Ingenio

Ingenio is in Eastern Gran Canaria. Its artisanal legacy is today one of its main attractions.

This article also covers the neighbouring village of Agüimes.

In 2023, Ingenio and Agüimes were each home to about 32,000 people.

Understand

Ingenio's historical heritage is concentrated in the old towns of Ingenio and Carrizal, and in museums such as the Historical Heritage Interpretation Cent, the Water and Sugar Museum and the International Folklore Festival Museum,

Get in

Ingenio sits between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, 24 km (15 mi) south of the island's capital Las Palmas and 9 km (6 mi) south of Telde.

The GC-1 motorway passes east of the town, and the Gran Canaria Airport is situated in the eastern part of the municipality.

The towns are connected by bus to each other and other places on the island, including Las Palmas and Telde.

See

Ingenio

• 1 Museo de Piedras y Artesiana (The Stone Museum), Camino Real de Gando 1, district of Las Mejias (Just off the GC-100, about 1 km north of the city.). At the same time the centre of Canarian folk art. This museum is housed in a beautiful estate and is freely accessible during the day. In the museum is also an embroidery workshop, the women working here are at the same time supervisors. Their products are offered for sale, there are also the usual souvenirs. The stone museum appears a bit crowded and little ordered, some outdoor collectibles could take a little more nourishing attention. 
• 2 Plaza de Candelaria. The old centre with the same-named church. 
• 3 Barranco de Guayadeque. The gorge between Ingenio and Agüimes, has many caves used by the Canarians as their home. Part of these cave dwellings is still used today, of course with modern comfort. In some cases, they can also be rented as holiday apartments. Along runs a well-developed road. The area is also popular for hiking, offering wonderful panoramas and some palm groves, but hardly any shade. 
• 4 Church of Our Lady of La Candelaria. Built between 1901 and 1908 on the remains of the old 16th century temple. It hosts Ingenio's patron saint festivities on February 2 and 3.  
• The municipal craft workshop displays the creative capacity of its artisans, and has a permanent exhibition of traditional ceramics, basketry, and openwork.

Agüimes

Agüimes

• 5 Parroquia de San Sebastián. The big church with a distinctive dome on Plaza Rosario is a national cultural monument. 
• 6 Museo de Historia de Agüimes, C / Juan Alvarado and Saz, 42, Agüimes, ☏ +34 928 785 453. The museum is housed in the former Episcopal Palace. 
• Canarian Meteorite Museum

Do

• An International Folklore Festival is held in Ingenio in July, with the participation of musical groups from countries as diverse as Mexico, Romania, Colombia, and Uganda.
• Ingenio has a wide network of walking trails throughout its territory.
• Ingenio hosts festivals and events, such as the Pig Festival or Finaos Day, and events of a local and international nature, such as the Southeast Fair or the People's Solidarity Show Folklore Festival.
• The main festivals that take place in Agüimes are those dedicated to the town's patron saint, San Sebastián, and to its companion, the Virgin of the Rosary. The first ones take place in January, while the second ones take place between September and October.

Eat

The restaurants of Ingenio, some of them located in caves excavated in the mountain, offer a varied gastronomic offer based on traditional Canarian cuisine, such as goat meat, fried pork, chickpeas, along with its exquisite cheeses and artisan bread.