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When the bells in the square clock tower of Teguise's parish church toll, they attract people from all over the Lanzarote - not to pray but to visit the island's largest street market. Teguise market takes place from 9am to 2pm in the square in front of the church and through the narrow, cobbled streets in the area. Though Teguise itself only has about 3000 inhabitants, the market attracts both locals and tourists from all over Lanzarote, because the stalls are the best place to buy Canarian lace and linen, trainers, leather handbags, clay pottery, jewellery and traditional leather masks. The market is also a popular day trip because of its delish food stalls and fascinating street entertainment.

Against the backdrop of whitewash wall houses, a remarkable figure often makes his appearance during the Sunday market: the levitating man! To the astonishment of many a tourist, he is floating about three feet in the air. Tourists walk around him, hold their hands underneath him, scrutinize the air above him to make sure he's not hanging from some sort of skyhook... and eventually take a photo of this piece of magic. The only support the levitating man needs is a pole in front of him, and he simply rests his hand on top of the pole.

For tourists, street entertainment is the perfect opportunity to get to know the Canarian culture - as well as the levitating man, there usually is a panpipe band on Plaza de la Constitucion and you will find people dancing in the streets. You can to get to the Sunday street market from seaside resorts such as Puerto Del Carmen and Playa Blanca by public bus, but as the Sunday market is a popular excursion, buses tend to get very crowded. Alternatively, you can get there by coach or rented car. A word of warning for those who have booked flights to Lanzarote for the winter months: Teguise can be a bit nippier than most other Canarian resorts during winter, so you might come home with a new jumper!

Tequise is not to be confused with Costa Teguise, a tourist resorts on the coast. The Tequise we're talking about was founded in 1414 and served as the capital of Lanzarote until 1852, when Arrecife became the official capital. This tranquil town has kept much of its colonial charm and dignity.