Charco de San Ginés

Further east from the San Ginés church towards the sea, where the pedestrian zone ends, opens a square onto the Charco de San Ginés, a tidal lagoon extending in the heart of the town. The legend has it that once the hermit San Ginés lived on its shore and that the lagoon lies at the very origin of Arrecife.

The area around the Charco – Arrecife’s most scenic feature, which carries César Manrique’s distinct signature – is quite different to the rest of the town. An attractive promenade lined with palm trees, small bridges, restored fishermen’s cottages, cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops surrounds it. At high tide colourful fishing boats roll on the shallow water. At the far end of the Charco stands the large modern building of the Teatro Atlantico, a multi-screen cinema, where the youth meets at night. Every Saturday, a busy market takes place on the promenade.