Valle Gran Rey Travel Guide

Discover all you need to know about Valle Gran Rey with this comprehensive travel guide featuring top attractions, food and drink, accommodation options, local culture, safety, and more!


Valle Gran Rey: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

Located in the charming island of La Gomera, off the coast of Africa in Spain’s Canary Islands, Valle Gran Rey is a hidden gem among vacationers. It boasts of natural beauty, including stunning cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and natural swimming pools that are perfect for all outdoor adventures. In addition, it is rich in culture, history, and culinary delights. Whether you want to hike a mountain, laze on the beach, or explore the island’s museums, Valle Gran Rey is an ideal travel destination for anyone.

List of Places to Visit in Valle Gran Rey

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  1. Centro de Visitantes Juego de Bolas (Juego de Bolas Visitor Center) – This museum tells a story of La Gomera’s natural history through an exhibit showcasing the island’s flora and fauna.

  2. Casa de La Miel (Honey House) – This house is a tribute to the island’s honey industry, which has been a thriving business since ancient times.

  3. Garajonay National Park – This UNESCO World Heritage Site features lush forests, and large areas of biodiversity, perfect for hiking and exploring.

Natural Attractions of Valle Gran Rey: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  1. Playa del Inglés (The Englishman’s Beach) – The beach is a perfect spot for swimming, enjoying the sun and soaking up the crystal-clear waters. It is also an ideal location for boat trips and dolphin watching.

  2. Charco del Conde (Conde’s Pool) – This natural saltwater swimming pool is perfect for people of all ages. Visitors also enjoy the waterfalls and natural rock formations that surround it.

  3. Los Organos (The Pipe Organ) – This breathtaking rock formation resembles a pipe organ and is perfect for watching sunsets.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Valle Gran Rey

  1. Ruta de las Fuentes (Route of the Springs) – This hiking trail provides stunning views of the island and abundant wildlife with its numerous fresh-water springs.

  2. Camino Real de La Playa (The Beach Royal Way) – A simple hiking trail that gives walkers a chance to explore the natural beauty of the island with views of the sky, flora, and fauna.

  3. PR LG-GR 132 – This hiking trail passes through Garajonay National Park, and is known for its spectacular views of the surrounding areas, including the Atlantic Ocean.

Best Things to Do in Valle Gran Rey: Activities and Tours

  1. Boat Trips – Visitors can enjoy various boat tours, such as dolphin and whale watching tours, where they can see the local marine life up close.

  2. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving – The crystal-clear waters of Valle Gran Rey offer a breathtaking underwater world for adventurers.

  3. Kayaking – Visitors can rent kayaks to explore the rugged coastline of Valle Gran Rey.

Week-Long Itinerary for Valle Gran Rey

If you’re planning to spend a week in Valle Gran Rey, use our itinerary to make the most of your visit:

Day Activity
1 Playa del Inglés Beach Day
2 Visit the Juego de Bolas Visitor Center and enjoy a hike or bike ride on Ruta de las Fuentes
3 Take a boat trip (preferably in the morning) to catch dolphins and whales in their natural habitat
4 Explore Los Organos rock formation and take in the breathtaking sunset
5 Day trip to Garajonay National Park followed by a picnic
6 Day trip to the beautiful town of San Sebastian de La Gomera and learn about the island’s history
7 Relaxing day at Charco del Conde where visitors can unwind and enjoy the crystal-clear waters

Food and Drink Scene of Valle Gran Rey

Must-Try Dishes

  1. Gueldes (Gofio Balls) – These fried dough balls originated from Canary Islands and are made using toasted grain flour and served with honey, fish sauce, or mojo sauce.

  2. Puchero (Canarian Stew) – A popular meat and vegetable stew cooked traditionally in Canarian style. It is usually served with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, and veggies.

  3. Fish (Fresh sea fish) – Valle Gran Rey’s location close to water makes it a perfect place to taste fresh and delicious sea fish.

Local Beverages

  1. Barraquito – A popular coffee drink that originated in the Canary Islands. It’s made using espresso, milk, condensed milk, liqueur and topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon stick.

  2. Ron miel – A sweet alcoholic drink made using honey, lemon, and rum.

  3. Red wine – The Canary Islands are famous for their red wines. The grapes are grown in the volcanic soil of the island, giving it a distinct flavor.

