Near Arucas

The North, a region of contrasts

The North of Gran Canaria is all of an invitation to explorers looking for wide-open spaces, full of contrasting landscapes wafted by the refreshing sea breeze from the nearby coast, a unique panorama of stark steep cliffs and deep plunging gullies, part of the island territory declared a World Biosphere Reserve.

North of Gran Canaria Guide

There is a whole world of possibilities and unique moments to be experienced far from the madding crowds, in direct contact with Nature, revelling in the landscape, the sea, the cultural heritage and singular identity of the agricultural North with its traditional values, paraded and placed on display during the celebration of the festivities of the region, among the most important for the people of Gran Canaria.

The North offers you a treasure trove of historical remains of the original inhabitants of the island and the heritage of the city centres, where traditional architecture, cobbled streets, gardens, emblematic churches and spots with a charm of their own bring out the best in all our budding photographers

Last, but certainly not least, the variety and quality of the local products will excite the palates and curiosity of even the most jaded, with every town offering something out of the ordinary whether it be fresh fish, bananas, tomatoes, “gofio” (toasted corn flour) or wines and liqueurs. Travellers will also be able to tailor their trips to their needs thanks to the trustworthy network of tourism offices.

Nature and Landscape

An environment to enjoy nature and the landscape

If you like natural scenery and photography, the North of the island of Gran Canaria is the place for you. Almost fifty per cent of the natural environment in this area is protected by law affording multiple possibilities to enjoy an unspoilt landscape in different ways and from different perspectives: hiking, from lookout points, doing sport or recreational activities or simply relaxing in the one of the many rural hotels or rented houses in the area.

Region open to the Sea

There are almost 94 kilometres of coastline waiting to be discovered by the intrepid explorer with black volcanic sand beaches and natural seawater swimming pools against a spectacular backdrop of cliffs. You can surf, scuba dive, sail or fish, enjoying the views of the west coast of the island, just some of the options available in the North.

Heritage, the legacy of the past

The history of any people can be interpreted through its heritage and the North has many treasures to offer. The town centres, full of churches and shrines from the Past, the traditional architecture with the adornments of the Canary balconies and the chiselled stonework, the literary jewels of poets such as Tomás Morales (1884-1921) or the magnificent statues and images produced by Luján Pérez (1756-1815), or something as simple but ethnographically unusual as the heritage relating to water and its uses.

Culture, the aboriginal footprint

The North is a treasure trove of historical remains. The original natives of the island and their way of life can be appreciated in the various archaeological sites of value in the area, such as the Cenobio de Valerón and the Cueva Pintada, not to mention the outstanding network of museums, the local handicraft and other places of interest which, no doubt, will help the visitor to understand better and more fully the history and culture of the original natives of the island of Gran Canaria.

The flavors of the North

Such is the fame and outstanding nature of the local gastronomy that the most representative products of the area have now patented their “name” with the DOO of their “birthplace”. Travellers can now search out or demand cheese from Guía, coffee from Agaete, chorizo (spicy sausage) from Teror, rum from Arucas, the sponge finger biscuits or “bizcochos” from Moya, tomatoes from La Aldea, onions from Gáldar, watercress from Firgas, cider from Valleseco and potato scones from Artenara.

Parties

Popular reference in Gran Canaria

Some of the most well-loved and popular of the traditional festivities celebrated on the island are held in the region of the North, such as La Rama in Agaete, Nuestra Señora del Pino (the patron of the Island) in Teror, El Charco in La Aldea de San Nicolás, the feast of Santiago in Gáldar, the Corpus Christi flower and salt carpets (Alfombras) in Arucas, the Cheese Festival in Santa María de Guía, San Roque in Firgas, the Apple Festival in Valleseco, la Virgen de la Cuevita (the Madonna of the Grotto) in Artenara and the Romería (gypsy pilgrimage) of San Antonio in Moya.

