A visit to the Cenobio de Valerón can be self-guided, while Guía’s historic centre, with its church and crafts, offers different insights. Cheese workshops, a hike through wooded areas and experiences along the coast round out the options. You can shape your time around culture, scenery or culinary traditions.
Cenobio de Valerón: Caves and visiting
The Cenobio de Valerón is a communal granary with around 350 caves carved into volcanic rock. It is set up for self-guided visits, with information and explanatory panels accompanying visitors. Guided visits for groups are available on request. Check the current arrangements in advance.
You can reach the Cenobio via exit 20 of the GC-2 motorway from either direction, or via the CG-291 road. Check road conditions before setting off. The directions are useful when including a visit in your day’s plans; groups should also note that guided visits must be requested.
Historic centre: Architecture and crafts
The Church of Santa María de Guía in the historic centre has a Baroque façade and slender Neoclassical towers. The status of the centre also reflects its cultural significance: in 1982, it was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument. A wooden Canarian-Mudéjar balcony bearing the coat of arms of the Guanarteme and Quintana families is another architectural detail to look out for.
A visit to the centre also includes living craft traditions. You can visit some craft workshops and learn about the work of knife-makers and woodworkers. This adds insight into local craft activities to the experience of the façades and architecture.
Cheese traditions and workshops
At La Casa del Queso, visitors can take part in cheese-making workshops; availability may vary. The venue also presents the history and tradition of a unique cheese with a protected designation of origin. It therefore offers two distinct ways to engage: hands-on experience with the production process and an introduction to the cheese’s cultural background.
Hiking and the coast
The Sendero El Brezal - R1 runs through the El Brezal Rural Park. Parts of the circular route pass through wooded areas with plenty of shade. The route description, dated 24 January 2025, classifies it as a short circular hike with a low difficulty level and little elevation gain. However, the trail is not signposted: a GPS device or good navigation skills are recommended for the hike. The difficulty rating does not remove the need for proper navigation. Check trail conditions before setting off.
On the coast of Santa María de Guía, a broad avenue invites you to enjoy long, peaceful walks by the sea. One of the northern coast’s spots offers good conditions for surfing and bodyboarding, depending on the weather and season. A family day out to relax and experience the diverse coastal nature is another option. The avenue, surfing conditions and nature experiences each offer a different focus for your time by the sea.
Discover more destinations: Arguineguín, Valsequillo, El Chorrillo, Lomo Quiebre, Agüimes, El Majuelo, Tarajalillo, Balcon de Telde.
For the main travel overview: Gran Canaria.
