beach towns. **Jameos del Agua Cave Complex** Another creation by Manrique is Jameos del Agua. A jameo is a volcanic cave with a collapsed roof. The artist showcased all his immense skill and ingenuity, transforming this natural cave into a concert hall, greenhouses, a swimming pool, and restaurants. The volcanic contours remain and blend beautifully into the overall design. The concert hall accommodates up to 600 spectators, and its acoustics are simply impressive. Various performances and concerts are held here regularly. This complex also features the saltwater underground lagoon Jameo Chico, which is home to albino crabs, found in only a few places on the planet. **Cactus Garden** César Manrique did a lot for the island, including establishing the Cactus Garden. Here, a unique collection of cacti has been gathered, carefully selected by the famous botanist Estanislao González Ferrer. Tourists can see over 1,000 different species of cacti here. ## Popular Excursions **Visit to Timanfaya National Park** One of the most popular and impressive excursions in Lanzarote is a visit to Timanfaya National Park. This is one of the most interesting national parks and volcanic monuments in the Canary Islands. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. The volcanic landscape, declared a protected area in 1974, was formed in the 18th century when powerful volcanic eruptions, lasting from 1730 to 1736, transformed the entire territory, burying the island's most fertile lands under layers of lava. The area of Timanfaya National Park is 51.07 sq. km, and it is home to over a hundred craters of extinct volcanoes, creating a unique lunar landscape that has served as a filming location for famous Hollywood movies. Visitors can explore the reserve on camelback, on foot, or by minibus, which will take tourists to the most memorable spots. It is recommended to have lunch at the "Diablo" restaurant, designed by the famous Lanzarote architect César Manrique, and to try dishes from Canarian cuisine prepared using the natural heat emanating from the earth's depths. Timanfaya's operating hours are daily from 09:00 to 19:00, and during the summer (from July 15 to September 15): from 09:00 to 17:00. Restaurant hours: from 12:00 to 15:30. Tourist bus schedule: the last bus at 17:00. Recommended visiting times for the park: from 09:00 to 10:30 / from 15:00 to 17:00. Admission to Timanfaya costs: €8 for adults, €4 for children aged 7 to 12. **You can find a more detailed list of excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in your "Client Personal Account".** ## Cruise Lines from Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain Several cruise lines offer departures from this port with various itinerary options: - MSC Cruises - Costa Cruises - Royal Caribbean - Norwegian Cruise Line - Celebrity Cruises ## Best Time for a Cruise Plan your cruise from Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain during the optimal season for your chosen destinations. ## How to Get to the Port Information about transportation and logistics for the cruise port of Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Which cruise lines depart from Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain? Several major companies operate from the port, including MSC, Costa, and Royal Caribbean. ### How to get to the Arrecife cruise port, Canary Islands, Spain? The port is accessible by car, taxi, and public transport. ### Can excursions be booked in advance? Yes, we recommend booking popular excursions in advance.