All the Facets of Agaete

The road to this place is a zen-like journey, surrounded by green mountains, with a variety of tropical fruit trees, plants of all kinds and orange orchids.
The Agaete Valley is famous for being home to European coffee plantations, arabica quality.
As soon as you arrive, you'll be taken on a walk through the coffee trees and told all about the process of growing and ripening the red berries.
You can try your hand at roasting and then take a seat in the plantation bar, where you will be served a freshly roasted coffee. You'll also be treated to some succulent biscuits and a taste of banana wine.
The visit takes about 40 minutes, and I recommend scheduling an appointment by phone in advance.

After this interesting visit, head to the historic centre of Agaete, where you will discover a typical Canarian village.
In fact as usual the town centre has developed at a higher altitude and it is separated from the port on the coast.
Leave your car in this free car park, just a few steps away from the main square of the village.

Stroll through the city's narrow streets and follow the signs to the Mirador de la Cruz. At peak times you may struggle to climb all the steps, so check your water supply.
Once you get to the cross, you'll have a wonderful view of the city between the ocean and the mountains in a quiet, non-touristy place.

This small botanical garden is a piece of Agate's history.
In fact, the presence of more than 100 species of plants is the result of the green thumb of the ancient family of owners, the De Armas, who used to bring back seeds from their many travels and plant them in their garden.
The variety of colours and shapes you will find in such a small space is incredible.

A few hundred metres from the botanical garden, you will find yourself in Plaza de la Constitución.
Squares are a meeting point, the beating heart of cities. The squares of Gran Canaria have similar characteristics, with a rectangular shape that extends to the foot of the town's church.
In this case, it is the church of Our Lady of Conception. If you visit it, you'll notice the simplicity of its interior, all painted white.

If you want to try the typical cuisine of a Canarian village, I recommend you sit down at this bar-restaurant right on the main square.
Don't be surprised if you have to walk on a bed of peanut shells: while you're waiting to get your drink, they'll serve them as an apéritif. Unusual though it may be, do not hesitate to throw the peels on the ground, it will be much more convenient for the owner to sweep them all up.
I recommend ordering the ropa vieja, a 100% Canarian dish of chickpeas, vegetables and potatoes. You can choose between meat or squid.
Although it would not be far to walk, I would still advise you to return to the car park and take the car before proceeding with the visit to the archaeological park. There, you can leave your car in front of the entrance.

Inside the archaeological park, you will find yourself facing an arid volcanic expanse. Hence the name of the park, Maipes, which literally means malpaís, bad country. This was the place where the island's ancient inhabitants buried their dead.
As you walk through the park, you will see small circular tumulus constructions made of lava stones that symbolized the graves of the Canary Islanders. Some are up to 8 metres in diameter and 3 metres high. The remains of skeletons from this period can still be seen in the open air.
Once you have finished your visit, get back in the car and drive to the Puerto de la Nieves, the city's port.

The same descent that you will make by car is the same as the bajada de las ramas, the descent of the branches.
This event takes place during the Fiesta de las Ramas, the festival of the branches, a famous festival in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves, on the 4th of August.
On this day, people gather in the town centre, pick up pieces of eucalyptus branches and, dancing to the rhythm of the town band, shake the branches and descend towards the shrine of the Virgin, in the harbour area.
Park your car here and wear your costume if you don't already have it on.

These natural pools are filled with the same water as the ocean, with a continuous change of water and direct access to the open sea.
Take a bath and relax while enjoying the view of Teide, hoping the horizon is clear enough.

Take a stroll along the ocean to enter the village of Puerto de las Nieves, with its white buildings and blue details.
Walk down to the harbour beach and from there you can admire the mountains overhanging the sea and the ancient rock formation of the Dedo de Dios, the finger of God.
This rock was shaped like an index finger pointing to the sky, but today it is more difficult to recognize, as a storm broke it in 2005.
Walk to the end of the marina and admire the majesty of the mountain range, breathe in the ocean air and let yourself be carried away by the energy of this place full of mystery.

Return to the village and sit down to dinner in this little restaurant overlooking the harbour.
I recommend you to absolutely eat fish, everything is delicious, prices are affordable, and the staff is very helpful.
Please note that during the weekend, you should book a table in advance.
Once you have finished your dinner, walk to your car to get back on the road and drive back home.