15 most charming towns and villages in Gran Canaria, Spain

Forget mountains and beaches, here are the most beautiful towns and villages in Gran Canaria, Spain! From coastal oases to mountain escapes, we traveled all around Gran Canaria and visited all its charming corners and included in this list for you!

Gran Canaria is one of the eight inhabited Canary Islands—and definitely one of my favorites! We’ve spent many months living on this island and love how diverse it is.

So here’s my guide to the most beautiful towns and charming villages in Gran Canaria complete with detailed descriptions, photos, and Google Maps locations for each place. I hope you enjoy this island as much as I did!

1. Teror

Located in the north of Gran Canaria, Teror village was nothing but absolutely charming and peaceful! Don’t let the name intimidate you!

Teror is a tranquil oasis in the mountains sitting at 543 meters above sea level and one of the most beautiful villages in Gran Canaria. There’s so much to love about Teror, and I highly recommend visiting this place.

Teror is home to a small but beautiful basilica, the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pino, dedicated to Gran Canaria’s patron saint—the Virgin of the Pine (notice the pine trees next to the church?).

Every year, thousands of pilgrims walk to Teror to celebrate the patron saint.

We visited Teror on a Sunday and saw crowds of people walking along the road toward the town many miles before Teror. At first, I even doubted they were heading there because it was a long distance to go.

The iconic basilica is the most important religious site in Gran Canaria. It was built after the apparition of the Virgin back in the 15th century. You can visit the inside of this stunning basilica for a small entrance fee.

Teror is also known as one of the most beautiful colonial towns in Gran Canaria. The typical colorful houses with intricate wooden balconies are on display throughout the town but are especially prominent on Calle Real de la Plaza.

But honestly, we came to Teror for a different reason—to eat! Teror hosts one of the most popular Sunday markets on the island, where local artisans and farmers sell all kinds of goodies like volcanic jewelry, goat cheese, smoked meats and sausages, pastries, and more.

But there’s one special thing you have to try when visiting Gran Canaria: chorizo de Teror. It’s not a regular sausage but a chorizo spread that you can put on bread or in a sandwich. We got a couple of sandwiches to eat on the spot and even took an extra box of chorizo home.

Chorizo is, of course, famous worldwide, but every country and region has its own unique version. That’s why I highly recommend giving Teror chorizo a try when visiting Gran Canaria. Sunday market in Teror is a great place to buy it!

Location: Mercadillo de Teror – Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino

2. Firgas, the Village of Water

Located in the north of the island, Firgas is one of the most charming villages in Gran Canaria. It is more widely known for its bottled mineral water with the same name as the village.

That’s why Firgas is often referred to as the Village of Water.

Firgas is also home to one of the most beautiful places in Gran Canaria – Paseo de Canarias. It is a gorgeous pedestrian promenade in the heart of the village that is a must-see for every visitor to Gran Canaria.

The Paseo de Canarias promenade leads uphill and has two parts. The bottom part features a 30-meter-long waterfall and ceramic benches along the side of the street.

Each of the benches displays symbols and names of one of Gran Canaria’s municipalities.

The upper part of the Paseo de Canarias features large ceramic maps with 3D models of the seven Canary Islands – Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro. It is a must-visit place in Gran Canaria!

I’ve visited all of the Canary Islands, so I was really excited to check out the maps and relive the places we explored on each island. The maps are pretty detailed—you can actually spot some of the most iconic landmarks on each of them.

With its colorful tiles and waterfall, Paseo de Canarias is one of the top photo spots in Gran Canaria.

If you are doing a road trip around the island (which you should) I highly recommend stopping by this charming village. It will only take about 1 hour to check it out and take some photos, and you can be on your way to other places.

Location: Paseo de Canarias

3. Tejeda, the most scenic village in Gran Canaria

Tejeda has my heart. Nothing comes close to this charming oasis deep in the mountains! In my opinion, Tejeda is the most beautiful of all the villages in Gran Canaria!

Hidden in the mountains in the heart of the island, Tejeda charms everyone with its serene surrounding landscapes, scenic views of Roque Bentayga, and Roque Nublo, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Well, if you manage to avoid the midday crowds then it will be quite peaceful, haha!

Visiting Tejeda is one of the top things to do in Gran Canaria, and I mean it for many reasons. First of all, it is part of a vast network of popular hiking trails in the mountains, so many hikers start hikes, finish hikes, or just pass through here during their hikes.

