In the Footsteps of Cesar Manrique: Discovering Lanzarote
May 29, 2025
Few individuals have shaped a place quite like Cesar Manrique did with Lanzarote. Born in Arrecife and raised in the capital as well near the wild coast of Famara, the island left a deep imprint on the artist—one that he returned in kind, fusing nature, architecture and artistic expression into a legacy that defines Lanzarote to this day.
Passionate about protecting the island’s raw beauty, Manrique championed harmony between environment and design. An ethos that earned him the World Prize for Ecology and Tourism. Though he passed away in 1992, his vision lives on, kept alive by the César Manrique Foundation. His creations remain an essential part of the Lanzarote experience.
Traces of a Visionary: Cesar Manrique’s Signature Across Lanzarote
From lookouts and gardens to lava caves and wind sculptures, Manrique’s artistic fingerprint is everywhere. Embark on a journey across Lanzarote through spaces that invite you to pause, breathe—and witness how nature becomes art.
Timanfaya National Park
In the heart of Lanzarote’s fiery volcanic landscape, Manrique designed El Diablo, a restaurant that uses geothermal heat from the earth itself to cook its dishes. He also helped shape the Volcano Route, seamlessly blending modern design with reverence for the raw, elemental beauty of the terrain.
Mirador del Río
Perched over 400 metres above sea level, the Mirador del Río is a masterclass in framing a view. From its vast panoramic windows, visitors gaze out over La Graciosa and the Chinijo Archipelago—a dramatic Atlantic seascape brought to life through Manrique’s brilliant use of space and light.
Cueva de los Verdes
Among the longest lava tunnels in the world, the Cueva de los Verdes was transformed by Manrique into an atmospheric space where light, sound, and volcanic stone form a multisensory experience. It's part natural wonder, part immersive installation—both ancient and artful.
Jameos del Agua
An extension of the same lava tunnel, Jameos del Agua is one of Manrique’s most iconic works. It centres around a magical underground lake, home to blind albino crabs found nowhere else on Earth. Today, the site hosts concerts and events in a breathtaking volcanic auditorium—and treats guests to fine Canarian cuisine in a strikingly designed restaurant.
Jardín de Cactus
In a former volcanic quarry in Guatiza, Manrique sculpted the Cactus Garden—a botanical spectacle featuring over 1,000 species of cacti from around the world. Tucked beneath the last remaining grain mill on the island, the garden is as much about art as it is about flora, with a bold Manrique mural gracing the onsite café.
Fundación César Manrique (Taro de Tahíche)
Manrique’s former residence, now home to the Cesar Manrique Foundation, is nestled in a palm grove near Tahíche. Once a crumbling shepherd’s hut, the building was lovingly restored and expanded by the artist himself. Built directly into a lava flow, it features five volcanic bubbles as living spaces—each a perfect blend of natural formation and human creativity.
Inside, visitors get a personal look at his life, philosophy, and private collection—an inspiring stop for anyone who appreciates the intersection of design, environment and vision.
Cesar Manrique House Museum
In the northern village of Haría lies the Casa del Palmeral, Manrique’s final home. Preserved just as he left it, the house includes his studio—where masterpieces like Jameos del Agua were first imagined. The museum showcases personal belongings, tools, handcrafted pieces, and unfinished works that reveal the artist’s process and passion.
Wind Sculptures (Juguetes del Viento)
Scattered across the island are Manrique’s mesmerising wind toys—kinetic sculptures powered by the Lanzarote breeze. Colourful, whimsical, and in constant motion, they’re a joyful expression of how art can dance with nature.
Cesar Manrique and Seaside Los Jameos
The influence of Cesar Manrique can be felt throughout Seaside Los Jameos. That is no coincidence, as the hotel’s architects were once his students. White façades, blue shutters, a Canarian-style courtyard and lush palm gardens reflect Manrique’s aesthetic ideals and his deep respect for nature. The hotel also embraces his environmental philosophy. Waste reduction, energy efficiency and a preference for locally sourced produce are key elements of its sustainability efforts.
Guests can also explore a small on-site museum dedicated to the culture and heritage of the Canary Islands. Exhibits include traditional costumes, farming tools and carts that were once part of everyday life on the island. True to Manrique’s spirit, Seaside Los Jameos brings together architecture, culture and environmental awareness. It is rooted in tradition while looking firmly to the future.
Lanzarote: A Living Work of Art
Perhaps Manrique’s greatest achievement wasn’t a single project, but a guiding principle: that beauty and ecology can go hand in hand. Lanzarote is one of the few places in Europe where you’ll find no high-rises, no concrete sprawl—just clean, low-rise white architecture with blue and green accents, gently woven into the volcanic landscape.
Thanks to Cesar Manrique, Lanzarote is not just an island, it’s a living work of art.
