Five Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About The Agaete Valley

The secrets of the Agaete Valley The secrets of the Agaete Valley

The Agaete Valley is Gran Canaria's barranco of secrets and it doesn't give them up easily. Here are five things that you never knew about the Agaete Valley. 

The Agaete Valley has the most recent lava in Gran Canaria and the oldest rocks on the island. The rocks around San Pedro village, half way up the valley, are up to 14 million years old and are the oldest in Gran Canaria. They are part of the original island that emerged from the sea and are only exposed in this one spot. Just down the valley is the Malpais de la Necrópolis. It's thought to be just 3000 years old and is the most recent lava on the island.  Oh yes, and it's also an archaeological site with over 700 pre-Hispanic tombs.

Agatha Christie visited Agaete and Puerto de las Nieves from Las Palmas in 1927 and even set a short story in the area. It's called The Companion and it's story eight in her collection of short stories entitled The Thirteen Problems. It's about two middle-aged women on holiday in Gran Canaria. One drowns at Puerto de las Nieves, but witnesses say she was murdered. Miss Marple solves the case. 

The Agaete Valley is Gran Canaria's Valley of Longevity. Locals believe that the water that seeps from the base of the 800 metre Tamadaba Massif is the healthiest on the island and prolongs life. Old people in the valley, and there are plenty of them, still walk up to the stream heads to collect their drinking water. 

Today the Agaete Valley is famous for its fresh fish, coffee, and tropical fruit but the biggest industry in the area was once shoemaking. Between 1936 and 1975 the Agaete shoe factory made high-quality leather shoes for the whole island. Agaete shoes even made it onto the feet of film stars like Silvana Pampanini y Marcelo Mastroianni during the 1954 filming of Tirma in Gran Canaria. 

Puerto de las Nieves isn't named after sea mist or the snow on Teide volcano but after a triptych painted by Dutch master Joos van Cleve. It was commissioned in the 16th Century by wealthy Genovese resident Antonio Cerezo and pàid for with money made from sugar cane grown in the Valley. The original is currently being renovated by restorers from the Prado museum in Madrid, but there is an exact copy in the Puerto de las Nieves Hermitage. 

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  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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