Jardín de Cactus

César Manrique's final project, opened in 1990, built on the site of an abandoned quarry (rofera) used for extracting volcanic gravel (picón). The garden features approximately 4,500 specimens representing over 450 species of cacti and succulents from the Americas, Africa, Madagascar, and the Canary Islands, arranged in amphitheatre-style terraces descending into the former quarry. The centrepiece is a restored windmill (molino) used historically for grinding gofio (toasted grain flour). Manrique designed the garden in collaboration with botanist Estanislao González Ferrer. Metallic sculptures by Manrique punctuate the terraces, and the minimalist white café terrace offers views over the cactus collection. The surrounding village of Guatiza is the heart of Lanzarote's cochineal cultivation — prickly pear cacti (tuneras) once supported a thriving carmine dye industry. Entry fee applies; part of the CACT network.