Nomad Watch

Researched Updated Oct 29, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Arrecife, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Spain 7
Population
70,811 inhabitants on 1 January 2025 (municipal register). 6
Internet Speed
High-quality fiber optic available; average speeds 300 Mbps - 1 Gbps via Movistar or Digi
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR). ECB reference on 19 October 2026: 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD (1 USD = 0.8909 EUR). Cards are widely accepted. 1 4
Tap Water
Generally safe to drink nationwide; southern supplies can have a higher mineral content and taste different. Restaurants must offer tap water (agua del grifo) on request. 4
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko). 4
SIM Card
Buy a prepaid SIM at an Orange or Movistar shop; identification is usually required, and Movistar registers the line with a national ID or foreigner number. Orange Prepago 10 is 10 euros for 28 days (80 GB with the current extra, 15 GB of EU roaming, SIM or eSIM). Movistar Prepago Plus is 10 euros for 28 days (60 GB) and Prepago Premium is 15 euros for 28 days (240 GB). 2 3 4
Banking for Expats
Widely cashless; Revolut and N26 are highly recommended for avoiding local fees
Accommodation
A June 2026 cost index puts a one-bedroom at 620 US dollars a month (cheap) to 784 US dollars (city centre), about 550 to 700 euros at the 19 October 2026 rate. 16 1
Cashless Friendly
Cards are widely accepted. Some shops ask to see photo identification before taking a card, and a little cash is useful for a taxi or a small purchase. 4
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb and Booking.com are dominant; prices average €60-€100 per night
Budget Accommodation
La Casita de Arrecife Hostel, Calle Doctor Juan Negrín 83, had a bunk at about 23 euros a night in an October 2023 guide. 5
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
El Charco de San Ginés, the seawater lagoon in the centre, is lined with cafes. 5 31
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
The pedestrian centre, around Calle La Gaviota, where The Square coworking sits, and Calle León y Castillo, also called Calle Real. 5 14

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
The Square, Calle La Gaviota 3, in the pedestrian centre. Islas24 lists a day pass of 20 euros, a flexible desk at 75 euros a week and a dedicated desk at 175 euros a month; hours are Monday to Thursday 08:00–16:00 and Friday 08:00–15:00. Confirm tariffs with the operator. 15
Best Cafe for Work
The bar on the 17th floor of the Gran Hotel, by Parque Islas Canarias, looks over the city. 5
Networking Events
Lanzarote Digital Nomads Meetup (organized via Facebook/Meetup.com); events often held at Marina Lanzarote
Social Events for Expats
InterNations Lanzarote and 'Expats in Lanzarote' Facebook community gatherings

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
There is no ride-hailing app on Lanzarote. A 2023 guide priced a taxi from the airport into town at 18 euros. Use a taxi rank. 5
Bike/Scooter Rental
Link e-scooters cover Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Honda and Costa Teguise. In 2023 a ride was 1 euro to unlock and 0.30 euro a minute. 5
Best Beach Nearby
Playa del Reducto is the town beach, with loungers and calm water for bathing. 5 26
Top Regional Airline
Binter Canarias flies between the islands from Terminal 1 at Arrecife airport, including Las Palmas and Tenerife, several times a day. 5
Top International Airline
Iberia, Ryanair, and EasyJet (direct routes to London, Berlin, Madrid)
Highway Access
LZ-1 runs northeast, LZ-2 runs southwest toward Yaiza and Playa Blanca, and LZ-3 is the city beltway. 7
Main Train/Transit Hub
Estación de Guaguas de Arrecife, Calle Rambla Medular, is the island bus station. The interchange is on the west side, by Playa del Reducto. There is no train. 5 13 25
Public Transport Passes
The visitor Bono General is a 2 euro card with a 10 percent discount and top-ups from 5 to 50 euros. Lanzarote residents can get 20 percent off. The Canary resident pass is free if you make 15 trips a quarter, otherwise 20 euros for 30 days. 13
Regional Travel
Intercity Bus line 1 goes to Costa Teguise and line 2 to Puerto del Carmen, from the station on Rambla Medular. A 2023 guide priced the airport bus and a ride inside Arrecife at 1.40 euros. 5 13

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
The public hospital is Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa, on the Arrecife-Tinajo road at kilometre 1.3. The private Hospiten Lanzarote is in Puerto del Carmen, on Camino Lomo Gordo, not in Arrecife. 17 18
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Lanzarote Yoga (various locations) and Yoga con Amba near El Charco
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Macrofit Arrecife (Marina Lanzarote) - Monthly membership approx €45
Laundry Services
Lavanderia Autoservicio Speed Queen (Calle Triana) - Wash & dry for approx €8

