His name is everywhere—on signs, museums, and even roundabouts. From the airport to art centers carved into lava, it’s impossible to spend more than a day in Lanzarote without encountering a piece of his legacy. But who exactly was César Manrique?
This article dives into the life and impact of Lanzarote’s most famous son: painter, sculptor, architect, and environmental visionary. Manrique didn’t just decorate the island—he helped define its look, its rules, and its relationship with tourism. Read on to discover how one man left an imprint as bold as Lanzarote’s volcanic terrain.
Who Was César Manrique?
César Manrique was born in 1919 in Arrecife, Lanzarote’s capital, and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. Initially focused on painting, he later moved to New York City in the 1960s, where he exhibited at the Guggenheim and mingled with key figures of the abstract expressionist movement. Despite international success, he returned to Lanzarote in 1966 with a new mission: to shape his homeland’s future.
What followed was a shift from canvas to landscape. Manrique embraced architecture, design, and activism. His projects integrated lava tubes, caves, and clifftops with clean modernist lines and traditional island aesthetics. He also became an outspoken opponent of overdevelopment and mass tourism, seeing Lanzarote as a canvas worth protecting.
Manrique’s Vision for Lanzarote
Manrique imagined Lanzarote as a model for development that respected nature instead of erasing it. He fought against high-rise buildings, billboards, and tourist sprawl, encouraging instead low-scale structures painted in white, green, and blue to reflect traditional Canarian style. Through his influence, strict zoning laws were adopted that limited height and promoted architectural coherence.
He also saw tourism not as a threat, but as a force to be guided. Manrique believed visitors should come to experience the island’s volcanic beauty and local culture—not an imported version of a beach resort. His approach helped Lanzarote secure UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status in 1993, the year after his death.
Must-Visit Sites Shaped by Manrique
Lanzarote is full of remarkable landscapes, but some of its most striking features carry Manrique’s direct fingerprint. These are the main César Manrique-designed sites to explore across the island:
Jameos del Agua
This stunning cultural center is built inside a volcanic tunnel left behind by the eruption of La Corona. Manrique transformed the space into a surreal mix of natural cavern, swimming-pool-blue water, tropical vegetation, and minimalist design. It houses a concert hall, restaurant, and the only known habitat of the blind albino crab (Munidopsis polymorpha).
Cueva de los Verdes
While not solely designed by Manrique, this neighboring cave system is part of the same volcanic tube. The lighting and path layout were planned in collaboration with Jesús Soto, a close associate of Manrique. The cave has been used for centuries as a hiding place and now functions as a walkable geological wonder with a surprising optical illusion at the end.
Mirador del Río
Perched 475 meters above sea level on the Risco de Famara, this viewpoint looks across to the tiny island of La Graciosa. From the outside, the structure is almost invisible—blended into the landscape. Inside, sweeping windows and curved concrete elements frame the view like a cinematic reveal.
Jardín de Cactus
Located in the town of Guatiza, this botanical garden occupies a former quarry and showcases over 4,500 cacti from five continents. Manrique’s design mixes curved terraces, volcanic stone, and iron sculptures, including a massive metallic cactus at the entrance.
Monumento al Campesino
This white abstract sculpture sits at the island’s center and honors the resilience of Lanzarote’s rural workers. The surrounding cultural center features traditional architecture and workshops celebrating Canarian crafts. It’s also home to a highly rated local restaurant.
Fundación César Manrique
Housed in Manrique’s former residence in Tahíche, the foundation showcases his art and life’s work. The house itself is built over volcanic bubbles, creating a series of surreal lava-chamber living rooms. It’s both a museum and a manifesto.
Casa Museo César Manrique
Located in Haría, this house museum offers a more personal look at the artist’s later years. Surrounded by palm trees and set in a peaceful valley, the home preserves Manrique’s studio and personal objects, giving insight into his daily life and creative process.
LagOmar Museum
Originally conceived by Manrique and architect Jesús Soto, LagOmar is a dreamlike architectural space set into the volcanic rock of Nazaret. Once (briefly) owned by actor Omar Sharif, the property includes tunnels, staircases, gardens, and water features that blend nature and design. Today it operates as a museum, bar, and cultural space, continuing the legacy of organic architecture Manrique championed.
El Diablo Restaurant (Timanfaya National Park)
Located inside the Montañas del Fuego, this circular restaurant was designed by Manrique and cooks its food using the heat of the volcano itself. Grills are placed above natural vents, and panoramic glass walls offer dramatic views over the barren volcanic terrain.
International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC) at Castillo de San José
Manrique transformed this 18th-century fortress overlooking the harbor in Arrecife into a sleek museum for modern and contemporary art. The space blends historic architecture with bold interior lines, and its restaurant offers sweeping sea views.
Juguetes del Viento (Wind Toys)
These kinetic sculptures are dotted across Lanzarote’s roundabouts and public plazas. Made from colorful metal shapes that spin with the wind, they are whimsical reminders of Manrique’s desire to unite movement, energy, and environment in public art.
The Legacy: How Lanzarote Is Still Defined by Manrique
Manrique’s legacy continues to shape Lanzarote’s appearance and development. Local regulations still enforce height restrictions, aesthetic coherence, and signage limits, many of which originated from his lobbying. His push for sustainability kept large-scale hotel chains at bay for decades, unlike what happened in neighboring Gran Canaria or Tenerife.
Tourism in Lanzarote remains more focused on landscape, art, and nature than all-inclusive packages. The Fundación César Manrique, still active today, promotes environmental protection and cultural projects aligned with his philosophy.
How to Explore Lanzarote Through Manrique’s Eyes
You can experience Manrique’s vision over one or two days by renting a car and following a loose circular route. Start from Arrecife or Costa Teguise and visit the Fundación César Manrique in Tahíche. Then, head north to the Jardín de Cactus, Jameos del Agua, and Cueva de los Verdes. After lunch, continue west toward Mirador del Río.
If you have a second day, begin in San Bartolomé to see the Monumento al Campesino, then head to Timanfaya National Park (not designed by Manrique but often associated with his push for conservation). In the afternoon, relax at Playa Famara or visit the César Manrique House Museum in Haría.
Driving distances are short—no more than 45 minutes between most stops—and roads are generally well-maintained, with clear signage pointing to major attractions. Car rental is affordable (from around €30/day or $32 USD). There’s limited public transport to these sites, so having a vehicle makes the route smoother.
For those following a Manrique-themed trip, base yourself in a central or northern town like Haría or Costa Teguise. These areas give you easier access to most of his landmarks without the tourist crowds of the southern resorts.
In conclusion, although Lanzarote’s moon-like landscape is unforgettable on its own, Manrique’s touch turned it into a curated canvas. He didn’t just preserve the island—he elevated it. Whether you’re staring into the crater of a volcano or the still waters of Jameos del Agua, his presence is always nearby. To visit Lanzarote is to walk through an artist’s open-air gallery, one that still inspires long after the brush has been set down.