Free walking tours in Agaete and what to see

Must-sees

Agaete is in the north-west of Gran Canaria, between mountains and sea. The village has a quiet white centre, with the church of La Concepción and the Huerto de las Flores, a small botanical garden with tropical species. Beside it is the Maipés Archaeological Park, an aboriginal necropolis with hundreds of burial mounds on a lava flow. It is a good introduction to the history of the ancient Canarians.

A step away is Puerto de las Nieves, with its promenade, fish restaurants and the Las Nieves chapel, which holds a Flemish triptych. From there you can see the coastal cliffs and the Dedo de Dios, a rock that lost part of its shape in a storm in 2005. Nearby are natural pools for swimming. Inland, the Agaete Valley is green and fertile, with fruit trees and coffee.

Free tours and guided visits

There are usually no pay-what-you-wish free tours in Agaete. The usual options are guided visits and excursions from the village or other parts of the island. The guided visit to the Maipés, which explains aboriginal burial customs, is worthwhile, as are walks through the valley, which often include a coffee plantation. There are also hiking routes into Tamadaba Natural Park and its pine forest. Ferries to Tenerife leave from Puerto de las Nieves.

How long to spend

Four or five hours are enough for the village and the port: a morning for the Maipés and the Huerto de las Flores, and midday for a fish lunch at the port and a swim. If you add the valley and a walk in Tamadaba, allow a full day or two half days. If you are coming for the Bajada de la Rama festival in early August, book ahead.

Where to stay

The most pleasant area to stay is Puerto de las Nieves, by the sea, with restaurants on the street and lovely sunsets. Agaete village, a few minutes away, is quieter and close to the Maipés and the valley. In the valley itself there are rural houses surrounded by farms, good if you want silence. Either way, a car will come in handy for exploring north-west Gran Canaria.