GRAN CANARIA MUNICIPALITIES

AGAETE

A great way travel from island to island is to go by ferry.  Fred Olsen runs ferries from here to Santa Cruz de Tenerife that only take an hour. 

agÜIMES

The town of Agüimes is a great place to visit, as the church, the Parroquía de San Sebastián, has twin towers which are a national monument. It is one of the best kept up places of worship on Gran Canaria.  In addition, there are various works of art, such as paintings and sculptures, which are housed there.

ARTENARA

Artenara, with the smallest population of all the municipalities, is located in the mountains.  It covers Pozo de las Nievas, the highest point on the island at 1,949m.  In this area there are modern day cave dwellers.  There are two churches in the caves, Santuario de la Virgen de la Cuevita and Roque Nublo, which were places of worship for the old inhabitants.

One of the main attractions that draw people to this area is the natural surroundings. Artenara is incorporated into Tamadaba Natural Park, a woodland area with great botanical variety and of great scenic interest. The Tamadaba Pine Forest is the most precious natural area, not only in the municipality, but the entire island. It encompasses 8 square kilometres and has stunning views. There are many paths that visitors can use to enjoy this wonderful place. Another of the amazing places to visit is the Roque Nublo Rural Park, where the rural environment can be really be appreciated.

Artenara is also a popular place to visit because of its many festivals. The biggest festivals are in honour of la Virgen de La Cuevita and are some of the most popular on the island of Gran Canaria.  The area is a popular pilgrimage destination with inhabitants of other municipalities because of these festivals. The celebration begins on the second to last Sunday when the religious ceremonies take place and sports and folklore events take place during the following week. The sports include a cycle race from Las Palmas to the village of Artenara, because la Virgen de La Cuevita is the patron saint of cycling on the island.

ARUCAS

Arucas is one of the suburbs of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and is about 12 km away from Las Palmas. Located here is the biggest sugar cane rum factory in the Islands, the Distileria Arehucas.  It is very possible to schedule a trip to try the rum distilleru. There is also a Rum Museum which is considered one of the historic buildings of the area, because of the tradition of rum making.  The volcano has caused the northern part to slope gently down towards the sea because of the directionality of the lava flow.  It also created a bowl to the south which is known as the Vega de Arucas.

To see more of the natural setting you can climb Montaña de Arucas that has an excellent vantage point that offers one of the most beautiful views of the north of the island. There are also a few good beaches to visit, Playa de Bañaderos and Playa de San Andres. Both are rock and sand beaches but both are excellent for swimming. Despite the fact that big waves are typical of this area, they are very popular beaches with the locals. 

FIRGAS

Firgas, famed for its sparkling mineral water, is the smallest municipality of Gran Canaria.  Fresh spring water is bottled here to supply water to the whole island as well as to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.  In Firgas there is a man-made waterfall running through the town, with benches at the side of it that present all Gran Canaria's municipalities.  A significant part of the municipality is located within Doramas Rural Park, a Protected Natural Area. The Casa de la Cultura is probably the most characteristic building of the municipality. It used to be a hotel and inn. Later the building was Town Hall, and these days it houses the Public Library, Exhibition Room and Events Hall. The current Firgas Town Hall is built from the blue stone from the famous quarries of the lower area of the municipality and Canary Islands pine wood in the construction of its magnificent balconies.

The biggest fiesta in Firgas, the Fiestas de San Roque, is in honour of its patron saint. The main days are August 15th, when the procession occurs, and August 16th, the date of the patron saint San Roque. There are a variety of cultural and public events associated with this festival, including a large cattle show. Also, there is a practice in the municipality that corresponds with these fiestas, known as the Traída del Palo, Bringing of the Pole, where the locals carry a pole from the mountain to the town center. When they enter the center of Firgas, all those who partook raise the pole. The pole is then used to raise the flag of Firgas.

