© 2025 EmCan Media - Hosted By canaryfone The mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, has announced that the city will formally request to be declared a disaster area following the severe flooding caused by a torrential downpour on Saturday. The declaration would enable residents and businesses to access financial aid to recover from the damage. In a matter of hours, the city received 70 litres of rainfall per square metre, overwhelming infrastructure and leaving significant destruction in its wake. According to Arrecife's Civil Protection service, 95 homes and commercial premises suffered damage. More than 100 emergency personnel have been deployed in ongoing operations to assist residents, pump out water, and clear mud and debris from affected areas. The mayor expressed gratitude for the support provided by local residents, emergency services, and various government agencies, all of whom have been involved in an intensive effort to restore normality. He highlighted the particularly severe impact of water and mudflows originating from the areas of Montaña Mina and Zonzama, which inundated large parts of the city. The situation in Arrecife was made worse by earlier rainfall in neighbouring areas such as Costa Teguise and Tahíche, which also reported serious flooding. Despite the scale of the event, the emergency declaration by the Canary Islands Government came at 4:00pm, some three hours after the first intense rainfall was recorded across the island. Mayor de León has criticised the lack of advance warning, stating that the deluge caught the city off guard due to the absence of proper forecasts and alerts from Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET. He emphasised the need for the declaration of a disaster area to unlock the resources necessary for recovery and to provide immediate support to families and business owners facing serious losses. Efforts continue to clean up and assess the full extent of the damage as Arrecife begins the difficult process of rebuilding in the aftermath of this unexpected and destructive weather event. Arrecife will start celebrating its April Fair this Friday. Based on the famous April Fair in Seville, the weekend will see a celebration of Andalusian culture in Lanzarote’s capital, with flamenco music and dancing, equestrian shows and a fashion parade. The fair will start on Friday 2nd May at 6pm and continue until 3.30 am. It will continue from midday on Saturday, again until 3.30 am.  Among the performers will be María del Monte, Les Castizos, R.A.Y.A and Pitingo. All events will take place in the Parque Ramírez Cerda on Arrecife’s seafront (near the bandstand). Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After breaking visitors records in 2024, Canary Islands tourism continues to grow in 2025 as they close the busiest month and quarter in its history. Lanzarote’s Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote has presented a survey on the island’s taxi services, warning that the service is “lacking and can be improved.” The Canarian Government’s law on holiday rental properties has been delayed again as the notice period for objections was granted yet another extension. The new deadline is the 14th May. Need a break from the scorching hot Lanzarote sun? Looking for a fun activity that is sheltered from the heat and wind? Look no further than the Crazy Minigolf Lanzarote course in Puerto del Carmen! First Class Villa Services is your all-in-one villa management service whose core values are excellence, reliability, transparency & customer focus. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Sign-up to the Gazette Newsletter to receive a weekly email including the most important news stories and upcoming events. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Strictly necessary cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. The Spanish island of Lanzarote continues to recover from widespread damage after Storm Olivier triggered severe flooding across the tourist hotspot on the weekend, when it dumped more than 100 liters of rain per square meter in just two hours. The Canary Islands government lifted its 24-hour state of emergency, initially declared on Saturday, at 7 am on Sunday, with authorities con-firming no injuries were reported during the crisis. Meteorologists are warning of additional severe weather throughout the Easter week, which could complicate ongoing recovery efforts in the affected eastern and inland areas of Lanzarote, including Arrecife, Costa Teguise, and San Bartolome. Authorities in both Ireland and in the United Kingdom updated their travel advice for visitors to Lanzarote, urging tourists to follow local guidance as flash floods transform roads into muddy torrents and leave homes inundated across the island. "We have been working all night, attending 300 calls overnight, many of them in Arrecife and Teguise," explained Enrique Espinosa, head of emergency services for the Lanzarote government. "Some houses are flooded and what remains is a great quantity of mud." Emergency services reported that the rapid accumulation of rainwater had left numerous properties submerged, while several hotels had lost power supplies. Multiple access routes remain impassable due to debris and waterlogged terrain. One tourist told The Independent newspaper: "I have never seen anything like this before and I have been coming here for years, it is absolutely bizarre." During a news conference on Monday, Oswaldo Betancort, the president of the Lanzarote local government, called for improvements in meteorological detection systems, noting that more timely warnings are needed before such heavy rainfall, reported the national broadcast network Cadena SER. He said flooding had resulted in approximately 200 incidents in Arrecife and 75 in Teguise, including water damage in four schools and the temporary closure of three hotels in Costa Teguise. Emergency services responded to more than 300 calls, primarily related to water removal, road obstructions, and disruptions to basic utilities like electricity and water, he added. While Lanzarote continues its flood recovery efforts, mainland Spain and the entire Canary Islands archipelago, of which Lanzarote is a part, now face additional