Valeron Monastery
Valeron Monastery
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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44 within 3 miles
Attractions
44 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
156 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
60
Average
21
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Martin H
Ferndown, UK461 contributions
Jul 2022
Contrary to the heading this is not a monastery but a grain store for the locals from before Roman times up until the conquest of the islands at the end of the 15th century. The word monastery comes from the roman belief that that herein had lived some celibate priestesses called "harimaguadas", with whom young women of noble class came to live until their marriage. This existed until the 20th century when a french archaeologist recognised them for what they are.
You only really need perhaps 30 minutes at the site. The 'caves' are well documented telling the visitor the history of location and the caves.
I was there early in the morning to avoid both a crowd of people and the midday sun as the site is exposed. There was ample parking when i was there. It is 3 Euros to get in .
If you have mobility problems then there are a lot of steps to climb so this would not be the best place for you.
You only really need perhaps 30 minutes at the site. The 'caves' are well documented telling the visitor the history of location and the caves.
I was there early in the morning to avoid both a crowd of people and the midday sun as the site is exposed. There was ample parking when i was there. It is 3 Euros to get in .
If you have mobility problems then there are a lot of steps to climb so this would not be the best place for you.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Biscuit
28 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
An interesting short stop for a couple of euro entry. Don’t follow google maps from the website or other sites as this is not correct whilst the road is closed in one direction to this site. Road was closed when we visited in February 2023 for reference. You can still enter from one direction.
Google maps takes you up above the caves and down one of two very narrow roads where it is very tricky to turn round. If you start heading up to the top of the hill, turn round especially before you reach a road which says dead end. It does not mean the caves are at the end. Luckily there was an empty garage to turn round in otherwise it would have been a long, challenging reverse. We were not the only tourists down this very tight road as two more cars followed us down.
The attraction are trying to update the google maps locator but haven’t managed to yet. They are aware as most tourists end up on top of the hill.
Follow the written directions on the attraction website but not the google maps location. Hope that helps others. Parking is limited on the side of the road so advise arriving early.
We were there maybe 30-45 minutes. A short climb up some stairs. Toilet was locked but maybe the key was with the ticket office, we didn’t ask.
Google maps takes you up above the caves and down one of two very narrow roads where it is very tricky to turn round. If you start heading up to the top of the hill, turn round especially before you reach a road which says dead end. It does not mean the caves are at the end. Luckily there was an empty garage to turn round in otherwise it would have been a long, challenging reverse. We were not the only tourists down this very tight road as two more cars followed us down.
The attraction are trying to update the google maps locator but haven’t managed to yet. They are aware as most tourists end up on top of the hill.
Follow the written directions on the attraction website but not the google maps location. Hope that helps others. Parking is limited on the side of the road so advise arriving early.
We were there maybe 30-45 minutes. A short climb up some stairs. Toilet was locked but maybe the key was with the ticket office, we didn’t ask.
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wanderlustfan
Yardley Hastings, UK98 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
Easily reached and clearly sign-posted from the route we took which was the GC-2.
There is a small parking area on the opposite side of the road to where the entrance is located.
The toilet that is located in parking area was locked.
Opening times: Oct - March Tuesday-Sunday 10-17:00, April-Sept Tues-Sun 10-18:00
CLOSED MONDAYS
Admission 2.5 Euros
Reduced price 1.5 Euros
check website - www.cenobiodevaleron.org
Wide stairs which were quite manageable with information along the way regarding flora and fauna.
As you round a corner, the caves, which are located under a red-yellow basalt arch appear in the distance like a large honeycomb. Multi-lingual information plaques provide informative, yet concise accounts of the use of complex. Early indigenous population used this as a fortified grain depository.
Stairs continue up to enable you to explore these magical caves a little more closely and also provides a glorious far reaching view.
Superb visit to this most fascinating place.
There is a small parking area on the opposite side of the road to where the entrance is located.
The toilet that is located in parking area was locked.
Opening times: Oct - March Tuesday-Sunday 10-17:00, April-Sept Tues-Sun 10-18:00
CLOSED MONDAYS
Admission 2.5 Euros
Reduced price 1.5 Euros
check website - www.cenobiodevaleron.org
Wide stairs which were quite manageable with information along the way regarding flora and fauna.
As you round a corner, the caves, which are located under a red-yellow basalt arch appear in the distance like a large honeycomb. Multi-lingual information plaques provide informative, yet concise accounts of the use of complex. Early indigenous population used this as a fortified grain depository.
Stairs continue up to enable you to explore these magical caves a little more closely and also provides a glorious far reaching view.
Superb visit to this most fascinating place.
Written June 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DonNico
Moscow, Russia90 contributions
Great place which on its own can show and explain many things about how old Canarians lived. It it very short but very impressive visit. I personally do not like long explanations and museum like guides, can read all explanatory stuff later in Internet. What I am interested in - it is emotion and impression. And cenobio valeron has it all, not to forget about great views from this place!
