Tufia

Tufia is a small fishing settlement on the eastern coast of Gran Canaria, within the municipality of Telde. Set between a headland and a beach that share its name, the spot stands apart from the resort-heavy south of the island — instead of hotels and promenades, visitors find a handful of houses pressed almost right up against the water.

What is the beach like?

The beach itself is tiny, measuring just 40 by 20 meters, covered in dark volcanic sand mixed with stones. Its waters are notably calm, a result of the small south-facing cove being shielded from the trade winds that batter the rest of Telde's coastline by an old volcanic cone. That shelter has made Tufia one of the spots divers favor on Gran Canaria, with an underwater landscape appealing to those keen to explore the local seabed.

Where does the name come from?

The name is of aboriginal origin. According to researcher Hernández Benítez, it derives from Taufia, a guayre — an advisor to the guanarteme, or king, of Telde — whose death is said to have taken place at this very location. It is one of the few place names on the island to survive largely unchanged from pre-Hispanic times.

A fishing village built at the water's edge

Tufia's character is shaped above all by its fishing village, where houses sit literally at the shoreline — an unusual sight for the Canary Islands. The colorful doors and windows of some of the dwellings, together with small fishing boats pulled up on the sand, give the place a feel closer to a Mediterranean village than to the typical Atlantic scenery of Gran Canaria. The atmosphere is quiet and authentic, far removed from the bustle of the resorts on the island's other side.

Traces of earlier inhabitants

Between Tufia beach and the neighboring Aguadulce beach lies an archaeological site documenting the culture of the island's aboriginal population. Cave dwellings carved into volcanic rock once served as homes for earlier residents of the area, alongside a necropolis. Dated to between the fourth and ninth centuries AD, the site records how pre-Hispanic communities lived, worked and interacted here. Given its historical value, the ruins of the prehistoric settlement of Tufia were declared a Historical and Artistic Monument in 1973.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Tufia located? Tufia lies on the eastern coast of Gran Canaria, within the municipality of Telde, between the headland and beach that carry its name.

Is Tufia beach suitable for swimming with children? Its sheltered position and calm water make the cove relatively safe, though it remains a small stone-and-sand beach rather than a large resort with full facilities.

What else is there to see beyond the beach itself? The picturesque fishing village, with houses right on the waterline, and the nearby archaeological site with cave dwellings and a centuries-old necropolis are both worth a visit.

Is Tufia a good place for diving? Yes, the area is often mentioned as one of the more popular diving spots on Gran Canaria thanks to its interesting seabed.

What is the origin of the name Tufia? The name is of aboriginal origin, linked to Taufia, an advisor to the former king of Telde.