weather challenges. Spain's State Meteorological Agency forecast more turbulent conditions across the country through the Easter week, as a polar air mass descends from Tuesday. The agency warned the surge could bring snow to elevations as low as 900 meters throughout the Spanish peninsula, while coastal regions, particularly in the northeast and the Balearics, face strong winds and intense storms. Experts say sudden and severe weather events, such as flash floods, are becoming increasingly common across Europe as the climate changes. The latest travel advice after flooding in Costa Teguise I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Travellers headed for Lanzarote this Easter may have their holiday plans dampened after heavy rainfall and flooding swept the island last weekend Storm Olivier struck the popular Canary Islands last Wednesday sending intense rain and thunderstorms across the Spanish archipelago well into Saturday According to the Island Emergency Consortium and Arrecife on the east coast were worst hit with emergency services being called out to more than 200 incidents Tui cancelled some Lanzarote holidays “due to the lack of alternative accommodation on the island” while Jet2holidays was also forced to cut a small number of trips as a result of “the severe weather conditions” Lanzarote Airport is now operating as usual, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not advising against travel to the island and what are your rights if you have a trip booked Read more: Sun-drenched hotspot hit with snow ahead of Easter in ‘danger’ warning for Canaries tourists Torrential rain drenched Lanzarote last week homes and roads in the tourist hotspot flooded Footage shows cars submerged on waterlogged roads and homeowners using buckets to remove water from their houses after as much as 60 litres of rain fell in two hours on Saturday (12 April) The latest advice from the Foreign Office (FCDO) says: “Heavy rainfall and flooding in Lanzarote occurred over the weekend If you are in Lanzarote or travelling to Lanzarote follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local weather updates.” The FCDO warned travellers on Sunday (13 April) that flooding had impacted services on the island with some hotels without power and roads affected by mud and Arrecife had been particularly affected General FCDO flooding advice for Spain says: “Flash flooding can cause travel disruption and damage to property and infrastructure. Check weather warnings from Spain’s meteorological office (AEMET) before travel and follow the advice of the local authorities.” The Canary Islands government ended the state of emergency in Lanzarote – declared on Saturday – at 7am on Sunday “Following the end of the flooding caused by rain on April 12 in the municipalities of Arrecife and San Bartolomé on the island of Lanzarote the island emergency situation has ended,” it said in an update Authorities confirmed that there have been no reported injuries Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura seem to have been spared from the worst of the storm The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) predicts “a low probability of light rain” on the Canary Islands today (15 April) The Foreign Office has not issued a warning against travel due to the flooding so there will be no exceptional circumstances allowing for a full refund on cancelled trips There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel and you will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless Foreign Office advice changes The terms for cancelling your trip depend on your holiday provider so it’s best to contact them if you wish to postpone Some travel insurance policies will include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination – speak to your insurer to find out your rights For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Flooding hits Canary Islands after heavy rainfall from Storm Olivier","description":"The latest travel advice after flooding in Costa Teguise will formally request that the Spanish government recognise Arrecife as a catastrophe zone following Saturday’s floods in the capital it will allow individuals and households affected by the floods to access emergency assistance Scores of homes and buildings were flooded on Saturday afternoon the Official Language School and the Red Cross HQ Yesterday saw a huge clean-up operation in Arrecife as the resort prepares for the imminent Easter holiday have sent volunteers to the area to assist and website in this browser for the next time I comment Canary Islands tourism continues to grow in 2025 as they close the busiest month and quarter in its history Lanzarote’s Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote has presented a survey on the island’s taxi services warning that the service is “lacking and can be improved.” The Canarian Government’s law on holiday rental properties has been delayed again as the notice period for objections was granted yet another extension Need a break from the scorching hot Lanzarote sun Looking for a fun activity that is sheltered from the heat and wind Look no further than the Crazy Minigolf Lanzarote course in Puerto del Carmen First Class Villa Services is your all-in-one villa management service whose core values are excellence We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings Sign-up to the Gazette Newsletter to receive a weekly email including the most important news stories and upcoming events This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly necessary cookies should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Arrecife’s council has converted 39 commercial premises into residential apartments in the last year The transformation of commercial premises into residential living spaces is part of a comprehensive strategy made easier by recent Canarian laws on urgent housing measures This law streamlines the procedures to convert vacant premises into homes as long as they meet minimum habitability standards said “We have to adapt the city to the current times.” There is no doubt that those times have changed Commercial activity in Arrecife has been in decline for several years as shoppers are drawn to out-of-town commercial zones such