A new edition of one of our favourite books about Lanzarote – the Lanzarote Guidebook – is now available to download.

Covering the months of September through to November, it contains details of events taking place on the island, as well as the usual up-to-date information about the resorts, places to go and things to see.

The guide is rounded off with information on opening times and emergency phone numbers, and is distributed free of charge on the island in a handy pocket format, at the information desk on the arrivals level at the airport, for example.

To get your copy in advance, you can download the electronic version on the download page, or use the order button there to have a copy sent to you.

One of the disappointments during our last visit to Lanzarote was finding that the restaurant “La Rueda II” had closed, as we had not only enjoyed the food there but also the view from the balcony overlooking the harbour in Puerto del Carmen.

Whilst we were able to eat Mexican food at the equally delicious  “Emma’s Cantina”, just a short walk away in Calle Teide, our vote for a restaurant overlooking the harbour this time went to “Puerto Viejo”, which is located almost directly below Rueda II.

We liked the fact that it was one of the few restaurants on that corner, where you did not get asked if you wanted to eat there every time you walked past.  That, the choice on the menu and the general good condition of the restaurant tempted us in.

But we also liked the fact that once seated we were still not hurried into making decisions.  The food was very well cooked and with the restaurant half-open towards the harbour, the view was good as well!

In fact, the kitchen is located next to a passage-way on one side of the restaurant, where anyone passing can see the food being prepared.  This is surely a good way of keeping up the high standard!

We can recommend the Puerto Viejo to anyone looking for good food in the harbour area of Puerto del Carmen.

The Mirador del Río is located at the north-eastern tip of Lanzarote, overlooking the straight of water called “El Rio” (literally, “The River”) and the neighbouring island of La Graciosa.

On my first visit to the island, I didn’t quite “get it”.  For some reason large groups of tourists were arriving in buses to either go through a small entrance in the rock, or they were walking a short way down the road to climb over a small wall in order to enter an area that the signs said they should not be in.

Going over that wall is not just a matter of defying an order, but also risking the 475 meter drop down towards the salt flats if you slip – not something that I recommend trying.

But where were all those people going to through the rock entrance?  More to the point, why were they paying for the privilege?

At the time I felt that paying to get a better view of La Graciosa was not really necessary, and being tired probably did not help much either.

The entrance to the viewing complex

Eight years later I finally returned to the Mirador, and this time I was more curious.  What was behind the rock face?

So I paid my €4,50 entrance fee and went in to found out.

At this point I have to admit – yes, the view is stunning!  You cannot compare it to the view from the road, because there is just a shear drop down to the ocean and you are literally standing on the very edge of the island.

But it isn’t just a case of a good vantage point amongst the rocks, the whole complex is fascinating, with the interior in pristine white and sparsely decorated, one might almost say it helps the visitors to focus on the view.

The view across to La Graciosa with the salt flats down below

There is a higher level, accessed through a staircase housed in a glass dome, which allows for an even more exclusive view.  Inside there is a bar, where you can drink a coffee and watch the ferries go back and forth between Orzola and La Graciosa.  There is also a souvenir shop selling, amongst other things, books about the art and architecture found on Lanzarote.

In my opinion, it is a part of the island that every visitor should see at least once.  That said, the price is such that I would probably think twice before paying again on a future visit.