The diverse landscape of Gran Canaria is speckled with charming towns, from quaint fishing villages to mountaintop hamlets. Shaped like a nearly perfect circle, this volcanic island belongs to the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands. With influences from North Africa, Latin America, and the original Indigenous inhabitants — the Guanche people — the Canary Islands feel worlds away from the peninsula, not to mention the volcanic lunarscapes.
If you’re visiting Gran Canaria, the third-largest island in the archipelago and a popular European getaway for sun-worshipers, add these eight beautiful villages to your next itinerary. After spending three months on the islands, these are some of my favorite spots. From lush valleys with coffee plantations to volcanic coastlines with natural pools, and the desert-like southern coast or mountainous interior, the villages nestled into all these landscapes are sure to capture your heart.
Puerto de Mogán
Puerto de Mogán is hands down my favorite spot on the southern coast of Gran Canaria, a jewel among a throng of tacky tourist towns where you wouldn’t know if you were in Spain or somewhere in Germany, England, or Ireland. This beautiful village is bisected by a river, earning it the name “Little Venice” for the lovely small footbridges that span the canals throughout the city. Just across the river is the picturesque marina, dotted with yachts and sailboats bobbing gently while diners admire the view from the row of waterfront restaurants.
Surrounding the marina is a charming neighborhood (now filled with tourist accommodations) featuring bijou white houses with colorful trim, dripping in salmon and fuchsia bougainvillea. After wandering the waterfront, hike up to the mirador for panoramic views of the village, or sprawl out on the golden sands of Playa de Mogán. Later, treat yourself to an ice cream at Heladería Martonela Mogán, serving up some of the best gelato I’ve had outside Italy.
Read my complete guide to Puerto de Mogán here:
Note: For some reason, Google Maps sometimes brings up Puerto de Mogán as Mogán, a different village near the mountains, but the actual location is here near Playa de Mogán.
Firgas
The inland hilltop village of Firgas is touted as one of the most beautiful in Gran Canaria. Less than 30 minutes from Las Palmas, it’s the perfect stop while exploring the rest of the northern coast. Firgas is famous for its water, both bottled and the iconic cascade steps that run through the middle of town. Known as the Paseo de Gran Canaria, this tiered walkway features a stunning central waterway, flanked by ceramic panels depicting the coat of arms for each of the 22 municipalities in Gran Canaria and the island.
Just up the hill is the Paseo de Canarias, another walkway whose centerpiece is mosaics and ceramic topographic maps of each of the Canary Islands. Not far from the walkways is the Plaza de San Roque, housing the small whitewashed Church of San Roque and the Firgas Town Hall with its ornate Canarian balconies and panoramic overlook.
Arucas
Less than 20 minutes from Las Palmas, Arucas is a gem perched in the hills punctuated by the spires of the Church of San Juan Bautista. This Neo-Gothic church is one of the most important on the island, its impressive charcoal facade popping against the sea of pastel buildings. For a few euros, you can visit the church, although I think it’s quite impressive from the outside.
Unwind in the tranquil municipal park, which is awash in multicolored lights during the holiday season, or stop by the adjacent municipal museum. The museum is free to visit, housing a collection of fine art in the historic home of sugar cane baron Alfonso Gourié.
Speaking of sugar cane, no visit to Arucas is complete without visiting the Arehucas Distillery. Founded in 1884, Arehucas has been bottling the Canaries’ favorite rum for over a century. Tours only cost a few euros, offered in both English and Spanish, providing an hour-long dive into the world of rum-making. The tour ends with a tasting of some of the label’s favorites, including dark-aged rum, honey rum, banana liqueur, and many more.
Teror
Teror, one of the most beautiful mountain towns in Gran Canaria, is famous for its Sunday market and patron saint, the Virgin of the Pine. The village is bursting with delightful Canarian architecture, from pastel-colored buildings to traditional wooden balconies. Sunday is the best time to visit Teror, when the town is abuzz with the weekly market and vendors encircle the iconic Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pino. Poke your head in the church for a glimpse of the island’s patron saint (only the devout are allowed entry on Sunday morning) who was spotted in a nearby pine tree during the 15th century.
Browse the shops in town along the famous Calle del Balcones, a cobbled walkway leading toward the church featuring stunning Canarian balconies, until you reach the market. The Teror Sunday market runs weekly from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with everything from fresh flowers and baked goods to artisan jewelry and religious paraphernalia. Market staples include “chorizo de Teror” a pumpkin-orange spreadable sausage flavored with paprika and garlic, often slathered between thick baguette slices. You can’t miss the pastries either, displayed in enticing mounds on tables and carts around the square. My favorites are “truchas” little half-moon pastries dusted in sugar with a sweet yam/almond filling.
