Teror is a picturesque town in the green interior with the Basilica of Virgen del Pino (Our Lady of the Pine), colourful wooden balconies, the oldest Sunday market on the island and a family perfume house.
Teror is an essential stop for anyone who wants to get to know the real Gran Canaria and its rich cultural heritage. This picturesque historic town lies in the green interior of the island and is famous not for beaches, but for its deep religious and architectural value.
The historic centre is made up of traditional cobbled lanes lined with low houses with colourful façades, stone window and door frames and carved wooden balconies. These balconies are a characteristic feature of Canarian colonial architecture, an iconic symbol of Teror and a protected cultural monument. The lanes are short and all converge at the basilica, so you can easily walk around the centre at a relaxed pace.
In the square in front of the basilica stands a beautiful large fig tree. Its mighty crown shades the benches and makes it a pleasant place to stop before visiting the basilica or after your walk.
Virgen del Pino, closed 14:30–16:00
Every Sunday from the morning
By car or by Guaguas bus from Las Palmas
The main landmark and heart of Teror is the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino. It houses the statue of Virgen del Pino (Our Lady of the Pine), patron saint of the Diocese of the Canary Islands. Teror has been an important place of pilgrimage since 1481.
The legend of Virgen del Pino: At that time a dense forest covered the site of today’s Teror. According to legend, in 1481 the Virgin Mary appeared to shepherds in a glow at the top of a tall pine tree, and they then found her statue in the tree’s crown – hence her name. A chapel was built on the spot and later the basilica. The pine itself, known as the Pino de las Maravillas (Pine of Miracles), was brought down by a strong storm in 1684. Its wood was used to make the Cruz Verde (Green Cross), which is still kept in the basilica today.
Every year on 8 September, thousands of pilgrims come here to celebrate the feast of Virgen del Pino, one of the most important events in the Canary Islands. The present form of the basilica, completed after a fire in the 18th century, is an impressive religious building.
The basilica is closed between 14:30 and 16:00.
Right by the basilica stands the Casa del Perfume Canario – a lovely, charming little shop with a small perfume museum. It is housed in the second oldest building on Gran Canaria, built with the same stones as the basilica. You will recognise it by its red façade and green wooden balcony full of flowers.
Making perfume here is a family craft with more than 200 years of tradition, passed down from generation to generation. The perfumes are made honestly from local ingredients – no imitations. Inside, the shop has a magical atmosphere: stone walls, wooden shelves and scents that surround you as soon as you walk in.
In the museum you will see how scents used to be extracted – for example by the enfleurage method, in which petals are laid on a layer of fat that absorbs their fragrance. There are also displays by the distillation boiler and in the stone cellar, where the scents are left to mature. You can smell the essences and learn about the history of perfumery.
In the shop you can buy perfumes, handmade soaps and shampoos, and cosmetics with aloe vera. Casa del Perfume Canario has several branches on the island, but the most beautiful shop, with a small museum, is only in Teror. It is worth a look even if you do not want to buy perfume. You will also find their range on the website casadelperfumecanario.com.
Right next to the basilica – a family perfume house using natural ingredients, in the second oldest building on Gran Canaria.
If you want to experience an authentic atmosphere, Sunday is the ideal day – the oldest market on the island takes place here and has been running since the 18th century:
Chorizo de Teror – a soft, spreadable sausage and a local speciality.
Canarian cheeses – a wide choice at the market.
Traditional sweets – and handicrafts.
Come early in the morning – for parking and smaller crowds; it is busiest around midday.
Peace on weekdays – outside market day, Teror is pleasantly quiet.
Combine it with the mountains – a trip via Fataga, Tejeda and Roque Nublo is a beautiful way to end the day.
Teror is ideal for a half-day trip from Las Palmas – which is also where you will find the most accommodation in the north of the island.
It is the spiritual centre of the Canary Islands – the basilica houses the statue of Virgen del Pino, patron saint of the diocese.
Every Sunday from the morning. It is the oldest market on the island.
Between 14:30 and 16:00.
By car or by Guaguas bus from Las Palmas.
Chorizo de Teror – a soft, spreadable sausage – and Canarian cheeses.
Teror is a peaceful place full of history, where you can really feel the pulse of the island away from the main tourist centres.
