As you go ahead with your journey, take the GC-1 motorway (which goes by the airport)to the right are the towns of Ingenio, Agüimes and Santa Lucía, while you have the sea to your left. Once you get to the tourist area of Playa del Ingles, you will be overwhelmed by Maspalomas’ dunes, the lighthouse and La Charca. As you go on you will get to the beautiful port Puerto de Mogán and just a little further on, there's La Aldea de San Nicolás, where the popular Fiesta del Charco is held. Here, next to the beach, you can try some excellent fresh fish in the local restaurants.
You can continue your trip, winding round the bends in the road and stopping every now and then to enjoy the lovely views of Telde Mountain at the foot of spectacular cliffs, before you get to the coastal town of Agaete, a great place to see the sun set by Paseo de los Poetas, where every year, the Fiesta de la Rama is celebrated. From here, you make your way back to the capital, after stopping to see the historic centre of Gáldar, the first pre-Hispanic capital of the island, the Cenobio de Valerón with their native silos, and a spectacular illuminated view of the church of Arucas
Walking around Vegueta
A good place to start is Plaza de Santa Ana, where you can follow certain options from the cathedral and its artistic treasures, the Palacio Episcopal, residence of the bishop and the Casas Consistoriales, which today is still the seat of the District Town Councillors.
Nearby the sea you find the Casa de Colón(Columbus' House), another popular option. A little further down is the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM) (Atlantic Centre for Modern Art), which throughout the year hosts the most futuristic art exhibitions.
Other places to visit in this historic district are the Museo Canario (Museum of the Canaries), which has the best collection of figurines and archaeological vestiges from the islands, as well as the small squares and old refuges of Vegueta. Among them, the most noteworthy is the Plaza del Pilar Viejo with its fountain. The best thing to do in Vegueta is wonder round its streets, with the ancient government building on one side and the Santo Domingo Church on the other.
To end the day, all you have to do is cross the Guiniguada riverbank, and you get to the shopping street of the city, Calle Triana. Walking down this pedestrian street which is lined with the most varied style of houses, with balconies, one can find whatever they are looking for.
Venturing inland
Gran Canaria offers apart from leisure and activities, deep contact with natural elements and nature in general. Going up Centro road, you quickly get to the residential suburb of Tafira, with the modern university campus to the right. Just four or five miles further up is the town of Santa Brígida, and just beyond that is San Mateo, where in its Sunday market a visitor can choose between all kinds of traditional island products (cheeses, sauces, local fruits...).
Having come this far you get to Cruz de Tejeda. From here you have a breathtaking view of the island, with Roque Nublo dominating everything. From Tejeda, the descent is quick southwards, and you pass the small district of Ayacata, where you can do a detour to presa de Chira.
From here, you can go to Santiago de Tunte and Santa Lucía de Tirajana, and then it's downhill to Fortaleza de Ansite (Ansite Fort), where the last free people from the Canaries escaped from Castilian rule, throwing themselves from these great heights, so as not to die as slaves which even today, is commemorated and celebrated in Gran Canaria as the proclamation of Atis Tirma.
The enchanting view of the steep riverbank leads you to the olive-producing district of Temisas where you can enjoy a cup of coffee, before returning to the capital via Telde (if you have time, it's worth visiting Telde's black sandy beaches like La Garita or Melenara). Arriving at the capital end that fascinating excursion by having a drink at the popular Parque de Santa Catalina. |