Written March 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StephenIcarus
Dublin, Ireland7 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
One of Gran Canaria's best publicised sites, Cenobio Valeron (the 'Monastery' translation here does it no favours, since it isn't one), lives up to its photogenic hype. Easily accessible from the GC2 motorway near Galdar (and thus only about an hour's drive from the southern resorts and fifteen minutes from Las Palmas), limited roadside parking was nonetheless adequate during our visit. The small entrance kiosk sells a more-than-usually decent range of craft-orientated souvenirs, as well as nice selection of archaeology books, and the lady running it during our visit was friendly and informative. Entrance was a reasonable Eur2.50, and was waived for our young kids*.
The steps up to the site look a bit daunting from the road, but they really aren't bad (although there is no wheelchair access), and even our 3-year old managed them no problem. Information on the plants lining the path, and frequent lizards, break the 5-minute walk nicely. Visits are likely to be about 30-45 minutes in total.
The site itself really is very beautiful, like a huge honeycomb set into the mountain, with a stunning location and views over its valley and part of the north coast. Several hundred prehistoric grain silos carved into the soft tufa, in a range of shapes and sizes, glow a warm yellow in the afternoon sun, while their interiors and those sheltered by the wave-like cliff above provide a dark contrast. Multi-language information panels are mounted on rotating drums, providing some tactile fun for kids, and metal walkways lead you over and into some of the silos. The interpretative information provided is extensive and up-to-date, and the many possible implications of a collective, but at the same time individually divided and defensible, granary are fascinating.
Further elements of the site lie on the crest of the hill, but remain tantalising inaccessible to the visitor. I'd suggest visiting the Cueva Pintada centre in nearby Galdar before coming up to Cenobio Valeron, to place what you're seeing in its proper context, but if you're not that interested in Guanche archaeology this site is still a very striking, atmospheric sight in its own right and well worth a visit. On the other hand, other Guanche sites dot the coast around Galdar, including the stone tombs at La Guancha, so if this stuff takes your fancy you can have a full day of spectacular sites within just a few miles.
One very minor problem, the toilet was located in the parking area, but it was locked and the key was (presumably) available from the entrance kiosk some flights of stairs up on the way to the site... so I imagine that many visitors took the same option as my young son and stepped behind the facility instead. Not exactly a desirable outcome.
*This is a very welcome feature of GC in general: despite many attractions and restaurants offering reduced rates for kids in the 3-12 range, more often than not they let our 3- and 6-year olds off entirely - this is a real relief for family budgets, and led to us doing far more eating-out and visiting than we had planned for, at a likely net gain to the GC economy (if you get two paying adults and two free kids in twice, that's more cash than two adults and two paying kids once). I wouldn't expect it in places like Palmitos Parque or the Maspalomas Aqualand, mind you, but the smaller places are very good this way.
The steps up to the site look a bit daunting from the road, but they really aren't bad (although there is no wheelchair access), and even our 3-year old managed them no problem. Information on the plants lining the path, and frequent lizards, break the 5-minute walk nicely. Visits are likely to be about 30-45 minutes in total.
The site itself really is very beautiful, like a huge honeycomb set into the mountain, with a stunning location and views over its valley and part of the north coast. Several hundred prehistoric grain silos carved into the soft tufa, in a range of shapes and sizes, glow a warm yellow in the afternoon sun, while their interiors and those sheltered by the wave-like cliff above provide a dark contrast. Multi-language information panels are mounted on rotating drums, providing some tactile fun for kids, and metal walkways lead you over and into some of the silos. The interpretative information provided is extensive and up-to-date, and the many possible implications of a collective, but at the same time individually divided and defensible, granary are fascinating.
Further elements of the site lie on the crest of the hill, but remain tantalising inaccessible to the visitor. I'd suggest visiting the Cueva Pintada centre in nearby Galdar before coming up to Cenobio Valeron, to place what you're seeing in its proper context, but if you're not that interested in Guanche archaeology this site is still a very striking, atmospheric sight in its own right and well worth a visit. On the other hand, other Guanche sites dot the coast around Galdar, including the stone tombs at La Guancha, so if this stuff takes your fancy you can have a full day of spectacular sites within just a few miles.
One very minor problem, the toilet was located in the parking area, but it was locked and the key was (presumably) available from the entrance kiosk some flights of stairs up on the way to the site... so I imagine that many visitors took the same option as my young son and stepped behind the facility instead. Not exactly a desirable outcome.
*This is a very welcome feature of GC in general: despite many attractions and restaurants offering reduced rates for kids in the 3-12 range, more often than not they let our 3- and 6-year olds off entirely - this is a real relief for family budgets, and led to us doing far more eating-out and visiting than we had planned for, at a likely net gain to the GC economy (if you get two paying adults and two free kids in twice, that's more cash than two adults and two paying kids once). I wouldn't expect it in places like Palmitos Parque or the Maspalomas Aqualand, mind you, but the smaller places are very good this way.
