In this church dedicated to St Francis, note the three polychrome stone altars on the northernmost of the twin naves, and the fine artesonado (coffered) ceiling. To reach the church from the central Plaza San Juan Bautista, take cobbled Calle Ynes Chimida due west (this tranquil street runs alongside an old aqueduct, with orange and banana groves below).
Iglesia de San Francisco
Gran Canaria
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Cueva Pintada Museum & Archaeological Park
17.48 MILES
Discovered by a local farmer in the late 19th century, this is one of Gran Canaria's most important pre-Hispanic archaeological sites: a cave adorned with…
6.76 MILES
This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic…
Catedral de Santa Ana & Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro
6.71 MILES
The spiritual heart of the city, this brooding, grey cathedral was begun in the early 15th century, soon after the Spanish conquest, but took 350 years to…
20.56 MILES
These fabulous dunes cover 400 hectares and were designated a nature reserve in the 1990s, ensuring that the rapidly multiplying hotels would never…
Museum of the Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pino
8.87 MILES
Don't miss this museum (also called the 'treasure house'), accessed upstairs from the rear of the basilica, where you can get a real close-up view of the…
14.08 MILES
One of several viewpoints in town, the Mirador de Unamuno looks out onto a sweeping panorama of the vast volcanic caldera beyond – it is a stupefying…
9.71 MILES
The fine 3km stretch of yellow sand is magnificent, and is considered by many to be one of the world's best city beaches. There’s an attractive seaside…
10.24 MILES
The extraordinary, neo-Gothic church stands sullen watch over the bright, white houses of Arucas in a striking display of disproportion and contrast. The…
Nearby Gran Canaria attractions
0.14 MILES
This museum is devoted to the city’s most famous resident, the late-19th-century politician Fernando León y Castillo. The lovely building, his former home…
2. Basílica de San Juan Bautista
0.2 MILES
Among the grand old buildings of the San Juan area is this neo-Gothic church. You can’t miss the gloriously kitsch 16th-century altarpiece, all gilt and…
2.78 MILES
This decent beach is 5km from Telde and frequented by townsfolk rather than tourists. The wide arc of dark sand is fronted by apartments and several good,…
2.96 MILES
South of Tafira Alta is the impressive Caldera de Bandama, one of the largest extinct volcanic craters on Gran Canaria, at 200m deep and 1km in diameter…
3.11 MILES
Although it's only 5km south of Telde, this impressive pre-Hispanic site is seldom visited, even by locals. 'Cuatro Puertas' means 'four doors' and takes…
6. Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo
5.03 MILES
About 9km southwest of Las Palmas, this vast botanical garden – Spain’s largest, encompassing 27 hectares – hosts a broad range of Macaronesian flora from…
5.33 MILES
This museum in the village of Santa Brígida has a modest display of wine-making implements; you can also sample wines and there's a good Canarian…
6.11 MILES
Occupying a cave at the entrance of the barranco, this large and excellent museum has very informative exhibits explaining the ravine's geology, fauna and…