Arrecife serves as the capital city and a municipality of Lanzarote within the Canary Islands, Spain. Situated on the southern coast of the island, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to its southeast. The settlement lies south of Teguise and east of San Bartolomé, functioning as the administrative hub for the island. Its name derives from the local rock reef that covers the beach, a feature that historically provided shelter for boats.

The earliest records of Arrecife date to the fifteenth century when it was a small fishing settlement known as Arrecifes. The name referred to black volcanic reefs where boats could hide from pirate attacks. The town grew in the sixteenth century to support trade with the Americas, suffering plundering by pirates in 1571. It gained city status in 1812 and became the island's capital in 1852, replacing Teguise.

The city is defined by its historic fortifications and coastal geography. Key landmarks include the Castillo de San Gabriel on an islet and the 18th-century Castillo de San José, which now houses modern art. The Iglesia Matriz de San Ginés Obispo stands as a parish church with a tower added in 1842. Other notable sites are the Puente de Las Bolas, the Charco de San Ginés lagoon, and the seafront Arrecife Gran Hotel.

Arrecife functions primarily as a commercial and administrative center rather than a tourist destination, with most visitors passing through to beach resorts. The town offers limited tourist sights but retains cultural assets such as the Casa de los Arroyo and Salinas de Naos. The area maintains a workaday character, serving as a hub for local life while preserving its historical architecture and maritime heritage along the harbor.

The municipality had a population of 70,811 as of 2025, covering an area of 22.72 square kilometers. Its economy relies heavily on the Port of Arrecife, the second busiest in the Canary Islands for passengers, handling ferries, cargo, and cruise ships. The city has a tropical hot desert climate with little precipitation concentrated in winter. Access is provided by Arrecife Airport and an extensive road network including the LZ1, LZ2, and LZ3 routes.