Calm waters, a 19th-century lighthouse and salt flats of ecological and cultural-historical significance shape Arinaga. Playa de Arinaga invites visitors to enjoy time by the water, with favorable swimming conditions; at the same time, the coast and its historic sites tell stories of fishing, lime production and salt production. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider the beach and nature alongside the history of the place.

Coastline for swimming, promenades and routes

Playa de Arinaga has dark sand, moderate waves and a seafront promenade. Its waters offer favorable conditions for swimming. The coastal road that runs alongside the beach is more than three kilometers long and adapted to its surroundings. Windsurfing is also regularly practiced at the beach, making this stretch of coast a place for another water sport as well as swimming.

There is a Red Cross station and monitoring equipment at Playa de Arinaga. Since visitor information of this kind can change, check the latest details about the station and equipment before your visit if needed.

If you are considering a longer coastal route, a described trail runs from Faro de Arinaga to Playa de Vargas. It passes through Playa del Cabrón and along small cliffs, natural pools, and sandy and pebble beaches. Some sections are barely marked or have no markings. So check trail conditions before setting out. This is a different way to experience the coast than spending time on the promenade.

North of Arinaga, the seabed between Punta de La Sal and Punta de La Monja is suitable for diving. This is a separate coastal area; the hiking route and the diving area therefore offer different ways to explore the coast.

Lighthouse and lime-making

The old Faro de Arinaga is one of the few surviving examples of late-19th-century Canarian lighthouse architecture. It was designed by engineer León y Castillo in a classic eclectic style. Its history of architecture adds a distinctive historical dimension to the coastal landscape.

The Museo de la Cal de Risco Verde is located on the seafront promenade in a complex of old lime kilns. The museum presents the traditional production of lime from limestone sourced nearby. In the traditional process, the wood fire was kept at 900 to 1,000 °C, and the process could take several days. The long firing times and high temperatures offer a concrete insight into the work involved in this craft.

Salt flats and natural surroundings

Las Salinas de Arinaga are protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of Sitio Etnológico; the designation dates from June 10, 2008. The salt flats also function as an artificial salt marsh. They provide habitat for numerous animal and plant species and a resting and feeding place for migratory birds. In Arinaga, nature conservation and the cultural history of salt production are thus closely connected.

The salt flats remain in operation at a reduced capacity and are both a productive activity and an element of the landscape and cultural heritage. Since their operating status may change, check it before your visit if you are interested. The salt pans can thus be seen not only as part of the landscape but also as a place where production continues.

The natural area around Montaña de Arinaga is also notable for its diversity: it is home to an endemic form of lizard as well as populations of the Calandra lark and Trumpeter finch. Wading and migratory birds occasionally stop along the coast. Endemic coastal plants in the area include Zygophyllum fontanesii, Convolvulus caput-medusae, Lotus leptophyllus, Atractylis preauxiana and Herniaria fontanesii. Birds, plants and lizards illustrate different aspects of this natural area, without any one feature needing to take center stage.

Festivals and music by the sea

The large Vará del Pescao is a popular festival that recalls and celebrates the town’s historic connection with fishing and the sea. Another musical highlight is a diverse, multicultural open-air event in August, bringing together groups from Africa, Europe and America; ensembles from these regions have taken part since 1996. If you want to plan your trip around the music event, check the latest dates separately.

Discover more destinations: Trasmontaña, Puerto de las Nieves, Roque, El Estanco, Cazadores, El Chorrillo, Teror, Tenteniguada

For the overview of the wider destination: Gran Canaria.