Getting to Arrecife
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Getting to Arrecife Arrecife, the capital of the Canary island of Lanzarote, is a busy port city in the southeast of the island, popular with sun-seekers and holidaymakers all year round for its many attractions and sandy beaches. It is much visited by both young groups and families for its lively nightlife, modern shopping facilities, family attractions and beautiful natural scenery. There are many different things to do and see to suit all tastes in Arrecife, but the main attraction for every visitor is the sunny warm weather. Getting there The airport serving Arrecife, called Lanzarote Airport (ACE), is Lanzarote’s main airport, located just three miles to the west of the city centre. Top airlines such as Air Berlin and Austrian Airlines operate routes to and from the airport to various European destinations, as do popular budget airlines including Ryanair and easyJet. A number of UK airports have routes to Lanzarote Airport including London Gatwick and Luton, Belfast, Leeds, Liverpool, East Midlands, Edinburgh and various others, most of which are operated by budget airlines. If you are already in the Canary Islands, it is possible to catch a ferry to Arrecife port. There are regular ferries between Arrecife and Gran Canaria, and also between Arrecife and Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura. Climate The island of Lanzarote is located in the Atlantic Ocean, just off of the coast of Morocco, in a hot and sunny area of the world. The Canary Islands as a whole are well known for their year-round sun and few grey rainy days. The warm and sunny winters and the hot, bright summers are the biggest attraction of the islands and Arrecife. Culture The culture of Lanzarote is slightly different from that of the other Canary Islands, and is very different from mainstream Spanish culture, though Spanish culture has been mixed in with the traditional island culture as the island is now a part of Spain. The mix of original Guanche culture and Spanish culture is evident on the island. The accent of islanders is different from people in mainland Spain and there is also a difference in the local traditional music. The music of Lanzarote is known as folklore and the most popular instrument is similar to a ukulele. You may hear this music in local bars in Arrecife and at the island’s festivals. The religion (Roman Catholicism) and religious festivals are the same as those on the mainland, and are a huge part of island life, with almost everyone attending church and most annual festivals focused on holy days. Eating out There is such a diversity of food on offer in Arrecife that you could eat a different dish every night for weeks on end. No matter what your favourite food or what your dietary requirements, you will find a wide variety of www.carrentals.co.uk ________________________________________________________________________________ food to choose from. If it’s Lanzarote specialities and Canary Island traditional dishes that you want to try on your visit to Arrecife, then you will find many lunch time cafés selling fresh seafood and rabbit or goat meat, which are staples of Canarian cuisine, as well as a kind of chick pea stew called puchero canario. There are also many Spanish restaurants around, including the ever-popular tapas bars. If you’re feeling a little homesick or just fancy something different from the Canarian and Spanish cuisine on offer, then you can eat at one of the many international restaurants along Arrecife seafront and in the city centre. British style pubs, Italian pizzerias and Chinese and Indian restaurants are among the most popular international restaurants in the city. Sightseeing Though many people don’t associate Arrecife and Lanzarote with sightseeing and historical sites, there is actually quite a lot to see here. Take a guided tour of the city and its main sights or create your own tour for a fun day of exploring the old winding backstreets and the city’s best areas. The Castillo San Gabriel is probably the most impressive of the sights in Arrecife and was built so that it looks over the sea. The best area of the city to visit for sightseeing is El Charco San Gines. This is the most historical part of the city, and there are many old houses, shops and churches here to admire along the seafront, which is the perfect place for taking gorgeous holiday photographs. Attractions Castillo de San Jose and Castillo de San Gabriel There are two huge and imposing castles of Arrecife; Castillo de San Jose and Castillo de San Gabriel. They sit on the seafront at opposite ends of the city and are easily seen from around the town and the beach. These impressive forts are not just empty old castles. San Jose houses the city’s Museum of Modern Art, while San Gabriel houses the city’s Museum of Archaeology. Both museums and castles are open every day, and there is no entrance fee. Casa de los Arroyo The Casa de los Arroyo is an old mansion in the city centre that was once lived in by Lanzarote’s marquis and other important people and their families. It is a beautiful building that has recently been declared a historical monument of the island and of Spain. It was built in the traditional Canary Islands style; whitewashed with wooden decorations and fixtures, and though not as majestic as the city’s castles, it is impressive in its own way. Inside the mansion is the city’s Science Centre, which is a popular place to visit with children as there are many strange things to see and some interactive exhibits. El Reducto Beach One of Arrecife’s main attractions is of course, the beach. The beaches are one of the main reasons that so many people visit the Canary Islands, and the city’s beaches are fun places to be. The best and most beautiful of Arrecife’s beaches is El Reducto, which lies on the western edge of the city on a small bay. The sands are soft and golden, and it is a popular beach with families as it is safe for children to play here on the sand while mums and dads sunbathe, and though it gets quite busy during peak seasons, it isn’t too chaotic as there are no water sports available on this beach. You can find such activities as jet-skiing and windsurfing at the other city beaches such as Playa del Cable. Excursions www.carrentals.co.uk ________________________________________________________________________________ Timanfaya National Park On the western coast of Lanzarote, around 12 miles away from Arrecife, is Timanfaya National Park. It is one of Lanzarote’s most popular areas to visit for daytrips. The park has a volcanic landscape, but do not worry: the volcanoes in the area have been dormant for well over 100 years. It is a strange yet beautiful place with its ‘alien’ landscape which was created over thousands and millions of years by erupting volcanoes. There is a hot geyser to see and a restaurant serving local food which is cooked using natural heat from the area. Entrance fee is €8, and this includes a park coach tour. Guinate Tropical Park Guinate Tropical Park is a great place to visit with kids or just for a day out somewhere a little different. It is located in Guinate, in the north of the island, is home to large and beautiful tropical gardens and greenhouses, and has over 1,000 tropical animals and birds. Admire the brightly coloured toucans and parrots, or have fun watching the lively monkeys, and learn more about tropical animals from all over the world. A whole day can be spent here, around 20 miles to the north of Arrecife. Admission prices are €14 for adults and €5 for children. Jameos del Agua In the island’s north, at Malpais de La Corona, is this geological wonder that was formed due to the collapse of a lava tunnel. The tunnel, having formerly run underground, is now exposed to the sky, with one section having been transformed into a public space by artist Cesar Manrique and opened to visitors in the 1960s. Today visitors can explore the connecting network of caves and grottoes, where a swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar and other attractions are situated. Jameos del Agua is open daily and has an entrance fee of €8. Teguise Market The historical city of Teguise is just 10 miles north along the coast from Arrecife, and visiting here on a Sunday means shopping at the island’s best market. Teguise Market is a lively and bustling place which brings the town to life. There are hundreds of stalls selling unique and varied goods. Come here to pick up some beautiful local handicrafts such as traditional instruments and pottery items, while fresh local food is also available. Don’t buy the first thing you see, and try to haggle prices down with the stall owners. You can reach Teguise by local bus or taxi, or you can enquire at your hotel about an organised trip. www.carrentals.co.uk ________________________________________________________________________________.