Discover Europe's only coffee plantation on Gran Canaria: This is Los Berrazales, at Finca La Laja
Bodega Los Berrazales, at Finca La Laja, Gran Canaria
Walking amidst nature, guided by the aroma of coffee, among grapevines and coffee bushes, is one of the most satisfying sensations one can experience. And to enjoy it, you don’t need to travel to Colombia, Ethiopia, Brazil, or Kenya. It’s much closer than you think—on Gran Canaria, where Europe’s only coffee plantation and the world’s most northerly one is located. Here stands Los Berrazales, the jewel of rural tourism on the island, proving once again that Gran Canaria offers much more than just sun and sand.
Located at Finca La Laja, in Agaete, in the north of the island, the coffee plantation boasts breathtaking panoramic views: the foothills of Gran Canaria’s sacred mountains, and the Tamadaba cliffs, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Family tradition, coffee plantation
Home to one of the world’s finest coffees, it is also a tropical fruit plantation—known particularly for its oranges—and home to a large wine cellar. This 12-hectare estate is, in the words of its owner, Víctor Lugo, “a typical Canarian farm, with a Canarian family, offering the chance to taste Canarian products.”
Family tradition is key to the preservation of Finca La Laja. The Lugo family has worked and cared for this land for over 200 years. “Originally, they worked as employees, as estate stewards,” explains Víctor, the fifth generation to manage the farm. “Until about 30 years ago, when my parents bought the land,” he adds.
For the family, Finca La Laja is more than just a business. “My philosophy, my guiding principle as head of this land, is that we’ve inherited this legacy, and we must pass it on in the same or better condition than we found it,” says Víctor Lugo.
Casa Romántica
This philosophy extends into the future, focusing on the maintenance, maximum utilisation, and enrichment of Canarian soil. They are working on new plantations, but that’s not all. They’ve also launched a new project called Casa Romántica, a centre for showcasing Gran Canaria’s produce, “where you can discover the island’s products through traditional yet avant-garde gastronomy.”
With this concept, the restaurant has all the ingredients for success. Additionally, with the finest coffee and wine in the area, Casa Romántica is committed to ecology. “It’s a sustainable project, where all the furniture is recycled. We’ve created a little ‘Gran Canaria Me Gusta’ (I Love Gran Canaria), taking you through the island’s 21 municipalities via its products,” Víctor tells us.
Rural Gran Canaria
Finca La Laja is the perfect place to fall in love with rural and inland tourism in Gran Canaria. In Víctor Lugo’s words, “it’s an opportunity to discover the hidden Gran Canaria—the Gran Canaria of its people, its products, its landscapes. The part that makes you fall in love.”
Because, as we say, the island is not just about sun and beaches, even though that is a major tourist attraction. Gran Canaria is also rich in tradition and culture.
So, we finish where we started: at the coffee plantation in Agaete, the only place on the island where you can enjoy unique, eco-friendly coffee. And a final piece of advice: “When you want quality Arabica, natural coffee, buy it as beans, grind it fresh before consumption, and store it in the fridge to keep it in the best condition,” says Víctor Lugo.
A visit to Los Berrazales offers a complete sensory experience, guided by the palate, where you can taste the essence of the Canary Islands through its coffee, wine, cheese, and fruit.