Mirador del Rio
The Mirador del Rio is quite literally one of Cesar Manrique´s most breathtaking creations. As this incredible lookout point is situated some 479 metres up on the top of a cliff face, overlooking the neighboring island of La Graciosa – thought to be the actual setting for the Robert Louis Stevenson classic Treasure Island.
The Mirador del Rio is yet another example of the creativity of Cesar Manrique who originally converted this former naval battery that sits atop the Risco de Famara range into a restaurant back in 1974. With a little help from his fellow architects Jesus Soto and Eduardo Caceres.
The site had been of strategic importance on Lanzarote for centuries. As islanders used to keep watch from here for pirate incursions back in the 16th and 17th centuries. Whilst in the 19th century the spot was also used as a gun emplacement in the when Spain went to war with the USA over the disputed colony of Cuba.
Today the guns are long gone and the Mirador del Rio is invaded instead by hordes of tourists – all keen to enjoy the birds eye view across to La Graciosa. As well as all of the trademark touches associated with Manrique´s creations.
The Mirador never really took off as a restaurant but still serves snacks and drinks as visitors feast their eyes on the view instead. Which can be enjoyed from behind a huge Plexiglas window that gives this attraction the feel of a James Bond baddie´s hangout. Or from outside from the two viewing galleries.
Directly below visitors can also view the beach of Playa El Risco and the Salinas salt pans, which are the oldest in the archipelago, dating back to Roman times.
The Mirador del Rio is was widely regarded as a great architectural innovation when it first opened to the public and Manrique´s design concept proved so popular that he later repeated the trick, creating the Mirador del Palmajero, on La Gomera, the smaller sister island to Tenerife.
Open :: Daily 10.00 – 17.45
Cost :: Adults €4.50, children €2.25
