Mirador del Rio - Home to the Restaurant that Wasn't Meant to Be

Mirador literary means 'look out', and that is what it is really is. Considered to be Lazarote's most famous viewpoint, Mirador del Rio is located at 497m above sea level and provides breathtaking views over the north coast.

It has been used as a vantage point for many years. In the 16th century this spot was used by the canary island's Spanish settlers to keep a lookout for marauding pirates, who invaded and constantly pillaged the island, on an ongoing basis for the around two hundred years. In 1898 there was a small fortress and gun battery was added to the site, done to deter any naval incursions by American vessel as around this time Spain was at war with the USA over the ownership of Cuba. Today though, the guns are gone and are at guard at the modern art treasures in the Castillo de San Jose in Arrecife, but don't worry they are there just as decorations and can't be used any more.

Manrique had planned for a restaurant to be built on the site, with curvaceous windows of the Mirador that are very similar to the ones he had later utilized, when he transformed the basement of the Castillo de San Jose into one of the most impressive dining rooms on the island. In order to create a suitable restaurant space, he had to get a large room quarried, that had to be dug out of the cliff top and roof created by covering the two cupolas that were used for excavation with earth and grass, which in turn concealed the construction method.

Inside he had created a narrow winded white corridor that gives nothing away to what is to be expected ahead and that is to a large, white walled open plan area with a wooden floor, tables and chairs. This is a minimalist design that makes sure the visitors eyes are not from the food that they are about to feast on.

Although there isn't a grand restaurant that Manrique had originally hoped for, there is a place where you can still buy snacks and drinks in the area. But more importantly the area is dedicated to the fantastic view across of the island of La Graciosa, which is only one thousand metes away, here you can take fantastic pictures of it and the smaller uninhabited islands of Alegranza, and Montaña Clara.

If visitors look below they can see the hard to reach but brilliant beach Playa El Risco and the Salinas salt pans that are the oldest in the archipelago, these date back to Roman times. Nearby you can find a recreational and ecological park where you can find traditional crafts being demonstrated and even learn how to make gofio, which is ground and roasted cereal. Also there are fabulous Flora and animals which are aimed for children. The park opens at 10.00am and closes at 6pm so it will give ample time to get to and from there from your Lanzarote villas.