Tejeda is a picturesque mountain village in the very heart of Gran Canaria. White houses with Canarian balconies stand on a slope above a deep valley, and the village has a beautiful view of the Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga rocks. You can combine a trip to Tejeda with the aloe vera plantation near Fataga, with Roque Nublo and with the Cruz de Tejeda viewpoint.
Tejeda lies in the centre of the island at an altitude of about 1,050 metres, in a huge mountain basin called the Caldera de Tejeda. It is one of the most picturesque villages on Gran Canaria and belongs to the association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain (Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España). The surrounding landscape, with the sacred mountains of the island’s original inhabitants, is on the UNESCO list as Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria.
Despite its popularity with day-trippers, the village has kept the character of a mountain community. Stroll through the narrow lanes, stop at the viewpoint looking down into the valley and have a coffee on a terrace with a view of the mountains.
About 1,050 metres.
Almond sweets and views of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga.
At least an hour.
Tejeda is known for its almond products. Try the traditional marzipan and other almond sweets from the local bakeries and pastry shops – ideally with a coffee and a view of the mountains.
Around the turn of January and February, the almond trees around Tejeda are in blossom. The village then celebrates the almond blossom festival (Fiestas del Almendro en Flor) with a market of local produce. The exact date depends each year on when the almond trees come into flower.
Tejeda tends to be cooler than the coast – in winter by several degrees. Bring a jumper or a jacket.
A trip to Tejeda is ideal for a full day by car. Coming from the south of the island, you can make several stops along the way.
The aloe vera plantation near Fataga – about 25 minutes’ drive from Maspalomas. You walk among the plants, learn how aloe is grown and processed, and taste the gel straight from the leaf. More in the article Aloe vera plantation near Fataga.
Roque Nublo – a rock monolith at an altitude of over 1,800 metres, the symbol of Gran Canaria. A footpath leads to the rock itself. Access is regulated: during the day (roughly from 9 am until the afternoon) you need to book in advance; early in the morning and in the evening you can walk the path without a booking. The car park by the path has been closed – you leave your car at the car park in Tejeda or in Cruz de los Llanos, and a shuttle bus runs to the start of the path. You will find bookings and current conditions on the official booking website of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, reservasroquenublo.com. I write about the path in the article Gran Canaria mountains and interior.
Cruz de Tejeda – a mountain pass at an altitude of about 1,500 metres, just above the village. It is a popular meeting place: day-trippers, cyclists and local people all stop here. The viewpoint offers a beautiful view of Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga and the whole basin around Tejeda. Next to the stone cross there are stalls of local produce – you can taste cheeses, almond sweets, honey, liqueurs and other treats from the island. There is also the Parador de Cruz de Tejeda mountain hotel.
The roads into the mountains are narrow and wind through hairpin bends. Journeys take longer than the number of kilometres would suggest, and allow time for stops at the viewpoints.
From Cruz de Tejeda you can continue north to Teror and return to the south along the coastal motorway – it is quicker than going back over the mountains.
By car: From the south of the island via Fataga and San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the drive takes about an hour and a half. You can leave your car at the car park in the village.
By bus: Global bus 18 runs to Tejeda from Maspalomas, but only a few times a day. You will find timetables on the guaguasglobal.com website.
If you like peace and nature, you can also stay overnight in Tejeda or at Cruz de Tejeda and go on walks in the mountains from here.
Without a car, you can get to Tejeda on a full-day trip with pick-up from your hotel in the south. It also stops at the aloe vera plantation near Fataga.
Most people visit Tejeda on a full-day trip from the resorts in the south. You will find hotel tips in the article Gran Canaria resorts.
In the centre of Gran Canaria, at an altitude of about 1,050 metres, in the Caldera de Tejeda mountain basin. The village has a view of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga.
Almond sweets, above all the traditional marzipan. The village is known for its almond products.
From the south, drive via Fataga with its aloe vera plantation, then on to Roque Nublo, Tejeda and the Cruz de Tejeda viewpoint. On the way back you can go via Teror and the coastal motorway.
A mountain pass at an altitude of about 1,500 metres just above the village. It is a popular meeting place with a beautiful view of the mountains and stalls of local produce.
During the day (roughly from 9 am until the afternoon), yes; early in the morning and in the evening you can walk the path without a booking. The car park by the path has been closed – leave your car at the car park in Tejeda or in Cruz de los Llanos, and a shuttle bus runs to the start of the path. You will find bookings and current conditions at reservasroquenublo.com.
It tends to be cooler than on the coast, especially in winter and in the evening. Bring a jumper or a jacket.
Tejeda is a lovely stop on a full-day trip into the mountains: a mountain village with almond sweets, a view of Roque Nublo and the Cruz de Tejeda viewpoint just above it.
