San Mateo: Gran Canaria's Farming Town

The old core of San Mateo town The old core of San Mateo town

You don't see many wellies in Gran Canaria but San Mateo, as the island's main farming town, is where they are concentrated. With rich soils and plenty of rain, it's main focus has always been agriculture rather than tourism. Despite a madcap plan for a cable car that doesn't look like changing anytime soon. 

 

Drive through San Mateo on the way from Las Palmas to the Cumbres and most of what you see in San Mateo is modern. However, the old core of the town, with cobbles, a squat church and lots of olive trees, is a great spot for a coffee or an early lunch.

Unless you arrive at the weekend for the big market there isn't much else to see or do in San Mateo but it is a great base for walking in the surrounding area. The hike up to Cruz de Tejeda is steep slog but you get great views.

San Mateo's market is the biggest in north Gran Canaria and sells everything from fresh fruit and veg to clothes. Look out for excellent local cheese and bread and seasonal fruit that is stright from local farms, Once you've had a wander around the stalls, head out to the square over the road and watch or join in with the dancing.

Published in Resorts & Places

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • The Best Gran Canaria Weather Forecast
    The Best Gran Canaria Weather Forecast

    The single most common question we get in the Gran Canaria Info group is...

    What is the weather going to be like during my holiday?

    The answer is almost always the same: If you are going to south Gran Canaria's resorts, it is very likely to be sunny every day. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even though your weather app says it is going to be cloudy. Yes, even in January. And in February, etc.

    Obviously it does sometimes rain in Gran Canaria, even in the sun-baked south, and there are occassional cloudy days. 

    To check for these rare rain and clouds there is no point using generic weather apps because they use data that averages out the weather and temperature across Gran Canaria.

    This means that the forecast for Puerto Rico and other resorts includes weather and temperatrure predictions for inland and highland areas that are cooler and cloudier.

    So, instead of believing your current weather app use the Spanish weather service website called the AEMET. It's website has detailed and very accurate forecasts for individual resorts, town and even beaches.

    Here's the forecast for the Mogán area including Puerto Rico.

    The mobile website works very well in English although the app is only in Spanish at the moment.  

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 4362 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.