Mirador del Río

Located 500 meters above a cliff, El Mirador del Río -viewpoint- offers a spectacular panoramic view of Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago.

Inaugurated in the 70s, it is one of the most representative architectural works of César Manrique for the integration of man’s hand in the natural environment, a harmonious formula that unites art and nature.

Its access is guarded by a sculpture by Manrique representing a bird and a fish. They are a metaphor of water and air, the elements of greater presence in the environment.

After crossing a suggestive entrance, we will find two impressive vaulted windows. They are the eyes of the viewpoint, through which Manrique conceived an extraordinary panoramic view.

In it we can see the slopes of the Risco de Famara, and then we see El Río: a narrow strip of sea that gives its name to the viewpoint and separates Lanzarote from La Graciosa, the eighth Canary Island.

Behind, we can see the mountains Montaña Clara, Roque del Oeste and Alegranza, which together with Roque del Este, form the Chinijo Archipelago, a small group unique in the world for its volcanic landscapes and its rich marine reserve, currently the largest in Europe.

Inside the Mirador there are two large sculptures by Manrique and other decorative details typical of the artist, as well as the spiral staircase, a bar-cafeteria area, its spectacular upper terrace and the souvenir store.

The construction of El Mirador took two years, with the collaboration of Eduardo Cáceres and Jesús Soto. First, it involved the excavation of the land, and after the completion of the work, it was covered with volcanic stone, thus camufling with the environment and respecting the landscape characteristics that so much define Manrique.