Hotels in Agüimes

Agüimes

Agüimes is a historic town in south-eastern Gran Canaria, about 28 km from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and close to the airport. In the 15th century it became an episcopal lordship, granted to the Church as payment for financing the conquest of the island. Its carefully restored historic centre is protected as a site of cultural interest, with colourful manor houses, quiet squares and cobbled streets. The neoclassical church of San Sebastián, which took 144 years to build, dominates the main square and was declared a site of cultural interest in 1981. The Barranco de Guayadeque, shared with Ingenio, is a protected ravine with hundreds of aboriginal caves, cave houses and restaurants carved into the rock. An interpretation centre at the entrance to the ravine explains its archaeology and nature. On the coast, the district of Arinaga offers dark-sand and pebble beaches, old salt pans and diving in the El Cabrón marine reserve. The town celebrates its patron saint, San Sebastián, on 20 January, and Arinaga holds the Vará del Pescao fishing festival at the end of August. Agüimes is reached from the GC-1 motorway at the Arinaga exits, only a few minutes from Gran Canaria Airport. It suits travellers interested in history, rural walks and authentic Canarian life rather than beach resorts.