Coastal Route - Santa Maria de Guía

On our sightseeing tour of the northern coastline, at some 23 km (approx. 14 miles) from Las Palmas, we arrive at out first point of interest – Santa María de Guía, formerly part of Gáldar, which developed into a charming little town on its own. It was here where that most famous and most productive of Canarian architects and sculptors, José Luján Pérez (1756 – 1815) grew up.

The pretty old town with cobbled streets and traditional houses is dominated by the triple-nave parochial church Iglesia de la Santa María de Guía built in 1607, which has a neoclassical façade and houses in its interior many important works from the popular sculptor – giving more the impression of a museum dedicated to the sculptor than of a church.

Guía is however best known for its Queso de Flor (Flower Cheese), made of milk mixed with the juice of the thistle-like flowers of the artichoke, giving this cheese its unusual, distinctive flavour. It tastes surprisingly good and has already won many prizes. And every year, from the last week of April to the first days of May,  Guía holds the very popular Fiestas del Queso (Cheese Festivals).

About 5 km (approx. 3 miles) east of Guía, you’ll find the pre-Hispanic Cenobio de Valerón, a group of about 300 caves, hollowed out of the soft rock on different levels. These caves were used for grain storage, easy to defend because of their unique position, and religious rituals.