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
Glovo and Just Eat are the primary providers in Arrecife
Best Local Dish to Try
Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Wrinkled potatoes with spicy sauce) - approx €6 at local 'Teleclubs'
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
The V Factor is a vegan cafe on Calle la Porra, a short walk north of Calle Canalejas. A 2023 guide had it open Monday to Saturday at lunchtime. 5
Best Dessert Spots
Pastelería San Antonio (Calle Real) - famous for traditional Bienmesabe
Affordable Shopping Spots
Mercadona or HiperDino (Vía Medular) for best grocery prices
E-commerce/Online Store
Amazon.es (note: shipping to Canaries can take 5-10 days due to customs)
Grocery Delivery
Mercadona Online (delivery fee approx €7.21)
Bar/Nightlife Area
El Charco de San Ginés, with cafes along the west and north shores of the lagoon. 5 31
Local Brewery
Cerveza Nao (Calle Libertad) - Craft brewery in an old boat repair shop
Wine Bars
Tasca La Raspa is on the north bank of El Charco de San Ginés, with other tapas bars along the same quay. 5
Street Food Stalls
A Saturday morning market is held in the square outside Iglesia de San Ginés. The mercadillo building on Plaza de Las Palmas is closed and has been demolished. 5
Popular International Cuisine
Naia, Avenida César Manrique 33, is on the north quay of El Charco. A 2023 guide called it a short, good-quality menu. 5

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Castillo de San Gabriel and the Puente de las Bolas bridge 5 7
Museums & Art Venues
MIAC, the contemporary art museum, is in Castillo de San José on Carretera de los Castillos. A 2023 guide priced the museum at 5 euros for an adult and 2.50 euros for a child. 5 30
Historical Sites
Casa Amarilla (The Yellow House) - former seat of the island government
Religious Sites
Iglesia de San Ginés stands on Plaza de las Palmas, on the site of a 17th-century chapel. The tower was added in 1842. 5 27
Annual Events
The parish marks its patron, San Ginés, on 25 August. 5
Cultural Districts
El Charco de San Ginés, the lagoon in the centre, is the old harbour quarter. 5 31
Theater Venues
Teatro Víctor Fernández Gopar, known as El Salinero, is on Rambla Medular. 28
Local Markets
Saturday morning market in the square outside Iglesia de San Ginés. The mercadillo on Plaza de Las Palmas is closed and the building has been demolished. 5
Music Scene
Live jazz and folk at La Bulla or Marina Lanzarote stages
Street Art
Murals by local artists near the old fishing school and the MIAC surroundings
Cooking Classes
Wine & Food Tours Lanzarote (offering volcano-soil cooking workshops)
Art Galleries
Fundación César Manrique is in Tahíche, in the municipality of Teguise, north of Arrecife on the LZ-1. It is the former house and studio of the artist. 5 29
Historic Buildings
The Gran Hotel Arrecife, on the seafront by the harbour, is the tallest building on the island. 7
Local Heritage
The city is named for the coastal reef that sheltered small boats. Castillo de San Gabriel and the Puente de las Bolas are the harbour landmarks. 7 5

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Timanfaya National Park is west of the city, on the road through Yaiza toward Playa Blanca. Visitors enter at Montañas del Fuego. 7 12
National Parks Nearby
Timanfaya National Park. The Montañas del Fuego ticket is 30 euros for an adult and must be bought online for a date and time. Children from birth to age 6 are free. 12
Cycling/Walking Paths
The 26km promenade that connects Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise
Scenic Viewpoints
The bar on the 17th floor of the Gran Hotel, beside Parque Islas Canarias, looks over the harbour and the city. 5
Birdwatching Locations
Salinas de Janubio (30 mins drive) for flamingos and aquatic birds
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Generally prohibited on beaches; permitted only during Noche de San Juan (June 23) in designated zones

