Costa Teguise

Costa Teguise is perched on Lanzarote’s east coast, only a few minutes north of Arrecife and conveniently close to the airport. Although it is the island’s second-largest resort, it has a personality that sets it apart. Unlike Puerto del Carmen, which developed in a more organic way, Costa Teguise was carefully planned as a holiday spot in the 1970s, shaped by the vision of César Manrique, our much-loved local artist and architect. He chose to make his home here, and you can still feel his influence throughout the resort.

What you find here is a resort with wide, easy-going streets, low-rise buildings and plenty of open space, so it never feels crowded. Costa Teguise has a more spacious and laid-back feel than Puerto del Carmen, and it is especially popular with families, couples who prefer a quieter pace, and anyone who loves water sports thanks to the steady trade winds along this stretch of coast. The resort unfolds across a series of sheltered bays, all linked by a lovely seafront promenade, with the whitewashed Pueblo Marinero square at the centre of local life.

Costa Teguise is blessed with five beaches, each offering something a little different. Playa de las Cucharas is the heart of the resort, a sweeping curve of golden sand that locals and visitors alike are drawn to. The steady trade winds here have made it a favourite for windsurfers and kitesurfers, and you will often see colourful sails skimming across the water. When the breeze settles, it is a lovely spot for a swim, with lifeguards on duty during the season and all the facilities you might need for a relaxing day by the sea.

Just south of Las Cucharas, Playa de Jablillo is a sheltered little cove, its natural rock formations creating a calm, shallow pool that feels almost like a lagoon. It is a favourite with families and anyone who prefers gentle waters. Playa Bastian, a bit further along, is broader and usually quieter, with plenty of space to stretch out and some lovely snorkelling around the rocks. Playa del Ancla, tucked near the Pueblo Marinero, is a tiny spot with a peaceful, local atmosphere, while Playa de los Charcos at the northern end is a bit rockier and draws body-boarders looking for a bit more action.

Pueblo Marinero sits at the heart of Costa Teguise and is a place I always enjoy returning to. This whitewashed square, shaped with a little help from César Manrique, has a special charm that draws both locals and visitors. Low-rise buildings with welcoming restaurants, friendly bars, and a small church frame the square, creating an inviting atmosphere that really comes alive in the evenings. Especially during the summer and local fiestas, you can often hear live music drifting through the air, adding to the sense of community and celebration.

If you visit on a Friday evening, you’ll find the square bustling with a lively craft and artisan market. Stalls are filled with handmade jewellery, ceramics, leatherwork and tempting local treats, making it a lovely place to browse and pick up something unique. The restaurants here offer everything from traditional Canarian dishes to international favourites, and I always recommend taking a seat on one of the outdoor terraces to soak up the atmosphere over dinner. It’s also a handy spot to catch a taxi or begin a gentle stroll as you explore more of Costa Teguise on foot.

Costa Teguise is a great spot for anyone who enjoys eating out, with plenty of choice to suit all tastes. The heart of the action is around Pueblo Marinero, where you will find the highest concentration of restaurants, from traditional Canarian and Spanish to Italian, Indian, Chinese and British favourites. If you prefer to dine with a view, the seafront promenade behind Playa de las Cucharas is lined with terrace restaurants where you can enjoy your meal while looking out over the ocean.

If you are keen to try some local flavours, there are several places serving fresh fish, papas arrugadas and the famous mojo sauces, all prepared in the true Lanzarote style. Indian restaurants are always busy, especially with British visitors, while Italian spots are a safe bet for pizza and pasta. Chinese restaurants offer both buffet and a la carte menus, and if you are missing a taste of home, there are plenty of British-style pubs and cafes serving up cooked breakfasts, Sunday roasts and classic fish and chips.

In recent years, Costa Teguise has welcomed some newer, more modern restaurants, adding a fresh twist to the local dining scene. Prices are much the same as you will find in Puerto del Carmen, with main courses usually between 10 and 18 euros.

