Gran Canaria stands out for having some of the most beautiful and captivating villages in the Canary Islands and Spain, such as Tejeda. However, just a few kilometres away from one of the most beautiful villages in Spain you can find Artenara, a village that captivated Miguel de Unamuno himself.
Part of Artenara's charm lies in its picturesque houses, its cave houses carved into the mountain, its viewpoints, its dams and its natural spaces such as the Tamadaba pine forest.
You should definitely visit this area of the island. In this article we’d like to present to you the highest village of Gran Canaria and show you its charms, with which Unamuno fell in love with in his time.
How to get to Artenara
As it’s a hilltop village, the journey to get there is somewhat long. There are two different ways to get there:
- You can get there from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, by taking the GC-212. It’ll take you approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes.
- The other way you can choose is from the north of the island, through the municipality of Gáldar, taking the GC-70. You’ll arrive at Artenara in about 50 minutes.
What to see in Artenara
Artenara is a small village, but with a lot to offer. It has a well-preserved and well-kept town centre, with the San Matías church and the Ethnographic Museum of Casas Cuevas, where you can enjoy the cultural history and traditions of the town.
After enjoying a pleasant stroll through the historic quarter, you can enjoy wonderful panoramic views of the entire surroundings of the village thanks to all the different viewpoints.
Don't miss the Unamuno viewpoint, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the whole of the Tirajana basin. On the other hand, at the Corazón de Jesús viewpoint you can see the village from the top of the mountain where the famous Cristo de Artenara is located.
If you want to discover part of the historical heritage of Gran Canaria, in the same village, you can visit the Risco Caído interpretation centre and the sacred mountains of Gran Canaria.
Also, don't miss out on the natural surroundings of the village. One of the most striking ones and where you can go hiking in its entrails, is the Pine forest of Tamadaba, with magnificent views of the Natural Park of Inagua and the cliff Risco de Faneque.
The other one we recommend you visit is the Presa de los Pérez dam. It has trails that connect with the Pine forest of Tamadaba, ideal for all lovers of hiking or trail running. You’ll enjoy a privileged and peaceful environment, with hardly any people passing by.
Where to eat in Artenara
After exploring the village, the best thing to do is to enjoy a good lunch in one of the restaurants that Artenara has to offer.
You can enjoy a nice meal at Ca'Marcelino, with spectacular views of the Presa de los Pérez dam. You can also visit the restaurant Cueva del Molino, where you can taste the best of Canarian gastronomy.
If you prefer, another restaurant that you cannot miss during your stay in Artenara, is the bar La Majada, located in the centre of the village, where you can taste the best local dishes with local produce.
If you’re visiting the island and are looking for accommodation in Artenara or the surrounding area, we offer villas, flats and cave houses, so you can enjoy a great experience in the village that won over the great Miguel de Unamuno.
