Right at the end of the Taliarte promenade, near to the steps going down to the Playa de Melenara, we come to an ideal spot to rest our feet and admire the land and seascape all around. Below us there is a small harbour formerly used by local fishermen, while In front stands the awe-inspiring sculpture of Neptune (the Roman sea god) by artist Luis Arencibia. It was inaugurated on 1st September 2001, to which the following quote by writer Luis León Barreto is dedicated: “The Neptune of Melenara is today one of the iconic landmarks of Telde, just as I expressed in my book El Neptuno de Melenara, published by Telde Town Hall in 2007”.
![Views from the "Playa de Melenara" Viewpoint](http://www.grancanaria.com/turismo/fileadmin/user_upload/_imported/melenara260.jpg "Views from the "Playa de Melenara" Viewpoint")
We are treated to fantastic views over the bustling Playa de Melenara, covering 350 metres in length and 30 metres wide, with its black sand of volcanic origin, which some writers have described as “greyish fine sand”. Come along and discover it for yourself.
The wide range of restaurants here will provide visitors with a rich and varied choice of local cuisine to try. Melenara is a peaceful and family oriented beach, with on site parking and changing rooms, bathing facilities adapted for the disabled, and emergency services on hand all year round, plus a children’s play area.
Every year since 2000, the beach has been awarded the Blue Flag by the European Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE), as it complies with all relevant requirements and services.
Text: Álvaro Monzón (environmental writer)
