Vega de San Mateo
San Mateo, the nature of Gran Canaria in its splendour.
Hidden among the abundant pine forests and green mountains, you can find Vega de San Mateo, a town and municipality on the island of Gran Canaria with an extensive rural life that no nature lover should miss on their visit to the island. Let us take a look at the rural world that awaits us in Gran Canaria and be amazed by the beauty of Canarian culture and its traditions.
What to do in San Mateo?
Although it is one of the towns on the island that cannot brag about having a beach like all the popular coastal areas, this does not mean that San Mateo cannot entertain and captivate its visitors with every step they take through its territory.
Within the picturesque municipality, you have as main course the interesting historic neighborhood and all its multiple streets that invite you to get lost in them while admiring the typical canary facades of the various houses around you. Every corner in this area is bathed in some type of charm that is hard to forget during your walk in San Mateo.
We can't forget the Agricultural and Handicraft Market of Vega de San Mateo, which takes place every Sunday of the year! Residents and visitors of the island come together to enjoy the delicacies the town’s fertile land has to offer, as well as the various sweets and traditional snacks of the island, accompanied by the many stalls selling detailed handicrafts typical of Canarian culture.
And when it comes to events, you're more than welcome to take part in the festivities that take place in the neighbourhoods of San Mateo.
A notable example of all the festivities you can experience is the main festival of San Mateo, being celebrated on the 21st of September, the romeria that takes place encourages all residents to put on their best Canarian clothes for the occasion. Carriages from every corner in the municipality bring offerings to the patron saint and afterwards, a cattle parade takes place to show off the best local animals. To finish off this colourful event full of Canarian music, there is a horse race along the local trails which is not to be missed.
For those interested in sports who are looking for a trail through the forests of the island... There are indeed several hiking options to choose from!
One of the routes we're most proud of is the beautiful path of the Mina ravine, with its green hills and the famous creek that makes this path unforgettable. Definitely remember to bring a camera to immortalise your visit, as the incredible scenery you will experience exploring this ravine will take your breath away.
Also, remember to bring a warm jacket during winter or sun cream and a hat if it's a clear day! As the highest municipality on the island, San Mateo's humidity goes hand in hand with a very intense climate, both during warm and cold season.
Those interested in night-time activities are not left behind, as San Mateo is considered to be one of the best places in the world for stargazing and the Roque Saucillo astronomy centre, located in the town centre of Vega de San Mateo, is a clear testimony to this.
Even without the possibility of using a telescope as the ones the astronomical centre offers on certain key dates during their projects, the starscape offered by the starry sky of Vega de San Mateo for all its visitors is something that will leave you speechless.