GÁLDAR

Gáldar, positioned at the foot of the Pico de Gáldar volcano, was once the center of the Guanche civilisation and therefore has many archaeological sites. In pre-hispanic times it was called Agaldar.  The present day Gáldar was founded in 1484, but still takes a lot of pride in its Guanche heritage, as can be seen in the Guanche names of many streets. Gáldar was also once the capital of the island before Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

A natural sight to see is the Caldera de Los Pinos de Gáldar, a huge volcanic crater was formed during the last volcanic eruptions on the island. From here you have outstanding views of the entire north coast.

INGENIO

The name Ingenio actually means sugar mill, because it used to be the dominant industry, although now the area is better known for growing tomatoes, embroidery and the spectacular Guayadeque valley.  In the Guayadeque Ravine, visitors can see numerous natural and artificial caves, some of which were used as burial sites and others as dwellings in Guanche times. There is an extensive network of trails and routes to visit all the caves. The Guayadeque Museum also has an exhibition showing what the Guayadeque Ravine looked like in pre-Hispanic times. 

MOGÁN

Mogán has very varied terrain, from mountains and a valley area that are mostly covered with vegetation and forests to the barren land in the northern, central and eastern parts.  Mogàn is part of large tourist area in the south.  In the fishing town of Arguineguin is the largest market on the island, held every Tuesday.

Arguineguín, meaning quiet water in the Guanche language, is a representative Canarian fishing town.  There are really only locals who live there, instead of a tourist resort like much of the south.  Tourism is much more popular in the areas of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles.  However there are plenty of hotels in the area, Club Puerto Atlantico, Dorado Beach, Green Beach Hotel, Dunas La Canaria and the Norwegian owned resort, Anfi del Mar just outside town.  This village is very popular with Norwegians; there is a large population of them in the winter months.  The town keeps its local feel because of the excellent restaurants in the area specialize in fresh fish caught that day and its fisherman’s bars on the harbor.  Although the largest market on the island is held here, there is also a ferry service to Puerto Mogan where thee is another big market on Fridays as well. 
This region is considered to have one of the best climates in the world.  The permanently sunny climate of Mogán is the reason for the aridness of the interior of the municipality. However, this dryness when on the coast means that it is the perfect area to help those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and other similar illnesses.  Rainfall is very limited in this area, though in winter it is not uncommon to find streams and waterfalls. In fact Mogán has the largest dam in the island, la Presa de Soria. 
Much of Mogán is made of basaltic rocks because it used to have an active volcano.  Mogán is characterised by wide inclines interspersed with deep ravines starting in the interior of the island and extending all the way down to the sea.  A breathtaking natural display that everyone should see is Los Azulejos, a large wall of rocks which vary in colour from dark red to blue, with several shades of yellow.
Playa de Mogán is fast turning into one of the hottest beach spots on the island.  With its golden sand and ideal location that protects the beach, it is easy to see why Playa de Mogán is so popular.  For the adventurous it is easy to rent a jet ski, go parasailing, learn so scuba dive, or even go on a submarine tour.  For those who want to take it a bit easier there are dolphin watching trips or ferry rides to Puerto Rico or Arguineguin.
A wonderful place to stay in order to be close to the Playa de Mogán is the Cordial Mogán Playa, a 4 star plus hotel.  It is situated in a lush green valley of Mogán, only 30 meters from the commercial center.  A big draw to this hotel is the fact that it has the environment of a traditional Canarian village, with a very personalized atmosphere. The hotel has its own pub, dance club, restaurant, and even bicycle rentals. 
Puerto Rico is Gran Canaria's most popular and family-oriented resort, and is especially popular with British tourists. There are many water sports to participate in, from deep-sea fishing, diving, sailing, and biking. There are also tennis courts, a miniature-golf course, a great water park, dolphin watching cruises, and most importantly, a fantastic beach.  Puerto Rico is said to be the sunniest place on the island, so visit there if you want to be sure of getting a tan.  Many people like to walk down to Playa de los Amadores to see the sun set behind Tenerife, a great way to end the day and start the evening.  If you exhaust all of the attractions here, there is a ferry service to Puerto de Mogán.  There are 3 large shopping centres in this area, Centro Civico, Agua La Perra and Europa where you can buy practically anything.  There are banks, fishmongers, electronic shops, perfume, and so much more. 

