Casa de Carta Museum of Anthropology

Stairs from the door climb to a wooden hallway, and from reception the signs lead room by room through a noble family's country house. Panels first trace the history of the estate. Then comes a room of traditional men's and women's dress, the clothing that marked island identity, followed by instruments, a living room furnished in the style of its era and the old farm kitchen.

The visit carries on outdoors. A courtyard opens onto the wine press and the gofio mill, where the toasted grain flour that fed the islands was ground, and spacious gardens with benches look out over the surrounding countryside. The mansion itself is well restored and holds as much interest as anything shown in it. Temporary exhibitions run alongside the permanent rooms.

• The courtyard, wine press, gofio mill and gardens are all outdoors, so a wet day cuts the visit short.
• Leave time for the gardens: benches look out over the countryside, and they are half the reason to come.
• Stairs lead up from the entrance to the reception hallway, although the entrance and the toilet are listed as wheelchair accessible.
• Toilets are on site. The museum suits children, and the kitchen, mill and gardens hold their attention.

Casa de Carta stands in the village of Valle de Guerra, in the north of the La Laguna municipality. Drivers find two parking areas about 70 m away in a straight line, so there is no real walk from the car. By bus, the La Carta stop is about 140 m away. Once through the door, stairs climb to a wooden hallway that leads to the reception desk, where the signed route through the house begins.

Best: a dry Friday or Saturday afternoon. Entry is free on those afternoons, and the gardens and views need good weather to be enjoyed.

Avoid: rainy days and arriving close to closing time. The courtyard, wine press, mill and gardens are outdoors, and a rushed or wet visit leaves them out.