8 best things to do in Gáldar (Gran Canaria): tips + photos

Gáldar is a pretty village in northwest Gran Canaria. With its colorful streets, archeological site, church and volcanic seafront, the little town has won us over. You’ll be swept away by the Canarian charm of this picturesque spot!

Here’s our guide to the must-see places in the village of Gáldar, Gran Canaria, and some useful tips for planning your visit.

things to do galdar gran canaria visit must-see

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

Content

1. Time travel at Cueva Pintada

Why do we love it?

La Cueva Pintada is one of Gran Canaria’s most impressive archaeological sites! Located right in town, it’s also atypical in that it boasts a unique feature: cave paintings.

Our visit began with a look at the caves and man-made houses carved into the rock hundreds of years ago. Behind a glazed area, we then admired a beautiful red mural composed of geometric shapes. Please note that it is not possible to take photos of the painting for preservation reasons. You can then discover reconstructions to better understand how the island’s ancient inhabitants, the Guanches, lived in those days.

Cueva Pintada - View of a screen showing a cave painting

Practical advice

Closed on Mondays, normally open from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission 6 euros
Parking nearby in the old town
Well-laid path, partially wheelchair accessible
Latest news on the official website here

2. Discover Casa Museo Antonio Padrón

Why do we love it?

We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of this small museum. The former home of the famous local artist Antonio Pardrón has been converted into a museum, displaying a fine collection of the painter’s works. We were struck by the authentic beauty of his paintings, which embody Indigenism, a movement that emphasizes the island’s identity through subject, form and color.

First, discover the house, typical of the Canaries and full of charm, with whitewashed or red-colored walls and arches opening onto the outside. You can then admire the artist’s works in small rooms and in his studio. Finish with the inner courtyard, with its pretty basalt and pebble cobblestones.

Practical advice

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed on January 1st and 6th, May 1st and December 24th, 25th and 31st.
Ticket purchase on site
Guided tours on request
See the 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

3. Stroll the colorful streets

Colorful street, red building and pink building

Why do we love it?

The village streets are very colorful. We were there at Christmas, and the decor was charming, with cardboard constructions and hanging lights. You’ll be able to admire houses with traditional Canary architecture. Balconies, bright colors, dark volcanic stone and large windows adorn the buildings.

We also saw religious sculptures and icons in the narrow streets. They add color to the little village and make your visit even more artistic!

Practical advice

Take a stroll through the town center
Parking lots next to the center
Streets with relatively flat cobblestones, wheelchair-accessible

4. Admire the Santiago de Gáldar church and square

Why do we love it?

As we explored the village, we stopped in front of the village’s beautiful church, the Iglesia Santiago de Gáldar. Pay close attention to the main façade. Its curved forms, a blend of Baroque and neoclassicism, its 2 bell towers and its ochre color are all in keeping with the spirit of local architecture.

We also enjoyed lingering in the pretty, shady square opposite the church. Plaza de Santiago is lush and green, with a pretty fountain in the center. The narrow streets around the square and church are well worth a visit. We found the perfect place to sip a cool drink and enjoy the view.

Practical advice

Centrally located
The nearest public parking lot is La Quinta.

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

Select by hotel type:

5-star hotels
Best boutique-hotels
Best adults-only hotels (coming soon)
Best all-inclusive hotels (coming soon)
Best hotels for families

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5. Visit the Agáldar Museum

Why do we love it?

We discovered another museum in Gáldar, the Museo Agáldar. You’ll learn a lot about the village’s history. We walked through 4 rooms detailing the area’s past, from the ancient Canary Islands to the Spanish conquest. Large information panels reveal all the secrets, along with a variety of historical objects and videos.

We especially liked the walls of this museum! The 18th-century building is typical of traditional Canary houses. The pretty inner courtyard and its dark wooden balconies did not leave us indifferent.

Practical advice

Open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Free admission
More information on the city’s official website here

6. A quest for the city’s emblems

Yellow building in the street and ceramic badges

Why do we love it?

