Walking the Camino on the Canary Islands

Walking the Camino on the Canary Islands is now possible on our exciting Camino Gran Canaria Tour.

Walking the Camino on the Canary Islands is now possible on our exciting Camino Gran Canaria Tour.

Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria Fresco Tours
Views of Gran Canaria from the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria

The Camino crosses the island of Gran Canaria, one of the seven islands that make up the Canary Islands. The trail starts at the Maspalomas lighthouse on the southern coast to the Church of Santiago de los Caballeros in Gáldar on the northern coast. Along the way, pilgrims make stops at the picture-perfect village of Fataga, the Church of Santiago in Tunte and the Cruz de Tejeda pass.

Spain’s Canary Islands are renowned for their consistently pleasant weather, beautiful beaches, and breathtaking scenery. And, of course, the island of Gran Canaria can proudly claim its own Camino de Santiago within the Canary Islands!

The Camino de santiago on Gran Canaria
The Camino de Santiago on Gran Canaria

The legend

It all began in the early 15th century when some sailors from Galicia encountered a fierce storm just off the shores of Gran Canaria. Gripped by fear for their lives, they implored the Apostle Santiago for mercy. In exchange for their safety, they vowed to honor the Saint in the highest place on earth.

Upon reaching the safety of land, they fulfilled their pledge. Transporting a statue of the Apostle, the sailors ascended the Tirajana mountains and built a Shrine for Santiago. Thus, the Camino de Gran Canaria came into existence.

Half a millennium later, in 1965, Pope VI bestowed on this Camino the same privileges as Santiago de Compostela, declaring the Jacobean Holy Year for the Camino de Gran Canaria. This distinction makes it the sole official Camino outside Continental Europe!

Fresco Tours picnic on the Camino de Gran Canaria
Fresco Tours picnic on the Camino de Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands is a subtropical archipelago in the Atlantic about two hours from continental Spain. There are seven mejor islands divided into two provinces, which make up the Autonomous Community of Canarias. The capital is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is where you will land when you fly in.

Some highlights that are found on the islands are:

  • The Teide volcano on the island of Lanzarote is Spain’s highest peak at 3,715 meters (12,200 feet).
  • The Canarias boasts four out of the fifteen Spanish National Parks.
  • The island of Lanzarote produces spectacular wine in volcanic ash soil.
  • Inhabitants on the island of La Gomera still communicate using a whistling language called Silbo.
  • The island of Gran Canaria has an official Camino de Santiago.
Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria Fresco Tours

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A recap of the Camino, from start to finish

AUTHOR

Picture of Jeffery Barrera

Jeffery Barrera

Jeffery is a seasoned Camino tour leader who also works part-time in the Marketing and Media Content Department at Fresco Tours. Originally from the United States, Jeffery now lives in Madrid, Spain, where he earned a BA in Fine Arts. Though he considers himself a Spaniard at heart, he remains deeply proud of his American heritage. Over his 13-year tenure with Fresco Tours, he has led more than 80 tours to Santiago de Compostela. A passionate Camino enthusiast, Jeffery has walked the French, Portuguese, Primitive, English, Gran Canaria, Madrid, Salvador, and Uclés routes. He is also the author of three Camino de Santiago guidebooks, available at BarreraBooks.com.

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