Ignore Agüimes, Gran Canaria at your peril.
Tucked into Gran Canaria’s eastern reaches, this colonial old town has a show-stopping church, centuries of history and one of the most enjoyable sculpture trails you’ll find anywhere on the island. It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why everyone heads straight to the beach.
I came for half a day, and its charm bowled me over. Here are the best things to do in Agüimes.
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In a hurry? You can hit the highlights in a relaxed 2–3 hours. Half a day is ample if you want to include the museum. The best time to visit is spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November) for reliably pleasant weather, though I lucked out with wall-to-wall January sunshine.
Getting there by bus from Las Palmas is easy and inexpensive. More on that below.
What to Do in Agüimes
1. Start at the Tourist Information Centre
Located on the site of the 17th-century Hermitage of San Antón on Plaza San Antonio Abad, the friendly Tourist Information Centre should be the first stop of your day in Agüimes. They will happily provide a free town map and a useful information leaflet about the town.
The building also houses the Centro de Interpretación del Casco Histórico, a small exhibition tracing Agüimes’ development from the 16th century to the present day. It’s worth fifteen minutes of your time.
2. Iglesia de San Sebastián (Church of St. Sebastian)
Agüimes’ most important landmark is hard to miss. Iglesia de San Sebastián was declared a National Historic Monument in 1981, and one look at its twin bell towers and white dome tells you why.
Designed in 1787 but not completed until 1940, the church is a fascinating fusion of Gothic, Neoclassical and Baroque architecture, reflecting its lengthy genesis. Inside, look out for works by Luján Pérez and Martin de Andújar, and the elaborate tabernacle by Lorenzo de Campos.
Admission is free. When I visited, Iglesia de San Sebastián was closed between 1 pm and 5 pm, so time your visit right.
Opposite the church is the lovely Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Agüimes’ main square.
Lined with typical Canarian buildings, this is the perfect place to take time out and observe local life go by. There are also a few cafes to top up your caffeine levels.
3. Wander the Old Quarter
In the absence of town planning, Agüimes’ historic quarter is a delightful mish-mash of winding streets and alleyways lined with lovingly restored 16th and 17th-century buildings. The mustard and ochre stonework glows in the sun, and many houses retain their traditional Canarian balconies. It’s a photographer’s dream.
The town traces its roots to pre-Hispanic times, when Gran Canaria was inhabited by the Guanches. Founded as a church manor town in the 15th century, it became an important agricultural and artisan centre, and those creative traditions continue today (see artisan workshops below).
4. Hunt down the sculpture trail
One of the most enjoyable things to do in Agüimes is hunting down its eclectic collection of bronze sculptures, which are scattered throughout the old town. They celebrate the town’s history and are full of character.
My favourite sculpture – and a popular photo spot in Agüimes – was the camel in Callejón de la Veguetta, keeping its beady eye on the church.
Keep your eyes peeled for more as you wander; there are plenty of surprises around corners.
5. Museo de Historia (Agüimes History Museum)
Learn more about five centuries of Agüimes’ history at the Museo de Historia. Housed in the former Episcopal Palace, the Agüimes History Museum traces the social and economic history of the town from the time of conquest until the mid-20th century.
It’s an endearingly old-fashioned museum with lots of information on boards, most of which is also in English. Many of its artefacts have been donated by residents. The museum also has a lovely courtyard.
There is a small admission fee to visit. It closes for lunch between 2 pm and 3 pm.
6. Artisan workshops on Calle Progresso
Tourist Information pointed me towards the artisan workshops, and I’m very glad they did. Most are clustered along Calle Progresso, one of the prettiest streets in Agüimes. I particularly liked Villa del Arte. Whether you’re shopping or just browsing, it’s worth a look.
8. The weekly Thursday market
I missed this, but if markets are your thing, time your day trip to Agüimes to coincide with its weekly market. It takes place in Parque La Rambla every Thursday between 8 am and 1 pm.
Near Agüimes: Barranco de Guayadeque
If you have a car, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Barranco de Guayadeque on the same day. This dramatic ravine is one of Gran Canaria’s most famous natural landmarks, laced with hiking trails and home to important Aboriginal cave settlements. It’s a completely different side of the island from the old town, and the contrast is striking.
Most of the archaeological findings are displayed at the Museo Canario — one of the best things to see in Las Palmas old town — but you can also explore the caves that pepper the ravine’s steep walls.
Getting to Agüimes by Bus
Gran Canaria’s bus network is excellent and easy to navigate. Buses drop you at Agüimes’ Estación de Guaguas, a five-minute walk from the historic quarter along the pedestrianised Paseo de la Viñuele. Sit on the left-hand side of the bus for a magnificent view as you approach.
You can check current timetables at guaguasglobal.com.
- From Las Palmas: Buses #21 and #11 both run to Agüimes. I recommend #21 as it makes fewer stops. It’s a 45-minute journey.
- From the southern resorts (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Puerto de Mogán): No direct service. Catch a bus to the airport and transfer to #11.
Planning a wider trip? See my full Gran Canaria solo travel guide or my guides to Arucas and Teror, two other inland towns that are well worth visiting.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.