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
Correos (Calle Libertad) and DHL Lanzarote
Tech Repair Services
Applemotion (Calle Paraguay) for electronics and laptop repairs
Table Tennis Spots
Centro Sociocultural de Argana Baja
Language Classes
Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Arrecife, Calle El Antonio 1A, is the public language school. Official certificates run from A2 to C2, and a full-year course is 77.33 euros. 32
Libraries & Study Spots
Biblioteca Municipal de Arrecife (Calle Mayor)
Community Centers
Casa de la Juventud (Vía Medular) for workshops and youth events
Gaming Lounges
The 'Cyber' spots are rare, but 'Level Up' in nearby Playa Honda has gaming PC setups
Casino & Gaming Halls
Gran Casino Lanzarote (located in Puerto del Carmen, 15 mins away)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Fotocasa asking prices in October 2026 are for all home sizes together. Centro-La Vega Alta is 2,440 euros per square metre, so a 35 square metre studio is about 85,400 euros. 11
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Valterra-Altavista, a cheaper district of Arrecife, is 1,778 euros per square metre on the same October 2026 Fotocasa index, so a 35 square metre studio is about 62,230 euros. 11
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Using the October 2026 Fotocasa centre price of 2,440 euros per square metre in Centro-La Vega Alta, a 55 square metre one-bedroom is about 134,200 euros. The index is not split by number of bedrooms. 11
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Using the October 2026 Fotocasa price of 1,778 euros per square metre in Valterra-Altavista, a 55 square metre one-bedroom is about 97,790 euros. 11
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Using the October 2026 Fotocasa centre price of 2,440 euros per square metre, an 85 square metre two-bedroom is about 207,400 euros. 11
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Using the October 2026 Fotocasa price of 1,778 euros per square metre in Valterra-Altavista, an 85 square metre two-bedroom is about 151,130 euros. 11
Corporate Tax
The general corporation-tax rate is 25 percent. Authorised Canary Special Zone entities pay 4 percent on profits from operations carried out in the Canary Islands. 21 23
Dividend Withholding Tax
Dividends are savings income: 19 percent on the first 6,000 euros, 21 percent to 50,000 euros, 23 percent to 200,000 euros, 27 percent to 300,000 euros, and 30 percent above that. Dividends paid to non-residents are generally withheld at 19 percent. 9
Tax System
Residents pay Spanish income tax on worldwide income. Non-residents pay tax on Spanish-source income only. Residence is 183 days in the year, or the centre of vital interests. 9
Highest Income Tax Bracket
The 2026 state withholding scale reaches 47% on general income above €300,000. Combined marginal rates vary by autonomous community; the Spain tax profile records an effective top near 54% in the highest regions. 9
VAT
The Canary Islands do not charge mainland VAT. The local sales tax is IGIC. The published general rate is 7 percent (since 1 January 2020), with a zero rate, a 3 percent reduced rate, and higher rates of 9.5 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent. 19 20
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes. Spanish rules can tax a foreign company when Spanish residents hold over 50 percent and the foreign tax is under 75 percent of the Spanish tax. 22
Property Tax
IBI is an annual municipal tax on owning real estate, and the town sets the rate. A current Arrecife percentage was not on the national summary. 20
Property Transaction Tax
In the Canary Islands the general transfer tax on real estate is 6.5 percent in 2026. A new home is charged IGIC instead of mainland VAT. 10 19
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
Many passports can stay 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Work needs a permit. Qualifying newcomers, including teleworkers, can opt into the impatriate regime: employment income is withheld at 24 percent up to 600,000 euros and at 47 percent above that, for the tax year of the move and the next five. Opting in is not automatic. 8 24

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 29, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. ECB 90-day reference rates, 19 October 2026Official
  2. Orange Prepago 10 price pageOfficial
  3. Movistar prepaid tariffsOfficial
  4. Wikivoyage SpainSecondary
  5. Wikivoyage ArrecifeSecondary
  6. INE municipal register, Las Palmas, 2025Official
  7. English Wikipedia ArrecifeReference
  8. Tax agency impatriate regimeOfficial
  9. PwC personal income tax, reviewed 30 June 2026Secondary
  10. Hacienda regional tax measures 2026Official
  11. Fotocasa Arrecife asking prices, October 2026Index
  12. CACT Lanzarote hours and ticket pricesOfficial
  13. Intercity Lanzarote bus passesOfficial
  14. The Square coworking, ArrecifeOfficial
  15. Islas24 listing for The SquareListings
  16. Livingcost Arrecife, updated 21 June 2026Index
  17. Hospiten LanzaroteOfficial
  18. Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina OrosaOfficial
  19. IGIC rate tableReference
  20. PwC other taxes, IGIC and local property taxSecondary
  21. PwC corporation tax, general rate 25 percentSecondary
  22. PwC controlled foreign company rulesSecondary
  23. Canary Special Zone, 4 percent corporation taxOfficial
  24. UK travel advice, Spain entryOfficial
  25. OpenStreetMap bus station on Rambla MedularReference
  26. OpenStreetMap Playa del ReductoReference
  27. OpenStreetMap Iglesia de San GinésReference
  28. OpenStreetMap Teatro El SalineroReference
  29. OpenStreetMap Fundación César Manrique, TahícheReference
  30. OpenStreetMap Castillo de San JoséReference
  31. OpenStreetMap Charco de San GinésReference
  32. Official language school, ArrecifeOfficial