The Puerto de Mogán is an unforgettable place because of its unique setting and natural beauty. Puerto del Mogán has so many canals that it is sometimes called Little Venice.  It also has a rich marine tradition that has turned into one of the loveliest urban regions in the world. Many international sailing enthusiasts congregate at the marina which has 225 moorings and is a fantastic place to sail.

MOYA

Moya is must to visit for all those who love the outdoors because sixty five percent of the municipality is classified as a Protected Nature Area. In the Parque Rural de Doramas is the Special Nature Reserve of Los Tiles, one of the last habitats of laurisilva, a type of laurel forest, on the island.  There is a huge variety flora and fauna that are of scientific interest.  The Playa de la Caleta is the place to go if you love to surf.  It has such excellent conditions for the sport that the International Longboard Festival is held here every November.  People come from all over the world to attend this event

The church of Moya is a place of interest because it is built directly next to a steep cliff, and has fallen down twice into the ravine already in its history; of course it has also been rebuilt twice.  There is a sculpture of Maria that has survived both of the collapses and is adored because of it. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria also hangs over a cliff which has a sheer drop down to the Barranco de Moya. It has not plummeted off yet, but it was opened in 1957, so give it time. It has three naves along with two towers, but its main draw is the rose window located on the main façade.  

LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

Las Palmas is the capital city of Gran Canaria and is located 20 km from the airport on the north east tip of Gran Canaria.  It is also the capital of the community of the seven Canary Islands.  Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands with a population of 377,600.

If you wish to see the historic parts of Las Palmas you should go to Vegueta where some of the most important historical edifices of the last five hundred years are located.  These include; the chapel of San Antonio Abad, the Plaza de Santa Ana bordered by the Casas Consistoriales, the Obispado, the Casa Regental and Santa Ana Cathedral. Vegueta also has the house of Christopher Columbus, Casa Colón, which is now a museum.  To see some amazing artefacts a visit to the Museo Canario will reveal relics left from former inhabitants of the island.  Many of the islands religious paintings are housed in the Museo de Arte Sacro.

SAN BARTOLOME DE TIRAJANA

San Bartolomé de Tirajana is the largest municipality in area on Gran Canaria as well as the largest of all the Canary Islands.  It encompasses between a quarter and one-third of the whole island of Gran Canaria and about 5 to 6% of the total area of all the islands.

