Hotels in Arrecife
Arrecife is the working capital of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands: a low white city built around the Charco de San Gines lagoon, with Playa del Reducto on its doorstep and Cesar Manrique's Castillo de San Jose above the port. Accommodation runs from seafront three-star hotels to a five-star spa tower and small adults-only boutique addresses.
Lanzarote is the most northerly of the eastern Canary Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of black picon fields and whitewashed cubes, and Arrecife is its capital and only real city. Travellers who base themselves here trade the resort strips of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise for a place where lanzarotenos actually live: fishing boats in the Charco de San Gines, tapas terraces along Calle Leon y Castillo, and the golden crescent of Playa del Reducto five minutes from the bus station. Stays range from renovated three-star hotels facing the sand to a five-star spa tower and small adults-only boutique addresses near Playa del Cable.
Arrecife in numbers
Boutique HotelVilla VIK - Hotel Boutique
BeachfrontHotel Lancelot
BeachfrontArrecife Gran Hotel & Spa
Spa & WellnessEl Charco Suites
BeachfrontHotel Miramar
BeachfrontCheckin Diamar
What to expect
- Playa del Reducto, a Blue Flag city beach with sheltered, shallow water
- El Charco de San Gines, the tidal lagoon ringed with fish terraces
- Castillo de San Jose, Manrique's contemporary art museum above the port
- Lanzarote Airport six kilometres away and ferries to Gran Canaria from the port
- Trade winds holding the temperature steady, with swimming possible year round
- Timanfaya, the La Geria wine road and Teguise market within an hour's drive
Local tips
- ✓Stay within walking distance of Playa del Reducto if you want the beach without a car, the seafront promenade links it to the Charco in about fifteen minutes.
- ✓Rent a car for at least two days, because Timanfaya, the Jameos del Agua and the La Geria bodegas are slow to reach by bus from Arrecife.
- ✓Eat late around the Charco de San Gines, the terraces fill from nine and the fish comes off boats moored a few metres away.
- ✓Come in spring or autumn for warm sea and quiet streets, and book early for February when the Carnaval de Arrecife fills the city.
- ✓Ask for a room away from the Avenida Fred Olsen side if you sleep lightly, that seafront road carries the traffic heading for the port.
Where to stay
FAQ
Which neighbourhoods are best for a stay in Arrecife?
The seafront between Playa del Reducto and the Charco de San Gines is the obvious choice, putting the beach, the promenade and the best fish terraces within walking distance. Playa del Cable, closer to the airport, is quieter and more residential.
What types of accommodation can you find in Arrecife?
Mostly city hotels rather than resorts. Renovated three-star seafront addresses such as Hotel Lancelot and Checkin Diamar face Reducto, the five-star Arrecife Gran Hotel and Spa is the tallest building on Lanzarote, and small adults-only boutique properties sit near Playa del Cable.
When is the best time to visit Arrecife?
Lanzarote stays warm all year thanks to the trade winds, so there is no closed season. March to May and September to November give the best balance of warm sea and light crowds, while July and August bring mainland Spanish holidaymakers.
Is Arrecife a good base for exploring Lanzarote?
Yes, if you rent a car. Arrecife sits centrally on the island, with Timanfaya National Park, the La Geria vineyards, Teguise and the northern Manrique sites each within about forty minutes. Buses radiate from the Arrecife station but run infrequently.