Hotel Boutique Palacio Ico

Teguise is the old capital of Lanzarote, an inland town of whitewashed houses, plazas and church towers that sits beneath the Guanapay volcano and its castle. It is quieter and more historic than the beach resorts, and Hotel Boutique Palacio Ico places you right in that setting. The town is best known for its Sunday market, when the streets fill with stalls, music and visitors, but on other days it is calm, with cafes, small galleries and craft shops, and a slow pace that suits travellers who like to wander. Staying here gives you a different view of the island, with evenings in the town rather than on a promenade, and a good position for exploring the north.

Teguise rewards a day on foot. The Plaza de la Constitucion is the heart of the town, with the church of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, and the lanes around it hold old merchant houses, convents and small museums. The Castillo de Santa Barbara, on the Guanapay hill above the town, houses a museum about piracy on the Canary coast and has wide views over the island, and the walk or short drive up is worthwhile at sunset.

The Sunday market is the biggest event, so if you want the quiet town, visit on a weekday, and if you want the bustle, arrive early and expect crowds and limited parking.

The position is good for the northern sights. Costa Teguise and its beaches are about ten minutes by car, the Cesar Manrique foundation near Tahiche is close, and Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes and the Mirador del Rio can be linked into a full day. The beach at Caleta de Famara, with its long sand and surf, lies to the north-west, and the ferry for La Graciosa leaves from Orzola.

Timanfaya National Park and the vineyards of La Geria are on the other side of the island, around forty minutes away. A hire car is the best way to see them all, and the airport and Arrecife are around twenty minutes away.

Teguise is cooler and breezier than the coast and is pleasant in all seasons, though evenings can be fresh in winter. The town gets busy on market days, and parking can be tight, so ask the hotel about where to leave a car. As a boutique property, rooms and facilities vary, so check the details when you book, including room types, breakfast, any pool or terrace, and how late the front desk stays open. The property name points to a historic palace-style setting, but features differ, so check when you book.

A good short stay might include a morning in the town, an afternoon at the castle, a day trip to Famara and the north, and a day for Timanfaya and La Geria. Bring a light jacket for the evening and comfortable shoes for the cobbles.