Moya can be explored through a range of interests: protected natural areas, architectural and literary history, and the coast. For planning, it is worth choosing your focus first. Each landscape and attraction tells its own story—from the once-extensive laurel forest to historic buildings and volcanic swimming pools.
Landscapes and Nature
The Los Tilos Special Nature Reserve covers 91 hectares. It is the best-preserved remnant of the dense laurel forest that once covered the north of Gran Canaria. A signposted circular trail can be explored on foot. This connects the natural area as it exists today with a landscape that once shaped large parts of the island’s north. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out.
The Caldera de los Pinos offers a different geological profile. It lies at 1,350 metres above sea level. Its circular crater, with a funnel-shaped structure, is 300 metres wide and 150 metres deep. Its elevation and clearly defined measurements give you a precise sense of this landscape feature.
Within the municipality of Moya, the Barranco de Azuaje lies in the Doramas Rural Park and is designated a Special Nature Reserve. Its landscape includes steep mountains, rocky caves, lush endemic vegetation, and cascades and pools with year-round water. By comparison, Los Tilos is known for its preserved laurel forest, while Azuaje is shaped by its ravine landscape, caves and water. Trail and access conditions may change; check current conditions before visiting.
A large stone balcony offers panoramic views of the north of Gran Canaria.
Literature and Architectural History
The Tomás Morales House Museum is a 19th-century building where the poet lived during his childhood and youth. Morales is considered the foremost representative of Canarian lyrical Modernism and one of the most important Spanish authors of this literary movement. His work can therefore be understood both through the places where the poet lived and through his significance in literary history.
Tomás Morales’ works are also accompanied by a well-preserved documentary archive, numerous personal belongings and a valuable collection of paintings.
The Church of Our Lady of Candelaria brings together two distinct dates in its history: in 1515, the parish of Moya was established in the original chapel; the present church was built over that chapel in 1957. Its works of art include a 15th-century statue of Our Lady of Candelaria and a work depicting Saint Jude Thaddeus by José Luján Pérez, dating from 1803.
The Heredad de Aguas de Moya manor house offers another perspective on architectural history. Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it has two floors and a symmetrical ashlar façade. A portico, six Neoclassical-style columns and a central clock tower define its architectural features.
In the municipality, the surviving building of the San Bartolomé de Fontanales chapel dates from 1872; an earlier chapel had already been built in 1635. The building is no longer used for religious services. La Montañeta is considered the most important archaeological site in the Villa de Moya. It contains numerous natural caves where the Indigenous people of the Canary Islands lived. Together, the two sites offer different insights into architectural history and the archaeological past.
Coast, Trails and Regional Products
Charco de San Lorenzo offers a different focus: its pools are set into the volcanic rocks on Moya’s coast and make it possible to swim without being exposed to the area’s powerful surf. They vary in capacity and depth, and there is also a sandy area. Swimming conditions may change. For a hike, the GuĂa–Moya route is another specific option: it is 14 kilometres long and rated easy. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
The wider regional picture includes Queso de Flor de GuĂa, Queso de Media Flor and Queso de GuĂa. These three types of cheese are made entirely by hand in the municipalities of GuĂa, Gáldar and Moya. Alongside nature, literature and architectural history, regional produce therefore offers another distinct area of interest.
When choosing what to focus on, you can make the most of the differences between these places: Los Tilos stands for laurel forest, Azuaje for ravine landscapes and water, and Charco de San Lorenzo for coastal swimming pools. Those more interested in culture will find topics ranging from Morales’ literature to religious and manor-house architecture and archaeology. This range offers different ways to explore Moya according to your interests.
Discover more destinations: San Bartolomé De Fontanales, San Fernando, Cabo Verde, Los Dragos, Gáldar, Tafira Baja, La Aldea De San Nicolás, San Lorenzo.
For the full travel overview: Gran Canaria.