One of the villages in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Fataga, can trace its history back 2000 years to when the Guanches lived in that area. The village was renamed Adfatagad in the 16th century, just when Spain and the Guanches were fighting. By 1900, Fataga had around 650 inhabitants, who farmed cereals, vegetables and fruits, and cattle, too. The community was self-sufficient because it had its own water source.  Fataga is a typical village in Gran Canaria. It has old, narrow lanes made out of stones and many historic Canarian houses.  It is such an important historic site that it is on the list of World Heritage Sites.  It is a popular place for visitors because of its historic worth.
Playa del Inglés is the main resort area on Gran Canaria.  It is the second largest resort of its kind in all of Europe.  It is a very busy place all the time, so you can always find something to do.  It always attracts the younger crowd, especially in the summer time, but it is popular with all age groups.  The mix of visitors is mostly German and English, but there are many other nationalities represented as well.  One reason that this is such a great place is that it has something for everyone to enjoy.  There are a wide variety of things to do both in the day and at night.   Playa del Inglés is also very easy place to get around because area is very flat so walking around is no chore.  There are also plenty of taxis and busses to take you to outlying places or the airport. 
The YUMBO centre in Playa del Inglés is one of the largest and best known shopping areas in all of Gran Canaria.  There are more than 200 stores, bars and restaurants in the complex.  The rectangular building is 4 stories tall and has a park in the middle for visitors to stroll or relax in.  The YUMBO is a very international place, which is represented by the wide variety of restaurants present.  There are menu’s ranging from Chinese, Italian, Indian, Spanish, German, English, Belgian, Danish and so many more.  If there is a type of food you want, chances are they have it here.  Also, because Gran Canaria has very low taxes it is an ideal place to buy many luxury items for yourself or for someone back home.  If you don’t want anything fancy the YUMBO centre has basic necessities as well.  Their supermarket has a wide range items from bread to sweets to vegetables to toothbrushes.  If you need a drink after all of this shopping there are a wide variety of pubs to try, YUMBO is especially known for its many gay bars.  If you are looking for a more juvenile sort of fun you can play pinball, pool, Formula 1 driving or riding the mechanical bull.  The newest attraction to come to YUMBO is a machine that catapults you, in a ball, 70 meters up.  With everything offered in YUMBO it is easy to see why it is so immensely popular.
Maspalomas, a resort in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, is a great place to visit. It is not as well known as Playa del Inglés, but it is a must see.  It is very famous because of its sand dunes and because the beach stretches 6 km.  The dunes are really a sight to see.  They start a few yards from the ocean and extend back 3 1/2 km; in all they cover about 4km.  The dunes, which are classified as natural protected area, separate Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés.  There are quite a few nice places to stay in Maspalomas.  Many people chose to stay at the Maspalomas resort. They have apartments as well as hotels, and they even have a golf course. 
The Maspalomas golf course, on the Maspalomas Resort, is encircled by dunes and palm trees.  It is a location of spectacular beauty and it has mild temperatures all year round, with no rain cold or heat interruptions.  It was first opened in 1968 and is 18 holes with a par of 72 and prices starting at 72 Euros.  The newer golf course in the area, Salobre Golf, costs a bit more at 93 Euros, but it was just opened and is in an interesting and demanding course.  It has lush scenery that is a relief from the desert surroundings.  There is over 600 species of vegetation on this 18 hole, par 71 course.
Another great place to stay is the IFA Hotel Faro Maspalomas which stands directly in the shadow of the famous Faro Lighthouse of Maspalomas.  The hotel is 5 stories tall with rooms that have satellite plasma TVs, direct dial phones and rooms with your choice of land or sea views.  This hotel is a well kept secret by the locals because of the location as well as its excellent food.  The hotel is only 200m from the commercial centre and restaurants and 7 km from the Playa del Ingles.  The hotel is minutes away from the famous Maspalomas beach and dunes.  The Maspalomas golf course is only about a mile away.  It is 25km from the airport and 60km from the harbour.  There are plenty of fun things to do all around with a water park just four miles away.
H10 Playa Meloneras is located on the Meloneras beach.  It is on the southern part of Gran Canaria, which gives it excellent views of the coast.  There is a restaurant on location as well as cocktail bar that is a great place to relax after a long day playing tennis, swimming on the pool or lounging on the beach.  The hotel is 30km from the airport and 60km from the capital of Las Palmas.  It is also quite near to the Maspalomas golf course and the Salobre golf course.  Another enjoyable hotel to vacation at is the Gran Hotel Residencia.  It has amazing views of the sand dunes because of its location just off the beach.  There is a 1,000 year old oasis that surrounds the hotel and adds to the relaxing environment.  It is only 5 km to Playa del Ingles and 38km from the airport.  The Hotel Palm Beach, 5 star lodgings, allows you to enjoy your holiday in the lap of luxury.  There is a hairdresser, massages, fitness centre as well as many other spa amenities offered in the hotel.  In addition, there are heated seawater and freshwater swimming pools, giant chess, table tennis, volleyball and archery. Only being 70m from the beach means that everything you need for a perfect vacation is close by. 

