San Bartolomé de Tirajana is a place of contrasts, where you can enjoy both mountains that graze the sky and plains that give way to beaches full of charm and kitted out with services for tourists.
It is located on the island of Gran Canaria, in the heart of the Tirajana caldera and is made up of several population centres. They include Maspalomas, a destination that’s a world leader in terms of the number of hotels and tourist flats on offer. Due to the large number of visitors that this area receives, it is also very common to see holiday cottages which, among other amenities, often boast swimming pools which provide an escape from the heat.
The capital of San Bartolomé de Tirajana is Tunte. Here, and in nearby villages such as Taidia, you can also enjoy a wide range of holiday homes.
It is the largest municipality in the whole of Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands in general, occupying 6% of the total area. The "tirajaneros", as they are called, are lucky enough to enjoy a wide range of attractions in the town of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
What to see
The old town has a special charm, which is why it is the best starting point for a tour. The parish church of Tunte is here, and the Sunday market is held in the same area.
The village of Tunte is also located next to the Tirajana gorge, so the views of the surrounding natural area are impressive. For this reason, hiking is one of the most popular attractions among locals and visitors.
If you want to head south, towards the beaches, you will find yourself in tourist country thanks to the beauty of the coastline. Places like Playa del Inglés, Meloneras and Maspalomas are well set up for holiday makers with all kinds of services lining the beaches.
Spending a day at the beach is one of the favourite activities for tourists and the quality of the waters and sands leave nothing to be desired. Besides, the beach bars and restaurants just a stone’s throw away mean there’s no reason to stop sunbathing when you’re enjoying the beaches of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
Do you know what Tirajana means? The name comes from the region of Las Tirajanas. Being one of the most isolated regions of Gran Canaria, tirajana means difficult or afflicted area.
Finally, our recommendation is to take a gastronomic tour around the area, where you can sample the cuisine which is based on fish and seafood. If that’s not your favourite, there are other typical local dishes such as gofio or papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) which you’re sure to enjoy.
You can't leave without tasting the local cheeses, or even visiting one of the dairies where you can feel the traditional flavour of the cheese in every mouthful.
Welcome to San Bartolomé de Tirajana!
