Top 10 beautiful mountain villages
Gran Canaria has many beautiful villages in the mountains. Several of them are among the oldest towns on the island and offer a good insight into the original, authentic Gran Canaria as it looked hundreds of years ago.
Here on this page, we have compiled a list of the 10 most beautiful and interesting mountain villages in Gran Canaria. The order depends on the eye of the beholder, but we can recommend them all. So rent a car and take a trip to one or more of these exciting villages.
Are you more interested in where to stay in Gran Canaria? Then check out our recommendations for the best holiday resorts for families with children and adult couples.
Teror
Teror is undoubtedly one of Gran Canaria’s most picturesque mountain villages. Many of the houses date back to the 16th century and are known for their characteristic doors, windows and balconies made of dark carved wood. The town is built around the basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino, dedicated to Gran Canaria’s patron saint, La Virgen del Pino. Close to the basilica is the Casa Museo de los Patrones de la Virgen museum, where you can gain a good insight into Gran Canaria in days gone by.
Every Sunday there is a market in Teror. Here you can buy specialities from Teror, such as the sweet and spicy chorizo sausage Chorizo de Teror and specialities from the Monasterio Cisterciense monastery. Teror is also known for its own spring water, Agua de Teror.
Tejeda
Tejeda is a very charming village located almost in the centre of Gran Canaria. Tejeda is known for its many viewpoints, known as miradors. One of the best is Plaza Mirador del Ayuntamiento, which offers an impressive view of Roque Nublo, the most famous rock formation in Gran Canaria.
The beautiful natural surroundings are ideal for hiking, and there are many trails to choose from. Some date back to the time when the island’s indigenous people, the Guanches, moved around the island. These trails are called Caminos Reales, which can be loosely translated as royal trails. If you come for hiking, remember that Tejeda is located at an altitude of 1,050 metres, making it one of the coldest towns in Gran Canaria.
Firgas
Firgas in northern Gran Canaria is known as Villa de Agua, as water plays a major role in the town’s history. One of the town’s biggest attractions is a 400-year-old watermill, and Firgas is still one of the largest producers of spring water in Gran Canaria.
The influence of water also leaves its mark on the town centre. In the street Paseo de Gran Canaria, an artificial waterfall has been built, which cascades down 30 metres. Next to the waterfall are many colourful benches painted with motifs from the seven Canary Islands. At the town square, San Roque, there is a beautiful town hall and a church from the 1500s.
Fataga
Fataga is a scenic village, and the journey there is equally appealing. For most visitors, the trip begins in Maspalomas, with the first notable stop being Degollada de las Yeguas. From here, there is a panoramic view of the large valley and the impressive mountains. The next stop could be La Baranada, a safari park with camels.
When you arrive in Fataga, you are greeted by well-maintained whitewashed houses, narrow streets and lots of colourful flowers. In the cosy streets, there are working workshops with handicrafts, galleries and souvenir shops. There are also many viewpoints overlooking the valley and mountains. If you get hungry, you’ll find a couple of good restaurants in Fataga.
Arucas
The village of Arucas is located just west of Las Palmas. Arucas’ landmark is the beautiful cathedral Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, which is rather large in relation to the size of the village.
Arucas is known for its beautiful architecture, including the church and town hall. However, the town is also known for its popular rum factory, which produces no less than 3.5 million litres of rum and liqueurs. It is possible to take a tour of the factory, enjoy tastings and visit the rum museum, Museo Ron Arehucas.
Artenara
Artenara is the highest village in Gran Canaria. The view is impressive, especially of the two famous rock formations Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo. The unique natural surroundings make Artenara ideal for walks in the Pinar de Tamadaba Natural Park.
It is also possible to see the caves where the original inhabitants lived. Many have been modernised and are now rented out to tourists. A rather unique form of accommodation.
Gáldar
Gáldar is an exciting village in northern Gran Canaria, climbing up the Montaña de Gáldar mountain. The heart of the town is Plaza de Santiago, a large, beautiful square with lots of flowers, old twisted trees and a beautiful fountain. It is one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful squares.
For many hundreds of years, the area around Gáldar was the centre of the Guanches, the indigenous people of Gran Canaria. You can experience this in the exciting archaeological museum Cueva Pintada, which houses the Canary Islands’ best preserved examples of the Guanches’ caves, tools and way of life.
Moya
Moya is an exciting mountain village in northern Gran Canaria, just a few kilometres west of the more famous village of Firgas. The pride of the town is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, built on the cliffs above the Barranco de Moya gorge.
Opposite the church is the house where the poet Tomás Morales was born in 1884. The house has been converted into a museum, which houses an extensive collection of material about the poet. Moya is also known for a popular Canarian cake, bizcochos lustrados, which you simply must try!
Agüimes
The village of Agüimes is located in the eastern part of Gran Canaria, just 5 km from the airport. The historic district of Agüimes, Casco histórico de Agüimes, is one of the best preserved in Gran Canaria. The highlights are the impressive church on the charming Plaza del Rosario square and the historical museum. But just admiring the beautiful architecture is an attraction in itself. The Plaza de San Anton square is a good place to stop for refreshments, and it is also where the tourist information office is located.
Santa BrÃgida
Santa BrÃgida is a mountain village at an altitude of 500 metres in the north-eastern part of Gran Canaria. The old town is very charming, with the church Iglesia de Santa BrÃgida as its cultural centre. In the past, many wealthy English people had their summer residences in Santa BrÃgida, and there are still several exclusive properties here. Its proximity to Las Palmas makes the village a popular destination for the inhabitants of the capital.
The nature is very lush in this area, with many palm trees and even strawberry trees. Santa BrÃgida is also known for its production of quality wines.
