Built in the 18th century for defensive purposes, the fortress has housed the MIAC – International Museum of Contemporary Art since 1976. Inside, the castle’s architecture provides the setting for a collection featuring works by artists from the Canary Islands, Spain and around the world.

Discover

Step inside the International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC), a space where art, architecture and history come together by the sea. Located in the Castillo de San José, an 18th-century fortress, the museum was created on the initiative of César Manrique with the aim of bringing contemporary art closer to Lanzarote and establishing the island as a meeting point for artistic creation.

Explore its galleries and discover a collection featuring works by prominent contemporary artists, with a particular focus on art from the Canary Islands and Spain. The building itself is part of the experience: Manrique transformed the historic castle while respecting its original character, incorporating new spaces that engage in a dialogue with the landscape and the ocean.

The visit offers an opportunity to discover the relationship between art, heritage and landscape that defines the MIAC, as you explore a fortress that preserves traces of Arrecife’s history and offers a privileged view over the bay and harbour.

Plan your visit

• The ticket is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and allows a single admission to the centre.
   
• There is no need to print your ticket. On arrival, simply show the QR code on your mobile device at the ticket office.
   
• The Castillo de San José is a historic building with stairs and uneven surfaces, so we recommend moving around with care during your visit.
   
• To help preserve the artworks, keep a safe distance from them and avoid using flash photography.
   
• Pets are not allowed, except for accredited assistance dogs, in accordance with Law 3/2017 of 26 April, governing assistance dogs for people with disabilities in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands.
   
• Free parking for vehicles and bicycles is available, as well as free Wi-Fi.

During your visit

• Explore the galleries of the International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC), housed in the Castillo de San José, an 18th-century fortress designated as a Site of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural).
   
• Discover its contemporary art collection, featuring works by renowned Canary Islands artists such as Cristino de Vera, María Belén Morales, José Dámaso and Manolo Millares, alongside major national and international figures such as Picasso, Tàpies and Miró.
   
• Head up to the rooftop of the Castillo de San José, where you will find artworks displayed outdoors and enjoy a different perspective of the building and its surroundings, with views over the Bay of Arrecife.
   
• Check the programme of temporary exhibitions and events, which expands and renews the museum’s cultural programme throughout the year.
   
• Complete your visit with a stop at the restaurant, located within the Castillo de San José and overlooking the Bay of Arrecife, where gastronomy, architecture and landscape come together.

Reduced rates

1. People with disabilities
   
   You must present valid official documentation certifying the degree of disability, together with the corresponding identification document. You must also bring any specific documentation required to prove eligibility for the reduced rate.
    
2. Residents of the Canary Islands and Lanzarote

• Present your physical DNI/NIE.
• EU/Schengen Area citizens: present your physical passport or identity document.
• Documents without a photograph: if the document presented does not include a photograph, you must provide another official physical document that allows your identity to be verified.
• Proof of residence: if your address does not appear on your identity document, you must present a valid certificate of registration (certificado de empadronamiento).
• Children up to 13 years old: if they do not have a valid ID card (DNI), a valid certificate of residence must be presented.

Important:
Valid supporting documentation must be presented. If the required documentation is not provided or is invalid, the reduced-rate ticket will be cancelled without refund and a full-price ticket must be purchased.