A few kilometres from the town centre, the Viera y Clavijo Botanic Gardens, also known as "Jardín Canario" (Canary Garden), homes in a spanning 27 hectares a complete example of the botanical wealth of the Canary Islands. This haven of peace for the senses is also a botanical institution and a centre for the conservation and research of the flora of Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, and Cape Verde).
A stroll around the garden, projected by botanist Eric R. Sventenius in 1952, allows the visitor to see and get to know a wide example of the endemic flora of the Canaries amidst paths, caves and waterfalls.
The place, whose name comes after Canarian historian, biologist and writer of the eighteenth century, José Viera y Clavijo, opens its doors Monday to Friday,  7:30 to 14:00, and access will be permitted only at the upper gate (Carretera del Centro, km 7).
It is the home of the Gran Canaria's Giant Lizard (Gallotia stehlini) endemic of Gran Canaria and the world's largest lizard of the Lacertidae family, some of them even reaching 2 feet of length.

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