The Gran Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras is a superb 4 star hotel that is built in the colonial Canarian style.  It has wooden balconies and a roof made from tile.  Its seven buildings each have their own Canarian patio.  It is located on the sea just alongside the Faro de Maspalomas and only a couple of feet from the famous dunes.  It has an extensive tropical garden, a spa and golf among other conveniences.  It also has its own large lake that has it own beach.  A great feature of this hotel is that it has 4 different swimming pools of which 3 can be heated, and a waterfall and whirlpools, too.  A great 5 star option for visitors who want to stay in Maspalomas is the 5 star Lopesan Villa del Conde Gran Hotel.  It is only 300 meters from the Meloneras beach and 800 meters from the Maspalomas beach.  There is a golf course within 2 km, a shopping centre and restaurants inside 400m, and a record store and club a mere 5 km away.  Getting around this area is made even easier by the fact that there is a bus stop only 400m from the hotel.  There are 4 different pools, both salt and freshwater, a Jacuzzi, tennis courts and discounted greens frees at the Maspalomas golf course.  If you are feeling up to it there are even bicycle rentals offered at the hotel so you can explore the area to your hearts desire. 

SAN NICOLÁS DE TOLENTINO

The locals call this place La Aldea because the full name of it is La Aldea de San Nicolás de Tolentino. La Aldea is situated in the mountains and a valley area that are mainly covered with greenery and forests.

Due to its production of oranges, papayas, bananas, mangos, avocados, and tomatos, La Aldea is the agricultural hub of the region.   Actually, the most well known aspect of La Aldea is its tomato plants.  Despite the fact that strong competition has pushed down the tomato production and exportation, there are still around 100,000 kg a year of exports.

One popular place to visit is Cactualdea, a nearby cacti park that has thousands of cacti brought in from far and wide, places such as Mexico, Madagascar, Guatemala and Bolivia.  Here there is also a Guanche Cave that can be explored and a restaurant that serves typical Canarian dishes.

SANta brÍgida

Villa de Santa Brígida, situated at 500m above sea level, is the most exclusive area to live in, as can be seen by looking at the splendid homes in the area. The area is a very popular place for British residents to have their summerhouses because of the cool climate and fresh air.  It is also a favourite destination of locals living in the city of Las Palmas to get away for a day.

Where the centre of town used to be is Iglesia de Santa Brígida, a Gothic basilica with three naves, dedicated to the Irish saint Saint Brigid. The church presently standing is the third one to be built on the site of the original one built in the year 1524.  The only part of the original one that remains is the tower; the rest was destroyed in a fire in 1897.

A natural wonder that is a must see is the Caldera de Bandama.  It is a volcanic crater just outside of town which has amazing views from the top, Pico de Bandama.  It is possible to see the north and east coast, and with a clear sky the neighboring island of Fuerteventura can be seen to the northeast.

SANta LUCIA DE TIRAJANA

A natural formation of protruding rocks, Ansite, is also historically important because it is the stronghold from which the island natives, the Guanches, held off the final attack of the Spanish troops.  It is even possible to see burial sites in some natural caves in the fortress.  Visitors to this place feel as if they are connected to those early inhabitants.  The area is so untouched by humans that the stunning natural landscape makes people feel that they are seeing just what the Guanches saw so long ago.

One festival that attracts many visitors is the Day of the Labourer to honour la Virgen del Rosario. It is a procession in which thousands gather, dressed in typical Canarian attire: black hat, espadrilles, the Canary Islands knife, the pumpkin full of the local liquor called mejunje, wine, rum or water, and typical food like goat cheese, some small cakes, pork, a chunk of gofio and a few fried sardines.

