MIAC - Arrecife Bay
Castillo de San José
365 days a year
No prior booking required
Visit at your own pace
Approximately 60 minutes
Historic building
With stairs and uneven surfaces
Arrecife Bay
How to get thereComplementary experiences
Explore the Castle and book a table
You can visit the castle and the MIAC collection, book a table at the restaurant or combine both experiences. Museum admission and the restaurant booking are handled separately.
Explore the Castle and the MIAC
Visit the 18th-century fortress and the museum galleries, with works by Canarian, national and international artists.
- Access to the Castle and the MIAC
- Contemporary art collection
- Temporary exhibitions according to the programme
Castillo de San José Restaurant
À la carte Canarian cuisine based on local produce, served on a glass-enclosed terrace overlooking Arrecife Bay.
- Glass-enclosed terrace overlooking Arrecife Bay
- À la carte lunches and dinners
- Last-minute bookings by phone only
- Bookings for a maximum of 19 guests
Cuisine overlooking the bay
Castillo de San José Restaurant
The restaurant occupies the semicircular glass-enclosed structure added to the castle during César Manrique’s intervention. Its dining room, open to Arrecife Bay, preserves the artist’s visual language in its forms and details.
The menu showcases local produce and the work of Lanzarote’s primary sector, reinterpreting Canarian flavours with creativity and contemporary techniques. The experience is rounded out by desserts inspired by the island’s sweet traditions and a carefully selected range of wines from the Lanzarote Designation of Origin.
Origin
A fortress for Puerto de Naos
Castillo de San José was built in the late 18th century, during the reign of Charles III, to strengthen the defence of Puerto de Naos and Arrecife’s harbour front. The construction work also provided employment for local people during a period of scarcity, giving rise to the popular name “Fortress of Hunger”. After losing its military function, the building fell into disrepair by the 20th century.
The recovery of the castle
In the mid-1970s, César Manrique proposed that the Cabildo de Lanzarote restore the fortress and convert it into a museum. He directed the remodelling and refurbishment, making targeted interventions inside that preserved the character of the former stronghold while adapting it for the display of art.
The opening of the MIAC
The International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC) opened on 8 December 1976 with an exhibition featuring 180 selected and invited artists. It was a pioneering art centre in the Canary Islands and Spain. Its collection brings together works by Canarian, national and international artists, alongside a programme of temporary exhibitions and cultural activities.
What to see
- The castle entrance: the moat, drawbridge, sentry boxes and stone volumes preserve the fortress’s defensive geometry. The outdoor sculptures anticipate the meeting of historic heritage and contemporary art.
- The MIAC Collection: the upper gallery brings together paintings and sculptures by national and international artists. Among them is Une agitation reposant, a Carrara marble piece by Cuban sculptor Agustín Cárdenas.
- The Canarian Artists Room: an introduction to key figures in 20th-century Canarian art, including Cristino de Vera, María Belén Morales, José Dámaso and Manolo Millares.
- The Pancho Lasso Room: dedicated to the Lanzarote-born sculptor, it brings together works such as Pájaro (Monumento a la Paz), Monumento a la Música and Mujer y niña (Maternidad).
- The upper terrace: views of the harbour and the old sentry boxes recall the castle’s defensive role. This space is home to El Sueño I by Martín Chirino.
- The cistern: a winding staircase leads to this space of white walls and black stone, where La semilla, a sculpture created by Francisco Barón in 1976, is displayed.
- Temporary exhibitions: the ground-floor gallery hosts exhibitions and activities devoted to contemporary art and culture. The programme changes throughout the year.
What to do
- Explore the temporary exhibitions: The MIAC’s ground-floor gallery presents projects that broaden and renew the interpretation of its permanent collection. Check the programme available during your visit.
- Take part in the cultural programme: The museum organises public activities related to contemporary art and culture. Their availability depends on the current programme.
- Book a table at the restaurant: Complete your visit with a menu based on local produce and Canarian flavours. The restaurant has independent access and booking arrangements from the museum.
- Check the special experiences: The restaurant may host concerts, dinners and other events on selected dates. Check the programme and booking conditions before you go.
Visitor guide
- Duration: allow approximately 60 minutes to explore the castle and the MIAC galleries.
- Admission: there is no need to book in advance or print your ticket. You can show the QR code on your mobile device at the ticket desk.
- Food and drink: outside food and drink may not be brought into the museum. The café and restaurant operate independently of the visit.
- Families: children aged 0 to 6 enter free of charge. Baby-changing facilities are available in the toilets, and the restaurant provides high chairs.
- Photography: you may take photographs without flash. Keep a safe distance from the artworks to help preserve them.
- Pets: pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs in accordance with current regulations.
- Accessibility: the entrance floor is the only area accessible without stairs. The rest of the route includes stairs and uneven surfaces characteristic of the historic building.
- Services: the centre offers free Wi-Fi and parking for vehicles and bicycles.
Timanfaya
Jameos del Agua
Cueva de los Verdes
Jardín de Cactus
Mirador del Río
Casa Museo del Campesino
Book a table
FAQs
Prepare your visit
At Montañas del Fuego and Cueva de los Verdes, tickets can only be purchased online and always for a specific date and time.
At the other centers, you can buy tickets directly at the ticket office, but we recommend purchasing them in advance to make access easier.
Yes. Canary Islands residents can benefit from a special price, as well as residents of Lanzarote and people with disabilities. Please note that these rates cannot be combined and are only available at the ticket offices upon presentation of the required physical documentation.
Some centres do not have a box office. We recommend purchasing your ticket in advance on the website to secure your access to the centre.
It is not necessary to print it, however, you must have the QR code downloaded and ready at the entrance to speed up access.
In some areas coverage is limited, download the ticket on your mobile or take a screenshot of the QR code before arriving.
We are sorry you haven’t automatically received your tickets. We recommend checking your spam folder or ensuring that your email address is correctly entered. If you still can’t find them, please contact our Customer Service department at 901 200 300, via WhatsApp, or by sending an email to info@centrosturisticos.com. Our customer service hours are Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 15:00.
Yes, it is mandatory for Cueva de los Verdes and Montañas del Fuego. You must select the date and time when completing your online purchase.
You can also, if you are interested in discovering our spaces in a different and more exclusive way, the “Experiencias Insólitas” (our premium guided tours in small groups) require advance online booking with a fixed date and time. – They are offered at Montañas del Fuego and Jameos del Agua.-
For the rest of the Centres and general visits, it is not necessary to book a fixed time. You have full flexibility, although purchasing your ticket in advance helps reduce waiting times and supports a more balanced management of the space.
Still have questions?
Contact our customer service team at info@centrosturisticos.com or by phone at +34 928 84 84 84.