Things to See in Teguise: Guide to the Ancient Capital of Lanzarote

The main church of the entire island presides over this square, the ideal starting point for exploring Teguise.

• Church founded in the 15th century, destroyed and rebuilt several times
• Lava bell tower streaked with lime
• The current image of the virgin is a copy of a stolen original
• Square with palm trees and a quiet atmosphere

Constitution Square is the heart of the Villa de Teguise. From here, you can see the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its volcanic stone tower and white bell tower. This temple was built in the first half of the 15th century, but it suffered looting, fires, and destruction. The last major fire was in 1909, and it was rebuilt with donations from the town. The image of the virgin, as the story goes, was stolen centuries ago and taken to Algiers; the one you see today is a copy. The church is usually closed outside of mass hours, so you might not be able to go in. However, walking around the back of the building rewards you with very peaceful corners.

An alley with a pirate story that stained its cobblestones with blood in 1569.

• Scene of the massacre of 170 pirates in September 1569
• Legend of the monk who rang the church bells
• Connects the church with the Palace of Marquis Herrera
• Slight slope between white walls

Between the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Palace of Marquis Herrera runs a street with a name that makes your blood run cold: the Alley of Blood. Legend has it that on the night of September 7, 1569, a Franciscan monk rang the alarm bells to warn of the arrival of pirates. While doing so, an arrow killed him. The Christians were victorious, and in that alley, Marquis Herrera's men killed 170 pirates. Blood ran over the cobblestones. Today it is a clean and quiet place, but the name reminds you of what happened. It's a brief site, ideal for a photo and for imagining its history.

A museum dedicated to the most famous Canarian instrument, located in an 18th-century palace.

• Spínola Palace, built between 1730 and 1780
• The timple is a string instrument about 24 inches long
• Offers concerts and cultural events throughout the year
• Check hours on the Lanzarote Tourism website

In front of the church, the Spínola Palace houses the Timple House Museum. The timple is a Canarian string instrument, a kind of five-string guitar about 60 centimeters (24 inches) long, descending from Baroque guitars. The building itself is worth a visit: it was built between 1730 and 1780 and has an interior courtyard with arches. The museum opens in the morning, but be careful with the schedule. The author of the article saw it open, left it for later, and it was already closed. If you're interested, check the hours on the Lanzarote Tourism website so you don't miss out. They also organize concerts throughout the year.

A 15th-century castle on the summit of a volcano, with 360-degree views of the entire island.

• Built in the mid-15th century on the Guanapay Volcano
• Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest
• Free admission, although the piracy exhibition is no longer there
• Spectacular views of Lanzarote

Santa Bárbara Castle stands on Guanapay Mountain, a volcano from which you can see the whole island. It was built in the mid-15th century to spot incoming pirates and serve as a refuge for the population. For years, it housed the Piracy Museum, but it has been dismantled. Today you can visit it for free, although many complain that there is no exhibition and the building is neglected. Even so, going up is worth it for the 360-degree views. Be aware, however, that it closes on Fridays and Saturdays, and opens from Sunday to Thursday only in the mornings. Before you go, confirm the schedule as it may change.

One of the largest and most popular markets in the Canary Islands, held every Sunday in the historical center.

• Held every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Over 400 stalls of crafts and typical products
• One of the most popular markets in the Canary Islands
• Lively atmosphere, but very crowded by mid-morning

Every Sunday, the historical center of the Villa de Teguise transforms into a huge street market. With more than 400 stalls, it's one of the largest in the Canary Islands. Here you'll find crafts, typical Canary Island gastronomy products, souvenirs, and clothing. The atmosphere is cheerful, but there are also a lot of people. If you go, do it early: it opens from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. By mid-morning, the streets are full and it's hard to move. If you prefer tranquility, visit Teguise any other day of the week. Then the town is almost empty and you can enjoy the architecture without the crowds.

One of César Manrique's last great works, featuring 4,500 cactus specimens from all over the world.

• Center of Art, Culture, and Tourism of Lanzarote
• Work of César Manrique, one of his last interventions
• Houses 4,500 specimens of 450 different species
• Cacti brought from all parts of the world

The Cactus Garden is one of Lanzarote's Centers of Art, Culture, and Tourism (CACT). It was one of César Manrique's last major interventions on the island. The space houses about 4,500 cactus specimens from 450 different species, brought from all parts of the world. It is located near the village of Guatiza, a short drive from Teguise. The tour is easy and can be done in less than an hour. If you like plants or Manrique's work, don't miss it. The contrast between the green of the cacti and the volcanic landscape is impressive.