Take a stroll through the village center, look up and you’re sure to come across some coats of arms. If not, go and find them. We’ve seen a series of emblems on public buildings and houses. In bronze or ceramic, they seem to decorate many a facade. Why not try to guess what they represent?

The town also promotes its name by displaying large badges with the capital letters “Gáldar” all over the place. We spotted them on traffic circles, but also in streets and squares. It’s great to have your photo taken with them!

Practical advice

Raise your head as you walk and look around you
Badges in the city center

A LITTLE MORE patience

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7. Venture to Sardina del Norte

Why do we love it?

One of Gáldar’s must-see attractions is also Sardina del Norte! At 10km from the village, we discovered a pretty beach at the foot of a volcanic crater and small multicolored houses. The landscape is truly atypical, with the contrast between the liveliness of the ocean, the town and the blackness of the volcano.

Sardina also has a lighthouse, Faro de Sardina del Norte, which we found charming. Finally, look out over the ocean and admire El Farallon, the rock that stands like a sculpture in the middle of the sea.

Practical advice

10km from Gáldar, 20min by car
Parking next to the beach access road
Fine sand

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

8. Visit the Museum of Sacred Arts

Museo Arte Sacro in Gáldar - Side facade

Why do we love it?

The village is home to one last museum, the Museum of Sacred Arts, which we also visited. Like us, start by admiring its exterior architecture. All in yellow, the imposing building is set off by the black of the volcanic stones. Here you can admire religious paintings, furniture, sculptures of saints and precious fabrics. The museum’s best-known work is the Pila Verde, a basin said to have been given to Gáldar by a Spanish king.

Practical advice

Open mornings from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, closed on Mondays and Sundays.
See the latest news on the city’s official website here

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Things to do in Gáldar: other ideas

Gáldar has other surprises in store:

The town market, housed in a colourful building, is a real eye-catcher!
The famous and arduous Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria hiking trail starts from the village.
Other churches to visit in the village include the Church of San Isidro de Gáldar

Excursions around Gáldar

We explored the area around the village and found some wonderful spots:

El Aguajero, La Furnia and El Clavo natural pools
The village ofAgaete, its archaeological site and superb natural pools
Other nearby villages such as Firgas, Arucas, El Teror and Tejeda are well worth a visit and can be explored on a guided tour.

Las Salinas swimming pools — Las Salinas natural pools near Agaete

Is the village of Gáldar worth a visit?

Yes, the typical village of Gáldar is well worth a visit. We enjoyed strolling through the charming little streets and squares and past the pretty church. We visited caves with ancient cave paintings as well as 2 museums. The surrounding area, such as Sardina, is well worth a visit, with its sandy beaches and volcanic crater!

In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful villages on Gran Canaria.

Useful tips for visiting Gáldar

Where is Gáldar

In the northwest of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands
From Las Palmas: 40min drive
From Maspalomas: 1h10 drive

carte galdar grande canarie — Map of Gran Canaria and Gáldar

How to get to Gáldar

Meet us in Gáldar by car, which we think is the best way to get around the island. Here are our tips for renting a car in Gran Canaria.

There are also bus routes 100, 103 and 105 from Las Palmas.

Or let us guide you on an organized tour. Here are our suggestions:

Parking in Gáldar

We found several parking lots in the city center, including La Quinta, Reina Arminda, Las Guyarminas and San Sebastian.

Getting around Gáldar

Once in the village, it’s best to get around on foot, as it’s relatively small. You can also take the car, but not all streets are accessible.

Where to eat in Gáldar

We discovered a few small restaurants in town. We suggest you:

The Restaurante Agáldar, part of the charming Hotel Emblemático Agáldar
Chago’s La Trastienda Restaurant
The little Restaurant La Madera Nos Gusta

Hotel Emblematico Agaldar — Hotel Emblemático Agáldar

Visiting Gáldar in winter

Gran Canaria in winter, and therefore Gáldar, are very pleasant destinations. Temperatures are mild and the days sunny. We were there over Christmas in December and really enjoyed the climate!