Routes not to be missed

¿HOW TO GET?

From Maspalomas

  • Take the main road GC-1, and either turn off at the ring road marked GC-3, or continue en route to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria following the GC-2 (North motorway).
  • Take the GC-60 from Maspalomas to Tejeda.

If you have the time, you can make two different routes of the North:

1. The coast route

Arucas, Santa María de Guía, Gáldar, Agaete and La Aldea de San Nicolás.

In Arucas:
  • The old city centre (the church of San Juan Bautista: St John the Baptist).
  • The Arehucas rum factory.
  • The Municipal Museum.
  • The Marchioness´Garden.
In Santa María de Guía:
  • The old city centre.
  • "Néstor Álamo" Museum.
  • La Casa del Queso (the Cheese House) on Montaña Alta.
  • Cenobio de Valerón (where the natives stored their grain).
In Gáldar:
  • The Museum and Archaeological Precinct of the Cueva Pintada de Gáldar.
  • The old city centre (The Temple of Santiago de los Caballeros: The Knight, St. George).
  • The market of Gáldar.
  • The lighthouse and beach at Sardina del Norte.
In Agaete:
  • Huerto de Las Flores (the Flower Grove).
  • The Port of Puerto de Las Nieves (and the Shrine housing the XVI century Flemish triptych).
  • The valley of Valle de Agaete.
  • The nature reserve of Parque Natural de Tamadaba.
In La Aldea de San Nicolás:
  • The beach at Playa de La Aldea.
  • Traditional Canary architecture: adobe and stone houses and balconies.
  • The ethnographic and oral history museum of Museo Vivo de La Aldea.
  • The wind and water flourmills.
2. Via the hinterlands.

Teror, Firgas, Moya, Valleseco and Artenara.

In Teror:
  • The old city centre: (The temple and Basilica of Ntra. Señora del Pino).
  • The House-Museum of the Patrons: Casa Museo de Los Patronos de la Virgen.
  • The street market and handicraft fair in Teror (weekends).
  • The estate and botanical gardens of Osorio: Finca y Parque de la Naturaleza de Osorio.
In Firgas:
  • The two parades: the Paseo de Gran Canaria and the Paseo de Canarias.
  • The old city centre (the church of San Roque and the Cultural Centre, Casa de la Cultura).
  • The 16th century mill in Firgas
  • The rural park: Parque Rural de Doramas.
In Moya:
  • The house-museum of the local poet, Tomás Morales.
  • The church of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.
  • The typical Canary balconies in Moya.
  • The Heritage Interpretation Centre for Los Tilos de Moya (1,800 metre walk)
In Valleseco:
  • The church of San Vicente Ferrer (the organ dates from the 18th century).
  • The area of La Laguna de Valleseco.
  • The gulley of Barranco de La Virgen - Parque Rural de Doramas.
  • The Nature heritage (hiking, lookout points…)
In Artenara:
  • The Shine to the Vírgen de la Cuevita (the Madonna of the Grotto).
  • The church of San Matías.
  • The House-Cave-Museum of Santiago Aranda.
  • The Nature heritage (hiking, lookout points…)
OTHER PLACES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST
  • The Municipal Museum (Arucas).
  • La Parra Negra (literally The Black Vine) (Arucas).
  • The Tomás Morales Museum (Moya).
  • The “Bizcocho” (sponge finger biscuit) factory (Moya).
  • The Museum of the Celebration of La Rama (Agaete).
  • Huerto de las Flores (The Flower Grove) (Agaete).
  • The Antonio Padrón Museum (Gáldar).
  • The Néstor Álamo Museum (Santa María de Guía).
  • The Néstor Álamo Museum (Santa María de Guía).
  • The Cheese House on Montaña Alta (Santa María de Guía).
  • The Corn Flour Mill (gofio) (Valleseco).
  • The Handicraft workshops (Valleseco).
North of Gran Canaria Guide
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