Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park — Attraction in Gáldar

Interesting remains of a village built into the hillside by the island's original inhabitants, hundreds of years before the Spanish arrived. The painted cave itself is sealed off to protect it, with a glass passageway that lets you stand inside without interfering with the controlled climate. Photos aren't allowed inside the cave, but you do get a good view of the geometric patterns painted on the walls.

Guided tours are available in various languages, and the staff are very friendly and helpful if (like me) you arrive between tours and don't want to hang around. Maybe it's just because I visited in January and it was quite quiet, but I would have had to wait over an hour for the next tour.

The attached museum has a couple of short films about the history of the island and the background of the village (again, the staff will put these on for you in whatever language you need). The first one in particular gets quite dark (spoiler: the arrival of the Spanish on the island doesn't end well for the natives) and includes some brief nudity, in case that bothers you.

The museum also includes various items found at the site, from pots and plates to tiny figurines and carved stamps. There are also a couple of recreated houses in the village to show how they might have looked originally.

Aside from that, there are a few quick videos on screens scattered around the site explaining various things, and an AR app for your phone, although I only noticed one spot with a QR code to use it at, and that wasn't very exciting. Overall it could maybe have done with a little more information to help picture what the various structures were and understand the site.

Once you get inside there's a raised metal walkway going around the whole site, giving you good views across the village. Lifts are available to take you between levels, for anyone...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wow, what an incredible experience at the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park in Gáldar, Gran Canaria! This place is a must-visit for anyone curious about the island’s ancient history. The moment you step in, you’re transported back to the pre-Hispanic times of the Guanche people, the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands. The highlight is the Painted Cave itself—those geometric wall paintings are mind-blowing, like stepping into a time capsule from centuries ago! 🎨 The guided tour was super engaging—our guide was passionate and shared easy-to-grasp insights about how the Guanches lived, from their cave homes to their daily tools and art. The museum’s setup is awesome, with a walkway letting you peek into the archaeological site without disturbing it. Plus, the short videos they show give a clear picture of Gran Canaria’s past, making it perfect for all ages. It’s not overwhelming either; you can soak it all in within about an hour or so. At just €6 (and even less for kids or seniors), it’s a steal for such a rich cultural experience. Pro tip: book your slot in advance, as spots can fill up fast! Located right in Gáldar’s charming town center, it’s easy to get to and pairs perfectly with a day exploring the area. If you love history, culture, or just want a unique adventure, Cueva Pintada is a gem you can’t miss! #CuevaPintada #GranCanaria...

We absolutely loved it here. Easy to find just of the main square by the tourist information office. Our tour guide Alba was amazing and gave us so much information and answered all our questions. We learnt a lot about the original inhabitants of Gran Canaria and its history from her. We saw a short film about original settlers and artefacts found on site and in the local area and learnt what they were used for and about their lives . We walked around the excavation site town and found out about what the builds were used for. We saw the remains of cave houses and the reconstruction of 2 style round houses. Their was a short film of how the houses were constructed . We also saw the famous painted cave which is being preserved and she explained what archaeologists thought the paintings were and what they used for colours. Their are lots of steps, but those in our group with mobility issues used the lifts to access other levels. This was offered by Alba and they did not even have to ask. Their were toilets and a well stocked gift shop. A must see visit if you are in Galdar and like history and want to learn about the area. Older children would find this very interesting. Make sure you have a guided tour in your language rather than a self tour. We were here about 2 hours and had a pre booked guided...