Culture and Sightseeing in Playa Blanca Lanzarote
Culture centres in Playa Blanca Lanzarote are all around, but mainly concentrated within the municipality of Yaiza. The municipality of Yaiza is made up of the towns of Yaiza, Playa Blanca, Las Breñas, El Golfo, Femés, Uga, Playa Quemada and Puerto Calero.
In Lanzarote's council's website you can find the cultural agenda of the island; while Yaiza's cultural agenda can be found in Yaiza's town hall located in Yaiza or the one that is in Playa Blanca. You can find Yaiza's town hall in Playa Blanca within the building of the main bus stop in the corner of “Av. Playa Blanca” street.
Most cultural activities are performed in Playa Blanca's Cultural Centre "La Aurora", located at the corner of the streets “La Lapa y Marisco”.
The Museum of Cetaceans in Puerto Calero, the "Bodega Stratvs" and "El Grifo Wine Museum" in La Geria”, are must see places.
In holiday seasons in Playa Blanca, it is traditional to hold activities for children and adults in the town centre, found in front of the town's church. The carnivals and parades occur along the street Correillo, Varadero Avenue and end at the Papagayo Avenute, where you can find the Papagayo Shopping Centre.
If we are to speak of historical sights, it would be a crime not to mention the legacy that was left behind by the famous sculptor and architect "César Manrique", a fellow islander, founder of the peculiar architecture in Lanzarote and many natural areas of the island and of course many monuments that adorn our roundabouts. Thanks to his unique design and special interest in coexistence and respect for nature, Lanzarote was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
César Manrique's studio home has passed to become "The César Manrique Foundation," it supports itself and dedicates its resources to the preservation and dissemination of its founder's work.
Amongst Cesar Manrique's most important creations are: The restaurant "El Diablo" in Timanfaya, "El Museo y el Monumento al Campesino" in Mozaga, "El Castillo de San Jose” in Arrecife, "El Jardín de Cáctus", "El Mirador del Rio" and "Jameos del Agua" at the north of the island.
In Playa Blanca you can also find his touch: "El Castillo del Aguila", built in 1747 for the defence against pirate invasions, and "El Faro de Pechiguera" built in 1856 to guide mariners through the Strait of Bocayna. Just beside it, in 1976, the old lighthouse was replaced by a newer much larger, modern and automatic one. The old lighthouse was declared as Cultural Interest by the Government of the Canary Islands in 2002. These monuments can only be visited on the outside at the moment due to the fact that they are being restored for inside visits.
The sunsets are magical in “El Faro”, romantic and worth seeing. Right from that spot you can also get some great views of our sister island Fuerteventura and the Lobos Island is also appreciated.
