The Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park is one of the most important archaeological sites in Gran Canaria. It is situated right in the middle of the town centre of Gáldar, with the aim of guaranteeing the preservation, research and dissemmination of one of the most unique settlements in the whole of the Canary Islands.
Not only do the facilities here allow the possibility to marvel at the exceptional wall paintings, the artistic expression and symbolism of the Ancient Canarians, but also to have a pioneering centre in which to learn about the pre-hispanic world in Gran Canaria, as well as the stark events that culminated in the Island joining up to the Crown of Castile in 1483.
Although the discovery of this artificially decorated cave goes back to 1862, it is the excavations carried out since 1987 which have shed light on a village of over fifty houses and artificial caves which together made up the ancient pre-hispanic Agáldar (Gáldar’s former name). A visit to this site offers a journey to Gran Canaria’s distant past with 3D technology and an itinerary all along the archaeological remains of this ancient site.
Visiting hours
October to May
Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 to 18:00 h. (last guided tour at 16:30 h.)
Sundays and public holidays: from 11:00 to 18:00 h. (last guided tour at 16:30 h.)
June to September
Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:30 to 19:30 h. (last guided tour at 18:00 h.)
Sundays and public holidays: from 11:00 to 19:00 h. (last guided tour at 17:30 h.)
Access is allowed to the museum and archaeological park up to half an hour before closing time.
Closed: Every Monday of the year, 1st, 5th and 6th January; 1st May; 24th, 25th and 31st December.
Entrance fee
Over 18s: 6 €
Groups of 14 or over, and large families 4 €
Students under 23 years old, people over 65 years old and pensioners, and the unemployed: 3 €
Under 18s: free entry.
Free entry: First weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month, and every 18th April, 18th May and 25th July, except when these are days when museum is normally closed.
Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park
Location: Calle Audiencia 2
Municipality: Gáldar
Telephone: (+34) 928 895 489
E-mail: cuevapintada@grancanaria.com
Web: www.cuevapintada.com
Network of Archaeological Sites in Gran Canaria:
Cenobio de Valerón
Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park
Maipés Archaeological Park of Agaete
Roque Bentayga Visitors Centre
Barranco de Guayadeque Visitors Centre
Arteara Necropolis
Cañada de Los Gatos
La Fortaleza Visitors Centre
If you would like to visit the largest aboriginal settlement on the island, Macaronesia Tours will take you around the Painted Cave Archaeological Park and Museum, as part of its tourist tour around Santa María de Guía and Gáldar.
