Gran Canaria jealously guards different localities, as they are a true hidden treasure. One of them is La Aldea de San Nicolás, which we talk about today on the FirstMinute Excursions and LastMinute Transfer blog.

Getting to Know La Aldea de San Nicolás

La Aldea de San Nicolás, located on the island of Gran Canaria, is a municipality that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, rich history, and deep-rooted traditions.

It covers an area of 139 square kilometers. This picturesque corner of the island stretches from the coast to the interior, with an altitude of 340 meters above sea level. La Aldea de San Nicolás is known for its stunning coastal landscapes, traditional architecture, and varied gastronomic offerings.

The history of La Aldea de San Nicolás goes back centuries, with roots reaching back to the time of the conquest of the Canary Islands.

During the War of Independence, the municipality witnessed significant confrontations between the elites of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. This generated strong social and political effervescence. Throughout the centuries, it has experienced significant development, consolidating its identity as a town with a strong historical and cultural heritage.

What to visit

The municipality stands out for its impressive natural environment, which includes 33 kilometers of coastline with stone beaches, small coves, and caves. Moreover, it hosts the Inagua Integral Natural Reserve, a pine forest that covers the ancient massif in the center-west of the island. It also offers the Güi-Güi Special Natural Reserve, which boasts a wide variety of endemic plant species and unique marine avifauna.

La Aldea de San Nicolás is also famous for its traditional Canarian architecture, reflected in the stone and mud houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Visitors can appreciate this rich cultural heritage through a tour of the municipality, which includes the Casa del Balcón, the first house in the urban area, as well as the Casas Blancas and the Casa del Corredor in the Tocodomán neighborhood.

The locality is surrounded by pristine and lush nature. The Tasarte cliffs, rising up to 600 meters above the sea, are an impressive place for hiking or simply enjoying the views.

La Aldea beach, 3 kilometers long, is one of the largest black sand beaches in Gran Canaria. It is an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, or practicing water sports such as surfing or kitesurfing.

For nature and sports enthusiasts, it is the ideal starting point to explore some of the most impressive hiking trails in Gran Canaria.

The paths that cross the Tamadaba Natural Park and those leading to the Roque Nublo offer panoramic views and the opportunity to discover the rich biodiversity of the island.