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Lanzarote is an island in Spain that has great artistic and cultural wealth. Many artists have been inspired by the beautiful landscapes and places on the island. Besides the art expressions, get to know the museums and galleries in Lanzarote that showcase the local culture.
Outstanding museums in Lanzarote
If you plan to take excursions to Lanzarote, be sure to visit these two important museums on the island.
International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC)
The MIAC was founded in 1975, and if you want to visit it, you have to go to Arrecife, the capital of the island. The International Museum of Contemporary Art is inside the San José Castle in Arrecife.
This 18th-century fortress was renovated in the 1970s to become one of the most prominent museums in Lanzarote.
Inside there are two vaulted halls, housing the collection of artist Pancho Lasso (Sala Lasso). Also, a collection of Canarian artists, such as Martín Chirinos (Sala Artistas Canarios). On the ground floor is where temporary exhibitions are held, and other activities take place.
Inside the fortress, there is also a restaurant designed by César Manrique.
Museum of the Farmer
The Museum of the Farmer is on the road that connects Arrecife with Tinajo. In the San Bartolomé Municipality, in the centre of Lanzarote.
This museum was founded by César Manrique with the intention of paying tribute to the life, and the difficult conditions in which they lived. And the tradition of the farmers, artisans, and ranchers of the area before Lanzarote became a tourist island.
There you will find the Monument to Fertility and the Farmer’s House Museum, where you can see up close the ancient techniques used by artisans, farmers, and ranchers.
Inside you will also find a restaurant that offers traditional Lanzarote cuisine.
The works of César Manrique in Lanzarote
César Manrique was born in Arrecife in 1919. He was a renowned artist from the Canary Islands. Thus, we will talk a little about his most important works in Lanzarote.
César Manrique Foundation
It is located in the center of the island, in Taro de Tahíche. The location of the foundation and the building itself make the place a surprising space for visitors.
Inside you can find a beautiful garden where vegetation emerges over volcanic ashes.
Also, on the tour, you will see a subterranean level with five natural volcanic bubbles, which were converted into five rooms with tunnels connecting them.
At the exit, you can visit what was César Manrique’s studio when he lived there, where his work is now exhibited. On the upper part, there are the kitchens, the living room, and a sitting room.
Jameos del Agua
It is located in the municipality of Haría, in the north of Lanzarote. The Jameos del Agua is a cultural, artistic, and tourist centre created by César Manrique.
Inside, you can enjoy spaces formed by three jameos (holes produced when the roof of a volcanic tube collapses). In one, there is a restaurant and entrance to the Tunnel of Atlantis. In another, there is a pool, and in the third, an auditorium.
Cactus Garden
It is located in the Municipality of Teguise, in Guatiza. Visitors will find inside more than 500 species of cacti from five continents, distributed among about 10,000 specimens.
In addition to these plants, the Cactus Garden has beautiful architecture with highlighted sculptures and decorative elements.
Independent art galleries in Lanzarote
If you want to learn more about art and culture, you can visit some independent art galleries on the island.
Lanzarote Art Gallery
The Lanzarote Art Gallery is located in Costa Teguise. It exhibits the work of various renowned artists from Spain and other countries. There, you can find a variety of works from different artistic movements, with various styles and techniques such as oil, acrylics, watercolour, pointillism, and others.
Some artists whose work you can find and purchase online at Lanzarote Art include: Ale Feijó, Marité Crespo, Begoña La Fuente, Carlos Parra, and several more.
Enmala Art Gallery
The Enmala Art Gallery is a private gallery located at Lomo de la Cruz Haría. It is housed in a restored building, which the owner describes as a real gallery.
At this place, you can enjoy art and music at the same time. There is space to chat, eat something, see and create art. It is a complete place for art lovers.
Cultural centers in Lanzarote
In Lanzarote, you can find art and culture centres to visit during your stay on the island.
Casa-Museo del Timple
The Casa Museo del Timple is a place where music, culture, and study merge, allowing you to connect with elements of Teguise’s folklore.
The timple is a small, traditional stringed musical instrument in Lanzarote, and inside the house museum you will find an exhibition of these pieces. Along with other instruments from other countries.
It is located in the Palacio de Spínola, in the historical centre of Villa Teguise.
Casa de la Cultura Agustín de la Hoz
Located in Arrecife, it is an important cultural centre in Lanzarote. This two-story, 19th-century house is the headquarters of the Arrecife House of Culture.
There, various cultural activities, as well as talks and book presentations, take place.
Tips for visiting galleries and museums in Lanzarote
We want you to enjoy your visits to museums and galleries in Lanzarote, so we will provide some tips for an unforgettable experience.
Hours and admission fees
There are places like the Casa-Museo del Campesino, where admission is free, and you can go from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm any day. To enjoy the art displayed at the MIAC, the entrance fee for adults ranges from 2, 3, and 4 euros; open from Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
At the Cactus Garden, the entrance fee ranges between 5.2 and 6.5 euros from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the Jameos del Agua costs between 8 and 10 euros, with a recommended visiting time of 10:00 am to 11:00 am and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
How to plan your visit?
When visiting museums and galleries in Lanzarote, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing and footwear so that you can tour without any problems.
Also, do not take long walks or hikes before your museum or gallery visit; if you get too tired, you won’t enjoy the experience. If you prefer, you can organize this plan for the morning. This may also depend on how you move around the island.
Find out if there is an app for your mobile phone where you can view a map and plan your route according to your preferences. Otherwise,
when you arrive at the museum, ask for more information about the place.
Take your time and enjoy what you see around you without rushing. If you need a break, you can stop for a while to have a coffee or eat something, and then continue.
Special events and activities
On some websites, such as the Cabildo de Lanzarote’s, you can find information about the calendar and programming of cultural activities.
Conclusion
There is an artistic and cultural movement on the island that is worth following closely. There are museums and galleries in Lanzarote, as well as cultural centres, that showcase the works of local and international artists. By visiting these sites, you are supporting local artists and museums, which have a significant impact on the island. Make sure to include some of these cultural experiences in your travel plans, and you will undoubtedly have a deeper appreciation for Lanzarote’s unique artistic and cultural heritage.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)