as Playa Honda and Argana Alta Once the only place on the island where all sorts of goods could be purchased Arrecife’s centre lacks parking opportunities and is poorly served by public transport putting “big shops” out of the question for many locals many shop spaces in the centre stand empty and although there has been a noticeable increase in tourism-related businesses such as bars it is also clear that many streets in the capital are lined with long- vacant premises the most-heavily-populated part of the island many commercial premises are being converted to living quarters and the 39 that have been officially converted are probably just the tip of an iceberg Tackling the housing crisis is also causing its own problems – converting a shop to living premises usually requires some renovation work but this is also proving difficult as construction workers are finding it more and more difficult to find affordable housing A 38-year-old woman and a 14-year-old cyclist have been injured after the cyclist collided with the woman on Arrecife’s Avenida de la Marina and emergency services immediately attended the scene Both people involved were taken to the Dr Jose Molina Orosa Hospital after being assessed The boy had moderate bruising while the woman had light bruising The Canarian Manga Festival will come to Arrecife today with events planned from this afternoon until Sunday morning Fans of Japanese and far Eastern pop culture can attend the Parque Islas Canarias on Arrecife’s seafront where there will be a gaming zone with tournament events The dates & times for all of the events can be found here https://canariasmangafestival.com Yesterday, Arrecife laid its gigantic sardine to rest in an event that brought an end to the carnival celebrations in the capital. Singing, dancing and drumming groups and the three winning floats from Monday’s procession paraded from the Gran Hotel to the Playa del Rocar. (just before Lanzarote Marina). After them came the giant papier mâché sardine, accompanied by wailing widows and other mourners, all waving a final tearful goodbye before the sardine was cremated on a huge bonfire. Arrecife Mayor, Yonathan de León, has posted some pictures of Christmas decorations that have been installed in the capital, in preparation for the light switch on this Friday. On Facebook, de León, wrote “Christmas is approaching. There are five weeks left until the arrival of the most awaited celebration in all families. Arrecife is getting ready for the Christmas switch on, which will be very special, on Friday 29th November. On the eve of the descent of the Virgen de Los Dolores to our city. The commercial sector of Arrecife is illuminated in a special way for the Christmas festivities. Last night I had the opportunity to greet the shopkeepers and workers of the Open Mall, and their management team. I was invited to participate in the lighting. I was able to arrive after other municipal engagements last night. The Open Mall has given us two positive news for Arrecife and Lanzarote: they have been awarded as the best Shopping Centre in Spain during this 2024. And its owners have announced that they are already working on the extension of the centre. They will build on the adjoining plot where the old Ojeda factory used to be, and then the HiperDino. They have the extension project. The neighbourhoods of Valterra, Los Alonso, Altavista, Titerroy and El Lomo have more boom with the synergies of a big shopping centre in their area.” Arrecife’s Christmas light switch-on will take place this Friday, November 29th, along the newly renovated Playa de El Reducto seafront. The event will start at 7pm and, aside from the switch-on, there will also be musical performances and lots of Christmas spirit. A free concert will be held at Playa Reducto in Arrecife next Monday, 13th January, as part of the filming of series 3 of Netflix series La Reina del Flow. Footage from the concert will be used in the new series of the popular telenovela. The performances will begin at 2 pm and continue into the evening. Performers are likely to include the stars of the show – Carolina Ramirez and Carlos Torres – as well as special guests. Organisers have requested that anyone attending the concert should not wear clothes with visible brand names, and that attendance at the concert will be seen as tacit permission that images can be used. A color palette that included ocean blue and earth tones symbolized the region’s natural beauty. “Mexico is surrounded by coasts. Our weather is primarily warm. We sweat. Our fabrics are cotton, linen, hand weaving,” added Flores. “Olmos y Flores was born as and from a family.” Well, this one feels just like that. A scientist died after falling from the second floor of the Casa de los Arroyo in Arrecife yesterday afternoon a researcher at Bordeaux University who was in Arrecife attending the international MICRO conference on microplastics died after falling from a height of around two metres in the staircase area of the historical building.  Emergency services attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful Cabildo President Oswaldo Betancort has expressed official condolences to the family of the scientist who co-founded the Marine Sciences for Society network The Casa de los Arroyo is one of the best-preserved colonial buildings in the capital and is currently home to the Biosphere Reserve Department and the island’s Geopark.  