Arrecife

Embracing the Lanzarote coast

Fronted by two canons, the fortress of Castillo de San Gabriel in Lanzarote's capital Arrecife sits on a rocky outcrop off the coast as a reminder of the past battles and invasions that the island has suffered. These days the impressive battlements, linked to the land by ancient stone bridges, mark a transition point where the new revamped seafront and marina contrast with the old industrial port by the Disa oil depot and one of the worlds first desalination plants.

Just 5km from Costa Teguise and the Sands Beach Resort, the modern seafront with its cafes and a bandstand show how the city of Arrecife is embracing change, and it is a very modern building, the 5 star Arrecife Gran Hotel that dominates the skyline. At 17 floors high it flies in the face of the island's building restrictions, but at the same time serves as a great reference point and offers a unique view of the Playa Reducto beach that stretches beyond it. The Stars City, piano bar on the top floor of the Arrecife Gran Hotel is open to all and the plate glass sides of the building give panoramic views over the old part of the city and onto the mountains.The Altamar Restaurant on the same level is another lovely place to enjoy the views, this time over a meal.

As Lanzarote's capital, Arrecife is home to the island's Cabildo (government) and the main public bus station (estacion de guaguas) as well as UD Lanzarote football team which plays in the Spain's third division.