The Jardín de Cactus, near the village of Guatiza in the north-east, is one of the most charming of César Manrique’s creations on Lanzarote. The site was once a quarry for volcanic material, and Manrique took the shape of the excavation as the starting point for the design, building terraces, paths and volcanic-stone walls that follow the contours of the hollow. He kept the basalt monoliths left by the quarrying and used them as sculptures. The garden holds thousands of cacti from five continents, nearly five hundred species in all, from towering African euphorbias to rounded Mexican barrel cacti known as mother-in-law’s cushions. At the top stands a traditional maize mill, one of the last on the island, where grain was once ground into gofio. The garden received the International Carlo Scarpa Prize in 2017. Around it, prickly pear plantations recall the cochineal dye industry that mattered to Lanzarote from the late nineteenth century.
How it works
The garden is open daily all year, with last admission shortly before closing, and a visit takes about an hour at your own pace. You can buy tickets online or at the ticket office, and buying ahead is recommended to reduce waiting. No fixed time slot is required, so it is one of the easiest of the César Manrique sites to fit into a day. Show the QR code on your phone, and download it first if the signal is weak.
What to expect
Paths run up and down the terraces over uneven stone, so wear comfortable footwear. Part of the site is adapted for reduced mobility, but the mill and the shop have no ramp access. There is a café, and a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the garden serves dishes made with prickly pear and local cheese. A brunch is served late in the morning each day, bought separately and requiring admission to the garden. Outside food and drink are not allowed, and pets are not permitted except assistance dogs.
Making the most of it
Look for the details that Manrique added, such as the restaurant mural, the lamps shaped like prickly pear pads and the spiral staircase wrapped around a sculpture of old buoys. The garden sits in the north-east, so it pairs well with Teguise, the old capital, and with the Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua further north. A hat is useful, because the garden has little shade on the terraces, and the light is best in the morning for photographs of the spines and flowers.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through terraced gardens in a former quarry, with a windmill at the top and a café and restaurant.
Best time
Morning, when the light is soft and the terraces are quieter.
How long
About an hour at an easy pace, longer if you stop for brunch or lunch.
Tips
Wear shoes with grip for the stone paths, bring a hat and buy tickets in advance to reduce waiting.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Garden lovers, photographers and anyone who wants a gentler César Manrique stop.
- Families
- Children enjoy the strange shapes and the pond, but the mill and shop have no ramp access.
- Couples
- A late-morning brunch followed by a slow walk through the terraces.
- Pair with
- Teguise, the old capital, and the Cueva de los Verdes and Jameos del Agua.
- Time needed
- About an hour for the garden, or half a day with Teguise.
Good questions
Do I need to book a time slot for the Jardín de Cactus?+
No, the garden does not need a fixed date or time. Buying tickets online in advance is recommended to reduce waiting at the entrance.
How long should I spend there?+
About an hour is typical for the garden at your own pace. Add time if you plan to eat at the café or restaurant.
Who designed the garden?+
César Manrique designed it in a former quarry, using the shape of the excavation for the terraces. It was one of his last big projects on the island.
Is the Jardín de Cactus accessible?+
Part of the site is adapted for reduced mobility, but the paths are uneven stone and the mill and shop have no ramp access. Check the venue’s site if you have specific needs.
Is there food on site?+
Yes, there is a café and a restaurant with a terrace over the garden, and a brunch each late morning that is bought separately. Outside food and drink are not allowed.
