Mirador del Río

Mirador del Río is a viewpoint and building at the northern tip of Lanzarote, high on the cliffs of Famara. It is one of the best-known works of the artist and architect César Manrique. It was opened in 1973 on the site of an old military lookout, a gun battery built in the late nineteenth century to guard the strait, and Manrique made the new building almost invisible by cutting it into the hilltop and covering it with the same black volcanic stone as the ground. From the sea, it is almost impossible to see.

The point is a cliff nearly five hundred metres high. Below it lies the strait called El Río, the River, a narrow channel of deep blue water that separates Lanzarote from the island of La Graciosa and the rest of the Chinijo Archipelago, which includes Montaña Clara, Alegranza and two rocks, the Roque del Este and the Roque del Oeste. The view over these islands, with their pale beaches and volcanic cones, is the reason to come. On a clear day, the colours of the water and the scale of the drop are astonishing, and it can feel like standing on the edge of the world.

The building is a good example of Manrique's way of working. A path leads through a low entrance into a white, curved interior, with a view through two large arched windows that frame the strait like pictures. A spiral staircase leads to a roof terrace, where the whole panorama opens and where sea birds and wind meet you. A cafe inside serves coffee, local wine and snacks, and you can sit by the windows. The materials are simple: stone, whitewashed plaster, glass and wood. A sculpture of mobiles and details by Manrique add subtle touches.

The wind at the top can be strong, and clouds sometimes cover the view, so it helps to check conditions and to visit when the day is clear. The visit takes about an hour, and the site is open daily, with an entrance fee. It suits photographers, couples and anyone who enjoys dramatic scenery. Nearby are the village of Haría, the Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes, which are all easy to combine in one day by car. Check current opening times and ticket prices before you go.