Haría
Continuing our trip further south, we pass the Bohemian village of Máguez and approach Haría, the main town of northern Lanzarote and certainly one of the most appealing on the island. This picturesque village is located in the very scenic, lush green ‘Valley of 1,000 Palms’ – probably the remains of a 16th-century palms plantation – where many plant species grow, which have not been found on other islands of the archipelago.
Surrounded by a medley of green fields and colourful wildflower meadows – especially beautiful in spring – this tranquil and unspoilt village stands in a surprising contrast to the rest of the island. Its narrow streets and alleys, lined with whitewashed cubic houses and shady palms and dotted with the bright colours from bougainvilleas and pelargoniums, give this village an almost middle-eastern aspect. There is also an attractive town square, the shady Plaza León y Castillo, bordered by restored historic houses and palm trees. At one end of this square you will find the rather plain Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación parish church with a small Sacred Art Museum attached to it. Unfortunately César Manrique did not find the time anymore to restore it in the traditional architectural style after it had been destroyed by a storm.
Haría also boasts a sightseeing curiosity, which definitely deserves a visit, the Museo Internacional de Miniaturas. This museum is dedicated to the world of miniatures, with some outstanding pieces on display, such as the smallest bible in the world and a football game painted on a grain of rice, among many other curiosities. The museum is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Despite of lacking any historic monuments, this small town with about 3,000 inhabitants is a very enjoyable place to visit. Numerous craft shops – where artisans can be seen at work – galleries and artists have settled here and it was not surprising that César Manrique chose to retire in Haría, where he was also buried in 1992.
A winding road leads in serpentines round the cliffs of the Risco de Famara up to a mountain pass and the Mirador de Haría, a high viewpoint just 5 km (3 miles) south of Haría, with two bar-restaurants, which are popular stops for coaches. From this Mirador you will enjoy spectacular views over the village set prettily in its ‘Valley of 1,000 palms’ and the high cliffs of the north-western coast as well as towards the villages of Tabayesco and Arrieta in the east and the Peñas del Chache, with 670 m (2,200 ft) the highest mountain on the island, further south.
• TIP •
See our Lanzarote Map for a closer look
Surrounded by a medley of green fields and colourful wildflower meadows – especially beautiful in spring – this tranquil and unspoilt village stands in a surprising contrast to the rest of the island. Its narrow streets and alleys, lined with whitewashed cubic houses and shady palms and dotted with the bright colours from bougainvilleas and pelargoniums, give this village an almost middle-eastern aspect. There is also an attractive town square, the shady Plaza León y Castillo, bordered by restored historic houses and palm trees. At one end of this square you will find the rather plain Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación parish church with a small Sacred Art Museum attached to it. Unfortunately César Manrique did not find the time anymore to restore it in the traditional architectural style after it had been destroyed by a storm.
Haría also boasts a sightseeing curiosity, which definitely deserves a visit, the Museo Internacional de Miniaturas. This museum is dedicated to the world of miniatures, with some outstanding pieces on display, such as the smallest bible in the world and a football game painted on a grain of rice, among many other curiosities. The museum is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Despite of lacking any historic monuments, this small town with about 3,000 inhabitants is a very enjoyable place to visit. Numerous craft shops – where artisans can be seen at work – galleries and artists have settled here and it was not surprising that César Manrique chose to retire in Haría, where he was also buried in 1992.
A winding road leads in serpentines round the cliffs of the Risco de Famara up to a mountain pass and the Mirador de Haría, a high viewpoint just 5 km (3 miles) south of Haría, with two bar-restaurants, which are popular stops for coaches. From this Mirador you will enjoy spectacular views over the village set prettily in its ‘Valley of 1,000 palms’ and the high cliffs of the north-western coast as well as towards the villages of Tabayesco and Arrieta in the east and the Peñas del Chache, with 670 m (2,200 ft) the highest mountain on the island, further south.
• TIP •
See our Lanzarote Map for a closer look
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