🛍️ Sunday Market
Every Sunday, the peaceful town of Teguise transforms into the liveliest place on Lanzarote. Its historic streets fill with hundreds of stalls selling local handicrafts, ceramics, jewelry, woodwork, palm-leaf crafts, and regional specialties such as cheeses, honey, mojo sauces, and Lanzarote wines.
The market's unique atmosphere is enhanced by street musicians, local artists, and the many cafés and restaurants that line the town's charming squares. As the largest and most famous market on Lanzarote, it's well worth visiting—even if you're not planning to shop.
Keep in mind, however, that Teguise feels completely different on Sundays. If you prefer quiet streets and a relaxed sightseeing experience, choose another day. But if you'd like to experience the town at its most vibrant and colorful, Sunday is the perfect time to visit.
😈 Los Diabletes of Teguise
One of Teguise's most distinctive symbols is the Los Diabletes—colorful masked figures that have appeared on the town's streets during Carnival for more than 600 years. They represent one of the oldest surviving traditions in the Canary Islands and are among Lanzarote's most iconic cultural symbols.
Dressed in white costumes decorated with red and black diamonds, wearing goat-shaped masks and large cowbells on their backs, the Los Diabletes run through the streets of Teguise, making noise, dancing, and playfully teasing both locals and visitors. They carry a wooden stick with a small sack attached, which they use to jokingly surprise passersby.
Although they are now closely associated with Carnival, their origins are much older. Researchers believe the tradition combines ancient Majo rituals, Christian representations of the struggle between good and evil, and cultural influences brought to Lanzarote after the island's conquest. As a result, the Los Diabletes are a unique symbol of the different cultures that have shaped Lanzarote throughout the centuries.
The costume itself is full of symbolism. The goat played a vital role in the lives of the island's early inhabitants, providing milk, meat, and hides, and eventually became a symbol of strength, fertility, and survival. The sound of the bells was traditionally believed to drive away evil spirits and announce the beginning of the celebration.
In 2024, the Los Diabletes de Teguise were awarded the Canary Islands Gold Medal in recognition of their outstanding contribution to preserving the cultural heritage of the archipelago.
❤️ Why Visit Teguise?
Teguise is where the history of Lanzarote comes to life. The island's former capital captivates visitors with its historic landmarks, charming streets, pirate stories, and unique atmosphere. On Sundays, it transforms into the liveliest town on Lanzarote, making it a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the island's authentic character.
📖 In the "Lanzarote with César Manrique" guide, you'll find everything you need before visiting Teguise:
📍 detailed directions and GPS coordinates,
🅿️ parking information,
🚶 a self-guided walking route with all the must-see sights marked along the way,
💙 practical sightseeing tips,
🗺️ an interactive map featuring the best attractions nearby, making it easy to plan a full day exploring central Lanzarote.
🚶 Walking Tour of Teguise
The best place to begin your walk through Teguise is Plaza de la Constitución – the historic heart of Lanzarote's former capital. For centuries, this square has been the center of the town's social life. Today, locals gather beneath the palm trees while visitors can relax at one of the nearby cafés and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the island's most charming towns.
📖 Find Out More…
In the "Lanzarote with César Manrique" guide, you'll find a detailed self-guided walking route through Teguise, complete with a map and all the must-see landmarks. Simply follow the route to discover both the town's most famous attractions and its lesser-known hidden corners.
🦁 Lion Square
Your walk begins at Plaza de la Constitución, the historic heart of Teguise. For centuries, this square was the center of life on Lanzarote. Formerly known as Plaza de San Miguel, it is surrounded by the town's most important landmarks. Its most recognizable feature is the pair of stone lions, which is why locals often refer to it simply as Lion Square.
👼 Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church
Standing beside the square is the most important church in the history of Lanzarote. Its distinctive bell tower can be seen from almost every corner of the old town. Be sure to step inside, where you'll find the statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Teguise, and Saint Martial (San Marcial del Rubicón), the patron saint of Lanzarote.
🩸 Callejón de la Sangre – Blood Alley
Behind the church lies the famous Callejón de la Sangre (Blood Alley). According to local tradition, this is where the people of Teguise repelled an attack by the corsair Calafat in 1569. Today, it remains one of the most iconic historic spots in Teguise.
🏛️ Palacio Spínola
Just a short walk away stands Palacio Spínola, one of the most beautiful historic residences on Lanzarote. Today, it houses the Casa Museo del Timple, but it's worth visiting not only for the museum, but also to admire its elegant courtyard and learn about the palace's fascinating history.