SANta MARÍA DE GUÍA

Santa María de Guía, which is about 23km from Las Palmas actually used to be a part of Gáldar, but as Gáldar developed over the years so did Santa María de Guía and they eventually split into two.  Guía is such an historic town that in 1982 it was declared a National Historic–Artistic Monument. One of the most historic buildings in Guía is the Parish Church, la Iglesia de la Santa María de Guía that has a neoclassical façade with two lateral towers. Built in 1607, the church's interior is quite stunning and there are many important works from the popular sculptor, Luján Pérez. Another edifice to visit is the Camarín de la Virgen. This is the resting place of the patron saint of the island, where there are  also several art pieces made from precious metals on display, for example the silver baldachin canopy that frames the statue of La Virgen de Guía. There are not just metal pieces; there are also textile items, for instance the robes for the statue, banners, mantles, and the cloaks and vestments that were formally used by the clergy.

About 5 km east of Guía there are is another historical site to visit, the pre-Hispanic Cenobio de Valerón.  These are a group of about 300 graves that were hollowed out from the soft rock. These caves were also used to store grain, religious rituals, and were quite easy to defend because of their unique position.
In May every year is the Fiestas del Queso, Cheese Festival, which is really to celebrate the Queso de Flor, Flower Cheese, which the locals make out of sheep and cows’ milk which is mixed with the juice from thistle flowers of artichoke, to give the cheese an unusual, distinctive flavour.  Amazingly it tastes quite good and has won many prizes.

The natural environment in and around Guía in not just one type of scenery, there is a wide variety of ecosystems, environments and landscapes. The diversity means that much of the natural areas of the municipality are classified as Protected Natural Areas. Some of the protected areas are the Special Natural Reserve of El Brezal, the Rural Park of Doramas, the Natural Monument of El Montañón Negro and the Protected Area of Las Cumbres.

TEJEDA

Tejeda, a small township about 1000m above sea level, is on the slopes of a volcanic crater.  The highest point on Gran Canaria, Pozo de las Nievas, is in this area.  It rises 1,949m and overlooks the whole island.  Up at 1580m in a mountain pass is the Cruz de Tejeda, a carved stone cross that is located at the geographical center of Gran Canaria.

TELDE

The municipality of Telde is known for the great number of archaeological remains in the area.  This area was once one of the pre-Hispanic kingdoms on Gran Canaria. Visitors can see many of these most important sites, like el Baladero, Tufia, Cuatro Puertas, Tara and Cendro.  These sites are made up of caves that were at one point lived in.  Some were made by man, while others are natural caves of volcanic origin.  The Baladero site is situated directly at the base of the historic area of San Francisco, which was of the most important magic and religious sites of the native culture. Tufia has the largest proportions of all of the sites, especially in terms of cave size. La Montaña de las Cuatro Puertas was a complex of caves that the Guanche natives lived in. In addition to being a living place it may have also been where the embalmers worked.

Telde is such a historical town that the whole town was declared a national monument in 1981.   The center of town is focuses on the Plaza de San Juan square.  It has big old trees that give great shade as well as lovely green and white colonial houses with elaborate balconies. 

In the middle of the square is the Basilica de San Juan Bautista with a Flemish altarpiece highlighting six scenes from the life of the Virgin and also a statue of Christ made from corncobs.  This stature is amazing because despite being 1.85 m tall it only weighs 7.5 kg due to the unusual material used in its construction.

TEROR

The municipality of Teror is one of the oldest continuously populated areas on the Canary Islands.  Obviously it has a lot of historical importance.  The history of Teror is related to the appearance of the image of the Virgen del Pino. Since the 1400’s, Teror has been considered a Villa Mariana, religious capital, because it is home to the patron saint of Gran Canaria.  The festival celebrating the Virgo del Pino is help locally on the 8th of September.

Due to its religious significance, Teror is a place of pilgrimage for residents of Gran Canaria, especially because as the municipality holds the statue of the Virgen del Pino, Patron of the Diocese of the Canary Islands, in its Basilica. Consequently, a visit to Teror means a visit to see the statue. Construction on the Basilica was started in 1767 and is located in the town square Plaza del Pino.  The building has three naves and fourteen round arches that are supported by columns and pilasters. There are five entrances to the building, three on the façade and two on the sides.  Lastly there are striking stained glass windows showing the Mysteries of the Rosary.  The niche of Nuestra Señora del Pino is located behind the High Altar. 

