Tegueste

People have lived in and around Tegueste since the time of the Guanches, the island's indigenous inhabitants, as archaeological sites found throughout the Barranco de Agua de Dios — particularly at a place called Los Cabezazos — make clear. Before the Castilian conquest, the area formed part of the menceyato of Tegueste, one of the territorial divisions into which the Guanches organised the island. Tegueste resisted the invasion and was classed among the warring factions.

The hermitage of San Marcos was raised to a parish church in 1606, and the town became an independent municipality on 14 February 1813, following the proclamation of the Constitution of Cádiz.

The old town around the church of San Marcos was declared a Site of Cultural Interest — Historic Ensemble category — in 1986. The Guanche cave complex in the Barranco de Agua de Dios received the same status as an archaeological zone in 2006. Other points of interest include three historic water fountains and cisterns at La Placeta, Las Toscas, and the Calvario del Socorro; the church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro; the 1847 Casa del Prebendado Pacheco; the two-storey Mansión de los Tacoronte; the Casa de la Audiencia; the old town hall; and the squares of La Arañita and La Placeta.

Traditional architecture is well preserved in the districts of La Padilla, San Luis, Pedro Álvarez, and El Palomar.

An airport sits just south of Tegueste, with the historic centre roughly 6 km from the terminal on foot. It handles mainly Spanish mainland routes — Iberia and Air Europa fly daily from Madrid, while Air Europa and Vueling serve Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia, and Seville. Binter Canarias connects the island to others by turboprop.

International flights run from London Heathrow, Helsinki, Rome, Agadir, Casablanca, and Funchal. Four bus lines link Tegueste to the area: one runs to La Laguna, Bajamar, and Punta del Hidalgo; two connect to La Laguna, Tejina, and Tacoronte; and one serves La Laguna via Las Toscas and El Socorro. The historic centre itself is pedestrianised and easy to walk.