Firgas Holidays: Gran Canaria's Hill Town Guide
Provincia de Las Palmas · Canary Islands · Spain · 7,106 residents · on the coast
Firgas is a small Gran Canaria municipality of around 7,100 people, with its town set at about 510 metres (roughly 1,670 feet) above sea level. That height shapes everything here: daytime highs sit around 19°C to 21°C through winter and spring, rising to 27°C in August, and the evenings stay mild rather than sultry. Half a mile from town lies the Reserva Natural Especial de Azuaje, a protected area. Gran Canaria airport, which has direct flights from the United Kingdom, is only 23 minutes away by car. Neighbouring towns such as Moya, Arucas and Teror are all within three miles, so Firgas works as a quiet base for exploring the island's interior.
Why go
- The Reserva Natural Especial de Azuaje, a protected nature area, lies just half a mile from town.
- Gran Canaria airport, with direct UK flights, is only 16 miles and about 23 minutes away.
- July and August bring the driest weather, with just two or three rain days a month.
Top sights in Firgas
Nature on the Doorstep
The headline sight is the Reserva Natural Especial de Azuaje, a protected area about half a mile from Firgas. It is the reason most visitors with an interest in nature come this way, and its closeness means you can reach it without any real planning or a long drive.
Beyond the reserve, Firgas is best treated as a starting point for the surrounding towns and the wider island. Tours and tickets for activities across this part of Gran Canaria can be booked directly on this page, with options shown in the booking cards below.
1protected area
Tours & tickets in Firgas
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Firgas can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Firgas
A Quiet Base Above the Coast
Firgas is a small town of around 7,100 residents, so expect a calm, residential feel rather than a resort strip. Staying here suits travellers who want cooler evenings at altitude, easy access to the Azuaje reserve and a short run to the airport.
If you prefer a larger town with more going on, Arucas, with around 36,000 residents, is just 2.5 miles away. The port at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is about 9 miles off. Live hotel prices for Firgas and the surrounding area are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Firgas and the villages around it is a hire car from Gran Canaria (LPA), about 23 min away.
Best time to visit Firgas
When to Visit Firgas
- 19°CJan77 mm
- 19°CFeb52 mm
- 20°CMar73 mm
- 21°CApr34 mm
- 20°CMay36 mm
- 23°CJun32 mm
- 25°CJul7 mm
- 27°CAug8 mm
- 23°CSept41 mm
- 26°COct49 mm
- 23°CNov49 mm
- 20°CDec78 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, July and August. April brings highs of around 21°C with only seven rain days, while July and August are the driest of the year, with 7 mm and 8 mm of rain respectively and just two or three wet days.
August is the hottest month, reaching about 27°C by day with lows near 20°C, and October is also warm at around 26°C. The wettest stretch runs from December to January, at roughly 77 to 78 mm a month, and February is the coolest, with lows near 12°C. Spring is not entirely dry: May still averages twelve rain days, though totals stay low.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19°C | 13°C | 77 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 19°C | 12°C | 52 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 13°C | 73 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 14°C | 34 mm | 12 h |
| May | 20°C | 14°C | 36 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 23°C | 16°C | 32 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 25°C | 18°C | 7 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 27°C | 20°C | 8 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 23°C | 17°C | 41 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 26°C | 18°C | 49 mm | 11 h |
| Nov | 23°C | 16°C | 49 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 20°C | 13°C | 78 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flying and Ferries to Firgas
The nearest airport is Gran Canaria (LPA), about 16 miles from Firgas, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. The drive from the terminal takes roughly 23 minutes, so car hire on arrival makes sense.
The ferry port at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 9 miles away, has sailings to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife, plus routes to Huelva and Cádiz on the Spanish mainland. Across the water on Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (about 48 miles away) and Los Cristianos (about 71 miles) connect onwards to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
By air
- Gran Canaria (LPA)16 miles, about 23 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (9 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (48 miles), Los Cristianos (71 miles).
Firgas is good for
Around Firgas
Neighbouring Towns Within Easy Reach
Moya is barely a mile away, and Arucas, the largest town nearby with around 36,000 people, is about 2.5 miles off. Teror lies roughly 3 miles away and Valleseco about 4 miles.
A little further, Gáldar and Santa Brígida are each about 6 miles away, Vega de San Mateo around 7 miles, and Artenara, a small community of some 1,500 residents, about 8 miles. With distances this short, several can be combined in a single day.
Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
At 510 metres, Firgas is noticeably cooler than sea level, with winter lows around 12°C to 13°C, so pack a layer for evenings even in spring.
Rain is common from autumn to spring, with ten or eleven wet days in most winter months, so plan reserve walks with some flexibility. As a town of around 7,100 people, Firgas is quiet, and a hire car is the easiest way to reach Arucas, Teror and the other neighbouring towns.
Questions people ask
How far is Firgas from Gran Canaria airport?
Firgas is about 16 miles from Gran Canaria airport (LPA), roughly a 23-minute drive. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, making this one of the quicker transfers on the island.
What is the best month to visit Firgas?
April, July and August offer the most pleasant conditions. July and August are the driest, with only two or three rain days each, while April brings highs of about 21°C. August is the hottest, around 27°C.
Is Firgas warm in winter?
Winter days are mild, with highs around 19°C to 20°C, but the town's 510-metre altitude means lows of 12°C to 13°C. December and January are also the wettest months, with about 77 to 78 mm of rain.
What is there to see near Firgas?
The Reserva Natural Especial de Azuaje, a protected area, is about half a mile from town. Nearby towns including Moya, Arucas and Teror are all within about three miles, and tours across the area can be booked on this page.
Can I take a ferry from Gran Canaria to other islands?
Yes. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria port, about 9 miles from Firgas, has sailings to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife, as well as mainland routes to Huelva and Cádiz.
Do I need a car in Firgas?
A hire car is the most practical choice. Firgas is a small town of around 7,100 people, and the airport, the ferry port and neighbouring towns such as Gáldar and Santa Brígida are all a short drive away.