🌺 EXCURSION REVIEW: FATAGA & TEJEDA

Yesterday I finally did one of the organised excursions around the mountains of Gran Canaria. After living here so long and exploring a lot on my own over the years, I honestly wondered if I would enjoy it. I really did.

This was an 7-hour guided excursion through Fataga, Tejeda and the mountain areas in the centre of the island, and I can honestly say it completely reminded me again how incredibly diverse Gran Canaria is.

If you have only stayed around the resorts and beaches on the south coast, you really should experience the interior of the island at least once 🌺

The pick-up was very easy and organised. I was picked up at Puerto de Mogán Bus Station and the coach arrived on time. The excursion is currently on offer for €33 per person (children €24) instead of €47, and for what you experience during the day I honestly think that is very good value.

The tour was in both English and Spanish because of low season, but the guide handled it very smoothly and his English was very good.

Our guide was Alex Santana, born in Las Palmas, and he had huge knowledge about Gran Canaria. I learned many things I honestly did not know before, and I thought I already knew most things about the island.

You can really tell when somebody genuinely loves their island.

The bus itself was comfortable with seat belts and good air conditioning. For very tall people the leg space is maybe a little tight, but overall it was comfortable. I am personally nervous on mountain roads and hate dangerous driving, but the driver, Josué, was incredibly calm and professional. I actually fell asleep on the way back, which says a lot because the roads are dramatic and winding in parts.

Our first stop after around 30 minutes was Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas.

The views there are absolutely beautiful.

You can see all the way down towards Maspalomas and across the huge Fataga ravine. Right now the landscape is especially green because Gran Canaria has had a much wetter winter than normal, so the mountains looked incredibly lush and alive.

After that we continued to the Eco Aloe Vera farm near Fataga.

I have to admit this was the stop I expected to enjoy the least.

I was wrong.

I found it interesting and learned alot about Aloe Vera that I didn’t know.

The visit lasted around 50 minutes and there was no pressure to buy products at all. It was much more educational than I expected. They explained the history of aloe vera on the island, how they grow it, the differences in quality, and how the products are made. Their products have won awards and they also have a shop in Mogán Mall if you are curious later.

The guide there, Miguel, was excellent and very passionate about what they do. Then we continued to Fataga itself, often called one of the prettiest villages in Gran Canaria.

Fataga is known as “The Valley of the Thousand Palms” because of the huge number of palm trees running through the ravine below the village.

It really feels like stepping into another Gran Canaria. It’s so lush.

Whitewashed houses, narrow little streets, mountain scenery, tiny cafés, flowers, old Canarian architecture and a very peaceful atmosphere.

You only stop around 20 minutes there, so it is more of a short visit and photo stop than a long break, but it is definitely worth seeing.

Historically Fataga was an important agricultural settlement for farming, livestock, almonds, olives and water collection from the ravines. You really feel the old Canarian mountain culture there.

From Fataga we drove about 50 minutes higher into the mountains towards Tejeda.

The scenery during this part of the drive is honestly spectacular.

You pass deep ravines, pine forests, volcanic landscapes, camel parks, tiny mountain villages and dramatic viewpoints. It is impossible not to sit and look out the window most of the time.

Tejeda itself is absolutely beautiful.

There is a reason it is regularly voted one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The village sits around 1050 metres above sea level with incredible mountain views towards Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga. This is the real inland Gran Canaria. Completely different from the coast.

You have around 1 hour and 45 minutes free there, which is enough time to explore properly and have lunch wherever you like. Lunch is not included, but I actually prefer that because it means you can choose your own restaurant and take your time.

Tejeda is famous for almond sweets, marzipan and traditional Canarian mountain food. The atmosphere there is slower, cooler and very authentic.

After Tejeda we continued another 15 minutes higher to Cruz de Tejeda at around 1500 metres above sea level.

The views there are incredible.

You can understand why these mountain areas were spiritually important for the island’s indigenous people long before the Spanish conquest.

Seeing Roque Nublo and Teide on Tenerife from there is very special.

On the way back we returned through the northern side of the island, which is remarkably green and lush compared with the south. It almost feels like another island in parts.

Even after many years here, I realised once more how much more this island is than beaches and resorts.

If you enjoy scenery, photography, nature, local history, mountain villages and seeing the “real” Gran Canaria, I genuinely recommend this excursion.

📌ℹ️For more information: or booking:

https://gyg.me/dlz4cWgr

At the last picture you see how much greener it’s on North faced side of the island compered to the South

Do you want me to do more excursions reviews? If so, where to ?

Elisabeth 🌺