Devastating floods hit Lanzarote's Costa Teguise and Arrecife on April 12 experienced an unprecedented weather event on April 12 Torrential rains unleashed severe flooding in several areas particularly impacting the popular tourist destinations of Costa Teguise and Arrecife The dramatic downpour led to a declared state of emergency highlighting the island's vulnerability to extreme weather The intensity of the rainfall shocked residents and authorities alike recorded an astonishing 61 liters of rain per square meter in just two hours experiencing a staggering 97.5 liters in the same timeframe This deluge transformed streets into raging rivers especially around the El Trebol apartment complex in Costa Teguise Emergency services responded to over 300 calls for help described a frantic night of rescue operations While the absence of injuries is a relief Many homes suffered basement flooding and mud damage and numerous roads remained impassable for hours The focus now shifts to damage assessment and providing support to affected residents and businesses The storm's impact extends beyond immediate physical damage The heavy rains struck just before the peak tourist season posing a significant economic challenge for businesses reliant on tourism The emotional toll on residents coping with the aftermath is also considerable This event underscores the increasing vulnerability of even popular tourist destinations to extreme weather with the community rallying together for cleanup and rebuilding The local government is committed to assisting those affected and initiating crucial improvements to drainage systems and emergency response protocols showcasing its ability to overcome adversity the long-term recovery process is underway demonstrating Lanzarote's unwavering resilience and commitment to rebuilding stronger The most severely affected areas were Costa Teguise and Arrecife two popular tourist destinations in Lanzarote While other parts of the island experienced heavy rain these two locations suffered the most significant flooding and damage no injuries or fatalities have been reported despite the extensive damage caused by the floods Emergency services were quick to respond and evacuate affected areas The exact cause is still being investigated but it's believed to be a combination of factors including unusual weather patterns leading to exceptionally high rainfall exceeding prior records for the island in April and supporting those affected by the floods Several organizations are likely to be involved in the relief efforts Check for updates from reputable news sources and official channels Monetary donations or volunteering support might be needed as recovery efforts progress Keep an eye out for verified donation opportunities to avoid scams All trademarks are the property of their respective owners All rights reserved @ 2025 Nishtya Infotech (India) Ltd Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Lanzarote – the popular holiday destination in Spain’s Canary Islands – has been battered by torrential rain and severe flash flooding Sudden rainfall dumped around a month’s worth of rain in just a few short hours flooding the streets and forcing officials to declare a state of emergency The skies opened without warning on Saturday turning picturesque resorts into flood zones and leaving more than 300 incidents in their wake across Arrecife and Costa Teguise While the initial island-wide flood emergency was lifted at 7 AM Sunday Lanzarote’s Cabildo (island council) decided to extend the emergency status saying recovery works are too complex and hazardous to tackle without additional protections the rainfall – over 100 litres per square metre in Tahiche and upwards of 90 litres in parts of Teguise – left emergency services scrambling and the LZ-20 bridge to San Bartolome were all shut after becoming completely waterlogged 62 litres per square metre fell in central Costa Teguise while Arrecife’s Calle Tenderete reported 61 litres – most of it falling between 1 and 3 PM Emergency services have tallied at least 222 reported incidents including 95 damaged homes and businesses in Arrecife alone where more than 100 personnel are now working round the clock on clean-up and assistance is now calling for the city to be declared a catastrophic zone which could unlock emergency aid for families and small businesses who’ve suffered water damage “We want to make sure affected neighbours get the help they need,” said the mayor the timing of the storm – just ahead of peak spring tourism – has locals concerned about long-term damage to Lanzarote’s reputation as a year-round holiday haven With flood waters receding but the clean-up only just beginning the extended emergency status allows authorities to tackle the remaining incidents “zone by zone,” according to Lanzarote’s Emergency Consortium Officials warn recovery efforts may take several days with the possibility of further disruptions depending on weather patterns tourists and locals are being advised to steer clear of flood-hit zones and follow updates from local emergency services and civil protection crews (“Proteccion Civil”) Get more European news in English Stay tuned to the Euro Weekly News for the latest Spanish news in English. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! So sorry to hear about the flooding in Lanzarote — I hope everyone is staying safe and getting the support they need. I wanted to share something that might be helpful: during the severe flooding in the Valencia area back in November 2024, a local initiative used a plugin I developed, called Open User Map, to help coordinate aid efforts. It enabled people to easily pin locations directly on a map — whether they needed help, were offering support, or had info about blocked roads, shelters, and other important updates. The site was set up quickly and became a valuable tool for volunteers, local organizations, and even some authorities to share real-time updates and organize more effectively. It helped connect people in need with those nearby who could assist. If anyone in Lanzarote is organizing relief efforts and could use a simple tool to manage location-based information, I’d be happy to help get something set up. Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. A demonstration demanding action on the housing crisis has been called for this Saturday in Arrecife. Tenants’ associations and other social groups have called for a national protest against “evictions, unaffordable rents, and housing speculation.” They produce statistics that show that rents have doubled in the Canaries over the last decade while the region has the second-lowest average salary in Spain. Organisers are calling for lower rents, the expropriation of vacant homes owned by vulture funds, a suspension of evictions and the repossession of tourist apartments for permanent housing. “We want public housing to remain public and accessible to all,” they stress. The demo will take place at midday in front of the Casa Amarilla (old Cabildo building) on Arrecife’s main shopping street, Calle León y Castillo.  