Tegueste

Tegueste  is a municipality of 11,000 people (2019) in the metropolitan area of Tenerife. Tegueste is one of the highest municipalities on Tenerife, at 545 m above sea level.

Understand
Tegueste is fairly small, and the most important sights can be visited in a single day, making it a great day excursion destination. The Tourist Information Office is the best place to start a visit.

History
Tegueste has been inhabited since the Guanche era, with archaeological remains of found in the Agua de Dios ravine, more specifically at Los Cabezazos. The town resisted Spanish invasion, but was eventually conquered in 1496, and the land divided among Spanish settlers. The city is constructed around the earliest cultural heritage of this period, known as the Tegueste el Viejo, around the Plaza de La Arañita.

Since 1813, Tegueste has been an independent municipality. It has a steadily growing population which quadrupled in the 20th century to a total of 11,000 inhabitants. Its economy is traditionally agricultural, with a focus on vegetables and vineyards, and some livestock.

Orientation
Its territory is completely surrounded by historical city San Cristóbal de La Laguna, being the only municipality with this feature on the island. It is one of only 3 landlocked municipalities on Tenerife, the others being El Tanque and Vilaflor.

The eastern side of Tegueste is very mountainous, with foothills of the northwest end of the Anaga massif. The central and western area is relatively flat and harbours the majority of the population in the valleys of the Tegueste and El Socorro. The highest point is 950 m above sea level.

Climate
Tegueste enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm temperatures throughout the year and relatively low variations between seasons, providing a constant climate favourable for agriculture and vineyards. Nearly all rain falls in winter, whereas summers are slightly warmer but very dry. Despite its relatively high altitude, temperatures never drop below zero.

By air
The  is just south of Tegueste, and the historic centre of Tegueste is only 6 km away by foot from the airport terminal. The airport serves mostly continental connections with the Spanish mainland. Iberia and Air Europa have daily services from Madrid, Air Europa and Vueling also offer connections from Barcelona, Malaga, Valencia, and Seville. In addition, a fleet of turboprop aircraft is operated by Binter Canarias to connect the different islands by air.

There are several international flights as well, from London Heathrow, Helsinki, Rome, Agadir, Casablanca, and Funchal.

By bus
There are 4 bus lines connecting Tegueste with surrounding points of interest:
 * Bus connects Tegueste with San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Bajamar, and Punta del Hidalgo
 * Buses and  connect Tegueste with San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tejina, and Tacoronte
 * Bus connects Tegueste with San Cristóbal de La Laguna with the Las Toscas and El Socorro districts

Get around
The easiest way to get around is by foot, the historic centre and side streets are pedestrianized and easily walkable.

Do

 * The Festival of San Marcos, celebrated on the Sunday closest to April 25, is a great pilgrimage with wagons decorated with grain and typical motifs, food is distributed for all the people present and animals from field, such as oxen, goats, horses, and donkeys.
 * The Festival of San Marcos, celebrated on the Sunday closest to April 25, is a great pilgrimage with wagons decorated with grain and typical motifs, food is distributed for all the people present and animals from field, such as oxen, goats, horses, and donkeys.

Work
For those looking for work in Tegueste, the Employment Office is the best starting point.

Go next

 * San Cristóbal de La Laguna — one of the oldest cities of the Canarias with a well preserved historic centre that is a
 * Anaga Rural Park — National Park and biosphere reserve with the largest population of endemic species in Europe