Free walking tours in Tejeda and what to see

Must-sees

Tejeda is a mountain village in the centre of Gran Canaria, perched above a great caldera ringed by rock pinnacles. It belongs to the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain association, and its centre is quick to explore, with sloping streets, white houses and the church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro. It is famous for its almond trees, which blossom early in the year, and for almond sweets such as bienmesabe.

From the village you can see the two great symbols of the summit. Roque Nublo, a huge basalt rock, is reached by a short path from the road. Roque Bentayga was a sacred site for the ancient Canarians and has an interpretation centre. The area is part of the Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains cultural landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby are the Cruz de Tejeda and Pico de las Nieves.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no pay-what-you-wish free tours in Tejeda. The usual options are guided visits and excursions, many from the south coast or Las Palmas, touring the summit by coach or 4x4. They usually stop in the village, at the Cruz de Tejeda and at a viewpoint or two. Most worthwhile are a guided hike to Roque Nublo or along the old royal paths, and a visit to Bentayga with an explanation of aboriginal culture.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough for the village: one to stroll and try the sweets, and another for lunch. If you add the climb to Roque Nublo, Bentayga and Pico de las Nieves, allow a full day, starting early to avoid the cloud and the crowds on the trails. With two days you can add Artenara and the Risco Caído area.

Where to stay

Sleeping in Tejeda or at the Cruz de Tejeda puts you on the summit first thing and lets you enjoy the night sky, very clear here. The village has small hotels and apartments, and around it are rural houses overlooking the caldera. Bear in mind it gets quite cold at night, even in summer. If you prefer to sleep on the coast, the summit is an hour’s drive from the south or from Las Palmas.