Where to Stay in Valle Gran Rey: Hotels, Hostels and Guesthouses

  1. Hotel Playa Calera – Situated on the Playa del Inglés and provides spectacular views of the ocean. The hotel offers various amenities such as fitness center, pool, and spa.

  2. Casa Domingo – A charming traditional Canarian house that offers guests a peaceful mind and soul. The rooms feature stunning views of the mountains and valley.

  3. Apartamentos Las Mozas – This apartment features 11 comfortable rooms with ocean views and direct access to Charco del Conde.

What to Buy in Valle Gran Rey: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  1. Gofio flour – The flour is a staple product in Canarian cuisine. To make it, grains, such as maize or wheat, are manually toasted and milled.

  2. Ceramic products – Valle Gran Rey is famous for its ceramics, including tiles that are used to tile traditional Canarian houses.

  3. Handmade jewelry – Various stores in Valle Gran Rey sell beautiful handmade jewelry made by local artisans.

Local Culture and Customs of Valle Gran Rey

Valle Gran Rey’s culture is rich and varied. The locals value their traditions and their language, which is Spanish. Some customs worth noting include:

  • Friendly greetings and conversations with the locals (including a simple “Hola” that can go a long way).
  • Respectful behavior in public places, which is highly appreciated.
  • Canarian sports, such as “juego del palo,” a type of stick-fighting that is deeply rooted in the island’s traditions.

Best Time to Visit Valle Gran Rey

The best time to visit Valle Gran Rey is between April and October when the temperatures are warm, the sun is shining, and there’s little rain. Visitors can expect high temperatures, ranging from 23 (73.4°F) to 30 (86°F) degrees Celsius.

Do’s and Don’ts of Valle Gran Rey

Do:

  • Do take care when hiking in the national park as some of the trails can be treacherous.
  • Do drink plenty of water, especially when hiking the national park.
  • Do respect the natural heritage of the island by avoiding littering, damaging vegetation or fauna, or removing stones.

Don’t:

  • Don’t wear inappropriate clothing when visiting the churches or other sacred sites.
  • Don’t swim on a red flag beach. It’s a signal for high dangerous currents, indicating it’s unsafe to go into the water.
  • Don’t forget that Sunday is a day of rest on the island. Many smaller shops and businesses may close for the day.

Safety and Health

Safety in Valle Gran Rey

Valle Gran Rey is a safe destination, but visitors should maintain common sense practices such as keeping wallets in a secure location. Also, it’s advisable to avoid walking in dark, isolated areas late at night after consuming alcohol.

Health in Valle Gran Rey

There are several private clinics and pharmacies available in Valle Gran Rey. However, visitors should have their medical insurance ready before they travel to the island.

Getting to Valle Gran Rey: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Valle Gran Rey

The nearest airport to Valle Gran Rey is Tenerife South Airport, then take a ferry to the island.

Bus Stations Near Valle Gran Rey

The nearest bus stations are San Sebastian or Vallehermoso. The bus company “Guagua Gomera” provides service to and from other important bars of the island

Other Options

Visitors can also take a ferry or boat from Tenerife to the island. Valle Gran Rey has two main ports: in the south, Playa Santiago, and in the north, San Sebastian.

How to Get Around in Valle Gran Rey

In Valle Gran Rey, visitors can get around on foot, by bike, or by car. Car rentals are readily available, and there are bike rentals available for those who do not have cars.

Where to Go Next from Valle Gran Rey

Before leaving Valle Gran Rey, visitors may want to stop at these nearby attractions:

  1. Los Gigantes – Located on the western coast of Tenerife, Los Gigantes is famous for its huge cliffs.

  2. Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Tenerife’s capital; visitors can enjoy numerous museums, galleries, and cultural centers.

  3. Masca Village – A village perched high in the mountains of Tenerife that visitors can enjoy exploring and hiking.

Conclusion

Valle Gran Rey is an island paradise with stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and history. It’s an ideal destination for people who enjoy an outdoorsy vacation and experiencing new culinary delights and cultural experiences. Don’t forget to bring a camera and a sense of adventure to capture memories that will last for a lifetime.

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