a large rusted ship sitting on top of a body of water

Arrecife

Arrecife is Lanzarote's capital and port town on the east coast, with a small lagoon, two sea castles and an easy base for seeing the island.

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Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote, one of Spain's Canary Islands off the coast of northwest Africa. Flights to the island land here, so many travelers pass through town on the way to the beach resorts or the volcanic interior. The town faces the sea around a small lagoon, the Charco de San Ginés, and two sea castles stand on the shore: the Castillo de San Gabriel and the Castillo de San José.

Arrecife moves at a slower pace than the resort areas, with a long seafront promenade and restaurants along the water. Plan one or two nights if you are using it as a stopover or a base before heading to the coast or Timanfaya National Park. The weather is mild for most of the year. Most of the town is close enough to walk, from the lagoon to the castles along the shore. A day covers the town itself, and a car makes it far easier to reach the rest of the island.

Arrecife in five

Collect a rental car at the airportThe airport is about 5 km from town and Lanzarote's main sights are spread across the island. Bus service is thin outside the resorts, so a car is the practical way to see Timanfaya and the north.Lanzarote travel guide
Check Timanfaya and César Manrique sitesThe volcano route in Timanfaya National Park runs on guided coach tours, and several island centers sell timed or combined tickets. Check each official site and book ahead in peak months.
Walk the Charco de San Ginés at duskThe small lagoon in the old quarter fills with boats and café tables in the evening. It is a short walk from the seafront and a better first dinner than an airport hotel.
Landing direct from outside Schengen? Expect the EES deskThe Canary Islands are inside Schengen, so passport control and EES registration take place at Arrecife on arrival. Keep your car hire details handy for the desk afterward.EES, explained

Things to do in Arrecife

See all attractions in Arrecife

Beach · ArrecifePlaya ReductoFor easier swimming, visit at high or half tide, when the water reaches the sand more fully.

Sight · ArrecifeBiblioteca Publica Catolica

Gallery · ArrecifeCentro de Innovación Cultural "El Almacén"

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ArrecifePut the places you like in Arrecife on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Lanzarote (ACE), about 5 km from the town
Getting there: Direct flights from Europe; inter-island flights from Tenerife and Gran Canaria
Getting around: Rental car; buses link Arrecife with the main resorts
Best base: Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca for beaches; Arrecife for budget
Time needed: 1 day for the town; 4–7 for the island
Time zone: UTC+0 (UTC+1 in summer), one hour behind mainland Spain

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good

JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Mild, some wind
FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Mild, sunny
MarchPartly cloudy3 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Dry, sunny
AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Warm, dry
MayClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low18°Warm, calm
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low19°Warm, breezy
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Dry, warm
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Warmest, busy
SeptemberClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low21°Warm sea
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm, quiet
NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Mild, winter sun
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Mild, busy

Average daily high and low in Arrecife, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Arrecife

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 21°
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 17 km/h
Chance of rain: 48%

Arrecife

08:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today25°21°48%Monday: Rain. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 48%.
Tue25°20°30%Tuesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 30%.
Wed24°19°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 3%.
Thu25°18°0%Thursday: Fog. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri23°18°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat26°19°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 7%.
Sun27°20°37%Sunday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 37%.

Updated 08:08 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Puerto del Carmenabout 15 min by carThe island's biggest resort, with a long beach and old harbor.Read the guide
Teguiseabout 20 min by carA former capital with a Sunday market and a castle on the hill.
Timanfaya and Yaizaabout 35–45 min by carThe volcanic Fire Mountains and a white village nearby.

Before you go to Arrecife

Car hire at Lanzarote airportCollect on arrival, drop on departureCompare car hire

Volcano and island toursTimanfaya and César Manrique sitesCompare day trips

eSIM for the CanariesData on landing, no roaming billRead the guide

Insurance for an island tripMedical cover and delayed flightsRead the guide

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Rules for Arrecife, checked

Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page for current rules.
Lanzarote is outside the EU VAT area and customs union. Check tax-free and duty rules with the Spanish tax agency before you buy or carry goods.
Timanfaya National Park is a protected area. Stay on marked routes and use the set bus tour from the visitor center; check the park's current rules before you go.

Plan around Arrecife

All of Spain

Cities, regions and entry rules for visitors

Read the guide Lanzarote

Volcano landscapes, beaches and the whole island

Read the guide Puerto del Carmen

The main beach resort, 15 minutes away

Read the guide Playa Blanca

Quieter resort on the south coast and the Fuerteventura ferry

Read the guide Canary Islands

The archipelago and how to island-hop

Read the guide Getting around Spain

Flights, ferries and trains compared

Read the guide

Arrecife FAQ

Is Arrecife worth visiting?

For a short stop, yes: the lagoon, the castles and the seafront are pleasant, and you are close to the airport. Most visitors sleep at a beach resort and use Arrecife for an evening or errands.

Where should you stay on Lanzarote?

Puerto del Carmen for beaches and restaurants, Playa Blanca for a quieter south coast, Costa Teguise for water sports. Choose Arrecife for budget rooms and local life, not a beach week.

Do you need a car on Lanzarote?

Mostly yes. Buses link the main towns, but Timanfaya, the north and the viewpoints are far easier by car. Short transfers inside the resorts can be done by taxi.

When is the best time to visit Lanzarote?

Year-round, with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Spring and autumn bring easier crowds, and the island is breezy on most days, so bring a light layer.

How many days do you need on Lanzarote?

Four to seven days give you a beach, Timanfaya, César Manrique's work and the north at an easy pace. A long weekend works if you stay near the airport.