Risco de Famara
Mirador del Río
365 days a year
Last entry 16:40
Visit at your own pace
Approximately 45 minutes
At the top of the Risco
Strong winds may occur
Carretera de Ye, Haría
How to get thereYour visit
Enter the interior of the Mirador
The ticket lets you explore the building at your own pace, with no need to book a date or time.
Explore the Mirador
Observe how César Manrique worked with the terrain, light and forms to orient the architecture towards El Río and La Graciosa.
- Access to the interior of the Mirador
- Access to the upper terrace
A pause above El Río
Mirador del Río Café
The café occupies one of the interior spaces of the Mirador, among curved lines, natural light and windows oriented towards El Río and La Graciosa. The pause becomes part of the visit: the landscape remains present from the room, without leaving the route.
The menu lets you have an aperitif, accompany it with Lanzarote wines or try a barraquito, a Canarian drink made with coffee, milk, liqueur, cinnamon and lemon.
Origins
On the edge of Famara
Mirador del Río stands at the top of the Risco de Famara, facing El Río, the stretch of sea that separates Lanzarote from La Graciosa. From this point, the architecture organises the entrance, the interior route and the view towards the north of the island.
A work excavated into the terrain
Work began in 1971 and the centre opened in 1973. César Manrique conceived a building excavated into the terrain and later covered with volcanic stone, so that its volume is barely visible from the outside.
Architecture, light and horizon
Inside, two arched windows act as large eyes open towards El Río and La Graciosa. Rock, light and the scale of the horizon enter the visit through architecture that does not separate the building from the place it allows you to observe.
A shared work
The project involved the collaboration of Eduardo Cáceres and Jesús Soto. At the entrance, the bird and fish sculpture introduces two constant presences in the surroundings: air and water.
What to see
- El Río and La Graciosa: From the windows and the terrace, the view opens onto the stretch of sea that separates Lanzarote from La Graciosa and the group of islands and islets of the Chinijo Archipelago.
- The Risco de Famara: At the foot of the Mirador, observe the slopes of the cliff, the tones of the coastline and the small beach below the cliff face.
- Juan Brito’s ceramics: In the access corridor, pieces inspired by aboriginal ceramics accompany the entrance towards the central body of the Mirador.
- The suspended sculptures: Inside, the pieces made with iron rods and plates enter into dialogue with the scale of the windows and the height of the room.
- The oculus towards La Corona Volcano: Next to the shop, this circular window directs the eye towards another volcanic landmark in the north of Lanzarote.
- The upper terrace: Access via the spiral staircase leads to a terrace crowned by a skylight, where stone and glass extend the language of the building.
What to do
- Try a barraquito in the café: This drink combines coffee, milk, liqueur, cinnamon and lemon. In the Mirador, the pause takes place inside a space open towards El Río and La Graciosa.
- Find a panoramic frame from the Mirador: The windows and the terrace allow you to play with the scale of the cliff and the sea, with La Graciosa in front.
- Explore the Centre shop: You will find crafts, publications on César Manrique’s work, natural cosmetics and other souvenirs linked to Lanzarote.
- Look at the restaurant interior: The symbolic mural, the lighting and the lamps inspired by prickly pear pads extend the artistic language of the Centre.
- Have an aperitif with Lanzarote wines: The café lets you complete the visit with local produce while the landscape remains present from inside.
Visitor guide
- Access: The general visit does not require booking a date or time. With an online ticket, you can enter by showing the QR code on your mobile phone.
- Visit duration: The visit lasts approximately 45 minutes.
- Food and drink: Outside food and drink may not be brought in. The Centre has a café.
- Families: Admission is free for children under 7. High chairs are available in the café. Access with a pushchair to the upper floor may be difficult; if visiting with a baby, consider bringing a baby carrier.
- Clothing: From October to May, warm clothing is recommended. The Mirador is located at the top of the Risco de Famara and the wind can reduce the perceived temperature.
- Photography: You may take photographs during the visit. The upper terrace and the balcony offer views towards La Graciosa and the Chinijo Archipelago. You can also photograph the bird and fish sculpture at the entrance and the iron lamp-sculpture inside.
- Mobility: The Centre has PREDIF accessibility recognition. The upper floor, where the shop is located, is not accessible due to structural limitations.
- Pets: Pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs in accordance with Law 3/2017 of 26 April.
Important information
- Visibility may vary depending on wind, cloud cover and weather conditions. A sea of clouds may appear on less sunny days, but it is not guaranteed.
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. The Art, Culture, and Tourism Centers are open every day of the year.
Mirador del Río offers more than just spectacular views. Thanks to the creativity of César Manrique, you can enjoy a work of art inside, discover unique details, and see how architecture blends with the natural beauty of the landscape.
Still have questions?
Contact our customer service team at info@centrosturisticos.com or by phone at +34 928 84 84 84.