Telde is situated 13 kilometres from the capital of the island. It is the biggest municipality in terms of population and surface area in the eastern part of the island of Gran Canaria.
The municipality of Telde is well known for its numerous archaeological vestiges, since in pre-Hispanic times this area was one of the two kingdoms which divided the island of Gran Canaria. The area contains archaeological sites, such as, Baladero, Tufia, Cuatro Puertas, Tara and Cendro.
To visit the historic quarter of the municipality of Telde, a walk through the Borough of San Juan, which constitutes the founding nucleus of the city, is a must. Surrounding the primitive Church of San Juan Bautista and the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) are situated the main civil and religious buildings of the town.
The Church of San Juan can be distinguished by its Main Chapel (Capilla Mayor), a construction made up of two altarpieces, one of gothic-Flemish style and the other from the XVIII century which surrounds the former. Here we can find the Crucified Christ, imported from South America and made of corn paste using an Indian technique and the painted triptych brought from Flanders in the XVI century.
In this enclave we can also highlight the Church of San Pedro Mártir de Verona, constructed in the XVI century of gothic renaissance style and present day exhibition centre. The León y Castillo House Museum, the birthplace of the brothers Fernando and Juan de León y Castillo (distinguished characters of the XIX and XX century), also deserves special attention. Open to the public Mondays to fridays from 09:00 to 20:00 hours; Saturdays from 10:00 to 20:00 hours; Sundays and festive days from 10:00 to 13:00 hours.
The Borough of San Francisco, an essential visiting place, is a district formed by narrow alleys and characterised by the low slanting roof houses with whitewashed walls. Here one must highlight the Church of San Francisco with its Agonising Christ of Sevillian origin and its welcoming Plaza de los Romeros.
The historic visit ends in the Borough of San Gregorio, place of commercial and handcrafting activity. Here the Church of San Gregorio can be distinguished by its neo-classical altarpieces and the wooden sculpture of the Virgin of Los Dolores.
Telde also reaches the sea, among cliffs and beautiful ground-lava beaches. In its nearly ten kilometres of coast are located the beaches of La Garita, Melenara (of fishing tradition), Salinetas, Ojos de Garza and Tufia.
For greater tourist information on the municipality we recommend you visit the Tourist Office situated in the historic quarter of San Juan.
Practical information about the Eastern Route
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria I Telde I Valsequillo de Gran Canaria I Ingenio I Agüimes
Would you like to learn all about the production process of Olive Oil?
Los Olivos Ecological Centre, in Telde, offer guided tours around their estate, where they show how olive oil is made. They produce olives in an ecological way, and offer visits to their olive press and bodega.
Further information at: Los Olivos Ecological Centre
