10 best archaeological sites in Gran Canaria (photos + tips)

Gran Canaria isn’t just famous for its sandy beaches and beautiful scenery. The island is also home to a rich archaeological heritage, bearing witness to the civilizations that have inhabited it. They’re not the Egyptian pyramids, but the sites are still captivating to our eyes.
We share with you our selection of the island’s most beautiful archaeological sites, along with our tips for visiting them.

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

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Archaeological sites in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria offers a multitude of archaeological sites testifying to the history and culture of the ancient Canary people, the Guanches.
Archaeologists believe they arrived on the islands between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC, probably from North Africa. They were organized into tribes and lived by farming, herding and fishing.

If you only need to visit 3 to get different aspects of the culture, we recommend:

Cenobio de Valeron
Canada de Los Gatos
Maipés archaeological site (if you prefer landscapes) or (Cueva Pintada if you like ancient paintings)

In our opinion, visiting one of these sites is one of Gran Canaria’s must-do activities.

1. Cenobio de Valeron

Why visit?

Valeron is one of Gran Canaria’s most unique sites.
Perched on a rocky escarpment, it’s a spectacular collection of over 300 man-made caves. Built by the ancient Canaries over 800 years ago, this archaeological site fascinated us both for its size and its function.

These cavities, dug into the soft rock, served as collective granaries to store grain harvests and other foodstuffs, a vital function for the survival of the populations.
They are organized in terraces, demonstrating their know-how and ingenuity.
We loved this truly unique site (apart from the difficulty of parking).

Useful tips

On Gran Canaria’s north coast
From Las Palmas = 30min drive
From Agaete = 15min drive
From Maspalomas = 1h drive
Closed on Mondays
Normally open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3 euros
Very limited parking (about ten), along a mountain road
Numerous steps to reach the cavities
Latest news on the official website here

WHERE TO STAY IN Gran Canaria

Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:

Where to stay in Gran Canaria
Our favorite: Marina Suites Hotel

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2. Maipés archaeological site

reconstructions of Maipes with the Agaete valley behind

Why visit?

The Maipés Archaeological Park is an open-air sanctuary with superb views over the Agaete valley. Its 700 funerary structures bear witness to civilizations.
The partially reconstructed tumuli are imposing. They date back over 1300 years and were built from volcanic stone in a lava field.
There are also remains of dwellings and a village with ceramic workshops.

This site offers a fascinating mix of historic sites and magnificent landscapes. We imagined what life would be like in this beautiful valley.
More photos in our dedicated article.

Useful tips

Located in the municipality ofAgaete, northwest of Gran Canaria
From Las Palmas = 45 min drive
From Maspalomas = 1h10 drive
Closed on Mondays
Normally open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3 euros
Easy parking, well-marked site
Well-laid path, partially wheelchair accessible
Latest news on the official website here

3. Canada de Los Gatos

Why visit?

Canada de Los Gatos is one of the island’s best-known sites, not only because it’s located in the charming town of Puerto de Mogan, but also because you can climb the cliff to see the structure of the village from above. We really appreciated this perspective.

In this valley, the inhabitants found water and fertile soil, making it an ideal location for a coastal village. The population was large.
Remains of houses and burials dating back 1300 years can be found here.
More photos in our dedicated article.

Useful tips

Located in the municipality of Puerto de Mogan
From Las Palmas = 1h10 drive
From Maspalomas = 20 min drive
Closed on Mondays
Normally open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4 euros
Parking in the city (nearby underground parking lot: parking Mogan)
Stairs
Latest news on the official website here

OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Gran Canaria

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.

See available cars >>

Read our tips

4. La Fortaleza de Ansite

Why visit?

The Ansite fortress is made up of three large rock formations: the Grande Forteresse, the Petite Forteresse and the Basse Forteresse.
The indigenous population built houses and, of course, established burial sites, etc., here. The oldest discoveries come from this area.

After a visit to the interpretation center, we recommend climbing to the left of the main structure to discover spectacular views and a tunnel that crosses the entire hill and engravings.

Useful tips

To the southeast of the island, inland, close to the GC-65 road, one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful routes.
From Las Palmas = 1h20 drive
From Maspalomas = 50 min drive
Closed on Mondays
Normally open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission to interpretation center: 4 euros
Easy parking, well-marked site
Wear good shoes to walk on rocks
Latest news on the official website here

5. Cueva Pintada

Why visit?

The Cueva Pinta site is right in the middle of town. So you don’t get to enjoy as many beautiful landscapes.
But it has something unique compared with other sites: painted walls.

You begin by strolling around the site of a fairly large village.
Then, in a small group, you can enter a glassed-in area to see the house, which has a beautiful painting that is still visible with red and geometric shapes. No photos inside to preserve the site.

Afterwards, you’ll be able to discover reconstructions to better understand how the Guanches lived back then.