🏠 Casa de Torres – An Aristocratic Mansion
Just a few steps from Palacio Spínola stands Casa de Torres, one of the finest 18th-century mansions on Lanzarote. Although it is currently closed to visitors, its elegant architecture is well worth admiring. The building is being restored and will eventually become a cultural heritage center dedicated to the island's history.
🎨 Convento de Santo Domingo
A short walk from Plaza de la Constitución brings you to Convento de Santo Domingo, a former Dominican monastery founded in the late 17th century. No longer used for religious purposes, it is now home to the Santo Domingo Art Centre, which regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events. If an exhibition is taking place during your visit, it's well worth stepping inside.
🎨 Museo Mara Mao
Museo Mara Mao is a private museum filled with imaginative sculptures and installations created from recycled materials. Old bicycles, tools, and everyday objects have been transformed into a colorful and humorous collection. It's a must-visit for anyone who enjoys unusual attractions and unique photo opportunities.
🏰 Castillo de Santa Bárbara
Once you've finished exploring Teguise, don't head back to your car just yet. Just a few minutes' drive from the town center, atop Guanapay Volcano, stands Castillo de Santa Bárbara—the fortress that protected the former capital from pirate attacks for centuries. The castle offers one of the finest panoramic views over Teguise and northern Lanzarote. Today, it is also home to the Museum of Piracy, making it the perfect place to learn more about the island's turbulent past.
⛪ Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is the most important church in the history of Lanzarote. Its origins date back to the 15th century, when Teguise was the island's capital. For centuries, it witnessed the most significant events in Lanzarote's history—from pirate raids to the town's reconstruction after repeated destruction.
Although it appears peaceful today, the church was repeatedly looted and damaged by corsairs. Each time, however, it was rebuilt, remaining the religious heart of the island.
The church's present appearance is the result of several renovations, most notably the reconstruction following the devastating fire of 1909, when its bell tower was also raised. Right next to the church lies Plaza de la Constitución, while behind it is the famous Callejón de la Sangre (Blood Alley).
For more than five centuries, the church has remained one of the most important symbols of Teguise.
🙏 Lanzarote's Patron Saint in Teguise
The main altar houses the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Teguise. Beside her stands Saint Martial of Rubicón (San Marcial del Rubicón), the patron saint of Lanzarote. Their presence is a reminder that Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe was for centuries the island's principal church and the religious center of its former capital.
🔥 The Fire That Shook All of Lanzarote
For centuries, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe survived pirate attacks, looting, and destruction. Ironically, its greatest disaster was not caused by corsairs, but by a moment of carelessness.
On 6 February 1909, shortly before noon, an altar server was cleaning metal candlesticks in the sacristy. To remove hardened wax more easily, he lit a candle and placed it next to a wooden cabinet containing liturgical vestments. At noon, he climbed the bell tower to ring the bells, leaving the candle unattended. When he returned a few minutes later, the cabinet was already engulfed in flames.
The fire spread with incredible speed. The wooden roof structure and richly decorated interior caused the flames to consume almost the entire church within minutes. The clock in the tower stopped at 12:25, the exact moment the fire reached it.
The townspeople rushed to help. Although they were unable to extinguish the blaze, several residents risked their lives by entering the burning church to rescue its most precious statues, including Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Peter, and Saint Martial. Sadly, the historic altars, valuable paintings, and the magnificent 18th-century organ, once considered one of the finest in the Canary Islands, could not be saved.
The tragedy deeply affected the entire island. Just three days later, a fundraising campaign was launched to rebuild the church. Thanks to the generosity of the local community, the building quickly rose from the ruins. During the reconstruction, the bell tower was raised, giving it the distinctive appearance it still has today. In 1914, the church was reconsecrated and once again became the religious heart of Lanzarote.
🏛️ Palacio Spínola
While strolling through the historic center of Teguise, it's impossible to miss Palacio Spínola, one of the most beautiful historic residences on Lanzarote. Built in the 18th century, the palace belonged to the influential Spínola family before later serving as the official residence of the Government of the Canary Islands during visits to Lanzarote.
In the 1970s, the building underwent a major restoration led by architect Fernando Higueras. César Manrique also contributed to the interior design, helping preserve the palace's historic character while adding subtle touches inspired by his distinctive artistic style.
In front of the palace, you'll notice two impressive stone lions. These are the original sculptures that once stood in Plaza de la Constitución. The statues now seen in the square are faithful replicas, while the originals were moved to Palacio Spínola for better preservation.
🎵 Casa Museo del Timple
Today, the historic Palacio Spínola is home to the Casa Museo del Timple, the only museum in the Canary Islands dedicated to the timple—a small five-string instrument that has become one of the symbols of traditional Canarian folk music.