Fun fact! Back in 2017, I participated in Gran Canaria’s most iconic trail race, Transgrancanaria. Together with my now-husband, I tackled the 125-kilometer distance, which passed through Tejeda.

That was my first visit to Tejeda—a quick one, but enough to immediately fall in love with this charming village.

Tejeda is also a convenient stop to make during the head-turning road trip around the mountains of Gran Canaria. Which, I’m sure, you will do at some point during your visit to the island.

Third, Tejeda is famous for its pastries—trying one of the delicious palmeras or other almond pastries from Dulcería Nublo is a must! If you arrive later in the morning, there will already be a line of people waiting outside the pastry shop.

You can eat your pastries right there on the street. There are a couple of benches facing the mountain peaks and the iconic Roque Bentayga rock formation. The best view you can find for a quick pastry picnic!

Actually, the whole village offers some of the most amazing views in Gran Canaria. Walk down Calle Dr. Domingo Hernández Guerra Street in Tejeda, and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

At the end of the street, you’ll find a small square with benches and a statue right next to the church. This is Mirador de Tejeda, offering a front-row view of the iconic Roque Bentayga rock formation.

If you have more time to spend in Tejeda, I recommend finding a restaurant with a mountain view and having lunch there. There’s just something special about this beautiful village, and I hope you get to feel that too.

Location: Tejeda – Dulceria Nublo

4. Puerto de Mogán, the Little Venice of Gran Canaria

Puerto de Mogán is without a doubt one of the most beautiful villages in Gran Canaria, especially its iconic port neighborhood, known for its canals, colorful buildings, and boats.

That’s why it is called ‘Little Venice,’ as it resembles the famous city in Italy.

Puerto de Mogán was once a peaceful fishing village in the South of Gran Canaria but over the last decades, it has grown into a popular tourist resort town due to its location – the southern coast gets more sunshine than other areas around the island.

Even if you are not staying in Puerto de Mogán, visiting Little Venice should be on your Gran Canaria bucket list. I loved strolling through the narrow streets lined with whitewashed, colorful houses, all decorated with bougainvillea and potted plants!

It feels like a beautiful garden even though we didn’t see the flowers in full bloom!

The colorful streets adorned with flowers create the perfect photo spot in Gran Canaria. For the best photos, I recommend arriving earlier in the day to avoid the crowds. It gets very busy once the masses wake up and hit the streets.

If you’re traveling by car, there is a paid parking lot right next to the entrance to Little Venice. However, the space is very limited, so the earlier you arrive, the better your chances of finding a parking spot and taking cute photos without the crowds!

Puerto de Mogán is also the perfect place to spend time at the beach—there’s a gorgeous golden-sand beach right in the heart of the town. Or you can enjoy a relaxing lunch by the waterfront. There are plenty of great restaurants in the port area by the water!

Location: Puerto de Mogán

5. Gáldar, the capital of Guanche kingdom

Gáldar is a unique town in the northwest of Gran Canaria. It was the island’s first capital back when the Guanches, Gran Canaria’s indigenous people, still ruled over the island.

Today it holds treasures of the past – the most important of them is the archaeological site of Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park in the heart of Gáldar Old Town.

The island’s early inhabitants were primarily cave dwellers, and Cueva Pintada is one of the most famous caves in Gran Canaria. It features wall paintings created by the Guanches—the only known cave of its kind on the island. A visit to this museum is a must!

Gáldar is also home to traditional colonial architecture with charming colorful houses often with wooden balconies, lively plazas, and a church in the middle of the town.

We arrived in Gáldar in the morning and took a leisurely stroll through the old town before heading to the Cueva Pintada Museum. There, we spent an hour exploring the museum and the archaeological site, learning about the life of the early settlers.

As we were driving to Gáldar and approaching the town, I noticed a peculiar sight – there is a volcano next to the town which is slowly being built up with houses (see photo). Looks so cool!

The coastal area near Gáldar also hosts some hidden gems like natural volcanic rock pools like El Agujero and Roque Prieto, as well as a beautiful remote beach Playa de Sardina del Norte.

If you stay til the evening, I recommend visiting Punta Sardina Lighthouse at sunset. The wind there is wild but the view is amazing. When we visited, the sun went down right behind the Teide volcano in Tenerife, haha!

