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At First Minute Transfer we tell you what you need to know about the Lanzarote Cactus Garden. This attraction is one of the emblematic works of César Manrique and also one of the most visited. So if you want to live a complete experience of the island, you must make a stop at this place.
What to expect from the Cactus Garden?
Any guided tour of the works of César Manrique includes the Cactus Garden (el JardÃn de Cactus). In this space, the artist from Lanzarote carried out his last intervention on the island. The result is a mixture between nature and art, as Manrique used to do in his works.
When you arrive at this space, you will not find just a sample of gardening. You will see architecture, sculptures and interior design, all in the same place.
The complex is designed to resemble an amphitheatre, with terraces surrounding the central space. Although the cacti are the protagonists, there are other elements that stand out in this space, such as the corn mill that dates from the 19th century and is one of the last in Lanzarote. From the mill, you can see the garden in all its splendour.
In the Lanzarote Cactus Garden, you will also find the colours of volcanic rock and lagoons with orange fish.
It is listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest, and in 2017 received the Carlo Scarpa International Garden Award from the Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche.
After touring the garden, you can enjoy the restaurant or buy some souvenirs in the shop.
If you want to know everything about the garden in detail, you can opt for the Unusual Experience. This is a visit in which you will learn everything that has to do with the history and construction of this enclosure.
What you need to know about the Lanzarote Cactus Garden
Below, we offer you more details and all the information of interest in this garden.
Where is the Cactus Garden in Lanzarote?
The garden is located in the town of Guatiza, in the Teguise municipality. The land where it was built was an old quarry where farmers obtained volcanic ash for their plantations.
Later, the quarry became a landfill until César Manrique convinced the council to buy the land to carry out the work. This, however, was not built immediately, several years passed before it was inaugurated.
Around the garden, there are prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) plantations, a species of cactus used to grow mealybugs.
When was the garden built?
The project to build the cactus garden began in the sixties of the last century. It was in those years when Manrique raised the idea to the council and encouraged them to buy the land.
But the work was not carried out immediately, because the land had to be rehabilitated first. Due to delays, the garden was ready several decades later. The inauguration took place on March 17, 1990.
How many species of cacti are there in the garden?
The garden is a true cactus museum in which around 4,500 specimens, belonging to 500 species, are exhibited. In this space, there are plants from the five continents, which include some species typical of Lanzarote.
The first cactus to be planted in the garden was the Euphorbia Candelabrum, which currently measures between 6 and 7 meters. You can still see it in front of the store.
Another of the cacti that attracts the attention of visitors are the so-called mother-in-law cushions or hedgehog cactus. Their scientific name is Echinocactus grusonii, and they originate from Mexico.
They have that nickname due to their spherical shape, because they are surrounded by spines, and they have areoles at the top where the flowers appear.
What to see in the cactus garden?
Apart from the different species of cacti in the garden, there are other attractions that you can enjoy. There are the ponds with orange fish and aquatic plants, in which the colour of the sky is reflected, which complements the colourful style of the garden.
And inside the ponds there are two rofe monoliths.
Visit the restaurant to see other works by César Manrique, including a mural.
In addition, you will taste dishes made with cactus. And from the terrace you will see the panoramic view of the garden.
Another point that offers an interesting view is the corn mill that stands out within this scenario. The structure itself is worth seeing to learn about its function.
How to get to the Lanzarote cactus garden?
You can get to the garden in your own car or take public transport, from the Arrecife Bus Station, it is line 9. But our recommendation is that you do the excursions in Lanzarote around the works of César Manrique.
This way, you will know during a single tour the most interesting points of his work in Lanzarote.
It is a family site and is suitable for people with reduced mobility. In addition, children under 7 years old do not pay admission. As for the pets, only guide dogs are allowed, other animals cannot enter.
If you stay in Lanzarote this is a must-visit place.
How long does it take to visit the Lanzarote Cactus Garden?
Take at least an hour to enjoy the garden, so you will have time to explore everything. You can stay a little longer to take advantage of the view of the restaurant and the souvenir shop.
The garden opens from 10:00 a.m. and admission is until 4:30 p.m. The closing of the centre is at 17:00. If you go in December, keep in mind that the garden is closed on the 24th and 31st.
You can visit it at any time of the year. During the summer, it remains open until 18:45.
How much is the entrance to the cactus garden?
The price of tickets is 6.50 euros for each adult. Children seven years and older pay a fee of 3.25 euros, and children under that age do not pay.
Tickets can be purchased online and are valid for six months from issue.
Also, you don’t have to print it, just show the code that the system sends from your device.
If you want to buy reduced rate tickets, you have to do it at the ticket offices in the centre.
This is how we summarize what you need to know about the Lanzarote Cactus Garden. Include this destination during your trip to the island, so that you can live a more complete experience.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)