VALLESECO

Valleseco, meaning dry valley, has a very misleading name because it actually has the wettest climate in Gran Canaria.  It is a humid area that forms a part of a great forest of laurisilva that used to cover Valleseco, as well as Teror, Firgas, and Moya

One of the most noticeable, but little known, feature of the municipality is its abundant vegetation.  It is such a verdant area that 80% of its territory is classified as a Protected Nature Area. The reason that it is important as a natural area comes from the monteverde found everywhere.
A great place to explore is Calderetas, an old volcanic crater that has the natural beauty of the chestnut trees, poplars, walnut trees, and brush bottle mixing.  It is located on one of the main walking paths in the area.  Also on that path is a forest of pine trees that are part of a protected area.  The views are so stunning and even reach to the sea on a clear day.  Just on the edge of the municipality is where Montañón Negro, the most recent volcano to erupt, is located.

The network of water which runs from one end of the municipality to the other is culturally important.  The numerous mills, washing places, fountains, and irrigation channels built in the early 1800’s allowed Valleseco to develop its own cultural heritage.  This “Ruta del Agua” can be easily seen from the many walking paths in the region.

VALSEQUILLO

Valsequillo is a picturesque village, about 24 miles from Las Palmas that is famed for its cheeses and wines, fruit and vegetables. The areas’ traditional cheese specialities, wines, strawberries, and almonds are why it is famous for its gastronomy.  All of these wonderful products can be bought at the Sunday markets.

There are extraordinary areas of natural beauty, such as the ravine of Barranco de los Cernícalos, which covers area from the Caldera de los Marteles crater to the district of Lomo Magullo. The real importance of that area lies in the ecological and landscape value, because the slopes are home to one of the best wild olive groves on Gran Canaria. The canyon is also a great place to hike because there are many different paths to enjoy. 
Valsequillo has a wonderful old church, San Miguel that was built between 1903 and 1918 in the location of a one time cemetery.  The most interesting part of this church is the font made of Seville porcelain.  It is a green, fired piece with eagles carved in it. La Virgen del Rosario, a sculpture from the beginning of the Spanish rule in Gran Canaria, is another important work in the sanctuary.  The last significant piece in the holy place is the San Miguel statue which is famous because it shows the only angel with a dog at the feet.

The El Colmenar barracks, which many buildings that are associated with military life have based their structure one, is an outstanding place for visitors to see. It was built by the Spanish when they first conquered the island and is now very important to the historical legacy of Valsequillo.

VEGA DE SAN MATEO

The borough of Vega de San Mateo, often known just as San Mateo, is located in the center of Gran Canaria.The area has a beautiful and varied landscape which is why 47% of the land forms part of Las Cumbres Protected Area. The protected area is 800 metres above sea level, all the way to the Central Massif.  The Central Massif is where the tallest peak on the island are: Pico de Las Nieves, 1,961 m, Los Pechos, with 1,945 m., and Roque Saucillo, 1,850 metres. La Cumbre is the highest part of this area and is delineated by the tops of three gorges; Guiniguada Ravine, La Higuera Ravine and the La Mina Ravine.  La Mina Ravine is quite long and goes through the island, all the way to Las Palmas. La Mina has some water running through it because of a link it has to the connection between the Tejeda and Guiniguada catch basins. There is a wonderful observatory, Montaña Cabrera Look Out, which overlooks the Guiniguada Ravine, the municipality, and even Las Palmas.  Owing to the fact that the terrain is broken in San Mateo, there is terrific farming conditions as well as the lushest vegetation on Gran Canaria.

The historic zone of San Mateo is home to the Church of La Vega de San Mateo, which has two naves that were built almost 100 years apart.  There is also a bell tower, which stood vacant for four years until the bell was sent from Cuba by Canary emigrants.  In the old town centre the Lourdes chapel, water-wells and La Cantonera Historical Center can also be seen.