Simultaneous demos will also take place in other Canary Islands and on mainland Spain.   Our recent post about Arrecife’s Christmas Fair received a lot of interest, so here are some more details about how to get there. The fair is at the Solar de Ginory, an area next to the Charco de San Ginés that is usually used as a carpark. It is open from 4.30 pm to 11 pm from Sunday to Thursday and remains open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. It is open every day until 5th January, with the exception of Sunday 29th January  The nearest Intercity bus stop is Los Alonso, which is about a kilometre away from the fair. It’s the first stop after IKEA if you’re coming from Costa Teguise, and it’s also close to Lanzarote’s newest shopping centre, the Open Mall. Once you get off you can head back down to the seafront, turn right at the roundabout with a sculpture of fishermen casting their nets, head past the little lighthouse and you’ll soon reach the fair site. A little further away, but well worth it, is walking the two kilometres along Arrecife’s seafront from the Intercambiador (Interchange). This bus stop is unmistakeable – next to Arrecife’s city beach of Reducto,and is  the first one in Arrecife if you’re coming from Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. There’s a shuttle bus service along the seafront every 20 minutes, but it’s well worth the walk to enjoy Arrecife’s Christmas lights and impressive nativity scene.  From Costa Teguise – Lines 3, Line 1 (does not go to Intercambiador)  From Puerto del Carmen – Line 3, Line 2 (does not go to Los Alonso)  From Playa Blanca: Line 6 (does not go to Los Alonso) If you’re driving, finding a parking spot nearby may be a challenge. The Lanzarote Marina or the streets around Valterra are worth a try, and there are often roadside spaces on the lower stretch of the Rambla Medular. It’s a pretty safe area to park, but don’t leave valuables in your car.     A taxi will cost roughly €60 from Playa Blanca, €23-30 from Puerto del Carmen and €17-20 from Costa Teguise. Arrecife received over 200,000 cruise passengers from January and March this year, 23% more than the same period last year. According to data provided by the Las Palmas Port Authority, Arrecife received 202,121 cruise passengers from January to March this year, a 23% increase compared to last year. Additionally, the Los Mármoles port saw a 14.19% increase in traffic and received 500,203 tonnes of cargo. In total, the ports managed by the Las Palmas Port Authority recorded a total of 8.5 million tonnes of cargo, a 12% increase. By ports, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria recorded an increase of 12.06% (7.3 million tonnes) and Puerto del Rosario recorded an increase of 21.17% (420,685 tonnes). For best search results, mind the following suggestions: Yesterday morning, a woman was taken to the Dr Jose Molina Orosa hospital after being run over in the Titerroy neighbourhood of Arrecife. At approximately 8:20am yesterday morning, emergency services were called to calle Hermanos Álvarez Quintero, in the Titerroy neighbourhood of Arrecife, after reports that a woman had been knocked down by a car. Her condition hasn’t been mentioned in reports, however, the victim was assessed by ambulance staff before being taken to the Dr Jose Molina Orosa hospital in Arrecife for further treatment. La Plataforma Contra el Ruido de Arrecife has called on the Arrecife mayor, and all political parties with municipal representation, to find a solution to the all-day concerts that cause noise pollution and disturbances for its residents. La Plataforma Contra el Ruido de Arrecife (The Platform Against Noise in Arrecife) claim that Arrecife Ayuntamiento is violating legislation on noise pollution and organising “disproportionate and inconsiderate” activities. “It [the concerts] are not compatible with the right to rest, with 11 hours of loud music,” the platform stresses, recalling that those living in nearby properties include infants, the elderly, the sick and workers who can not escape the noise. Additionally, the platforms have criticised other issues such as the collective noise of traffic, terraces, cleaning trucks and others that turn the city “into a noise hell.” The platform demands that political forces “comply with the law” and look for solutions to local events without disturbing the population. “It is not enough to move the problem from one neighborhood to another”, the platform explains. “We want a friendly city, not a party theme park”, they added. Arrecife Mayor, Yonathan de León, has ordered the local police force to reinforce its presence in areas of the capital known to be frequently used as points of sale of illegal drugs. Last week, Arrecife Local Police carried out routine sweeps of vulnerable areas in the afternoons and evenings to combat the sale of illegal drugs. Last year the force was equipped with unmarked vehicles which allow them to carry out more thorough surveillance work. Additionally, the officers on duty in the inspections wear plain clothes. Arrecife Mayor, Yonathan de León, announced that this surveillance will continue this year, and reinforcements will be made where necessary in vulnerable areas. De León’s aim is to achieve safer, drug-free environments for young people, and to increase security in the capital. Canarian Vice President Manuel Domínguez yesterday confirmed that the Canarian Government would foot most of the bill for the planned “ecoboulevard” leading from the Charco de San Ginés to the Open Mall in Arrecife.  The project, which will take place along C/Pérez Galdos will cost €3.2 million, two-thirds of which will be provided by the regional government as “a commitment to small and medium businesses.” The boulevard will begin at Cuatro Esquinas near the Charco de San Ginés and carry on uphill towards the roundabout near the Trafico department, providing access to Valterra health centre and the planned extension to the Open Mall. Arrecife Mayor Yonathan de León said he hoped the time limit for completion once the contract has been awarded would be eleven months Arrecife was once again one of several Spanish cities that saw a protest against the mistreatment of hunting dogs yesterday. The No A La Caza (No To Hunting) platform has organised similar protests for the last 15 years, which have taken place in at least 40 cities in Spain. The Arrecife demonstration took place opposite the law courts. The lively demonstration condemned the routine mistreatment of hunting dogs and was also highly critical of the 2023 Spanish animal welfare law which excluded “sporting dogs” from protections afforded to other breeds.  