Teguise was the capital of Lanzarote for over four hundred years until the seat of government moved to Arrecife in the nineteenth century. It is by far the most charming town on the island -- a quiet grid of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and a handful of churches and old palaces that hint at its former importance.
The town comes alive on Sundays when a large market fills the main square and surrounding streets. It draws visitors from across the island and sells everything from local cheeses and mojo sauces to leather goods and handmade jewellery. Even on quieter days, Teguise is worth a wander for its architecture and a couple of pleasant cafes on the plaza. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara, a sixteenth-century fort on the volcanic cone above town, offers good views and houses a small museum on piracy in the Canaries.