Mirador del Río
Lanzarote · 479 m
A viewpoint built into the Famara cliffs at about 479 m on Lanzarote's northern tip, designed by César Manrique and opened in 1973. Its windows frame La Graciosa and the Chinijo archipelago across the strait called El Río.
The Mirador del Río is a viewpoint hidden inside the top of the Risco de Famara, about 479 m above the sea at the northern tip of Lanzarote, in the municipality of Haría. César Manrique conceived it, with Eduardo Cáceres and Jesús Soto; work began in 1971 and it opened in 1973. It is one of the Cabildo's CACT centres: in 2026 entry costs €9 for adults and it opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
What makes the Mirador del Río different from a normal viewpoint?
The building was dug into the terrain and covered with volcanic stone, so it is barely visible from outside. A curving corridor leads into two vaulted rooms whose large arched windows — often called the "eyes" of the Mirador — frame the view. Above, a terrace set into the lava rock gives the open-air panorama. The site was used in the late 19th century for an artillery battery, during the Spanish–American War, to watch ships crossing the strait; remains are still visible to the east.
What can you see from the Mirador del Río?
Directly below is El Río, the arm of sea separating Lanzarote from La Graciosa. On clear days you can also make out the islets of Montaña Clara and Roque del Oeste and, further out, Alegranza — together, the Chinijo archipelago. At the foot of the cliff lies one of the oldest coastal marshes in the Canaries. With good visibility you can pick out the sandy north coast of La Graciosa, where Playa de las Conchas faces Montaña Clara.
How long does a visit take?
CACT estimates about 45 minutes. Last entry is at 16:40 (2026). Children up to 6 enter free; reduced rates for Canary and Lanzarote residents and for people with disabilities are available only at the ticket office with documentation. There is a café behind the panoramic windows. The Mirador belongs to the same Cabildo network as Montañas del Fuego (Timanfaya), Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Jardín de Cactus, Casa Museo del Campesino and Castillo de San José, so if you plan several visits, compare individual tickets with the combined options on cactlanzarote.com.
When is the best time to go?
Visibility matters more than anything else here. The north of Lanzarote catches the trade-wind cloud, and on hazy or calima days the outer islets disappear. Check a webcam or forecast in the morning and go on the clearest day you have; the cliff-top is often windy and cooler than the coast, so take a layer for the terrace.
How does it fit into a day in north Lanzarote?
The Mirador is close to the ferry port of Órzola for La Graciosa. A typical northern circuit combines it with Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes on the east coast. For the volcanic south-west, plan a separate day for Timanfaya National Park.
Don’t miss
Know before you go
- Wait for a clear day. Trade-wind cloud or calima can hide the outer islets completely.
- Bring a layer for the terrace. At around 479 m the cliff-top is often windy and cooler than the coast.
- Residents: buy at the ticket office. Reduced rates need physical documents and are not sold online.
Getting there
The Mirador del Río is on the LZ-203 at the northern end of Lanzarote, in the municipality of Haría. It is a short drive from the ferry port of Órzola and from Jameos del Agua on the east coast. Check prices and buy tickets on cactlanzarote.com; residents' discounts are only available at the ticket office.