Costa Teguise offers a more laid-back bar scene than you’ll find in Puerto del Carmen, which is part of its charm. Here, you can settle in at a friendly sports bar to catch the latest football or rugby match, or enjoy the warm welcome and a pint of Guinness at one of the Irish bars. If you fancy something a little different, there are cocktail bars serving up all the classics at sensible prices. There’s no shortage of places to unwind after a day in the Lanzarote sun.

Most of the bars are tucked around Pueblo Marinero and the lively commercial centres on Avenida de las Islas Canarias. Things tend to quieten down by midnight or so, which suits the family-friendly feel of the resort. The evenings here are relaxed and sociable, with a welcoming mix of British, Irish, German and Spanish visitors all enjoying the easy-going atmosphere.

Costa Teguise has never really been known for its nightlife, and that is part of its charm. If you are hoping for nightclubs and a party atmosphere, you will need to head over to Puerto del Carmen, which is about twenty minutes away by taxi. Here in Costa Teguise, evenings are more about enjoying a relaxed circuit of friendly bars, where you can listen to live music, join in a karaoke night or test your knowledge at a quiz.

You will often find live music drifting from the bars around Pueblo Marinero and along the main strip, with talented local singers and acoustic duos playing familiar favourites. Many of the larger hotels also offer their own evening entertainment, from tribute acts to cabaret shows. On Friday evenings, the market in Pueblo Marinero brings everyone together and creates a lovely holiday buzz. During fiestas and the summer months, the square comes alive with outdoor stages and live performances, adding to the sense of community and celebration.

Costa Teguise has long been a favourite spot on the island for anyone who loves water sports, especially those powered by the wind. The steady northeast trade winds that sweep across Playa de las Cucharas make it a wonderful place to try your hand at windsurfing or kitesurfing, whether you are just starting out or already have some experience. There are friendly local schools right on the beach, offering lessons and equipment hire to suit all levels, so you can spend as much or as little time on the water as you like.

On gentler days, you will often see people gliding across the bay on stand-up paddleboards, which you can easily hire right on the sand. If you fancy exploring a little further, kayaking along the coastline is a lovely way to take in the views of the resort and its rugged headlands from the water. In the summer months, jet skis and banana boats add a bit of excitement to the main beach. For those who prefer to stay below the surface, the clear waters around the rocky coves at Playa Bastian and Playa de Jablillo are perfect for snorkelling, with plenty of colourful fish darting among the volcanic rocks.

Shopping in Costa Teguise is a relaxed affair, with several commercial centres dotted along the main Avenida de las Islas Canarias and its quieter side streets. Here, you can browse for souvenirs, pick up some new beachwear, or perhaps find a special piece of jewellery to remember your stay. Many of these centres also offer a choice of restaurants, friendly bars and handy little convenience stores, making it easy to combine a bit of shopping with a leisurely coffee or lunch.

When it comes to everyday groceries, the large HiperDino supermarket in the heart of the resort has just about everything you might need, from fresh local produce to household essentials, all at sensible local prices. For those last-minute bits and pieces, you’ll find smaller Spar shops and convenience stores scattered around Costa Teguise. If you enjoy browsing for something a little different, the Friday evening market in Pueblo Marinero is a lovely spot to discover artisan crafts, handmade gifts and local delicacies. And for a real market experience, the famous Sunday market in the historic town of Teguise is just a short drive inland and offers hundreds of stalls to explore – it’s a favourite outing for many of us who live here.

Costa Teguise is not just about water sports. It is also a wonderful starting point for discovering more of Lanzarote. Families often enjoy a day at Aquapark Costa Teguise, the main attraction for children in the resort. With its slides, wave pools, lazy river and splash zones, it is a favourite spot when the sun is shining and everyone is ready for some fun.

