Mirador del Río

From the windows of its domes, one can contemplate the views that are offered to the visitor at this height: the Atlantic Ocean and the Chinijo archipelago - La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este, Roque del Oeste and Roque del Infierno - a marine reserve area.

El Mirador is built into a place where previously a battery of canons was installed for use in the war between Spain and the U.S.A. over Cuba in the C19. It was built in 1973, at a height of 479 metres above sea level. It is not simply an excavation in the cliff, but rather a building with two enormous buried domes, so as to hide the construction. It was conceived by the artist, Cesar Manrique, with the collaboration of Jesus Soto and the architect, Eduardo Caceres.

From this beautiful place, one can contemplate the beach at Risco, which can be reached by boat or on foot following the cliff path - one should not forget that returning to the cliff top is a steep climb and one must go prepared to spend the day.

From the Mirador one can also see Las Salinas del Río; the oldest salt plains of the archipelago, which have been used since Roman times. Lastly, and to satisfy the most curious, the name of Rio, or river, comes from the thin stretch of sea of approximately two kilometres which separates La Graciosa and Lanzarote.

Dome integrated with its surroundings.

Mirador del Río.

Bar-cafeteria.

Views of the Rio.