Get to know Tejeda in Gran Canaria

Tejeda is located in the central summit of the island of Gran Canaria. In a landscape of ravines and in the shadow of the roque Nublo, symbol of the island, this village breathes tranquility and charm. It is the ideal place for a rural getaway away from the hustle and bustle and stress of the capital, where you can be seduced by the beauty of the peaks and the powerful balm of the unique nature of this area of the island.

Tejeda, an idyllic natural environment

The municipality of Tejeda includes the so-called Caldera de Tejeda, a formation of volcanic origin furrowed by steep ravines in which stand two rocks that are the geological symbols of the island: Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga. It is also the first municipality in the Canary Islands to belong to the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain.

Tejeda is 44 kilometers away from the capital of the island, Las Palmas, and 22 kilometers from San Mateo. It is located 1,050 meters above sea level, registering the maximum altitude of the island, with 1,949 meters at the Pico de los Pozos de las Nieves. At its summit there is a viewpoint with unique views of the Caldera de Tirajana and the Nublo Rural Park.

The natural environment of this area is characterized by its immense Canary pine forests, which currently share space with a huge colony of almond trees. Culture and art are also present in this municipality. Thus, the visitor can visit the Sculpture Museum of Abraham Cárdenes, a famous Canary Island sculptor. In addition, the Ethnographic Museum and the Center of Medicinal Plants in the village of Tejeda are also worth a stop.

What to visit if you come to Tejeda

You can't miss a tour of the historic center

The old town is not very big and can be easily walked through on foot. Here you can visit the Church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro, next to the Town Hall of Tejeda, as well as its different pedestrian streets. The village is surrounded by mountains and the stamp that make up its white houses of traditional architecture is beautiful.

From here you will have views to the Roque Bentayga, but also to the Roque Nublo, it all depends on the area of the village where you are . All this landscape is part of the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, a World Heritage Site.

Visit Roque Nublo, the highest peak on the island.

Whether it is your first time in Gran Canaria, or not, given the proximity, the visit to Tejeda is usually combined with the small trail that leads to Roque Nublo, not to be missed!

Have your photo taken at La Cesta de Tejeda

Leaving the village towards the Roque de Bentayga, we find this traditional giant basket, ideal to take a picture and thus take a nice souvenir of the island of Gran Canaria. This large basket is a work of the Portuguese artist Rita Loureiro and is made of metal. It symbolizes the hard work of agriculture and, in particular, the task of collecting almonds and potatoes in Tejeda .

Visiting the Roque de Bentayga, a must

Less than 10 minutes drive from the village is the Roque de Bentayga and its Interpretation Center. Here you can learn all about the archaeological complex of the Sierra de Bentayga and access is free.

Visiting the Cruz de Tejeda

Also just a few minutes drive from the town we have the famous Cruzde Tejeda. A place of passage for thousands of cyclists and hikers. Also for those who are driving, as it is ideal to stop and enjoy a coffee or a meal . A few steps from this same cross is the Parador de Tejeda where you can stay overnight or eat overlooking the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria.

Sweets from Tejeda, a souvenir for the palate

Another mythical plan to do in Tejeda is to visit the Nublo sweet shop, founded in 1946 and specialized in making sweets with Tejeda almonds. Among the typical products are almonds, chocolate palmeras and Bienmesabe. Bienmesabe is a sweet made mainly with almonds, sugar and egg. We talk more in depth about this Canarian dessert in this article: Bienmesabe canario, a very simple and delicious dessert. Besides, eating a chocolate palm tree here is almost a tradition!

The Canary Islands is a land with a thousand things to see, explore and learn about. If you are interested in learning more interesting facts about the Canary Islands, here is a link to the Explora Canarias section of Marca Canaria.

Paula Vera

Photos: Cabildo de Gran Canaria, holaislascanarias.com, Town Hall of Tejeda

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