What to see in Telde, where you land
Gran Canaria Airport is in Telde, so this municipality is the first ground you stand on and almost nobody stops in it. It has the oldest town centre on the island after Las Palmas, four black sand beaches ten minutes from the terminal and an aboriginal site hand-carved into the rock. Here is what there is and, for each place, what is worth knowing before you go — which is what I know and the leaflets do not say.
Guide price subject to the meter, traffic and time of day. 24h · early mornings and night flights by prior booking.
Tell me which place in Telde you are going to and I tell you what the meter reads.
The eight places in Telde I would show you
⛪ San Juan old town
What it is: The town’s founding quarter, from the 15th century, with Canarian manor architecture, leafy squares and the basilica of San Juan Bautista.
Where it is: In the historic centre of the town of Telde.
Worth knowing: The old town is pedestrian inside: you come in by car around the edge and walk to the square.
Information from teldeturismo.es.
🏘️ San Francisco quarter
What it is: One of the oldest groups of houses in the Canaries: cobbled streets, low whitewashed houses and the church of San Francisco.
Where it is: Next to the San Juan quarter, separated by the old ravine.
Worth knowing: The streets are narrow and one-way: I drop you at the edge and you walk it, which is how it is meant to be seen.
Information from teldeturismo.es.
🗿 Cuatro Puertas archaeological site
What it is: A pre-Hispanic complex hand-carved into the volcanic tuff: the ceremonial almogarén, dwelling caves and grain stores.
Where it is: On top of Montaña Bermeja, looking over the east coast and the airport.
Worth knowing: It sits high up and the last stretch is a footpath: closed shoes and water, especially at midday.
Information from patrimoniohistorico.grancanaria.com.
🔱 Melenara beach
What it is: A family town beach of volcanic sand, with the Neptune statue standing in the water and a seafront of fish restaurants.
Where it is: On the east coast of Telde, between Playa del Hombre and Salinetas.
Worth knowing: It is the closest destination to the airport of all the ones I cover, and the only one north of the terminal.
Information from teldeturismo.es.
🌊 La Garita blowhole
What it is: A coastal volcanic formation with two hollows where the sea is forced up like a geyser, seen from the viewpoint.
Where it is: On the seafront of the fishing quarter of La Garita.
Worth knowing: It only blows with a swell running: with a flat sea there is nothing to see. Check the sea state before going.
Information from teldeturismo.es.
🏖️ Salinetas beach
What it is: A sheltered cove with moderate waves, good for families and for swimming, with a promenade that joins up with Melenara.
Where it is: South of Melenara, on the Telde coast.
Worth knowing: Melenara and Salinetas are joined by the promenade: you can arrive at one and walk back along the other.
Information from teldeturismo.es.
🤿 Tufia
What it is: A fishing cove of white houses on the volcanic rock, with black sand, an aboriginal settlement beside it and diving from the shore.
Where it is: On the Tufia headland, just north of the airport.
Worth knowing: Cars stay up top: the way down to the village and the cove is on foot, and with diving kit you feel it.
Information from patrimoniohistorico.grancanaria.com.
💧 Los Cernícalos ravine
What it is: A protected landscape with water running all year, waterfalls and a wood of willows and laurel.
Where it is: In the midlands of Telde, on the boundary with Valsequillo.
Worth knowing: This is proper hiking and it is far from the coast: you go up through Lomo Magullo, and up there is no taxi back.
Information from grancanaria.com.
How I get you to these places
My licence is from Telde, so the journey always starts here: I pick you up at the airport or anywhere in the municipality. Inside Telde the meter runs on the town tariff; as soon as the trip leaves the municipality it goes to the T3 intercity tariff, the one for transfers to the south. What I cannot do is pick you up outside Telde.
- Taxi from the airport to Melenara
8 km · 11 min≈ 30 € - The 22 destinations with their price
From the airport to the south of the island
You get the driver himself, not a booking centre.