Lanzarote Information

Tahíche is best known for its most famous resident and Lanzarote’s favourite artist César Manrique. 

His personal residence El Taro is built into the lava flow and is one of the most popular tourist sites on the Island. It houses his personal art collection as well as a changing exhibition in his previously used studio space. Currently the exhibition is of the artist José Miguel Ullan.

The gardens and outdoor murals and features are awesome and have inspired many Lanzarote gardens.

However with some prolonged road works currently underway most people drive straight through Tahíche on their route to the North.

Cesar Manrique’s wind toy roundabout marks the crossroads for Costa Teguise and San Bartolomé.

Tahíche’s second roundabout, at the takeaway chicken shop “Gallo Loco”, also marks the crossroads where you head directly for Teguise and Haría or veer off to the right for Guatiza, Arrieta and Órzola.

The road widening is very necessary due to increasing traffic but has been controversial as it has greatly affected the residents closest to the road. Look out for the house which is now built into the pedestrian pavement in between the two roundabouts, obviously the evidence of one man’s tenacity! He lost his garden but not his sitting room!

I have lived in Tahíche for 14 years and love the place. I feel it retains its own identity; it has a couple of high streets and loads of amenities although it still has a siesta!  I know of one elderly lady who shops each day in Tahíche and only goes to Arrecife once or twice a year!

The main street of Tahíche is where the Primary school, named after César Manrique of course, the Shop and Bar Cejas are located, and it’s a hive of activity at school times. The supermarket and store here are fondly referred to as “Casa Marta” and “Castro’s” which is the names of the proprietors. They are all part of one of the old families of Tahíche who have lived and worked here their whole lives.

Marta Callero and her brother Ico amazingly seem to know the names of all the children in the school who call there for sweets and stationary supplies. The store is the kind of shop which stocks everything from pencils to thimbles and household items!

Also on this high street is Remper ladies hairdressers and Adán’s traditional barbershop. Adán opens his shop according to the local amateur football teams schedule and offers men’s haircuts and shaves with a cut throat blade. No appointments are necessary just sit and wait for your turn.

The sports centre of Tahíche lies directly at the foot of Tahíche Volcano and has both indoor and outdoor stadiums. Football is of course most popular with teams from 5 years of age right through to veterans, but there are also handball teams for all ages, a gym and rock climbing offered here.

The church of Santiago Apostle is tiny by most standards and houses only around 50 people comfortably, however this doesn’t trouble large families celebrating weddings and communions who just stand on the patio and street outside. Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 11am.

The lower high street is where you will find the Sociedad, (look out for our upcoming series on all the Island social clubs), with a children’s play park and Skateboard Park beside the traditional arena for Canarian fighting “Lucha Canaria”

It is also where the tiny post office operates opening between 11am and 1.00pm after the postman has finished his deliveries.

There is a new doctor’s surgery and also a modern pharmacy. Beside the pharmacy is the hardware store.

Carniceria Rodrigues, the butchers, does the best breaded chicken amongst other prepared meats and deli items.

The supermarket “7 Islas” and the German bakery “El Pastelito” are the only places open during the siesta each day, with all the other shops opening traditional morning and evening hours. The bakery is open seven days a week and is a very popular spot for weekend coffee and pastries.

Other places to eat in Tahíche include Café Aloe and the restaurant La Malecita which specializes in meats on the barbeque and has a great children’s area.

New to Tahíche in the last few weeks is of course the Gangas garden centre, which held auctions last weekend and were incredibly popular. Currently the café is under construction so I’ll keep you posted on that.

Next time you are passing by, call in to Tahíche and let me know how you’ve got on, I think you’ll like it.

Tracy is a staff writer for Lanzarote Information, you can read more about her here.