Arrecife can sometimes be overlooked by those coming to stay in Lanzarote, with Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise remaining its most popular destinations. These resorts definitely have their charms with beautiful sandy beaches, and all the shops, restaurants, cafes and bars you could possibly need. While some parts of Arrecife are in need of a bit of care and attention though, it has some amazing hidden gems. One of these is the picture perfect “El Charco de San Ginés,” a wonderful setting for drinks, meals and meeting with friends!
El Charco is a lagoon of sea water which literally means “the puddle,” found right in the heart of Arrecife, literally a couple of minutes walk away from the main shopping street, Calle Leon y Castillo. If you meander down one of the side streets next to the Hiperdino supermarket you will arrive at this amazing expanse of water with countless small fishing boats gently bobbing up and down, surrounded by stunning white fishermen’s cottages. It won’t quite leave you speechless but it is certainly one of the most beautiful scenes in Lanzarote. No wonder it has been referred to as the ‘Venice of the Atlantic’!
For a while this area had become a bit run down, but over the last couple of years it has seen a resurgence, and is becoming a real go to place for those looking for great food with a stunning view. As well as the cottages surrounding El Charco there are now many excellent restaurants, bars and cafes. This is an absolutely perfect spot to sit and enjoy a coffee, beer or glass of wine while passing the time with friends or family enjoying the fantastic view.If you are looking for a meal then you are well catered for with a wide selection of different foods including delicious Italian cuisine, quality burgers, locally caught seafood, and a number of excellent tapas restaurants and bars for that authentic flavour.
It can be equally as interesting at nighttime too, especially on Friday and Saturday nights as some of the bars stay open until well past midnight, and are very popular with the trendy local 20-30 somethings enjoying a night out. Unlike the UK though, people are just there to have a good time meeting and chatting with friends rather than becoming drunk and rowdy. This means you will also see families with young children enjoying dinner at 10 or even 11pm, as is common in the Canary Islands where there is a really family friendly atmosphere.
Overall this area of Arrecife is a must see, and to enjoy it best you should definitely sit and enjoy a drink or a meal. You can happily while away the hours here and completely relax, while immersing yourself in this unique location which was once remodelled by Canarian architect Cesar Manrique decades ago but is once again realising its true potential!
