Food and Drink
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pastelería Jonay (San Bartolomé) for traditional Canarian pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercadona, HiperDino, and Lidl for best grocery prices
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Note: customs delays can occur due to Canary Island tax status)
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona Online - Delivery fee approx. €7.21
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Varadero area in Puerto del Carmen or Charco de San Ginés in Arrecife
- Local Brewery
- Cerveza Nao (Arrecife) - Craft brewery with tasting room near the harbor
- Wine Bars
- El Grifo (La Geria) - Oldest winery in Canaries, excellent Malvasía Volcánica
- Street Food Stalls
- Teguise Sunday Market - Famous for 'Bocadillo de Carne Fiesta'
- Popular International Cuisine
- Cantina Teguise (Mexican/Fusion) in Villa de Teguise
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and UberEats (Available mostly in Arrecife and tourist hubs)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Wrinkly potatoes with spicy sauce)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The V-Spot (Puerto del Carmen) - Creative 100% vegan menu
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Timanfaya National Park (Volcanic landscapes) - Entry €12
- Museums & Art Venues
- MIAC - Castillo de San José (International Museum of Contemporary Art)
- Historical Sites
- Castillo de Santa Bárbara (Teguise) and Cueva de los Verdes
- Religious Sites
- Church of San Ginés (Arrecife) - 17th-century architecture
- Annual Events
- Carnival (February/March) and Arrecife en Vivo (Music festival, Autumn)
- Cultural Districts
- Villa de Teguise (Historic capital) and Haría (The Valley of 1000 Palms)
- Theater Venues
- Jameos del Agua Auditorium - Unique concert hall inside a volcanic tube
- Local Markets
- Mercadillo de Teguise (Sundays) - Largest outdoor market on the island
- Music Scene
- Doblón Lanzarote (Arrecife) for live music and DJs
- Street Art
- Murals near the Marina Lanzarote and Arrecife harbor areas
- Cooking Classes
- Finca de Arrieta offers Canarian cooking workshops seasonally
- Art Galleries
- Fundación César Manrique (Tahiche) - Built into volcanic bubbles
- Historic Buildings
- Casa Amarilla (Arrecife) - Traditional administrative building turned museum
- Local Heritage
- The architectural legacy of César Manrique (Integrating nature and art)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- La Graciosa Island - Reached by ferry from Orzola (€28 return)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and Chinijo Archipelago Marine Reserve
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Avenue from Arrecife to Puerto del Carmen (12km flat seaside path)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador del Río - Panoramic views of La Graciosa (Entry €5)
- Birdwatching Locations
- El Jable plains for Houbara Bustard sightings
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in most areas; permitted only in designated BBQs like Bosquecillo
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (National Post) and SEUR (Private courier)
- Tech Repair Services
- Informática Lanzarote (Arrecife) for laptop/phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ciudad Deportiva Lanzarote (Arrecife) - Public sports facilities
- Language Classes
- LanzaSidiomas (Arrecife) - Spanish intensive courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de Arrecife - Quiet workspace with Wi-Fi
- Community Centers
- Centro Cívico Arrecife for local workshops and meetings
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited specialized lounges; mostly local gaming corners in malls like Deiland
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Gran Casino de Lanzarote (Puerto del Carmen)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €128,000 in Arrecife harbor)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €96,000 in inland villages)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Special Canary Islands Zone (ZEC) rate of 4% (subject to requirements); standard 25%
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - approx. 0.4% - 1.1% of cadastral value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) for resale; 7% IGIC + 1% AJD for new builds
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (24% flat tax) or ZEC (4% Corporate Tax for registered tech entities)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 26% for residents; 19% for EU/EEA residents
- Tax System
- Spanish Worldwide Income basis, but with significant regional deductions (RIC, DIC)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 47% (National + Regional combined)
- VAT
- 7% IGIC (Canary Island General Indirect Tax) instead of 21% VAT
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict Spanish CFC 'Transparencia Fiscal Internacional' rules apply
Essentials
- City
- Arrecife, Lanzarote, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
- Population
- 156,000 (Island-wide); Arrecife: 64,000
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber (FTTH) widely available, average 300 Mbps - 600 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, Santander, BBVA
- Tap Water
- Safe for hygiene but heavily desalinated; locals and nomads usually buy bottled water or use filters (e.g., Brita)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F Europlugs
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and Digi. Prepaid 100GB plans from €15/month
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, and Bunq are highly recommended for avoid Spanish bureaucracy
- Accommodation
- Coliving spaces, Airbnb, and local listings on Idealista or Fotocasa
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted in 95% of establishments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Flatio; average studio €1,100 - €1,500/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Kalufa Surf Hostel (La Santa) - approx. €25/night for a dorm bed
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Puerto del Carmen for nightlife/beaches or Playa Blanca for families
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Arrecife (Charco de San Ginés) for local vibes, or Costa Teguise for community and windsurfing
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Office (Arrecife) or Magma Innovation Hub (Arrecife) - Day pass €15-€20
- Best Cafe for Work
- Star City Coffee & Deli (Arrecife - 17th floor of Gran Hotel) for views and Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Lanzarote Digital Nomads Facebook Group meetups at Charco de San Ginés
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly 'Intercambio' language exchanges at various bars in Costa Teguise
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Taxi Lanzarote (local app) or PideTaxi. No Uber/Cabify on the island.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Planet Bikes (Costa Teguise) - Road bikes approx. €25/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa de Famara (surfing) or Playa Papagayo (scenic/swimming)
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias or Canaryfly for inter-island flights
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet (direct from London, Berlin, Madrid)
- Highway Access
- LZ-1 (North-South) and LZ-2 (Arrecife to Playa Blanca) are the main arteries
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Estación de Guaguas (Arrecife Bus Station) - Connection to all major towns
- Public Transport Passes
- Bono Bus Card (Intercity Bus) - 10% to 50% discount on standard fares
- Regional Travel
- Fred Olsen or Naviera Armas ferries to Fuerteventura (25-35 mins, approx. €30)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Universitario Dr. José Molina Orosa (Public); Hospiten Lanzarote (Private)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Lanzarote Yoga (Costa Teguise) - Drop-in classes approx. €15
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Sports Center Puerto del Carmen - Full gym and pool access approx. €50/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Arrecife (Self-service) - €5 per wash