Change history

    • Art Galleries Fundación César Manrique (located 10 mins away in Tahiche) Fundación César Manrique is in Tahíche, in the municipality of Teguise, north of Arrecife…
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Spain's Digital Nomad Visa offers a flat 15% tax rate for up to 4 years for non-EU… Many passports can stay 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Work needs a permit. Qualifying…
    • Bar/Nightlife Area El Charco de San Ginés (Calle Virgen de la Caridad) for tapas and cocktails El Charco de San Ginés, with cafes along the west and north shores of the lagoon.
    • Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads La Marina or the city center near Calle Real for proximity to amenities and coworking The pedestrian centre, around Calle La Gaviota, where The Square coworking sits, and Calle…
    • Best Area to Stay for Tourists El Charco de San Ginés (scenic lagoon area with bars and restaurants) El Charco de San Ginés, the seawater lagoon in the centre, is lined with cafes.
    • Best Beach Nearby Playa del Reducto (city beach) with golden sand and calm waters Playa del Reducto is the town beach, with loungers and calm water for bathing.
    42 more changes
    • Best Cafe for Work Starbucks (near Gran Hotel) or Tabla Arrecife (El Charco) - good Wi-Fi and laptop-friendly… The bar on the 17th floor of the Gran Hotel, by Parque Islas Canarias, looks over the…
    • Best Coworking Space The Square Coworking (Calle San Roque) - Day pass approx €20, Monthly €180 The Square, Calle La Gaviota 3, in the pedestrian centre. Islas24 lists a day pass of 20…
    • Best Hospital Hospital Doctor José Molina Orosa (Public) and Hospiten Lanzarote (Private) The public hospital is Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa, on the…
    • Best Taxi/Ride App Taxi Arrecife (no Uber/Cabify; use local taxi ranks or '1-Taxi' app). Airport to city… There is no ride-hailing app on Lanzarote. A 2023 guide priced a taxi from the airport…
    • Bike/Scooter Rental Lanzarote Bike (Marina Lanzarote) - Electric bikes approx €30 per day Link e-scooters cover Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Honda and Costa Teguise. In 2023…
    • Budget Accommodation Hostel Arrecife (Calle de la Coruña) - approx €25-€35 per night La Casita de Arrecife Hostel, Calle Doctor Juan Negrín 83, had a bunk at about 23 euros a…
    • Cashless Friendly Yes, cards and contactless mobile payments accepted almost everywhere Cards are widely accepted. Some shops ask to see photo identification before taking a…
    • Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, strict Spanish tax compliance rules apply Yes. Spanish rules can tax a foreign company when Spanish residents hold over 50 percent…
    • Corporate Tax Spain standard is 25%, but Canary Islands Special Zone (ZEC) offers 4% for eligible… The general corporation-tax rate is 25 percent. Authorised Canary Special Zone entities…
    • Cultural Districts El Charco district for traditional maritime atmosphere El Charco de San Ginés, the lagoon in the centre, is the old harbour quarter.
    • Currency & Banking Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander Euro (EUR). ECB reference on 19 October 2026: 1 EUR = 1.1225 USD (1 USD = 0.8909 EUR)…
    • Dividend Withholding Tax 19% - 26% for residents; 19% for EU residents Dividends are savings income: 19 percent on the first 6,000 euros, 21 percent to 50,000…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket Approx 47% (varies slightly by autonomous community) The 2026 state withholding scale reaches 47% on general income above €300,000. Combined…
    • Highway Access LZ-2 (connects to Playa Blanca) and LZ-1 (connects to the North) LZ-1 runs northeast, LZ-2 runs southwest toward Yaiza and Playa Blanca, and LZ-3 is the…
    • Historic Buildings Grand Hotel Arrecife (tallest building on the island, landmark of 1970s architecture) The Gran Hotel Arrecife, on the seafront by the harbour, is the tallest building on the…
    • Language Classes Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) Arrecife for affordable Spanish courses Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Arrecife, Calle El Antonio 1A, is the public language…
    • Local Heritage The 'Novia del Viento' sculpture by César Manrique on the seafront The city is named for the coastal reef that sheltered small boats. Castillo de San Gabriel…
    • Local Markets Saturday Morning Market in Arrecife (Mercadillo Turístico) for crafts Saturday morning market in the square outside Iglesia de San Ginés. The mercadillo on…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub Estación de Guaguas de Arrecife (Main Bus Station on Vía Medular) Estación de Guaguas de Arrecife, Calle Rambla Medular, is the island bus station. The…
