Castillo de San Jose

Castillo de San Jose ratings:-

8/10 – Overall rating

8/10 – location
8/10 – historic factor
8/10 – access and parking
8/10 – restaurant views
8/10 – art gallery

Drive times

15 minute drive time from Costa Teguise
15 minutes drive time from Puerto del Carmen
40 minutes drive time from Playa Blanca

Overview of Castillo de San Jose

Historic building of Lanzarote. Art gallery and restaurant. Amazing location for both art and eating.

Open hours

Art Gallery
Everyday 11am to 6pm

Restaurant
Wednesday to Saturday 12.30pm to 11pm
Sunday to Tuesday 11am to 6pm

Bar and Cafe
Wednesday to Saturday 11am to 11:30pm
Sunday to Tuesday 11am to 6pm

Getting there

Follow the coastal road from Arrecife in the direction of the Playa de Arena and you drive past the Castillo de San Jose. Directly in front is a large parking area.

About the Castillo de San Jose

The Castillo, or Castle, was built by Carlos III during his rule of Spain from 1759 to 1788 some 250 year ago. The reason for the structure was to help defend the island of Lanzarote from invaders. The placing of the building at the mouth of the main Lanzarote port or Puerto Nao was for strategic defence.

Two hundred years after the construction of the Castillo de San Jose the famous Lanzarote artist called Cesar Manrique wanted to changes its use.
Cesar Manrique managed the change of use of the castle into the first International Museum of Contemporary Art in the Canary Islands.
In December 1976 the new Canary island art gallery was opened. Since that date the gallery has shown work from international, national and canarian artists.

Castillo de San Jose restaurant

To make a visit to the art gallery even more memorable Cesar Manrique had an idea to take advantage of the amazing views from this location. He commissioned the build of a new restaurant, bar and cafeteria with a huge semi circular glass facade. From the large seating area and wooden floors people could look out of the harbour and watch the ships come and go whilst enjoying a meal or drinks.

Summary

Castillo de San Jose is a beautiful historic Lanzarote Castle given new live by Cesar Manrique as an Art Gallery and restaurant with amazing views across the Puerto Naos Harbour.