The Eastern Part of the Island

Today we wanted to explore the east of the island—a part of Gran Canaria that is far less developed for tourism. Here you mostly encounter locals.

Our first destination was Vecindario, a small town not far from San Agustin. Many people who are employed in tourism also live here.

In Vecindario there is a large shopping center where you can get everything your heart desires—significantly cheaper than on the coast.

Right behind the shopping center there is a pretty shopping street that invites you to stroll. In the cafés and bars you can enjoy wonderful Café con leche and while away the time.

From Vecindario, we continued to Pozo Izquierdo. Here the wind blows fiercely all year round. You’ll find almost no tourists here; a few locals sunbathe on the pebble beach. The place feels deserted.

But the panorama is wonderful. High waves break on the coast, and the houses are built so close to the water that you worry they might collapse into it.

Our next stop was Arinaga, another coastal village. Although there is also a constant wind there, the place seems less rugged. There is a small beachfront promenade with cafés and restaurants. Here mostly independent tourists or Spaniards from the mainland escape the hot summer.

The next leg took us to Aguimes, one of the— in my opinion—most beautiful villages on the island. In the town center there is the Church of San Sebastian, in front of which there is a pretty little park that invites you to linger.

The town is surrounded by gentle hills whose lush green color forms a wonderful contrast to the blue sky.

The winding, narrow streets of the old town with their colourful façades make Aguimes unique.

Soon we reached Cuatro Puertas. Several caves in the rugged rocks offer a good insight into the life of the Guanches, the island’s native inhabitants.

What these caves were used for is largely uncertain. Various theories suggest they served as storage or living space—likely both it true.

The area is freely accessible, but some paths are narrow and steep, so you should be sure‑footed. From above, you enjoy a magnificent panorama over the entire coast.

The final destination of our tour was Telde, the island’s former capital. Telde is the second‑largest city of Gran Canaria and has a rich history. The area was already inhabited before the Spanish conquest.

The old town of Telde—Barrio San Francisco—makes you forget that this is a big city. Small white‑washed houses line the cobblestone lanes.

In the centre of the quarter lies the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, a church whose construction began in the 16th century.

Time and again, you also encounter the typical wooden balconies in this quarter.

Narrow alleys, broad streets and spacious parks and squares make the city one of the most varied and diverse on Gran Canaria. We have been here many times and yet always discover something new.

But now it was time to return. For the evening we had planned to visit a well‑known folk festival, to which I devote a separate chapter.