Last Friday, Arrecife embraced the Christmas spirit in their annual “switch-on” event with hundreds in attendance to see the lights flicker on and admire the largest Christmas tree on Lanzarote. It was an evening full of festive cheer as residents observed a Christmas parade along Arrecife’s sea front – with lit-up dancers, cars and, of course, Santa himself. In a speech, Arrecife’s Mayor stated, “This year we welcome Christmas with the largest Christmas tree in Lanzarote with the same height as the bell tower of the Church of San Ginés.”. On Facebook the mayor added, “Last night we welcomed Christmas. Arrecife is illuminated, in the neighbourhoods, and in the historical enclaves that are part of Arrecife as a port and city. Today the patron saint of Lanzarote, the Virgen de Los Dolores, will be illuminated on her arrival in our capital and her meeting with San Ginés.” Lanzarote928 84 84 84info@centrosturisticos.com CACT Lanzarote Web oficial de los Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo de Lanzarote Discover Lanzarote, explore every corner, and immerse yourself in its true essence, where nature, art, and culture come together in a unique experience. 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Tonight’s Procesión del Encuentro in Arrecife is one of the most important Easter events on Lanzarote The processions of worshippers carrying images of holy figures are an essential part of Spanish Easter celebrations and although Lanzarote’s celebrations are not as elaborate as those in cities such as Seville or Zamaora The Procession of the Encounter begins at 8pm in the Plaza de San Ginés in Arrecife as the image of Jesus Christ is removed from the church and paraded around the town the image of the Virgin Mary is taken out on a different route Both images are accompanied by solemn music played by municipal bands the two images meet face-to-face in the Plazuela where a devoted silence is observed and a sermon delivered More than 6,000 people attended the first night of Navilan The fair is located at the Solar de Ginory an area near top of the Charco de San Ginés usually used as a car park a children’s “winter igloo” and more than 20 food and drink stalls The fair will remain open from 4.40 pm until 11 pm (12 pm on Friday and Saturdays) until 5th January closing only on the evening of Sunday 29th December The fair also closed to the public yesterday following weather alerts The nearest Intercity bus stop is Los Alonso which is about a kilometre away from the fair It’s the first stop after IKEA if you’re coming from Costa Teguise and it’s also close to Lanzarote’s newest shopping centre Once you get off you can head back down to the seafront turn right at the roundabout with a sculpture of fishermen casting their nets head past the little lighthouse and you’ll soon reach the fair site is walking the two kilometres along Arrecife’s seafront from the Intercambiador (Interchange) This bus stop is unmistakeable – next to Arrecife’s city beach of Reducto,and is  the first one in Arrecife if you’re coming from Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca There’s a shuttle bus service along the seafront every 20 minutes but it’s well worth the walk to enjoy Arrecife’s Christmas lights and impressive nativity scene.  Line 1 (does not go to Intercambiador)  finding a parking spot nearby may be a challenge The Lanzarote Marina or the streets around Valterra are worth a try and there are often roadside spaces on the lower stretch of the Rambla Medular but don’t leave valuables in your car.     A taxi will cost roughly €60 from Playa Blanca €23-30 from Puerto del Carmen and €17-20 from Costa Teguise Arrecife local Police fined 54 scooter drivers in a single operation that took place in the afternoon and evening of Tuesday Eight “personal mobility vehicles” were also confiscated for not complying with technical requirements during the operation and may not travel on sidewalks or in pedestrian areas The maximum authorized speed cannot exceed 25 km/h it is still common to see scooter users ignoring the rules Arrecife Local Police evicted squatters in a house on Calle Coronel Bens after reports from neighbours when Arrecife Local Police were alerted to the squatters’ presence by neighbours who reported that four people were trying to force their way into an abandoned building on Calle Coronel Bens near the Instituto Agustín Espinosa school It has been confirmed that the four involved in the attempted break in had been evicted from another property on Calle La Inés that same day after neighbours had reported they felt unsafe with their presence Arrecife’s Local Police have carried out a number of evictions of squatters in recent months which are known for frequent activity from squatters wrote “Tonight we have prevented a squatting of this house on Calle Coronel Bens The alert of the neighbours allowed the local police of Arrecife to intervene quickly and stop this squatting.” “The Local Police force is working to make Arrecife a safe capital and where squatters do not ‘take refuge’ in the permissive laws of the Government to invade private property generating with their squatting a climate of ‘insecurity and violence’ to the neighbours of the adjoining houses.” Lanzarote’s Cabildo yesterday declared a state of emergency after heavy rain caused severe flooding in Costa Teguise and Arrecife Photos: Murphy’s Irish Pub (https://www.facebook.com/MurphysPDC) Guatiza and other parts of eastern Lanzarote suffered the heaviest downpours they have experienced for several years.  