Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo, MIAC, Castillo de San José | CACT

A wonderful place to visit. A very creative use of a 300 year old fort. The highlight for us was the restaurant/bar space and the end of the tour. This has a spectacular picture window running right across the building with amazing views of Arrecife harbour/docks .

The Museo Internacional de Arte Contemporáneo (MIAC), located within the 16th-century Castillo de San José, is a modest but historically rich cultural stop. While I personally found the museum's contemporary art collection to be rather limited and of minimal relevance to my taste, the real highlight for me was the castle itself—an impressively preserved coastal fortification that speaks of Lanzarote’s defensive past. What truly elevates the experience is the restaurant and bar area, which, as I understand, was designed by the visionary César Manrique. The integration of architecture, light, and views is quintessentially Manrique: elegant, organic, and deeply connected to the natural surroundings. One of the most memorable elements—and perhaps a hidden gem—is the restroom design. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, the bathrooms are unexpectedly breathtaking, offering a surprising moment of serenity and beauty. A small but delightful detail I appreciated were the royal crown-shaped door handles scattered throughout the interior—clever, regal touches that add character and charm. Overall, while the museum may not be a must-see for contemporary art enthusiasts expecting a comprehensive collection, it is absolutely worth visiting for the ambience, architecture, and the harmonious blend of history and design. I recommend stopping by for a relaxed drink or meal at the restaurant while enjoying the sea views from one of Lanzarote’s most iconic historic spaces.

Small museums that has a very limited art exhibition that doesn’t justify the price. The staff was very kind and helpful The restaurant cafe has a nice view worth stopping by

Small nice museum of local and international contemporary art. The location is very suggestive, especially the bar at the lower floor. The low entrance fee (5euro) is worth it, nice way to spend an hour in Arrecife.

Just extraordinary and underrated place where you can feel C. Manrique’s touch everywhere Fantastic panoramic view on the port

The International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC) is one of the most prominent cultural landmarks in Lanzarote, located in the Canary Islands, Spain. The museum is housed in the historic Castillo de San José, an 18th-century fortress that was renovated by the renowned Lanzarote artist César Manrique in the 1970s. Key Features of MIAC: • Location: Situated on the coast of Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote. • History: The Castillo de San José, also known as the “Fortress of Hunger,” was built between 1776 and 1779 during the reign of Charles III. It was restored by Manrique in 1976 to serve as a museum. • Collection: Focused on contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries, it features works by both international and local artists, including paintings, sculptures, and other modern art forms. • Interior Design: The museum blends the historical architecture of the fortress with Manrique’s innovative and organic design style. • Panoramic Restaurant: Offers stunning views of the Arrecife harbor and showcases unique architecture.

What a wonderful place. Some interesting art in a curious and beautiful old castle building. Staircases are really cool and the rooftop views are nice. The artwork is interesting - particularly the sculpture exhibition. After the gallery, you’ll find the most gorgeous cafe / restaurant downstairs with sweeping views over the coast. The decor is truly stunning - and the coffee was delicious. I have to say… the toilets are without a doubt the nicest I’ve ever been in. No joke! Jesus and colleagues were so kind when our little bean spilled her water - and service was first class. Next time : lunch or dinner. I read a review that said “well, it’s not MoMA”. No, but it doesn’t try to be. It’s exactly what it says on the tin- a small museum of contemporary art in a stunning building. With a gorgeous cafe I’d have came back to again and again on the trip - and will frequent next time!

Not worth it even if it was free. The restaurant looks nice inside but has a view of the port unloading container ships. There are two small rooms with a few pieces of art. Takes about 5 minutes to go around. The building itself looks nice from outside. But I wouldn't waste your time. Go to Castillo de San Gabriel instead. It's free, has some interesting history inside and has beautiful views of the sea from the outside and the roof.