The purpose-built resort of Costa Teguise, 5 kilometres northeast from the capital Arrecife, is a favourite haven for those holidaymakers who enjoy sports and like them wet and active. Appropriately, it's also home to the island's only waterpark. There is a constant breeze across the bay which makes this the ideal spot for windsurfing and it is a magnet for fans of the sport? with a school on the main beach. The resort is situated on the eastern coastline of the island and if all you want to do is relax in the sunshine? Las Cucharas beach will serve you nicely. It is a large crescent-shaped bay with fine? clear waters for swimming. Throughout the resort there are also a number of smaller beaches. An 18-hole golf course can be found just two kilometres away from the resort centre.
Although custom-built, Costa Teguise has been lovingly planned and constructed in the typical Lanzarote style - whitewashed buildings are adorned with brightly painted green or blue window shutters. A short bus journey takes you from the resort to the island's capital city, Arrecife, while just inland from Costa Teguise is the quaint little town of Tahiche. Best-known for its association with Lanzarote's most famous son, the local landscape artist Cesar Manrique, Tahiche is the location of the Manrique Foundation which is housed in the artist's former home. Here you can view his work and collection pieces by Picasso. The house itself is well-worth a look as it is half submerged below ground, forming part of a network of underground caves and lava bubbles.
The Cactus Garden at Guatiza is another popular attraction on the north-east of the island, not far from Costa Teguise. Designed by Manrique, it fuses nature with art and boasts well over 1000 cacti of different shapes and sizes. Not to be confused with Costa Teguise, the island's former capital is called Teguise. Today it is hardly more than a small village but boasts some of Lanzarote's most elegant landmarks - the colonial-style buildings which surround the main square retain a bygone charm. Once a week a large market is held in the centre of Teguise selling everything from leather work to lace.
