Telde Holidays: Beaches, Caves and Culture in Gran Canaria
Provincia de Las Palmas · Canary Islands · Spain · 123,265 residents · on the coast
Punta de Melenara Lighthouse
Cuatro Puertas
Casa-Museo León y Castillo
Basilica of San Juan Bautista
Playa de la GaritaTelde is one of Gran Canaria's larger towns, home to around 123,000 people and sitting about 160 metres above sea level, with the coast a few miles away. What makes it easy to recommend to British travellers is the access. Gran Canaria airport, served by direct flights from the United Kingdom, is just 4 miles away, roughly a seven-minute drive. Within a short radius you have the Cuatro Puertas archaeological site, the Sima de Jinámar cave, the Basilica of San Juan Bautista and the Casa-Museo León y Castillo. Add the beaches of La Garita and Malpaso, the Punta de Melenara Lighthouse, and daytime highs of 21°C even in January. The result is a town that works as well for a winter week as for a summer fortnight.
Why go
- Gran Canaria airport, with direct UK flights, is only about seven minutes' drive from town.
- Cuatro Puertas archaeological site and the Sima de Jinámar cave both lie about 2 miles away.
- Winter highs stay around 21°C, while July and August are almost completely dry.
Top sights in Telde
Sights, Beaches and Cultural Stops
The best-known landmark is the Punta de Melenara Lighthouse, about 3 miles from the centre and a good spot for a coastal stroll. Cuatro Puertas, an archaeological site protected as cultural property, is roughly 2.3 miles out. The Sima de Jinámar, a cave at the same distance, makes a natural pairing on the same outing.
Closer in, the Casa-Museo León y Castillo is just over half a mile from the centre. The Basilica of San Juan Bautista is about 0.8 miles away, so the two fit easily into one morning on foot.
For time by the sea, Playa de la Garita (about 2.8 miles) and Playa del Malpaso (about 2.7 miles) are both suited to families. Tours, activities and tickets in and around Telde can be booked directly from this page.
1lighthouse- 2archaeological site
- 3museum
Casa-Museo León y Castillo
1 mile from the centre · Photo
- 4basilica
Basilica of San Juan Bautista
1 mile from the centre · Photo
church building in Telde, Gran Canaria, Spain
- 5beach
Sima de Jinámar
cave · 2 miles from the centre
Playa del Malpaso
beach · 3 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in Telde
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Telde can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Telde
Choosing Between Coast and Town
Telde is a substantial town rather than a purpose-built resort, so the choice of base matters. If the beach is the priority, look towards the shoreline around Playa de la Garita, Playa del Malpaso and the Melenara lighthouse, all within about 3 miles of the centre.
If you would rather walk to the basilica and the León y Castillo house-museum, the historic centre puts both within a mile. Either way, the airport is close enough that late arrivals are painless. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare the two areas side by side.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Telde and the villages around it is a hire car from Gran Canaria (LPA), about 7 min away.
Best time to visit Telde
When the Weather Is Kindest
- 21°CJan19 mm
- 21°CFeb18 mm
- 23°CMar19 mm
- 24°CApr4 mm
- 24°CMay16 mm
- 26°CJun24 mm
- 28°CJul0 mm
- 30°CAug2 mm
- 26°CSept9 mm
- 27°COct27 mm
- 25°CNov18 mm
- 22°CDec37 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Telde is pleasant for most of the year, with January and March to December all counting among the most comfortable months. February is the coolest stretch, with highs of 21°C and lows of 15°C, but it is still mild by British standards.
August is the hottest month, with highs around 30°C and warm nights of 23°C, and July is close behind at 28°C. July is also the driest month, with no recorded rain, and August sees only a single wet day on average.
December is the wettest month at around 37mm over seven days. June also averages seven rainy days, and October brings about 27mm. April is a sweet spot, with highs of 24°C and just two days of rain.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21°C | 16°C | 19 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 21°C | 15°C | 18 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 23°C | 16°C | 19 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 24°C | 17°C | 4 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 17°C | 16 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 19°C | 24 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 28°C | 22°C | 0 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 30°C | 23°C | 2 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 20°C | 9 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 27°C | 20°C | 27 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 25°C | 19°C | 18 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 22°C | 15°C | 37 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Transfers
Gran Canaria airport (LPA) is the obvious gateway. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies just 4 miles from Telde, around a seven-minute drive, which makes this one of the shortest transfers you will find.
Driving from Calais is not an option for an island destination. Ferries do link Gran Canaria with mainland Spain, however. The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 10 miles away, runs routes to Huelva and Cádiz, plus inter-island crossings to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife. Further afield, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (about 60 miles across the water) and Los Cristianos (about 80 miles) connect onwards to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
By air
- Gran Canaria (LPA)4 miles, about 7 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (10 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (60 miles), Los Cristianos (80 miles).
Telde is good for
Around Telde
Easy Outings Across the Island
Several neighbouring towns sit within a short drive. Valsequillo de Gran Canaria is about 5 miles away and Santa Brígida about 6 miles. Agüimes is roughly 6 miles off, and Vega de San Mateo around 7 miles.
A little further out, Teror and Santa Lucía are each about 9 miles away. Valleseco and Vecindario are both around 10 miles from Telde, so most of these work comfortably as half-day trips with car hire.
Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
With more than 123,000 residents, Telde is a working town with everyday life going on around you, rather than a resort that empties out of season. Expect a local rhythm and plan beach time around the coastal areas a few miles from the centre.
The town sits about 160 metres above sea level, and winter nights drop to around 15°C, so pack a light layer from December to February. If you are travelling in June or December, allow for a few showery days, as both average seven days of rain.
Questions people ask
How far is Telde from Gran Canaria airport?
Very close. Gran Canaria airport (LPA) is about 4 miles from Telde, roughly a seven-minute drive. That makes the transfer one of the quickest on the island, which is handy after an early or late flight from the UK.
Are there direct flights from the UK to near Telde?
Yes. Gran Canaria airport, the nearest airport to Telde, has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Once you land, the town is only about 4 miles away by road.
Is Telde warm enough for a winter holiday?
Yes. January and February highs reach around 21°C, with lows of 15°C to 16°C. Rain is light, with about six wet days a month in early winter. December is the wettest month, at roughly 37mm over seven days.
Does Telde have beaches?
It does. Playa de la Garita is about 2.8 miles from the centre and Playa del Malpaso about 2.7 miles. Both suit families. The Punta de Melenara Lighthouse, about 3 miles away, is also on the coast and worth a walk.
What is the hottest month in Telde?
August is the hottest, with highs around 30°C and nights near 23°C. July follows at about 28°C and is the driest month, with no recorded rainfall. Both are good months for guaranteed sunshine.
Can I take a ferry from Gran Canaria to mainland Spain?
Yes. The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 10 miles from Telde, has ferry routes to Huelva and Cádiz on the mainland. It also runs crossings to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife.