Casa Juanita. The Dolls House in Arrieta

If you find yourself driving along the peaceful coastal road through Arrieta, our charming fishing village in the north of Lanzarote, you will soon spot a building that always catches the eye. Casa Juanita, which locals fondly call the Dolls House or the Blue House, stands out with its cheerful colours and playful design, almost as if it belongs in a storybook rather than among the traditional whitewashed houses of the island.

Its bright red and blue brickwork, intricate touches and surprisingly green garden make Casa Juanita truly unique here on Lanzarote. Over the years, it has become a favourite subject for photos, postcards and travel guides, and it is easy to see why. Yet, as many of us who live here know, there is a touching story behind those colourful walls—a story of a father's devotion, a family's dreams, and a little girl who sadly never had the chance to enjoy the special home created just for her.

Our story takes us back to the early twentieth century, when Don Juan de Leon Perdomo, who grew up in the quiet village of Arrieta, set out for Argentina in search of new opportunities. There, he made a good life for himself in the wheat trade, a world away from the familiar shores of Lanzarote. It was in Argentina that he met Juana Aleman, or Dona Juana as she was known, and together they welcomed their daughter in 1904. She was named Juana after her mother, but everyone called her Juanita.

Their life in Argentina was comfortable, and Don Juan's business flourished. But when Juanita was still very young, she fell ill with tuberculosis, a frightening diagnosis in those days when medicine offered few answers. The doctors suggested a place with fresh ocean air, hoping the sea breezes might help her recover. For Don Juan, there was only one place that came to mind. In 1915, he brought his family back to Arrieta, returning to the peaceful Atlantic coast of northern Lanzarote, where the trade winds bring the scent of salt across the volcanic landscape and the climate is gentle and dry throughout the year.

Back in 1916, Don Juan set out to build something truly unique for his family. Instead of following the usual Lanzarote tradition of whitewashed walls and green woodwork, he decided to create a house inspired by his daughter's beloved dollhouse.

The finished house was unlike anything else in Arrieta. Its red and blue brickwork, along with all the little decorative touches, made it stand out from the moment it was built. Locals first called it the Chalet de Arrieta, but it soon picked up the nickname that everyone still uses today. What really set it apart was the garden, with real grass—a rare sight here, where fresh water is so scarce. It gave the place a magical, almost storybook feel.

Don Juan built the house as a gift for his daughter, Juanita. He thought of every detail with her in mind, hoping to bring her happiness and turn her favourite toy into a real home she could enjoy. It was a touching gesture from a father who knew his daughter was very unwell and wanted to fill her days with as much joy and wonder as possible.

Juanita was able to enjoy her magical house for only five short years. Even with the fresh ocean air of Arrieta, the gentle warmth of the Canarian sun and the love that surrounded her, she sadly passed away from tuberculosis in 1921, at just seventeen. Her loss left the family heartbroken. Don Juan and Dona Juana stayed on in the house after their daughter's passing, but the happiness that had once filled its rooms seemed to fade away. Juanita now rests in the cemetery at Haria, the lovely valley town just inland from Arrieta, and her grave can still be visited there today.

After Don Juan and Dona Juana also passed on, the house slowly slipped into disrepair.

For many years, the house stood quietly on the Arrieta seafront, its once-bright colours fading and its decorative details slowly crumbling away. It remained a touching reminder of the family who had created it with so much love and hope. It was only in the early 2000s that Casa Juanita was lovingly restored, its colours brought back to life and the building returned to something close to the vision Don Juan had dreamed of more than a century before.

Casa Juanita sits right on the seafront at Calle Morros 74 in Arrieta, just beside the old fishing harbour and a little beach with its own natural sea pool. These days, it is a private home owned by a family from Arrecife and let out as a holiday house. While you cannot step inside, you are welcome to wander up to the house, take photos and enjoy its colourful exterior whenever you like.

Casa Juanita is still one of the most eye-catching and easily recognised houses on Lanzarote. Most buildings here follow the white and green colours that Cesar Manrique encouraged, but this house is different. Its bright colours shine in the sunlight and you can spot it from quite a distance. Built long before Manrique’s ideas shaped the island, it has always stood apart. The garden, with its soft grass and greenery, feels almost magical against the backdrop of black volcanic rock, giving the house a storybook charm that visitors remember long after they leave.

If you are staying in the north of Lanzarote, or just passing through Arrieta on your way to places like Cueva de los Verdes, Jameos del Agua or Mirador del Rio, it is well worth taking a few minutes to stop and see Casa Juanita. The old harbour in Arrieta is a lovely spot for a gentle stroll, and there are a couple of excellent fish restaurants where you can sit and watch the sea. Visiting the Dolls House, enjoying a seafood lunch and then heading on to one of the nearby Manrique sites makes for a perfect morning or afternoon exploring the quieter, more authentic side of the island.

Arrieta is one of those places that still feels like the real Lanzarote. This small fishing village, just a short drive north of Costa Teguise and not far from Arrecife, sits quietly on the northeast coast, tucked away from the stronger trade winds. Life here moves at a gentle pace, far removed from the bustle of the southern resorts. There is a little sandy beach where you will often see local families, a natural sea pool that is a favourite spot for a refreshing dip, and a handful of simple restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish and traditional Canarian dishes.

Parking is usually straightforward in Arrieta, with spaces near Casa Juanita and dotted around the village, so you can take your time and enjoy a wander.

Casa Juanita is very easy to spot as you drive through Arrieta along the coast road. Just keep an eye out for the most colourful house you are ever likely to see. There is no need to worry about tickets or opening times here. You can simply stroll up, take in the vibrant facade, snap a few photos, and pause to read the small plaque that tells the touching and bittersweet story of the little girl for whom the house was built.