Agaete, where responsible tourism generates real value for the local area
The island case integrating the primary sector, nature, and authentic experiences
Recognized by UNWTO as Best Tourist Village 2025 among 270 candidates from 65 countries, Agaete has established itself as a real success story in transforming the rural model into a competitive, diversified, and sustainable proposal. This town in the north of Gran Canaria has successfully converted its natural, agricultural, and cultural assets into an international strategy attracting the attention of the global tourism industry today. The local council has structured an offering that transcends the traditional sun and beach combo. As a result, the active tourism linked to its network of trails connects sea, valley, and mountain through low-impact routes that offer the chance to discover local biodiversity from a respectful perspective. These routes dialogue with spaces such as the Tamadaba Nature Park and the Puerto de las Nieves, providing experiences in which landscape and culture coexist in perfect harmony. One of the distinguishing pillars of this model is its coffee-growing fame, unique in Europe. In the Valley of Agaete, the typica variety, one of the oldest in the world, has been cultivated for over two centuries via agricultural practices that protect the soil and promote biodiversity. Then, artisanal roasting transforms the product into an iconic symbol that transcends gastronomy: representing agricultural memory, landscape, and community.
The town’s recognition by UNWTO as Best Tourist Village 2025 endorses its unique character and the balance achieved between development and conservation. The distinction recognizes its environmental, social, and economic sustainability, as well as the integration of tourism into daily life and efforts to preserve heritage. Amidst this context, celebrations such as the Fiesta de la Rama reinforce social cohesion and keep tradition alive. This international profile has also been recognized by its nomination as Best Sustainable Project at the National Geographic Travel Readers’ Awards: an extra boost that turns its human scale into a competitive strength. Agaete is not just a place to be visited; it is a land to be experienced. Here, sea, mountain, and valley engage in dialogue within a model where sustainability is not just a sales pitch, but the foundation upon which its future is built.
Location
Agaete is located in the northwest of the island of Gran Canaria. It is connected to Las Palmas via the GC–2 road. Gran Canaria Airport is located 35 miles away, while the Port of Las Nieves operates regular maritime connections with Tenerife.