Mud and rocks were swept onto roads forcing the Guardia Civíl to briefly close the three access roads to Costa Teguise hotels and businesses in Costa Teguise were left without electricity and guests were evacuated from some hotels that had suffered severe flooding Many bars and restaurants closed for the evening Emergency services were notified of over 220 incidents garages or basements in Costa Teguise and Arrecife They have been working throughout the night to clear roads and clean up after the intense floods The rain was the heaviest registered on the island for several years – in the Las Cucharas area of Costa Teguise more rain (62.5 mms) was registered in the two hours of between 1 pm and 3pm than fell during the whole of 2024 or 2023.  Nevertheless other parts of the island received only light showers or no rain at all The Canarian Government and the Cabildo have been criticised for the late announcement of the emergency which was not declared until the floods were well under way A pre-alert preparing emergency services for the possibility of heavy rain had been issued several hours before the storms but no official alerts to the public were issued before the rains While there is a probability of light showers today and emergency recommendations to avoid unnecessary journeys were lifted at 7 am this morning we’d advise that people in Costa Teguise avoid bathing for a day or two owing to the amount of sediment that has been washed into the sea.   Arrecife’s port recorded a 28.4% increase in cruise passenger arrivals According to data from the Las Palmas Port Authority its ports received a total of 600,169 cruise passengers in the first two months of the year The port with the highest increase in cruise passengers was Fuerteventura (41.2%) stated “With these figures we will present ourselves at the Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami the main world fair of the cruise sector to be held in April.” “We will be able to present the new cruise terminals in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura and show the progress of the one in Las Palmas which will be the largest cruise terminal in Europe.” The city council has just announced its new tow truck and opened a depository for towed vehicles The dreaded grua will be operated by local police for 24 hours a day and can be called by any citizen reporting a parking offence It is expected that several illegally stationed vehicles and scooters will be collected in the coming days next to the Nissan dealership on C/Bella Lucía Vehicle owners can pay the corresponding fine and recover their vehicle from 7 am to 9pm on weekdays or by prior appointment with the local police outside those hours the Local Police successfully apprehended a known drug dealer was caught ´in the act´ and swiftly brought before the court This operation was sparked by numerous complaints from residents about drug activities near a children's park and is part of a wider effort by the Local Police to monitor sensitive areas within the city has ramped up efforts to identify illegal substance sellers and protect young people from their influence in public spaces The Drone and Robotic Operational Navigation Unit (UDRON) of the Local Police played a pivotal role in this arrest the drone captured live footage of a drug and money exchange between two people in a high-risk area finding illicit substances in his possession who was under continuous drone surveillance A search of the suspect revealed he had a significant amount of cash confirming his involvement in drug dealing he was arrested and taken into custody and is now awaiting trial Arrecife Local Police have identified three young men who were reported to have been riding their electric scooters recklessly in the capital The incident took place around the Rambla Medular in Arrecife where the three young men were filmed riding electric scooters against the flow of traffic jumping and mounting pavements in a risky manner and will face penalties for several road safety offences it is only a sample of an ongoing issue regarding electric scooters as many residents feel that they need more regulation to ensure the safety of the public and riders themselves Emergency services were called to an industrial warehouse in Arrecife early this morning (Friday) after a man was found dead on the premises The incident occurred shortly before 8:30am at a frozen food company located near Rambla Medular close to the National Police headquarters in the island’s capital Authorities have yet to determine whether the death was the result of a workplace accident or natural causes Initial reports suggest the man may have suffered a heart attack but forensic experts remain on the scene to conduct a full investigation and confirm the circumstances and medical personnel from the Canary Islands Emergency Service including both a basic life support unit and a medicalised ambulance police also cordoned off several nearby makeshift shelters as a precautionary measure though no immediate threat to the public has been reported and officials have yet to release the identity of the deceased Further updates are expected as forensic examinations continue Mexican rock band Maná will headline the Lava Live festival in Arrecife in June Maná have sold more than 50 million discs and won four Grammies They will Arrive on Lanzarote to play on 14th June as part of a festival that will take place over the 13th and 14th of June and the 25th and 26th of July The festival will take place in the Ciudad Deportiva stadium which was packed with 10,000 spectators for last year’s festival Tickets available soon, at this link: https://lavalivefestival.com/ Lanzarote’s Cabildo has announced three new bus lines and has extended services on other routes after the acquisition of 13 new buses 22D (Airport – Arrecife Interchange) 162 D (Arrecife – Airport – Playa Blanca) and 7D (Arrecife – Maguéz) Frequency of services will also be increased on the main routes connecting Costa Teguise with a total increase of 582 weekly journeys the Director of Operations for Arrecife Bus said “Thanks to the investment of more than 4 million euros we are not only strengthening the island’s intercity transport service but are also making it more efficient and more environmentally friendly.” The 13 new vehicles are low-pollution hybrids equipped with the latest safety and accessibility technology including driver assistance systems (ADAS) driver breathalyser and protective screens Arrecife received 373,847 cruise passengers so far this year