8 fascinating Lanzarote attractions by Cesar Manrique (in photos)

Thanks to the singular vision of César Manrique, Lanzarote has some unique locations where architecture is integrated with nature.
He imagined many amazing Lanzarote Attractions that are some of the best things to do on the island such as: Cactus Garden, Mirador del Rio, Jameos del Agua...
Let me guide you through the Art, Culture and Tourism Centers of Lanzarote (CACT).

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.

Let's start with a short video that will take you on a visit of 7 places imagined by César Manrique. Admire how he integrated architecture within Nature, using abandoned quarry or natural volcanic feature.

They can be combined into one of the best day excursions in Lanzarote

César Manrique has left an indelible mark on Lanzarote thanks to his engagement in respecting the environment and integrating with it.

Here are a few facts about his life

• Born in 1919 in Arrecife
• He studied at the San Fernando Fine Arts Academy in Madrid
• He lived in Madrid and New York, and exhibited all around the world
• He returned to Lanzarote in the mid-sixties
• His objective was then to turn the landscapes and the natural attractions to value respecting his principle - respectful dialogue between art and the natural medium
• His most prominent Lanzarote attractions are the Cactus Garden, Mirador del Rio, Jameos del Agua and the El Diablo restaurant in Timanfaya.
• He died in 1992

You can read a bit more about his biography here.

By car

All of them are easily accessible by car. Most of them are located in the North of the island, North of Costa Teguise. So you can group them in one of preferably 2 days. Note that you can purchase a combined ticket for several of the attractions and save money (buy at the first site you visit).

All the locations listed in this article, as well as many others, are included in my eBook to help you easily plan your trip to Lanzarote:

By excursion

If you don't want to rent a car and drive, excursions depart from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca to take you tour some of the best one over a day dedicated to César Manrique. Check out program and book

Where to stay in Lanzarote

If you are currently planning your trip, you can find my accommodation tips on my article about where to stay in Lanzarote

One of my favorite attractions in Lanzarote is the Cactus Garden.

César Manrique imagined how to transformed this abandoned old quarry in a fascinating way.
He used the amphitheater to create a botanical garden with 4500 cacti from all over the world (covering 450 species).
It integrates perfectly with the shape of the quarry and is dominated by a well-restored windmill.

Thanks to the structure, the cacti are protected from the strong winds that sometimes blow over Lanzarote and the plants are striving.

See more photos on my article about the Cactus Garden

• Official name -  Jardin de Cactus
• Plan 1h30 to 2 hours
• Facilities and coffee shop on site
• Wear comfortable shoes because it is paved and not always aligned
• Protect yourself from the sun!
• Check opening hours and fares here

Located on the North of the island, Jameos del Agua is the unique place where what remains of a volcanic tube has been transformed by César Manrique.

4000 years ago, the volcan La Corona erupted and a 6km long lava tube was formed.
Over time, some sections of the tube collapsed creating openings called "Jameos".

In the sixties, 3 of those caves and a section of the remaining tube were complemented with gardens, pool, a museum, an auditorium and restaurant.

There is also a salt lake with tiny white crabs.

See more photos on my article about Jameos del Agua Lanzarote.

• Official name - Jameos del Agua
• Plan 2 hours
• Facilities and restaurant on site
• Wear comfortable shoes 
• It is sadly not allowed to swim in the magnificent pool
• Check opening hours and fares here

Located on the Risco de Famara, the viewpoint overlooks the island of La Graciosa at an altitude of over 475m.

It used to be a military fort from the 19th century. 
César Manrique transformed it in the 70s to be camouflaged in the rocks and to offer incredible views of the cliff, the island, and the stretch of sea in between called El rio.

At the bottom of the cliffs, you can also see the salt pans of Salinas del Rio.

The inside building with the white walls and curve offer great framing to the beautiful landscapes.

This is one of the top attractions in Lanzarote.

• Official name - Mirador del Rio
• Plan 30 minutes
• Facilities and snack on site
• Check opening hours and fares here

The César Manrique foundation has established its headquarters in a dwelling designed by him and where he lived for 20 years.

