Introduction
Costa Teguise is one of Lanzarote's main beach resorts, purpose-built in the 1970s but sensitively so, with no high-rise buildings - the influence of César Manrique shining through, and the artist and architect's home can be visited during a stay on the island.
Costa Teguise was built as an alternative to the beach resort of Puerto de la Carmen and offers a good choice of accommodation, set between its grid of streets and five sandy beaches, of which Playa de las Cucharas is perhaps the most appealing. You'll not find an old centre here, but what it lacks in an organic heart it makes up in modern conveniences such as shopping centres, decent restaurants and bars.
And Lanzarote's historic former capital, Teguise, founded in 1418, is not that far away. Here you'll find stately buildings such as the 18th century Spínola Palace, once the home of a prominent Lanzarote home and now a seat of government, and assorted churches and convents close to its pretty main plaza.
These architectural gems have firmly established Teguise on the Lanzarote holiday trail. They draw tourists now, but the town's prosperity once attracted marauding pirates, who plundered the town on several occasions - one of the main streets, Calle de la Sangre - Blood Street - takes its name from this turbulent period in Lanzarote's past.