While you’re in Gran Canaria you’re bound to see plastic bottles in shops and restaurants labeled “Aguas de Teror,” one of the preferred drinking water brands on the island. During your visit to this quaint mountain town, make an optional but novel stop by the Fuente Agria de Teror just adjacent to the Aguas de Teror headquarters. This antique-looking little building features several taps along the three walls, which some residents use to fill big jugs. Even if you’re not from Teror, the guards will usually let you fill up a cup or bottle to taste this special spring-fed water — which to me tasted slightly sparkling and rich in minerals.
Puerto de las Nieves
Puerto de las Nieves is my favorite village on the northwestern coast, and it’s the perfect afternoon trip from Las Palmas. Just 30 minutes away from the capital, this little fishing village is the essence of laid-back, with one main street leading past a few waterfront restaurants and shops. Puerto de las Nieves features two volcanic beaches, intersected by an old fishing pier where you’ll see locals lounging in their swimwear on the weekends while boys cast their lines off the end.
The end of the pier also has spectacular views of the surrounding cliffs and the Dedo de Dios, a basalt formation that used to have a spindly projection at the top (God’s finger). The “finger” has since fallen off after a storm, but the rock structure is still impressive and an icon of Gran Canaria.
One of my favorite things to do here is swim in the natural saltwater pools. Just a short walk away from the waterfront restaurants and past the harbor, “Las Salinas” is a set of three volcanic rock pools carved by the elements. The water is crystal clear and calm year round (the frontmost pool can get wavy with big swell) the perfect spot to relax on a sunny afternoon.
Read my complete guide to Puerto de las Nieves here:
Tejeda
The enchanting inland town of Tejeda is a swath of white buildings against towering mountains the color and texture of coffee grounds. The town rests in the shadow of the iconic Roque Nublo and the less famous but equally majestic Roque Bentagaya. Known for its panoramic views and sweet treats, Tejeda is the perfect stop while hiking or road-tripping through the mountainous interior.
The town hall boasts an impressive observation deck, offering 360-degree views over the jumble of terracotta roofs and the sepia landscape. Take a stroll through the old town, a series of narrow streets with historic whitewashed houses, or stop by the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Socorro and savor a moment of silence in this serene little church.
Finally, no visit to Tejeda is complete without sampling some of the village’s famed sweets, the most popular made with almonds grown on the scenic mountainside. Dulcería Nublo has some of the best treats in town, their glass case brimming with almond cakes and biscuits, fruit tarts, and giant Palmeras — crispy heart-shaped pastries dusted with sugar or dipped in chocolate. Grab your pasties and café con leche and enjoy the mountain views from the cafe’s outdoor seating area.
Tufia
The village of Tufia is located on the eastern coast of Gran Canaria, less than half an hour from Las Palmas, and is one of the most special little towns on the island. It’s not far from the airport, and you can enjoy watching planes take off from the sliver of black sand beach. Tufia came recommended to me by several English students and other teachers as an epic snorkeling spot.
Perched on a craggy projection of coastline, Tufia’s jumble of white and blue houses crowd the otherwise barren cliffside. There isn’t a bar or supermarket in sight, so pack snacks and other essentials for your visit. Following the small winding streets, make your way down to the waterfront to lounge or snorkel at the black sand beach, dotted with locals and youngsters sunbathing on concrete platforms and building ledges.
The water almost swallows this itty bitty beach at high tide, so plan accordingly. I highly recommend checking out the snorkeling, the schools of silvery fish are a beautiful contrast against the dark volcanic sand. Be careful when entering the water, as it’s a mix of sand and rock that can be uneven underfoot.
Lomo de San Pedro
Lomo de San Pedro is a swath of white buildings and terracotta roofs splashed between the chocolate-brown hills of the Agaete Valley. Not far from Puerto de las Nieves, this charming little town feels miles away from the coastline, lush with trees and vegetation. The Agaete Valley is Europe’s only commercial coffee zone, bolstered by Gran Canaria’s mild climate and fertile volcanic soil. While there’s not a ton to do in the tiny town of Lomo de San Pedro, touring one of the area’s coffee plantations is a must.
I visited Cafe Platinum, a family-run plantation that offers tours and tastings in its quaint outdoor space. While it feels like you’re walking through someone’s backyard to get there, you’ll be greeted by friendly and attentive guides upon arrival. The experience feels very personal, the tours happen as needed when guests arrive, and tastings are individual. When we arrived we were greeted and shown through the coffee plantation, kind of like a magical forest experience with coffee plants interspersed between banana and avocado trees. We even saw some guys collecting the red coffee cherries, which happens daily as they don’t all ripen in unison.
After, we were seated in the outdoor tasting area — which feels like a cross between a tea party and your grandma’s living room — where we tasted the estate’s coffee, along with traditional sweets, spreads, and liqueurs. Later we got to try our hand at roasting coffee and even taste the freshly roasted beans. The guys working there were super friendly and spoke English, making Cafe Platinum a 10/10 hidden gem experience in Gran Canaria.