A scenic tour through Gran Canaria's central mountain villages, visiting Teror's Sunday market for local cheese and chorizo, the almond producers of Tejeda, and tasting traditional mountain food with local wines.
The Gran Canaria Mountain Villages Food Tour is a six-hour exploration of the island's rugged interior, tracing the agricultural traditions of its central highlands through two of its most distinctive villages: Teror and Tejeda. Gran Canaria's volcanic topography reaches its most dramatic expression in the island's interior — the peak at Pico de las Nieves rises to 1,949 metres, and the road between the coast and these mountain villages climbs through terraced almond orchards, pine forests, and ravines that have shaped a mountain cuisine quite different from the coastal fish and seafood culture of Las Palmas. The tour begins in Teror, a town of whitewashed colonial architecture and wrought-iron balconies that hosts one of the island's most celebrated weekly markets every Sunday morning. The Mercado de Teror fills the plaza around the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino — Gran Canaria's patron saint — with stalls selling local cheeses, handmade chorizo, morcilla (black pudding), papas arrugadas, honey, and sweets. The guide leads guests through the market stalls, identifying regional producers and arranging tastings of Flor de Guía cheese — a PDO-protected, semi-soft cheese made from raw milk on the island's northern plains — and locally cured meats. From Teror, the tour continues west into the caldera towards Tejeda, a village perched among almond trees at around 1,000 metres elevation. The almonds of Tejeda are a defining product: sold whole, ground into bienmesabe (an almond and honey cream), pressed into turrón, or shaped into marzipan figures. A visit to a local almond producer or cooperative gives guests a firsthand look at hand-harvesting traditions and a tasting of multiple almond-based products. The six-hour tour, priced at €75 per person, concludes with a traditional mountain lunch — typically roast kid, potaje, and local wine — at a restaurant in the interior with views across the caldera. Transport from the coast and a guide throughout are included. The tour operates on Sundays only to coincide with the Teror market; advance booking is essential.
What is included
- Market visit (Sunday only)
- almond workshop visit
- traditional lunch
- guide and transport
Highlights
- Sunday morning market in Teror, one of Gran Canaria's most atmospheric and well-stocked weekly food markets
- Tasting of Flor de Guía, Gran Canaria's PDO-certified raw-milk cheese from the island's northern plains
- Almond workshop in Tejeda — tasting bienmesabe, turrón, and marzipan from local producers
- Traditional mountain lunch with roast kid and local wine amid views across the caldera
- Scenic drive through Gran Canaria's dramatic volcanic interior and terraced almond country
Tips for visiting
- The tour runs on Sundays only — plan the rest of the itinerary around this fixed day
- Arrive at the meeting point punctually; the Teror market is at its best early before popular produce sells out
- Bring cash for personal purchases at the market; many stall vendors do not accept card payments
- The mountain roads can trigger motion sickness; consider appropriate medication if prone to nausea on winding roads
- Wear layers — the mountain villages sit significantly cooler than the coast, especially in autumn and winter
Frequently asked questions
Does the tour run on days other than Sunday?
No. The tour is scheduled exclusively for Sundays to coincide with the Teror market, which does not operate on other days of the week.
What is Flor de Guía cheese?
Flor de Guía is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese made from raw sheep and goat milk on Gran Canaria's northern plains. It is one of the few traditional Canarian cheeses to hold EU PDO status and is rarely found outside the island.
Is the mountain lunch included in the price?
Yes — the traditional lunch at a mountain restaurant is included in the €75 per person price, along with market tastings and the almond producer visit. Personal drinks beyond the included wine may be charged separately.
What is the physical demand of the tour?
Most of the tour is by vehicle; walking at the market and village is light and at a relaxed pace. Terrain includes uneven cobblestone surfaces; flat shoes are recommended over sandals or heels.
Can vegetarians participate?
Yes. Market tastings include cheese, honey, and almond products suitable for vegetarians. Notify the operator in advance to arrange a vegetarian alternative to the roast kid at the mountain lunch.