Arrecife

Arrecife, formerly having been just the port of Teguise, has grown to be the island's actual capital. Above its port, there are two great fortresses, San Gabriel and San José, in the past defending the town against the frequent attacks of pirates.

Another fortress, the Castillo de San Gabriel of 15th century, is located at a small island in front of the port and connected with Arrecife by a draw-bridge.

The town's Museum of Contemporary Art, inside another castle, the Castillo de San Juan (called as well Castillo del Hambre), showing several outstanding works of Cesar Manrique, is among Arrecife's major attractions.

Teguise

Teguise, the former capital, carries the name of the last Guanche-king's daughter. It is one of the oldest settlements on the archipelago, but little is left of its original monumental abundance, as it once was destroyed by pirates.

Anyhow, Teguise conserved much of its ambience of a manorial town, with nice houses and its dominating castle, Castillo de Santa Barbara. A highly demanded souvenir are the "Timples", traditional instruments similar to guitars, which are manufactured here.