Golfers will be pleased to find Lanzarote’s only 18-hole course right here in Costa Teguise, where you can play a round surrounded by striking volcanic scenery. The green fees are fair, and the views are something special. If you prefer to explore on two wheels, there are plenty of places to hire a bike or e-bike and set off along the peaceful roads of the east coast. For a taste of local artistry, the Jardín de Cactus, created by César Manrique, is just a short drive north and makes for a lovely half-day outing. Some of Lanzarote’s most famous sights, like Timanfaya National Park, Cueva de los Verdes, Jameos del Agua and the Mirador del Río, are all within easy reach by car, and excursion buses collect from the main hotels if you prefer not to drive.

Costa Teguise has always struck me as the most family-friendly of Lanzarote’s main resorts. Playa de Jablillo, with its sheltered lagoon and shallow waters, is a favourite for families with little ones. Playa de las Cucharas is another lovely spot, especially on calm days when the gentle waves make it ideal for supervised swimming. The resort itself is thoughtfully laid out, with wide pavements and quiet roads that make getting around with pushchairs or young children a breeze.

The Aquapark is always a big hit with families, offering plenty of slides and pools to keep everyone entertained. Many of the hotels and apartment complexes here go out of their way to cater for children, with kids’ clubs, special pools and organised activities. You’ll also find that most restaurants are very welcoming to families, and children’s menus are easy to come by.

Life in Costa Teguise moves at a gentle pace, which is perfect for families who prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of busier resorts. There are plenty of playgrounds tucked away in the residential areas, and the flat seafront promenade is ideal for a family stroll or a leisurely bike ride along the coast.

Costa Teguise is a wonderfully walkable resort, where you can easily wander between the main beaches, shops and restaurants along the seafront promenade or the Avenida de las Islas Canarias. It usually takes around 20 to 25 minutes to stroll from one end of the resort to the other, and the flat terrain makes it comfortable for everyone, including those with wheelchairs or pushchairs.

If you prefer not to walk, taxis are easy to find at the Pueblo Marinero or you can simply call for one. Journeys within Costa Teguise are usually just 4 to 6 euros, and a taxi to the airport takes about 20 minutes and costs between 20 and 25 euros. For those who like to explore by bus, Line 1 runs regularly throughout the day, linking Costa Teguise with Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen. The trip to Arrecife is quick and convenient, taking only about 15 minutes.

To really make the most of your time on Lanzarote, I always suggest hiring a car. There are plenty of agencies both in Costa Teguise and at the airport, with prices starting from around 20 euros per day.

Costa Teguise is well served by a Centro de Salud, the local public health centre, where you can go for non-urgent medical advice or treatment. If you are visiting from the EU or UK and have a valid EHIC or GHIC card, you will be able to access public healthcare here. There are also a number of private clinics in the resort, many with English and German-speaking doctors, which can be a good option if you need to see someone quickly for minor holiday mishaps like insect bites or ear infections.

You will find pharmacies dotted along the main streets and inside the commercial centres, easy to spot thanks to the familiar green cross sign. Many everyday medicines can be bought over the counter, so you are rarely far from help if you need it. In case of a real emergency, dial 112 for assistance. The main hospital for the island, Hospital Doctor Jose Molina Orosa in Arrecife, is only about a 15-minute drive from Costa Teguise. I always recommend that visitors arrange travel insurance before their trip, just for peace of mind.

Costa Teguise offers a wide choice of places to stay, from comfortable self-catering apartments and apart-hotels to elegant four and five-star resorts. If you want to be close to the sea, the hotels near Playa de las Cucharas are ideal, with the main beach and a tempting selection of promenade restaurants just a short stroll away. The Barcelo Teguise Beach is a favourite with many visitors, thanks to its prime location right on the sand.

Just behind the Pueblo Marinero, you will find a friendly mix of smaller hotels and apartment complexes, often at more affordable prices. If you prefer a resort with pools, gardens and all-inclusive options, there are plenty to choose from throughout Costa Teguise. Self-catering apartments are especially popular with families and those planning a longer stay, offering both comfort and good value. One thing I have always appreciated about Costa Teguise is its sense of space; compared to Puerto del Carmen, the accommodation here feels more open, with properties set among generous green areas.