It is built in harmony with a lava coulee formed during the famous Lanzarote eruptions between 1730 and 1736. Inspiring rooms have been set up in volcanic bubbles and connected by tunnels.
Exploring the place is a fun experience but you get frustrated again not to be able to swim in the beautiful swimming pool...

At the end you can enjoy the exhibition hall with paintings and the lava entering the window.

Plan time to also enjoy the garden and its sculptures.

• Official name - Fundacion César Manrique
• Located in Tahiche
• Plan 2 hours
• Facilities and snack on site
• Check opening hours and fares here

Al Campesino was designed by César Manrique as a tribute to the people working in the fields and their hard work to grow plants in these harsh conditions.

The buildings look like traditional homes with white walls and green wood. Inside is a museum where you can find local artisan doing traditional work.

But the place is visually iconic because of the 15m tall sculpture, also by César Manrique (1968). It is called Monumento a la Fecundidad (Fertility monument) and looks like the center of Lanzarote. 

I love the contrast of colors with whitewalls, green plants and wood, dark rocks and the blue sky.

• Official name - Monumento Al Campesino
• Plan 15min to 2 hours
• Facilities and restaurant on site
• Check opening hours here

Located in the Northern town of Haria, the house is located in the Palm grove. So if you are missing the presence of trees around you, this is a good place to go.
César Manrique used to live in where the foundation is (#4) but in 1986 he began building a new home  at a farmhouse. He lived there until his death in 1992.

Today it is a museum where furniture and items have been kept as they were. You can also enter his studio and see how he worked.
However, because this place is more about his intimacy and less about his work, this was my least favorite of the Lanzarote Attractions related to César Manrique. 

• Official name - Casa/Museo César Manrique
• Plan 1 hour
• Facilities on site
• No photos allowed inside
• Check opening hours and fares here

On many projects, César Manrique has collaborated by another famous artist: Jesus Soto (1923 - 2005).

Born in Venezuela, he arrived in Lanzarote in his twenties. 
He was the quiet artist who brought to reality many concepts and ideas.
He was in charge of one of the Jameos del Agua entrance, spent time finding the right path for the Timanfaya route and participated in Mirador del Rio, Monumento al Compesino and the Cactus Garden.

He is most famous for the lighting in the Green Caves (Cueva de los Verdes)

The CACT tourism center even states that he was the one who asked the political leader to convinced César Manrique to return to Lanzarote.
Yet, he is far lesser known...

7. Montanas del Fuego - El Diablo Restaurant

LagOmar is one of the Lanzarote's most spectacular private properties.

Imagined by César Manrique and designed by Jesus Soto, it was built in a quarry with natural tunnels and caves. It is quite a labyrinth to explore!

In the 70s, Oman Sharif came to Lanzarote whiel filming "the Mysterious island" and bought it.

In the 90s it was enhanced by architects from Germany and Uruguay with flora, reclaimed wood beams and many other material.

Today it can be visited as a museum.
Learn more on my article

• Official name - Lag-O-Mar
• Plan 1 hour
• Facilities and restaurant on site
• Come early or late to avoid the bus because the space is small.
• Check opening hours and fares here

9. Cueva de los Verdes - Jesus Soto

In 1965, Jesus Soto was asked to provide lighting in one of the section of the 6km long lava tube from La Corona.
It was to allow speleologists to work.

However the artist in him, did nothing simple. He created a new world placing the lights specifically to enhance the cave experience.

Today, it you are not claustrophobic, you can enjoy this walk underground with beautiful colors and formation.

At the end is a fantastic surprise, but I won't spoil it for you.

A fascinating Lanzarote attraction.
Learn more on my article about the Lanzarote caves

• Official name - Cueva de los Verdes
• Plan 1h30 (or 2hours is queuing)
• Facilities at the carpark
• Wear comfortable shoes
• No big backpacks
• Check opening hours and fares here

It is one of the main reasons Lanzarote is my favorite of the Canary islands.
The architecture has not gone crazy and there is harmony on the land.
Except for Arrecife and 1 other building, all the houses are white and limited in height. Thanks to his lobbying for a tourism development in accordance with nature, strong construction rules have been put in place and all the towns have kept a lot of charm.

Want to see more of the CANARY ISLANDS?