Useful tips

Located in the commune of Galdar, to the northwest
From Las Palmas = 40 min drive
From Maspalomas = 1h10 drive
Closed on Mondays
Normally open at least from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
6 euros
Parking close to the old town
Well-laid path, partially wheelchair accessible
Latest news on the official website here

FUN in Gran Canaria:activities

Dolphin watching
Buggy / Quad
Snorkeling
Kayaking in the Mogan caves
But also: Canyoning, Horse riding, Via Ferrata, Coasteering… See all options

6. Cueva de Quatro Puertas

Why visit?

This site is much less well known than the others. The 4-door cave was dug by hand at an altitude of 300m on Montaña Bermeja. Entrances face north.
Archaeologists believe that the openings were closed with animal skins. But they don’t know how this large cave was used. It could have been a sacred place for rituals.

The site contains other caves and structures in addition to the main cave, but these are much less easy to access.

Useful tips

Located near the airport, on the east coast
From Las Palmas = 45 min drive
From Maspalomas = 30 min drive
Free access
Park at the bottom of an unpaved road, then climb up to the house, the entrance gates are behind.
Wear good walking shoes.
The main cave is easy to access, but it’s not clear how to get to the other sights.

7. Risco Caído – museum in Artenara

Why visit?

Risco Caido is one of Gran Canaria’s most surprising archaeological sites. It’s a group of caves built on a steep mountain slope.
Its special feature is a 6m-high grotto with a dome and axes. Archaeologists have discovered that the play of lights inside was no accident, and was used to plan sowing and harvesting.

To protect this unique site, it is not open to the public.
However, a replica has been created in the interpretation center in the village of Artenara.

Useful tips

Interpretation center in the mountain village of Artenera
From Las Palmas = 1h15 drive
From Maspalomas = 1h30 drive
Interpretation center normally open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Easy parking, plenty of space
Easy access to the museum
Latest news on the official website here

8. Las Crucetitas

Why visit?

Right next to Canada de Los Gatos is the smaller site of Las Crucecitas. They could be considered as a single site, but the access conditions are different.

The structures are part of the village that was built in this fertile valley.
On this site you will find mainly graves and funeral structures.

Useful tips

Located in the municipality of Puerto de Mogan, next to Canada de Los Gatos.
From Las Palmas = 1h10 drive
From Maspalomas = 20 min drive
Access from the Cordial Playa Mogan hotel, or from the Canada de Los Gatos corniche road.
Small sloping site

A LITTLE MORE patience

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9. Los Caserones de La Aldea

Why visit?

In this much less touristy Gran Canaria town, you can also discover small archaeological sites.
Start at the interpretation center, where you can learn about the ruins, the marsh biosphere and the culture of La Aldea.

The charming team will tell you how to get to the two sites around the town: the remains of houses and a burial site a little higher up.

Useful tips

Located in the municipality of Puerto de La Aldea, southwest of Gran Canaria
From Las Palmas = 1h10 drive
From Maspalomas = 1h10 drive
Normally open at least from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free admission
Easy parking in town
3 sites: interpretation center, house ruins and burial grounds (higher up)
Latest news on the official website here

10. Punta Mujeres to Méloneras

Why visit?

Along the Meloneras promenade you might be concentrating on the lighthouse view or looking for a restaurant. But don’t miss the tiny archaeological site: the remains of a house over 1000 years old. It’s very easy to see from the path, and informative signs explain what you’re looking at.

Useful tips

Located in the commune of Meloneras (Maspalomas)
From Las Palmas = 1h drive
Visible from the seafront promenade
A single structure

10. Arteara necrople

Why visit?

It is the largest site on the island, with over 800 tumuli.
Archaeologists have also identified the site as an astronomical center, with one of the burial mounds illuminated only on the day of the solstice.
The stones used came from an avalanche.

Useful tips

Located north of Maspalomas
From Las Palmas = 1h10 drive
From Maspalomas = 25min drive
Temporarily closed
4 euros
Easy parking, well-marked site
Latest news on the official website here

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Museums and centers dedicated to Aboriginal culture

Mundo Aborigen

And if you want a more playful experience for the kids, the Mundo Aborigen park is an open-air museum featuring role-playing and replicas of the houses in which the Guanches lived. This makes it much easier to get an idea of what the villages looked like.
We also loved the views over the valley from the site.

>> Book your tickets

Barranco de Guayadeque

One of Gran Canaria’s best-known valleys is Barranco de Guayadeque, nearAgüimes. At the beginning of the road is a large interpretation center that shows you how the aborigines lived in this valley. In our opinion, this is one of the best museums on the subject.

Museo Canario in Las Palmas

The capital also boasts the Museo Canario.
A whole section is dedicated to the Guanches, their homes, customs, skills and burials.
The most beautiful pieces discovered on the island are preserved in this museum.

Roque Bentayga Interpretation Center

If you go on the short hike to Roque Bentayga, be sure to stop off at the interpretation center for this sacred mountain.
And if you climb this slightly difficult path at the end, you’ll see the defensive wall.