Although Arrecife is not renowned for being a tourist area - it is still very well worth a visit. This is where you will find a large number of Canarian locals, and ex-pats rubbing along together in almost perfect harmony. In fact, over half the island's population is housed there. Getting around Arrecife is normally best on foot. The roads can be complicated, and it's very easy to get lost in the town center. There are hundreds of shops to choose from and they tend to have better prices than the main tourist areas.

Arrecife is located very close to the airport, and has everything from shops, to an excellent assortment of bars and restaurants to suit all palates. Well worth a mention is "El charco de Gines," a saltwater lagoon in the city centre, surrounded by fishermen houses. It is also here, in the capital, that you will find the only high rise building which is a hotel.

The nightlife in Arrecife tends to be very Spanish oriented... with cosy tapas bars, and fantastically smelling restaurants all bustling with conversation and fine company. Arrecife residents are amongst the most welcoming on the Island, and are extremely proud of their heritage.

A visit to the harbour in the mornings is a must, if only to observe the fresh fish being haggled over by the locals for the "dish of the day."

Arrecife is also the corporate centre of Lanzarote, with many legal firms, insurance companies and accoutants all jostling to get the next client in their door first.