Lanzarote's local culture and specialities: what makes the island unique
Beyond the beaches and volcanoes, Lanzarote's local culture carries a mark unlike anywhere else in the Canaries: that of César Manrique, who shaped the built landscape of the entire island. The craft market of Teguise, La Geria's vineyards planted in ash, Guatiza's cochineal, and white houses with green or blue shutters all combine into a distinct identity, alongside our guide to Lanzarote.
In a nutshell
- Teguise market: the big Sunday morning craft market, the best known in the Canaries.
- La Geria: vineyards planted in volcanic ash craters, Malvasía wine.
- Guatiza cochineal: prickly pear cultivation for red dye, a tradition still alive today.
- César Manrique's legacy: white houses, green or blue shutters, no outdoor advertising — a rule unique to the Canaries.
Teguise market, the Sunday craft gathering
Teguise market, every Sunday morning, is the largest craft market in the Canary Islands. Set in the island's former capital, it brings together local craftspeople, producers and souvenir stalls around the church square and along the village's cobbled streets.
Beyond the stalls, the village of Teguise is worth visiting for its well-preserved historic architecture: stately homes, interior courtyards, the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. Try to arrive early in high season to avoid the crowds.
La Geria and Malvasía wine: volcanic viticulture
In the La Geria region, vines grow at the bottom of small craters dug by hand into volcanic ash (picón), sheltered from the wind by semicircular stone walls (zocos). This technique, unique in the world, lets the vine capture overnight moisture in what's an almost desert-like soil.
The signature grape is Malvasía, producing dry or sweet white wines, best tasted at one of the bodegas along the wine route (El Grifo, the oldest in the Canaries, or La Geria). Several offer cellar tours and tastings.
Guatiza's cochineal: a farming tradition still alive today
In the Guatiza and Mala region, in the north of the island, whole fields of prickly pear (nopales) are still farmed for cochineal (cochinilla), a parasitic insect from which a natural red dye is extracted, historically used in textiles and today in the cosmetics and food industries. This farming activity, in decline but still present, can be seen near the Jardín de Cactus.
César Manrique's mark on the island's architecture
César Manrique didn't just create tourist sites: he shaped the entire island's building regulations. At his instigation, Lanzarote adopted strict rules still in force today: whitewashed houses, shutters and doors painted green (traditionally fishermen's homes) or blue (farmers' homes), no advertising hoardings along the roads, and no building taller than a palm tree.
This visual consistency, rare in such a touristy destination, largely explains why Lanzarote's landscape has stayed better preserved than that of other Canary Islands.
Crafts and souvenirs: what to bring back from Lanzarote
And to compare destinations, head back to our Canary Islands guide.
Frequently asked questions
When does Teguise market take place?
Every Sunday morning, in the village of Teguise, the island's former capital — the largest craft market in the Canaries.
What is La Geria wine?
A wine made from the Malvasía grape, grown in volcanic ash craters protected by stone walls (zocos), a wine-growing technique unique to Lanzarote.
What is Guatiza's cochineal?
A parasitic insect that lives on prickly pears, farmed to extract a natural red dye, a farming tradition still visible in the north of the island.
Why are Lanzarote's houses all white?
Building regulations, inspired by César Manrique, require whitewashed houses with green or blue shutters and ban advertising along the roads.
Where can you buy local crafts in Lanzarote?
At Teguise market on Sundays, or in villages such as Haría, known for its palm trees and craft workshops.