The north of Gran Canaria, the third largest of the Canary Islands, offers a variety of alternatives for a full day out in the car. The route, which goes from Guía to the fishing and port town of Agaete, through the municipality of Guía, in the north-west, provides an appealing combination of rich historical, cultural and archaeological heritage with diverse options like swimming in the Atlantic, enjoying rich seafood gastronomy, quiet valleys and places of great natural beauty.
Santa María de Guía – a must-do archaeological tour
Departing from La Luz Port in Las Palmas, the capital de Gran Canaria, we take the northbound motorway towards Santa María de Guía, which we will reach in about 29 minutes. The houses in the historic quarter now have renewed colour —which is very striking— but, before going into the centre, we recommend visiting Cenobio de Valerón, a spectacular group of about 350 caves belonging to the Canarian aborigines (Guanches), dug into the face of El Gallego Mountain. They are about 800 years old and were used for storing food.
This area has been declared a National Artistic and Historical Monument
Returning to the town of Guía, which was declared a National Artistic and Historical Monument in 1982, it is worth taking a look at the neoclassical parish with two outstanding towers and jewels inside such as altarpieces and images by the sculptor José Luján Pérez. You also have to see the main square and the Casa de Los Quintanas, a 17th-century residence with typical Canarian architecture, without forgetting about the home of the musician Néstor Álamo or the shrine to San Roch or to San Sebastián, or the shops selling traditional local crafts.
From Guía to Gáldar – another aboriginal treasure
Heading north-west along the motorway, it is barely a 16-minute drive to Gáldar, a city at the foot of a curious mountain with one of the most impressive Guanche caves on the Canary Islands. It is called The Painted Cave, was discovered in the 19th century and has even led to the creation of a museum. Gáldar also has the Church of Santiago, beaches and ponds such as El Agujero or La Sardina, lots of fish restaurants, a theatre that is worth visiting and many banana plantations, which are a real local symbol.
From Gáldar to Agaete
Barely 15 minutes along the road out of Gáldar, we come to Agaete – a municipality on the north-west coast of the island of Gran Canaria, characterised by its white houses. Its main attractions are its natural ponds and Las Nieves Port with connections to the island of Tenerife. A port with a quiet beach and renowned gastronomy consisting of rice dishes, shellfish and fish from this clean and highly-populated water. It has hidden wild beaches such as Guayedra.
