On an island dominated by pleasing, if uniform, white washed buildings; Casa Juanita, in Arrieta, sticks out like a sore thumb.
Known by all simply as The Blue House it was built in the 1970´s by a Lanzaroteño who’d made his pile in Venezuela. The quasi-modernist design, sits in a great position right on the coastline. Next to a postage stamp size beach.
The design was probably deemed daring at the time. But today it just looks like a slightly odd mishmash of styles and colours.
Either way, Casa Juanita at least provides a colourful contrast to the vision of Cesar Manrique. The island born artist and architect always preached the benefits of maintaining the islands traditional architectural style of somewhat square, plain white houses. But somehow Casa Juanita slipped through the net.
Fitting really, for the house is located right by Arrieta’s small old fishing harbour. And much of Arrieta’s charm is that it still manages to retain the feel of a small fishing village. Development here has been very low scale, in contrast to other parts of this coastline.
As you’d hope from a fishing village, there are enough seafood restaurants here to keep even Rick Stein happy. Kill two birds with one stone and visit El Charcon on the quay. From here you can enjoy your food and a view of The Blue House.
Alternatively head up into Arrietas ‘high street’ and you’ve got the choice of another three good seafood restaurants. Each of them has their own little terrace overlooking the sea as well.
And if you haven’t already eaten your fill elsewhere there’s another two good restaurants. Best of all-they are both right by the beach.
At the informal El Kiosko they turn out a great range of tapas from their tiny kitchen. The prices go down just as well as the food though and at the weekend they cook up a giant paella for Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes.
Down at the other end of the beach sits Casa de la Playa. The restaurant’s food is as good as it’s location, offering slightly more formal starters and mains, with fish, what else, featuring heavily.
