The Castillo de San José was built from 1774 to 1779 to keep the residents of Lanzarote protected from pirates but more importantly it gave them work which provided them with food at a desperate time in the islands. The castle was known as 'Fortaleza del hambre' (fortress of hunger), rescued from ruin by César Manrique it was opened to the public as an International Museum of Modern Art in 1975. The castillo de San José is known as MIAC (Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo and has work from Lanzarote artists César Manrique and  Pancho Lasso but many more, a full list can be found on the official link below.

Open: 11:00 to 21:00 (restaurant 13:00 to 23:00)

Entry: €2.50 Adults €1.25 Children aged 7-12

Services: Restaurant

Directions:  The castle is situated on the coast road in Arrecife, over looking the main harbour Puerto Naos.

Recommendations: When exiting the car park, head left along the coast road when you reach the end of the harbour park on your right at San Ginés, walk around the water, head for the church and find the traditional La Recova market.

Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo Lanzarote - Official Information Castillo de San José