Essentials
- City
- Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
- Population
- Approx. 1,100
- Internet Speed
- 300-600 Mbps via Fiber optic (Movistar/Digi available in most village houses)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major credit cards accepted, but keep cash for small surf shops.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable (desalinated). Buy 5L or 8L jugs at Supermercado Otilia for €1.40.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Digi (best value), Movistar (best coverage), Vodafone. 20GB for approx €10.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut (highly recommended), N26, or CaixaBank in nearby Teguise.
- Accommodation
- Surf houses, beachfront bungalows, and private apartments via Airbnb or local agencies.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes, though some small bars prefer cash for transactions under €5.
- Short Term Rentals
- Famara Apartments, Airbnb, and Lanzarote Retreats starting at €70/night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Red Star Surf & Yoga Camp, ZooPark Famara (approx. €25-€35/night for dorms).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The 'Bungalows' (Urbanización Famara) for views and quiet.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Caleta de Famara Village (close to cafes, gyms, and local life).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Sende (nearby in the mountains) or local surf schools like Red Star Surf which offer workspace to guests.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafetería El Sibarita (good Wi-Fi, great coffee) or Croissant Alva.
- Networking Events
- Weekly 'Surf & Work' meetups organized via the Lanzarote Digital Nomads Facebook group.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night beers at Tasca Rasca or sunset gatherings at the pier.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt. Use local Taxis (Radio Taxi Lanzarote: +34 928 524 222). Famara to Airport approx €35.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Vulcano Bike (Costa Teguise) or Rent-a-Bike Famara (approx €15-€20/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Famara (6km of sand right at your doorstep).
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (connecting to other islands for approx €30-€50).
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, EasyJet, and Vueling fly into Arrecife (ACE).
- Highway Access
- LZ-402 connects Famara to Teguise and the main LZ-1 highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains. Principal bus hub is Estación de Guaguas in Arrecife.
- Public Transport Passes
- IntercityBus Lanzarote. Use the 'Bono Bus' card for 20% discounts on fares.
- Regional Travel
- Bus Line 20 (Arrecife-Famara) and Line 31 (Costa Teguise-Famara).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Doctor José Molina Orosa in Arrecife (25 mins away).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Famara (classes on the dunes or in-studio for approx €12-€15).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Limited in town; most use 'The Beach Gym' (outdoors). Closest full gym is in Teguise.
- Laundry Services
- Self-Service Laundry in Socorro (Teguise) or local surf camps with guest machines.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Very limited reach. Glovo operates in Arrecife/Costa Teguise, rarely Famara.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papas Arrugadas with Mojo Verde/Rojo and fresh grilled wreckage fish (Cherne).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The itsy bitsy (Great salads), Veggie items at El Sol.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastelería Panadería El Tertuliano (Local pastries and 'Gofio' desserts).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermercado Otilia or the Eurospar in nearby Teguise for better prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Delivery takes 5-10 days due to customs/island location).
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona (Online delivery service available if ordered to Caleta de Famara).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Small bars along Avenida El Marinero; Tasca Rasca is the local favorite.
- Local Brewery
- Cerveza Nao (based in Arrecife, served at local bars like El Chiringuito).
- Wine Bars
- Restaurante El Risco (Excellent selection of local Malvasia Volcánica wines).
- Street Food Stalls
- Teguise Sunday Market (15 mins away) for local snacks, cheeses, and empanadas.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Dunas de Famara (Upscale fusion/International) and various Pizza spots.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Riscos de Famara (dramatic cliffs) and the shipwreck visible at low tide.
- Museums & Art Venues
- LagOmar Museum (Nazaret) - former home of Omar Sharif built into volcanic caves.
- Historical Sites
- Villa de Teguise (Oldest town in Canary Islands, 15 min drive).
- Religious Sites
- Ermita de la Sagrada Familia (Small chapel in the village).
- Annual Events
- Fiestas del Sagrado Corazón de María (Late August) with traditional boat processions.
- Cultural Districts
- The historic center of Teguise for colonial architecture and artisan shops.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Víctor Fernández Gopar 'El Salinero' in Arrecife.
- Local Markets
- Teguise Sunday Market (the largest outdoor market in the Canary Islands).
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sessions often held at La Palmera or local festivals.
- Street Art
- Murals by local artists near the harbor area depicting marine life.
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops at the Teguise Food Market focusing on Mojo sauce and Gofio.
- Art Galleries
- Fundación César Manrique (Tahiche) - stunning art/architecture integrated into lava.
- Historic Buildings
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Teguise) overlooking the island.
- Local Heritage
- The legacy of César Manrique, ensuring no buildings over two stories and white/green/blue colors.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Chinijo Archipelago (Glass bottom boat from Orzola to Isla Graciosa).
- National Parks Nearby
- Timanfaya National Park (Volcanic landscapes, 30 min drive).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal sand track from Famara to Caleta de Caballo (hiking/trail running).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador del Río (designed by Manrique) overlooking La Graciosa.
- Birdwatching Locations
- El Jable (desert-like plains behind Famara) hosting the Houbara Bustard.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally strictly prohibited on beaches for conservation; use designated BBQ areas in Arrieta.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Post office) in Teguise; DHL and SEUR serve the village.
- Tech Repair Services
- Informática Lanzarote (Arrecife) for laptop/phone repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Community areas at some surf camps (e.g., Lanzasurf).
- Language Classes
- Surf & Spanish programs at Red Star Surf or private tutors in Teguise.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal in Teguise (Quiet but limited hours).
- Community Centers
- Centro Sociocultural de Famara (Local meetings and occasional workshops).
- Gaming Lounges
- None in Famara; some gaming cafes available in Arrecife.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gran Casino de Lanzarote (Puerto del Carmen).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €157,500) - Famara is high-demand/low-supply.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €105,000) in La Santa or Soo.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €231,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €154,000) in Tinajo area.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €340,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €221,000) in Tahiche or San Bartolomé.
- Corporate Tax
- 4% (Special ZEC Zone - Canary Islands Special Zone, requires investment and job creation).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 28% depending on amount (Standard Spanish rates, though ZEC has exemptions).
- Tax System
- Spanish Resident (Worldwide income) but with specific Canary Island indirect tax (IGIC) instead of VAT.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (Varies slightly by autonomous region).
- VAT
- 7% (Known as IGIC in the Canary Islands, much lower than 21% on mainland Spain).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict Spanish/EU anti-evasion rules apply.
- Property Tax
- Yes, IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) based on the cadastral value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) in the Canary Islands for resale properties.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (flat 24% for up to 6 years) or the Digital Nomad Visa tax incentives.