Lanzarote, the fourth largest of the Canary Islands sits just off the west coast of Africa. It is due to its close proximity to the Sahara desert that the island is also known to have an ‘eternal spring’ where temperatures tend not to drop below 16 degrees at any point during the year.

Lanzarote is a volcanic island, with a history of eruptions during the seventeen and eighteen hundreds. The eruptions devastated the west coast of the island and created what is today known as the Timanfaya National Park.

Today Lanzarote is a blend of volcanic landscape and one mans dream. That mean being Cesar Manrique.

Although the influential resident was tragically killed in a motor accident in 1992, his legacy lives on. It is because of Manrique that there are no high rise developments on the island and the architecture on the island remains traditional and natural in appearance.

Manrique is also responsible for the creation of a number of natural attractions on the island, that not only attract tourists who visit, but also help to remember the history of the island and the tragic times it endured during the eruptions.

The amazing attractions that Manrique is responsible for are

Mirador del Rio – A lookout over the neighboring island of La Graciosa. Built in 1973 this attraction provides breathtaking views over the Rio Straights

Jardin de Cactus – Located on the outskirts of Guatiza, north of Costa Teguise the cactus gardens are popular with tourists and home to the last landscape monument of Cesar Manrique.

Jameos Del Agua – This attraction is set in a series of lava bubbles, along with an amphitheater which is home to many concerts thanks to the amazing acoustics created by the tunnels.

El Diablo (the restaurant in Timanfaya National Park) – now recognised as a symbol of the park and includes the famous natural volcanic grill!

Taro de Tahiche – Once Cesar Manriques house and formed from a series of lava tunnels, this house was once the most modern of its time whilst also keeping within the tradition of Lanzarote architecture. It is now an open attraction and home to the artwork of the great man.

The attractions are scattered around the island, and whilst it is only small you will need a hire a car or book an excursion to visit them. Whilst on route you might also catch a glimpse of some of the wind mobiles that are scattered around the island, usually in the middle of a roundabout!

Although there is a small charge for visiting the attractions the Cesar Manrique foundation continues to make sure that the good work that Manrique started carries on. It is important that Lanzarote sticks to the principles created by Manrique – after all its what makes Lanzarote Lanzarote!

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