Firgas Guide: The Water Town of Gran Canaria

Last Updated on 26th September 2026 by Sophie Nadeau

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Firgas is a charming town in the foothills west of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. The historic town is famed for its waterways which crisscross through town, and a stroll through the cobbled lanes feels akin to stepping back in time. In this guide, we will run through the best things to do in Firgas, as well as what to know before you go!

Where is Firgas?

Firgas is a small town tucked atop the mountainside in the northern part of the island of Gran Canaria. It is around a 30-minute drive from Las Palmas and has a population of just over 7,500 people.

What is Firgas known for?

This beautiful town has long been connected to water, often nicknamed ‘Villa del Agua‘ or ‘the water town of Gran Canaria’ thanks to the fact it’s brimming with several natural water sources, all gushing with rich mineral water.

Also home to an artificial waterfall which gently flows down the beloved street, Paseo de Canarias, a walkway that runs through the entirety of the village and is one of the most beautiful places to stroll along in all of the Canary Islands!

A quick history of Firgas

Firgas was founded in 1488 on the mountaintops. The small and charming town is filled with history, especially with a deep-rooted connection to water thanks to its abundance of natural water sources that flow with crystal clear water.

The main historical site in Firgas is its 400-year-old watermill, which has been operating since the 16th century and is of multipurpose use, as it also produces toasted grain for the island.

Firgas is one of the two biggest producers of spring water in Gran Canaria. While travelling around the island you may notice that most of the water bottles sold are made by the Firgas company, Agua de Firgas. To this day, bottled water is still produced in the town!

The town offers a quiet and traditional pocket of Gran Canaria where you can stroll around its historic sights and soak up some of the best views via one of its many miradors. A destination where visitors can truly experience authentic Gran Canaria!

Best things to do in Firgas

Mirador Plaza de Santa Roque

Viewpoints are known locally as ‘miradors’ so if you follow any sign with this then you’re sure to stumble across breathtaking views! Thanks to Firgas’ strategic vantage point high up in the mountains, the town is blessed with several viewpoints and has often been referred to as “the balcony of the Atlantic”.

One of the most popular viewpoints in the town is Mirador de La Plaza de San Roque. Situated just off of the main square, it offers the perfect spot from which to soak up the volcanic landscape that stretches far off into the distance, surrounded by the sparkling blue sea.

Frog Fountain

As its name might suggest, this beautiful and charming stone fountain is unique in the sense that it spits out water from the mouths of six different frogs!

Iglesia de San Roque

Situated on the Plaza San Roque, the main square and beating heart of Firgas, is one of the most historic buildings in town, the church. Built on the ruins of a 17th-century chapel, the church we see today was consecrated in 1845 and is dedicated to San Roque, who is said to miraculously cure plague victims.

This quaint church is a mixture of architectural styles, blending both classical and modern elements, and is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows. The church is completely free to wander around.

Paseo de Gran Canaria

Famed as one of the most beautiful spots to stroll along in all of the Canary Islands, this walkway runs through the entirety of the village. A long set of steps with a 30-meter artificial waterfall tumbling down the middle, Paseo de Gran Canaria is a celebration of the town’s connection to water!

The sides of this picture-perfect street are decorated by a beautiful set of mosaics made from colourful Sevilla tiles, they depict the 21 municipalities of Gran Canaria and the seven main Canary islands.

Wandering through and soaking up the surroundings while the gentle sound of water flowing fills the air, only further adds to the enchanting ambience of Firgas!

Molino de Firgas

If you want to learn more about the agricultural history of the area, then you would do well to head to the Molino de Firgas (Firgas watermill). Dating back to the 16th century, the watermill was formerly linked to the sugar refinery in the town and has since been transformed into a small museum.

Molino de Firgas has been an operating mill for over 400 years and, is one of the oldest watermills in the Canary Islands which is still working! Aside from water, it is also used to make gofio (a Canarian flour made from roasted grains and other starchy plants that have been an important ingredient in Canarian cooking for quite some time).

Declared an “Asset of Cultural Interest” by the government in 2007, this is one of the biggest attractions in Firgas and of great historical importance, detailing the culture and heritage of the town.

The small museum is free to visit and you can see the traditional instruments and tools used to make gofio as well as learn more in-depth about Firgas’ water production and the engineering of the mill itself.

Dine at a local tapas bar

Indulge in a long and lazy lunch at one of the eateries in town! Sadly the restaurant we dined at has since closed down. However, there are many other spots in Firgas which are known to serve delicious Canarian cuisine.

Here are a few local delicacies to look out for when exploring the Canary Islands:

• Papas con mojo picón – Wrinkly fried potatoes served with a spicy red sauce, similar style to that of the well-known dish, Patatas bravas. This is one of the most symbolic tapas dishes of the islands.
• Potaje de Berros – This translates to Watercress Stew, which is a traditional Canarian dish.
• Roasted Cheese with Mojo – A Canary fried cheese with fresh green verde sauce.
• Conejo en salmorejo – Rabbit in marinade, this hearty stew holds a special place in Canarian cuisine.
• Bienmesabe – Although Arabic in origin, this popular dessert is commonly found in the Canary Islands and translates as “tastes good to me”. A rich dessert of honey, egg yolk and ground almonds.

One of the best ways to experience Firgas is to enjoy local delights by sampling some tapas along with a refreshing cold beer!

Getting to Firgas

The best way to get to Firgas is in your own vehicle. This way, you’ll be free to explore the wider region at your leisure as buses are few and far between. There is ample free road parking on the fringes of the village so you shouldn’t struggle to find a spot.

All in all, you don’t need more that two hours or so to explore the town as it’s pretty tiny and all the attractions are within a five minute walk of one another! If it’s your first time in Gran Canaria, be sure to check out our suggested Gran Canaria itinerary for more inspiration.