In the north of Lanzarote, where the cliffs of the island rise hundreds of meters, an extraordinary panoramic view opens up. A scenery unfolds before the eyes of the visitors, along which the one-and-a-half-kilometre-wide El Rio strait flows between Lanzarote and the small neighbouring island of La Graciosa . This popular view is thanks to the Mirador del Río: the architecturally significant observation deck that originated from the aesthetic sense of the Spanish artist and architect César Manrique.
Panoramic views in the north of Lanzarote
More than 400 meters above sea level, the Mirador del Río stands out on the northern Famara cliffs. The panoramic view at the El Río Strait is now one of Lanzarote’s classic excursion destinations, completing numerous top 10 lists of the most popular travel destinations on the Canary Island. The structure itself is almost 50 years old. In 1973, the Mirador del Río was created in an artistic-architectural collaboration between Jesús Soto, Eduardo Caceres and the famous César Manrique, whose artistic and architectural traces are spread throughout Lanzarote. When it was built in the 70s, the viewing platform was considered an architectural masterpiece, and even today the Mirador del Río is one of the extraordinary landmarks of northern Lanzarote. The architectural concert of terraces and viewing windows thus allows a special view of the local strait, a photogenic sight of northern Lanzarote. The Mirador del Río deserves as much attention due to its special facades and its artistic furnishings as the view of the maritime natural formations.
In the footsteps of César Manrique
In a semicircle, the building nestles against the Famara cliffs, which characterize the north of Lanzarote with its hundreds of meters in height. The idea was to integrate the building directly into nature and make it look like a natural part of the cliffs. And indeed, from a distance, the windows and the railing structures of the Mirador del Río, which otherwise visually becomes part of the cliffs, are noticeable. Like his comrades-in-arms Jesús Soto, Eduardo Caceres, the renowned artist and architect César Manrique has left his architectural fingerprints here. The Spaniard Manrique left a lasting mark on the face of Lanzarote during his lifetime (1919-1992). His striking works include the Jameos del Agua lava tunnel and the Jardin de Cactus cactus garden, as well as the building of the Fundación César Manrique and the Mirador del Río. The latter near-natural architecture inspired him so much that he later had a similar sister building, the Mirador del Palmajero viewpoint on La Gomera , created. With all these buildings, César Manrique left a lasting mark on the face of Lanzarote even after his lifetime.
Arrival & tips for the Mirador del Río
The reasons to visit the Mirador del Río in Lanzarote are therefore varied and multifaceted. The sunny days are particularly worthwhile for a visit, when the visibility is not too cloudy and the weather is not too windy. The view that unfolds in this way is one of the highlights of the Mirador del Río. If it is not the summer months when the sun sets late, the sunset hours can sometimes be coordinated with the opening hours. Because the panorama unfolds its special beauty when the evening hours dawn. In the colder months, windproof clothing is worthwhile, as it can get windy on the coast. The attraction can be easily reached by car, for example via the LZ-201, with free parking on site. The Mirador del Río is one of the best viewpoints in Lanzarote. Combined with the extraordinary architecture of César Manrique and Co., it becomes a recommended destination in the north of the Canary Island for everyone without fear of heights.