    • Museums & Art Venues MIAC - Castillo de San José (International Museum of Contemporary Art) MIAC, the contemporary art museum, is in Castillo de San José on Carretera de los…
    • National Parks Nearby Timanfaya National Park - Entry approx €12 Timanfaya National Park. The Montañas del Fuego ticket is 30 euros for an adult and must…
    • Nearby Nature Escapes Timanfaya National Park (25 mins drive) - Martian volcanic landscape Timanfaya National Park is west of the city, on the road through Yaiza toward Playa…
    • Popular International Cuisine Naia - Modern creative cuisine with local ingredients near the lagoon Naia, Avenida César Manrique 33, is on the north quay of El Charco. A 2023 guide called it…
    • Population Approximately 65,000 70,811 inhabitants on 1 January 2025 (municipal register).
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko).
    • Property Tax IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - Annual local tax approx 0.4% - 1.1% of rateable… IBI is an annual municipal tax on owning real estate, and the town sets the rate. A…
    • Property Transaction Tax 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale properties in the Canaries In the Canary Islands the general transfer tax on real estate is 6.5 percent in 2026. A…
    • Public Transport Passes IntercityBus Lanzarote 'Bono Bus' card provides 10-20% discounts on fares The visitor Bono General is a 2 euro card with a 10 percent discount and top-ups from 5 to…
    • Regional Travel Guaguas (Buses) connect to Costa Teguise (€1.40) and Puerto del Carmen (€1.70) Intercity Bus line 1 goes to Costa Teguise and line 2 to Puerto del Carmen, from the…
    • Religious Sites Iglesia de San Ginés (17th-century church with a beautiful mudéjar ceiling) Iglesia de San Ginés stands on Plaza de las Palmas, on the site of a 17th-century chapel…
    • SIM Card Orange, Vodafone, or Movistar. Pre-paid plans (e.g., Orange Go Fly) offer 100GB for… Buy a prepaid SIM at an Orange or Movistar shop; identification is usually required, and…
    • Scenic Viewpoints Star City Coffee & Blue Bar (17th floor of Gran Hotel) for city panoramas The bar on the 17th floor of the Gran Hotel, beside Parque Islas Canarias, looks over the…
    • Street Food Stalls Arrecife Saturday Market (Plaza de San Ginés) for local cheese and pastries A Saturday morning market is held in the square outside Iglesia de San Ginés. The…
    • Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €105,000) Fotocasa asking prices in October 2026 are for all home sizes together. Centro-La Vega…
    • Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €77,000) Valterra-Altavista, a cheaper district of Arrecife, is 1,778 euros per square metre on the…
    • Tap Water Technically safe but desalinated and tastes poor; most residents buy 5L or 8L jugs of… Generally safe to drink nationwide; southern supplies can have a higher mineral content…
    • Tax System Spanish residents taxed on worldwide income; Beckham Law may apply for high-earning expats Residents pay Spanish income tax on worldwide income. Non-residents pay tax on…
    • Theater Venues Teatro Víctor Fernández Gopar 'El Salinero' Teatro Víctor Fernández Gopar, known as El Salinero, is on Rambla Medular.
    • Top Regional Airline Binter Canarias (inter-island flights to Gran Canaria/Tenerife starting at €30 for… Binter Canarias flies between the islands from Terminal 1 at Arrecife airport, including…
    • VAT IGIC (Canary Islands Indirect General Tax) - 7% (Lower than mainland Spain's 21% VAT) The Canary Islands do not charge mainland VAT. The local sales tax is IGIC. The published…
    • Vegan/Vegetarian Options The V-Factor (Calle Ginés de Castro y Álvarez) - excellent plant-based burgers The V Factor is a vegan cafe on Calle la Porra, a short walk north of Calle Canalejas. A…
    • Wine Bars La Raspa (El Charco) - specialized in local Malvasía Volcanic wines Tasca La Raspa is on the north bank of El Charco de San Ginés, with other tapas bars along…

    fix pass aligned Currency & Banking with the unchanged country exchange rate precision, Tap Water with the nationwide guidance, Power with the shared socket wording, and Highest Income Tax Bracket with the country withholding summary; attributed Best Coworking Space address, prices and weekday hours to the listing that explicitly displays them. Marked Theater Venues address, Best Coworking Space operator confirmation, SIM Card Movistar recheck, and current details for Budget Accommodation, Vegan/Vegetarian Options, Museums & Art Venues, Best Taxi/Ride App, Bike/Scooter Rental and Regional Travel as not verified. Updated research attribution and verification date (en.wikivoyage.org, taxsummaries.pwc.com, islas24.info).

Continue exploring Arrecife

Free views Sign up free