From the start of the year until the end of last month Lanzarote’s capital has seen an increase of 10.1% of cruise passengers compared to last year At the latest World Travel Market in London Arrecife Mayor Yonathan de León agreed with shipping company executives to turn Arrecife into the “nerve centre of the cruise ships” in their winter seasons According to data provided by the Las Palmas Port Authority Arrecife closed 2023 with 504,805 cruise passengers a figure that is expected to be exceeded this year Arrecife’s commerce and tourism councillor states that cruise tourism activates local employment in the hotel and catering Forecasts show that 16 large cruise ships are expected to arrive in Arrecife this week bringing approximately 40,000 cruise passengers allowing the island’s first and biggest carnival procession to go ahead in good conditions Thousands of carnival-goers sand spectators attended the parade which was led by traditional groups such as Los Buches and the fearsome Diabletes These were followed by the comparsas (dancing groups) murgas (singing groups) and the batucadas (drummers) At the rear of the procession came 25 floats The winner of the float competition was announced as “Starry-Eyed in the Agramar Jungle” Today will see San Bartolomé hold its parade which will begin at 12 noon from Calle Constitución and head to the Parque Felix Rodríguez de la Fuente The body of a 19-year-old girl was discovered yesterday in an abandoned building in Arrecife The discovery took place on Saturday morning in a building near Calle Tenderete in Arrecife’s Argana Alta district which was known to be frequented by drug addicts and an autopsy will be necessary to confirm the cause of death Arrecife Ayuntamiento have published this year’s Christmas events programme 7pm – Inauguration of Arrecife’s Nativity Scene and Santa’s Grotto 11am – Circus performance with Toto the clown 5:30pm – Circus performance with Toto the clown 8:30pm – Performance from Los Viejos de la Palma folklore group 11:30am – Classical music performances by the Lanzarote Ensemble Orchestra and Cristina Temprano 7pm – Concert from the students and teachers at the CIEM school 7pm – Tribute to Disney’s Frozen “The Origin of Snow” 7pm – Performance from the Canarias Gospel Choir 9:30pm – Performance from the El Pavon folklore group At the Plaza Palacio de Deportes de Argana Alta: 7pm – Performances from the Lanzarote SaxQuartet 6:30pm to 12:30am – End of year youth fiesta with DJ sets 12 noon – “Domingo Familiar” with performances suitable for children 12pm until Midnight – New Year’s Celebrations at Plaza de Las Palmas With numerous musical performances and DJ sets 9pm to 4am – End Of Year/New Years celebrations at the Castillo de San Jose in Arrecife Including Twelve Grapes traditional celebrations In the neighbourhoods of San Francisco Javier & Argana Baja: 8:30pm – New Year’s Concert with performances from multiple bands & artists In the neighbourhoods of Valterra & Los Alonso: 10am – Three Kings visit all neighbourhoods of Arrecife 6pm – Three Kings parade starting from the Puerto de Naos roundabout up to Parque Islas Canarias Afterwards a performance from Parranda Raices 8pm – Christmas Fiesta with performances from the Vocal Force and Tremendo Son groups The Government of the Canary Islands has declared a state of emergency in Lanzarote following intense and locally severe rainfall that caused significant flooding across the island on Saturday This marks the first activation of the island-wide emergency under the Special Civil Protection and Emergency Response Plan for Flood Risk (PEINCA) in Lanzarote The worst affected areas include the municipalities of Arrecife the 112 emergency services recorded around 150 weather-related incidents Most were linked to flooding in homes and garages along with road disruptions caused by water accumulation emergency resources from both municipal and island levels were mobilised and coordinated through CECOES 112 the Canary Islands Emergency and Security Coordination Centre The General Directorate of Emergencies has issued a public reminder advising against parking or driving in ravines as sudden water flow poses a serious risk of flash flooding Authorities have also urged the public to avoid travelling by road unless absolutely necessary and warned against attempting to drive through water-covered streets Residents are encouraged to ensure their phone batteries are charged in case they need to contact emergency services via 112 the public is advised to use the 012 helpline which intensified between 1:00pm and 2:00pm had already caused over 20 reported incidents in Lanzarote where floodwaters affected ground floors and garages including the route between Arrecife and Órzola near Tahíche Access to Costa Teguise from the north has also been cut off due to impassable conditions The alert comes as part of a broader pre-alert issued for the eastern Canary Islands and Tenerife under the Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA) based on forecasts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) especially in the north and metropolitan areas of Tenerife The Lanzarote Cabildo has reiterated that both Lanzarote and La Graciosa will remain under pre-alert for rain throughout the day Some downpours may be particularly intense and the public is being urged to remain calm and follow all safety recommendations The emergency services in Lanzarote continue to monitor the situation closely as teams work to manage ongoing incidents and mitigate the impact of the flooding Arrecife’s Open Mall has requested permission to extend its premises to Calle Pérez Galdos The extension would occupy the site of the old Hiperdino supermarket located opposite Valterra’s health centre This supermarket was demolished when Hiperdino moved into the Open Mall and the site is currently used for car parking.  The extension would increase the size of the shopping centre by 50% adding 16,000 square metres to its current area of 32,000 square metres Approval will depend on the Canarian Government’s Department of Commerce Arrecife’s Mayor Yonathan de León said the project would “reinforce Arrecife as a centre for shopping and leisure.” This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.