GENERAL

Lanzarote's capital, Arrecife, is a small and charming Mediterranean-influenced city that enjoys a vibrant cultural scene, elegant colonial buildings and great dining, shopping and nightlife.

Holidays to Arrecife are perfect for families, couples and friends. In fact, anyone looking to combine a fun beach break in the Canary Island sunshine with time in a buzzing, cosmopolitan city.

Both the city's wide avenues and narrow, winding historic quarters house excellent shopping opportunities, ranging from fashionable boutiques and international designer stores, to eclectic local stores selling jewellery, arts and crafts and colourful markets. The nightlife is vibrant with over a hundred bars and clubs in the city, enjoying an interesting mix between locals and tourists. It does enjoy more Spanish flavour than much of the island - starting late and finishing late.

The city has a passion for dining, particularly for the fresh fish and shellfish brought into the harbour each day. It is home to many authentic Spanish and Canarian restaurants and tapas bars - be sure to try langoustino's al ajo (giant prawns in garlic). Lanzarote's fertile volcanic soil is ideal for winemaking. There are plenty of places serving local vintages, including on the pretty seafront promenade.

Despite being the only large (-ish) settlement in Lanzarote, Arrecife is actually home to a lovely beach - El Reducto - which has been awarded Blue Flag status for its facilities, water quality and cleanliness. It is a vast curve of powdery golden sands that shelve gently into crystal clear waters. The sunny beach is dotted with palms, and backed by a wide, attractive tree-lined promenade. The promenade has plenty of cafés and bars, and is well-equipped with toilets, showers and disabled access. The smaller, quieter beach of El Cable is also just a short stroll away.

There are a number of interesting attractions to explore on an Arrecife holiday. The picturesque San Jose castle is well worth a look, and houses an art gallery dedicated to the celebrated native artist, Cesar Manrique. Perched on a tiny island just off the coast, the dramatic fortress of San Gabriel is also a highlight. It was built in the 15th century to defend the town against raiders and pirates. There are also various galleries and crumbling churches to discover in between stopping for coffee and churros at a pavement café, or people watching in the elegant squares.

Looking for similar destinations?

Take a look at the vibrant city of Las Palmas , the capital of Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz , Tenerife's capital.