Location: Cueva Pintada Museum

6. Arucas

Arucas is an iconic town in northern Gran Canaria known for its well-preserved colorful colonial-style streets and traditional architecture as well as its banana plantations and long-standing rum production industry.

However, there is one thing that stands out the most in this charming town – the gorgeous Church of San Juan Bautista in Arucas! It is one of the most emblematic buildings you will find in Gran Canaria.

Although it is a church, due to its majestic size and eccentric exterior, it is commonly referred to as the Cathedral of Arucas. I think this name describes the building much better, right?

The stunning Neo-Gothic church was built between 1909 and 1977 using local stones of volcanic origin. At first, I thought the church looked a bit ‘dirty’ but it’s the volcanic rocks that give it this tone.

The Neo-Gothic style is one of my favorites and I could stare at this building for hours, if I could, haha! I just love the details and the boldness of this architecture!

I highly recommend visiting Arucas, one of the most beautiful towns on the island, even if only for an hour, to see the majestic cathedral!

It’s truly unlike anything else in Gran Canaria. We arrived in the morning and spent about an hour walking around the historic center and taking photos of the church.

There’s a large parking lot right next to the church where you can leave your car and easily explore everything on foot. You must include Arucas in your Gran Canaria road trip itinerary!

Location: Parroquia de San Juan Bautista de Arucas

7. Puerto de las Nieves / Puerto de Agaete

Puerto de Agaete or Puerto de las Nieves is one of my favorite places in Gran Canaria. This charming seaside village is known for its whitewashed houses and stunning coastal views far removed from the busy tourist resorts in the south.

To me, Puerto de las Nieves is one of the most beautiful villages in Gran Canaria – the gorgeous black sand beach, the wild ocean, the dramatic views of the coastline, and its lovely whitewashed houses are full of charm and appeal.

If you ever travel to Puerto de las Nieves (and I suggest you do!), I highly recommend picking a waterfront restaurant for late breakfast or lunch right by the port so you can enjoy the mountain scenery with a cup of coffee or a glass of sangria.

Also, if you feel like it, this is a great place to go for a swim on a black sand beach! The fishing pier protects the beach from the big ocean waves so it is quite safe to swim most of the time but do check out the color of the flags at the beach!

If you have more time, you should also take a trip inland from Puerto de las Nieves to the Agaete Valley – one of the most beautiful places in Gran Canaria – to enjoy the mountain views of the Tamadaba Natural Park, and to visit one of Agaete’s coffee plantations!

Yes, there are coffee plantations in Gran Canaria—one of the only places in Europe where you can find them! We visited one at Café Platinium deep into the valley, where we got a private garden tour, a coffee tasting, and a coffee roasting demonstration.

Besides Café Platinium, other popular coffee plantations (and vineyards) where you can stop by for a tour are Bodega Los Berrazales, and Finca los Castaños. I love this place so much, and I hope to return there again someday.

Location: Puerto de las Nieves

8. Agüimes

Agüimes is one of my favorite hidden gems in Gran Canaria. This lovely town has one of the most beautiful old towns on the island, famous for its many bronze sculptures scattered throughout the streets.

The bronze camel statue hidden on Callejón de la Vegueta Street is the most famous of them all—everyone wants a photo here, haha! But the camel does look quite relaxed there!

We stopped by Agüimes Old Town for a short stroll through the streets to admire its colorful colonial architecture and check out the beautiful Parroquia de San Sebastián church, which sits right next to the town’s main square, Plaza del Rosario.

The main square also hosts a number of bronze statues all around it, including a donkey, two sculptures paying tribute to the Ancient Carnival, and sculptures of four men meeting on a bench inside the park.

Another one of my favorites was the Homage to Lovers’ Bench on Callejón del Reloj, featuring two lovers sitting together on a bench. If you’re looking for some Instagram spots in Gran Canaria, these bronze statues in Agüimes are perfect for that!

If you’re doing a road trip around Gran Canaria, I highly recommend stopping by Agüimes for a short stroll through the old town, saying hi to the camel and the donkey, and relaxing at a café next to the central square.

Agüimes is located next to Barranco de Guayadeque, one of the most beautiful ravines in Gran Canaria which is home to many aboriginal caves, including Gran Canaria’s famous cave restaurants.

If you can, I highly recommend having lunch at a cave restaurant – one of the bucket list things to do in Gran Canaria! We chose Restaurant Vega inside the valley, and it was amazing! They serve delicious Canarian and Spanish dishes, and we really liked it!