Although it resembles a small guitar or ukulele, the timple has its own distinctive sound and has accompanied islanders for centuries during festivals, family celebrations, and local festivities. Teguise played an important role in its history, as it was home to renowned luthiers whose craftsmanship helped popularize the instrument throughout the Canary Islands.
The museum showcases both historic and modern timples, explains how they are made, features a traditional luthier's workshop, and displays similar small stringed instruments from around the world. It also regularly hosts concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events celebrating the musical heritage of the Canary Islands.
Teguise – The Former Capital of Lanzarote Filled with History and Heritage
For more than 400 years, Teguise was the capital of Lanzarote. It was the island's political and commercial center, where governors lived, trade flourished, and residents defended their town against pirate attacks. Today, its cobbled streets, historic mansions, and peaceful squares transport visitors back to a time when Teguise was the beating heart of the island.
📖 Find Out More…
In the "Lanzarote with César Manrique" guide, you'll discover the fascinating history of Teguise, explore its most remarkable landmarks and hidden corners, and learn the stories behind the island's former capital. You'll also find practical travel tips, a self-guided walking route, and a detailed map to help you make the most of your visit.
🏰 Why Did Teguise Become the Capital of Lanzarote?
Before Teguise became the capital of Lanzarote, the island was inhabited by the Majos – its indigenous people, who lived peacefully in small settlements. Everything changed at the beginning of the 15th century, when the Norman conquerors arrived on the island.
Leading them was Jean de Béthencourt, a French nobleman from Normandy, who began the conquest of Lanzarote in 1402. His surname marks the beginning of the island's European history.
After conquering Lanzarote, Jean left the island in the hands of his relative, Maciot de Béthencourt. This is where many visitors become confused.
🤔 Jean and Maciot – Why Do They Share the Same Surname?
It's no coincidence.
Maciot de Béthencourt was a relative of Jean de Béthencourt (most historians believe he was his nephew). He was not the man who conquered Lanzarote, but rather the island's governor, taking over its administration after his famous relative.
Jean is remembered as the conqueror, while Maciot is remembered as the man who began organizing life on the newly conquered island.
❤️ The Story Behind the Town's Name
One of Lanzarote's most fascinating stories is connected to Maciot. After the conquest, he married Teguise, the daughter of Guadarfía, the last ruler of the Majos. According to tradition, the future capital of the island was named in her honor.
Although historians still debate some details of this story, it is widely accepted that the town's name commemorates Teguise – a woman who symbolically united the world of the island's indigenous people with the new European society.
👑 Why Does Teguise Have So Many Mansions?
It's no coincidence. For more than 400 years, Teguise served as the capital of Lanzarote. Governors, marquises, wealthy families, and members of the clergy all lived here, leading to the construction of elegant mansions, monasteries, and grand residences. Its role as the island's capital made Teguise the political, social, and cultural heart of Lanzarote.
⚔️ Pirates Who Turned Teguise into a Fortress
For more than four centuries, Teguise was the capital of Lanzarote. Its wealth, political importance, and religious significance also made it one of the main targets for pirates and corsairs.
From the 16th century onwards, the island was repeatedly attacked by Barbary corsairs from the coast of North Africa. They were not only interested in gold and valuables—local people were equally valuable, as many were captured and sold into slavery.
The most devastating raid took place in 1586, when the Algerian corsair Morato Arráez attacked Teguise with a fleet of galleys and hundreds of armed men. The town was plundered, many buildings were destroyed, and numerous residents were killed or taken captive. These tragic events are still remembered through Callejón de la Sangre ("Blood Alley"), located behind the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church.
Pirate raids continued for decades. Between 1551 and 1618, Lanzarote suffered a series of particularly destructive attacks led by Barbary corsairs such as Calafat, Tabac Arráez, Morato Arráez, and Solimán. In 1618, Teguise was once again burned and devastated.
To protect the island, Castillo de Santa Bárbara was built on the summit of Guanapay Volcano. The fortress served as a lookout point—whenever pirate ships appeared on the horizon, warnings were given and residents sought shelter behind its walls. Although the castle could not always stop the attackers, it remained for centuries the symbol of the former capital's defense.
💡 Did You Know?
Today, Callejón de la Sangre (Blood Alley) looks like an ordinary narrow passage between buildings. Originally, however, it was not a street at all but a natural channel through which water flowed from the Miraflores ravine to the La Mareta reservoir. As Teguise expanded, buildings gradually surrounded the channel, transforming it into the alley seen today.
More than 450 years ago, this was the scene of one of the most famous events in Lanzarote's history. According to local tradition, it was here that the people of Teguise repelled an attack by the corsair Calafat in 1569. The alley's name—Blood Alley—commemorates that dramatic battle.