10 Best Sights in Costa Teguise, Canary Islands

On a hillock overlooking the sleepy town of Haría you'll find César Manrique's final home, preserved as if in amber. The artist lived in this architecturally stunning estate, which he built for himself, until his untimely death by auto accident in 1992. Plant-filled courtyards lead into bohemian living areas brimming with sculptures, paintings, and iconic furniture; the bathroom, with a floor-to-ceiling window into a leafy garden, is a highlight, as is the outdoor pool area and art studio, kept precisely how it was left on the day he died.

North of Costa Teguise between Guatiza and Mala, this cactus garden with 10,000 specimens of more than 1,500 varieties was César Manrique's last creation for Lanzarote. Look beyond the park and you'll see prickly pear fields: for centuries locals have cultivated these plants for their cochineal, an insect living on the cacti from which scarlet carmine dye is extracted.

Directly opposite Costa Teguise on the north coast of Lanzarote is perhaps the island's most breathtaking beach. Set in a natural cove, its 6 km (4 miles) of sand are flanked by spectacularly high cliffs. The riptide here makes for excellent surfing and windsurfing, and Playa de Famara is regularly used for world championships for those sports. That said, the strong currents mean swimming can be dangerous (a surfer died here in 2022). Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking; windsurfing.

For sweeping aerial views of Lanzarote's craggy coast and parched volcanic landscape, climb to the top of this 16th-century fortress that houses the Canaries' Museo de la Piratería (Piracy Museum; closed for renovations at the time of writing). The castillo warded off pirates for centuries from its perch on the Guanapay volcano.

Guided walks take you through this 1-km (½-mile) section of an underground lava tube, said to be the longest in the world. Deep in the volcanic area of Malpaís, it's one of the most stunning natural sights on the island. The entrance is just north of Costa Teguise, beyond Punta Mujeres.

These water caverns, turned into an architectural destination by César Manrique, is situated 15 km (9 miles) north of the Costa Teguise. They were created when molten lava streamed through an underground tunnel and hissed into the sea. Look for the tiny albino lobsters on the rocks in the underground lake—this blind species (Munidopsis polimorpha) is found nowhere else in the world. There's a pleasant if basic restaurant by the lake, and the Casa de los Volcanes is a good museum of volcanic science. Night visits are possible on Saturday.

Designed by César Manrique, this lookout at the northerly tip of a hairpin bend in the LZ202 road lets you see the islet of La Graciosa from an altitude of 1,550 feet. From the lookout you can also see smaller protected isles—Montaña Clara, Alegranza (the Canary closest to Europe), and Roque del Este. Arrive early to beat the crowds.

The little fishing village of Órzola is 9 km (5½ miles) north of Jameos del Agua. Small-boat excursions leave here each day for the neighboring one-town islet of La Graciosa, population 718, which has plenty of quiet beaches.

Not far from the Jardín de Cactus, Playa de la Garita is a wide bay of crystalline water favored by surfers in winter and snorkelers in summer. Almost a kilometer (½ mile) of golden sands is safe for swimming, making this a popular spot for families. The beach gets busy in the summer but is reasonably quiet the rest of the year. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming.

This is the best of Costa Teguise's several small beaches. The sands are protected from high wind and waves by the natural bay formed in the coastline. A pleasant seafront promenade takes you around the beach and into the southern stretches of the resort. Getting a spot for your towel in the summer can be a challenge, especially on weekends. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming.