Although Cesar Manrique’s El Jardin de Cactus is his best-known landscape intervention, Jameos del Agua is his most spectacular. Visitors descend first into the large cavern-like café-restaurant, then zig-zag down a steep bank planted with shade-loving perennials into an astonishingly dramatic underworld.

The name ‘Jameos’ refers to the three collapses of the roof over a volcanic tunnel, and ‘Del Agua’ to the underground filtered seawater lake beneath. Formed by the eruption of the Corona Volcano, the volcano vent is 6km long,1.5km being underwater and known as the Atlantis Tunnel. Jameos del Agua is the section of tunnel that is closest to the coast and is home to the blind albino crab, an endemic species of Lanzarote.

Work started on developing and enhancing the site in 1967, and it opened ten years later, by which time the large underground auditorium overlooking the lake was completed. As in all of Manrique’s work, the detailing is discreet and low key and sensitive to the natural environment. The House of Volcanoes, a scientific centre for volcanology, and interactive educational centre for visitors, was opened a few years later.

Managed by the Lanzarote Island Council, the site is designated as a centre for art, culture and tourism and offers ‘Jameos Nights’ with dinner, concerts, and is also available for private hire.

Garden Details:
Website: turismolanzarote.com/en/sightseeing/cact-lanzarote/jameos-del-agua
Address: Carretera Arrieta-Orzola S/N, 35542, Punta Mujeres, Lanzarote
Large café-restaurant
Shop
No disabled access.
Opening times: 10.00am – 6.00pm. Last admission 5.15pm

The Mirador de Rio was created by Manrique between 1971 and 1973, and is barely visible from outside. A heavy lava rock roof camouflages the building helping it to blend into the environment. A winding entrance corridor opens up into two vaulted rooms, the restaurant, with expansive glass windows that provide a spectacular panoramic view over the Strait of Rio to the island of Graciosa. A spiral stair leads to an upper viewing platform.

Manrique’s work, merging nature, art and architecture in such a sensitive way is greatly under-rated because it is mostly confined to Lanzarote. In our age this environmental activist and pioneer deserves to be better known.

Details:
Website: turismolanzarote.com/en/sightseeing/cact-lanzarote/mirador-del-rio
Address: Carretera de Ye, SN, 35541, Haria, Lanzarote
Large restaurant
Shop
No disabled access.
Opening times: 10.00 – 5.00, last admission 4.40pm

Richard Jackson 25 December 2025