Location: Agüimes – Sculpture of Camel

9. Artenara, the highest village in Gran Canaria

Located on a cliffside 1,270 meters above sea level, Artenara is the highest village in Gran Canaria, known for its cave houses, breathtaking views of the mountains, and a network of Gran Canaria’s hiking trails passing through the village.

In my opinion, there are two places you must stop by in the mountains – one is Tejeda, and the other one is Artenara. I might have loved Tejeda more, but only because it has better views of the Roque Bentayga rock formation.

However, Artenara is a close second and must be on your Gran Canaria itinerary!

We visited Artenara many times during our stay in Gran Canaria. Some of the best places to visit in Artenara include the famous Mirador de Unamuno, the Ethnographic Museum of Cave Houses, La Cuevita Chapel inside a cave, and Iglesia de San Matías church.

The beautiful Mirador de Unamuno viewpoint is dedicated to Spanish philosopher and writer Miguel de Unamuno in honor of his visit to the island. It features a bronze statue of the man himself admiring the beauty of the mountains of Gran Canaria.

But the museum of cave houses was my favorite place in Artenara. The museum consists of several cave houses, each serving a different purpose—the kitchen cave, the bedroom cave, the workshop cave, and more. Together, they form a complete home for a family.

The cave houses showcase how early settlers adapted to life in Gran Canaria because living in caves was practical and affordable, as the rock naturally provided walls, a ceiling, and a floor—the only thing missing was a door!

By the way, there are many ‘Casa Cueva’ cave houses turned into rental properties in Artenara if you ever wish to stay the night in one! Just choose your dates below and look for ‘Cave’ or ‘Casa Cueva’ in the title:

If you stay longer in Artenara, you can also check out other fantastic viewpoints in the village like Mirador de La Atalaya, Mirador de Los Poetas, and Mirador del Corazon de Jesus featuring the statue of Christ. Come here at sunset for mountain views in golden hues!

Artenara is also the perfect place for a hike! It’s part of one of the best trails in Gran Canaria: the Artenara–Cruz de Tejeda route. This 7-kilometer hike was my favorite hike we did on the island. We only did it one way and then took a taxi back to our car.

Location: Artenara – Mirador de Unamuno

10. Fataga, the Valley of a Thousand Palms

The charming Fataga is a serene mountain village in Gran Canaria sitting on a cliffside in the Fataga Valley in the southern part of the island. If you are driving to or from Maspalomas, this is the perfect pitstop in the mountains.

The village is known for its scenic mountain views and lush palm groves surrounding it, thus the name ‘the Valley of a Thousand Palms’. It truly is a tiny oasis in the mountains!

We stopped by Fataga to take a short stroll through the village to check out its Iglesia de San José church, Artesanía Fataga pottery and souvenir store, winery, and traditional Spanish architecture – whitewashed houses with exposed stones in the walls.

Fataga is such a peaceful place—you can literally hear the silence, haha! There isn’t much to do here, but many travelers stop by for a coffee or a beer with a snack and enjoy them on the terrace of one of the local cafés.

There are also a couple of artisan and boutique stores where you can find unique souvenirs from Gran Canaria! This feels like one of those places where artists retreat to escape city life and draw inspiration from nature.

If you’re passing by, I recommend stopping in Fataga for a short visit or a drink at a café. It’s a peaceful oasis surrounded by beautiful scenery—the perfect place to relax your mind during your vacation.

Location: Fataga

11. Puerto de La Aldea

Puerto de la Aldea is a small, traditional fishing village on the west coast of Gran Canaria, known for its laid-back vibe and stunning coastal views.

The small village features a wide pebble beach, a beautiful seaside promenade, a natural rock swimming pool called Charco de la Aldea, and a scenic fishing pier with views of the dramatic cliffs surrounding the beach

Puerto de la Aldea is one of my favorite hidden gems in Gran Canaria, and the fact that there isn’t much to do in the village makes me love it even more. It’s simply a peaceful escape, far removed from the touristy areas in the south.

There are two beaches in the village, separated by a large rock. To access both, a pedestrian tunnel has been built through the rock, creating a picture-perfect frame for the dramatic coastline views. The perfect photo spot, if you ask me!

If you are planning to visit the iconic Dragon’s Tail lookout point Mirador del Balcón, then I highly recommend stopping by this village to take a short stroll along the beach promenade to enjoy the scenery!

Location: Puerto de La Aldea