Written January 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John Taylor
Hereford, UK233 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
This attraction takes only a couple of hours and ticks a lot of boxes.
Free parking, 3 Euros to access and easy access after a fairly steep but staircase climb.
You will see honeycomb caves used many moons ago to Counsel and store food. Facinating area, worthy of a short detour.
Go in the morning for best photo op as the sun shines straight into the caves.
Free parking, 3 Euros to access and easy access after a fairly steep but staircase climb.
You will see honeycomb caves used many moons ago to Counsel and store food. Facinating area, worthy of a short detour.
Go in the morning for best photo op as the sun shines straight into the caves.
Written March 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BerndKü
Heidelberg, Germany341 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
It is not only the caves that are worth visiting. It is also the view from here.
There are a lot of boards where you can read about the different theories what this site was used for from monastery to grain stores.
There is also one of the nice dragon tries of the island planet in 1974.
Entrance fee of 3€ per adult is not much and worth to support the site.
There are a lot of boards where you can read about the different theories what this site was used for from monastery to grain stores.
There is also one of the nice dragon tries of the island planet in 1974.
Entrance fee of 3€ per adult is not much and worth to support the site.
Written April 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Parejaconbotas
Barcelona, Spain153 contributions
Dec 2012
Is an amazing place, really big, in a such a place that you can not believe. Moreover the place is easy to visit with ladders and information panels.
Written December 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mary B
London, UK47 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
From the road it is about 10 minutes up some steps. I did not find it vertiginous at all (and can be affected). You can't imagine how hard it would have been to get there before the road and steps! It reminds us how much safely storing excess food was a pretty serious business for families here in earlier times. It is a small site with handy info boards and big views. Make time to read the boards as they are very informative.
Written November 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lee H
Bourne, UK109 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Firstly, lets get something clear, there are lots of steps. The site is on the side of a steep hill so if you can't handle steps & steep climbs, then this is probably not for you. There are limited refreshments available by way of a vending machine but that's about it.
Having said that, I'm not exactly what you would call 'fit' & I saw at least one other person there who needed a walking stick. It is accessible but if you need a chair or are infirm, you won't be able to access the site.
The current thinking is that this was a grain store & nothing to do with monasteries. There are boards up around the site in Spanish, English & German which explains what's going on here. Entry fee is 3 euros and I seem to remember that if you keep hold of your ticket, you can visit as many times as you want in the year.
However, it's not a big site & you don't need a lot of time to look round. there is minimal parking , maybe enough for 4 - 5 cars but I don't think it's that busy anyway.
From an historic perspective it's well worth a visit with the added bonus of some cracking views.
Having said that, I'm not exactly what you would call 'fit' & I saw at least one other person there who needed a walking stick. It is accessible but if you need a chair or are infirm, you won't be able to access the site.
The current thinking is that this was a grain store & nothing to do with monasteries. There are boards up around the site in Spanish, English & German which explains what's going on here. Entry fee is 3 euros and I seem to remember that if you keep hold of your ticket, you can visit as many times as you want in the year.
However, it's not a big site & you don't need a lot of time to look round. there is minimal parking , maybe enough for 4 - 5 cars but I don't think it's that busy anyway.
From an historic perspective it's well worth a visit with the added bonus of some cracking views.
Written October 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nieves...
2 contributions
Me gustaría saber si se hace muy duro las escaleras para personas mayores
Seneca
Cudillero, Spain88 contributions
Pues depende del grado de validez de cada uno. Tomando la subida con paciencia no hay nada imposible para alguien con movilidad normal para su edad. Animo
pjcwe44
Seaton Sluice, UK16 contributions
Does public transport stop here? and if so what bus numbers?
Hello,
there are two lines from the capital that stops near us (103 and 105, the stop name is Llano Alegre), but you´ll have to walk about 20 minutes until you´ll find us.
Other possibility is going by bus until Llano Alegre and then take a taxi from there to Cenobio Valerón.
We hope that information will help you. Do not hesitate to contact with us again if you need any further information.
Thank you.
Valeron Monastery, Gran Canaria
Frequently Asked Questions about Valeron Monastery
- Valeron Monastery is open:
- Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Valeron Monastery:
- (0.43 mi) Habitaciones Privadas en Galdar
- (0.60 mi) Albergue de Guia
- (1.11 mi) Hotel Emblematico Agaldar
- (0.79 mi) Hacienda de Anzo
- (0.85 mi) Villa with private pool, large garden, barbecue and parking
- Restaurants near Valeron Monastery:
- (0.36 mi) Limon y Miel
- (0.33 mi) Bar Cafetería Los Cachorros
- (1.12 mi) La Trastienda de Chago
- (0.36 mi) La Europea
- (0.73 mi) El Cambuyón