“Cactus garden”

El Jardín de Cactus, in Guatiza, municipality of Teguise, is the last great work of César Manrique in Lanzarote, a fascinating creation that houses about 4,500 specimens of cactus of about 500 species from the five continents.

The artist chose an old deposit used as a landfill in an agricultural area of extensive cactus plantations (“tuneras” dedicated to the cultivation of cochinilla. This represented the rehabilitation of a place of great landscape value on the island that had been left in a state of neglect.

Twenty years from its creation, the work gives life to an architecture full of decorative and sculptural elements that integrate with the environment, further enhancing its natural beauty. The presence of volcanic stone and basaltic monoliths turned into sculptures, resulting from the time when earth was extracted, stands out; but it is the vivacity and exoticism of the cactus that enraptures the visitor in an authentic poetic scenario of shapes, textures and colours.

This set, internationally awarded and considered one of the most important cactus gardens in the world, summarizes the rich mixture of languages that Manrique practiced, and that he himself called “total art”: a combination of architecture, spatial intervention, sculpture, interior design or gardening that allow us to know him in his purest state.

Insólito Cactus Garden

Every Wednesday and Friday 9:30am

Visit the Cactus Garden with our official guides and  live a unique experience in the last great intervention by César Manrique.

• We will show you all the details of this great work that its author, the artist César Manrique called “total art”: space intervention, public art, gardening, design, painting, sculpture…
• You will learn details and anecdotes about its construction and connection with the town of Guatiza, surrounded by cacti farms where the exploitation for the cultivation of cochinilla was an important economic engine for Lanzarote since the end of the 19th century.
• At the end of the guided tour, we offer you an aperitif made with local products and specialties created from nopal and cactus.

 Visiting time

1 hour and a half approx.

What to wear

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing, as well as a hat and sunscreen in the summer months.

Photographs

Jardín de Cactus is a peculiar and unique place where you will be able to take the funniest and most  original photos.

 This is a series of places we recommend taking pictures of during your visit: the 8-metre cactus at the entrance and the panoramic view of the garden from the entrance. A picture at the “asiento de la suegra”(The seat of the mother-in-law) cactus, is a must. Ask about it! An interesting fountain located opposite the shop. Manrique’s work outside the toilets. The mural at the coffee shop. And the Windmill “ Molino de Guatiza”.

Weather

Bad weather: On a cloudy day or in case of  bad weather, the Center has a reduced rate that allows you to continue enjoying the work by César Manrique perfectly integrated into the environment, as well as all its services. Dare to feel wrapped in a sea of clouds!

Mobility

People with reduced mobility can visit the centre.

Families

Free access for children under 7 years. We have comfortable high chairs for children in the cafeteria. It is difficult to access with trolley to the upper floor.

Pets

 Unfortunately, due to health standards, we cannot allow pets into our establishment, except in the case of guide dogs for the visually impaired.

We appreciate your understanding and hope you will excuse us for any inconvenience.