The Seamen's Church in Gran Canaria is a popular gathering place for Norwegians on the island, where community, support and Norwegian traditions are in focus. Here you can take part in activities, find peace in the reading room, and get support in difficult situations. In this article, we give you all the information you need about Sjømannskirken, including opening hours, activities, emergency preparedness, and volunteering opportunities.

Opening hours for the Seamen's Church café and reading room

The café, also known as the reading room, is a cozy place where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and a good chat. Opening hours vary throughout the year:

From October 1 to Easter: open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00-15:00.
From Easter to September 30: open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:00-15:00.

Help and emergency preparedness at the Seamen's Church: always available for you

Sjømannskirken is there for you when you need it most. Emergency preparedness and outreach activities are an important part of the Seamen's Church's work, and include:

• Visits to Norwegian patients in hospitals.
• Home visits when needed.
• Assistance during crises and accidents.
• Emergency phone available 24 hours a day: +34 649 867 867.

In addition, the Seamen's Church works closely with the Norwegian consulate, the Norwegian school and other relevant partners in Gran Canaria.

Volunteering in Gran Canaria: join us!

Sjømannskirken is run by volunteers, and there is always a need for more hands. Whether you want to help make waffles, clean up or lead activities for young people, there are many opportunities for you to contribute. Take a look at the word cloud we've created to get an insight into the many tasks volunteers can get involved in.

Weddings at the Seamen's Church: a dream come true

Dreaming of a wedding in idyllic surroundings? The Seamen's Church in Gran Canaria is a popular choice for Norwegian couples wishing to get married abroad. The church is beautifully situated right on the coast and seafront, offering a sunny climate all year round, perfect for an unforgettable wedding day.

Family activities and youth club at the Seamen's Church

Are you looking for activities for children and young people in Gran Canaria? The Seamen's Church offers several social events suitable for the whole family:

• Family dinner in Gran Canaria: Every Wednesday at 16:00, families with children and students gather for a social dinner. This is a great way for both parents and children to get to know other permanent residents on the island.
• Youth club in Arguineguin: Fridays 20:00-23:00 for middle and high school students, with games, quizzes and hot food. The club is a safe and fun place to hang out with friends.
• Night café for high school students: For the oldest young people, from 23:00-00:30, with card games, coffee and waffles. Here you can relax and have a good time with friends throughout the evening.
• KRIK Gran Canaria: Team sports and games for middle school students every Wednesday during the school year, with activities adapted to both middle school and high school.

Confirmation in Gran Canaria: a special experience

Welcome as a confirmand in the Seamen's Church in Gran Canaria! Confirmation here gives young people the opportunity to celebrate this important day in beautiful surroundings, together with family and friends.

Sjømannskirkens famous waffles: voted the world's best

One of the great prides of the Seamen's Church of Gran Canaria is their famous waffles. Not only are these waffles a taste of home, but they have also been voted "World's Best Waffles" in the Seamen's Church's own competition five times.

In 2023, it was once again confirmed that Gran Canaria waffles are in a class of their own, as they took first place with their recipe containing a hint of apple and cinnamon. The competition was fierce, with over 2,000 votes cast, but there was no doubt that Gran Canaria came out on top.

"The waffle is an important symbol of the warmth with which we want to meet all people. This is about more than just food," says CEO Erik Faye Lindvig.
This waffle championship started back in 2002, and since then it has created great interest among Norwegians around the world. Each church has its own waffle recipe, and the competition creates a fantastic unity and competitive spirit between the churches.

The Seamen's Church in Gran Canaria is not only a church, but also "the world's most visited seamen's church". More than 75 liters of waffle batter are made here every week, and with eight large waffle irons in use, there is no shortage of this Norwegian delicacy for visitors.

Here's the winning recipe for the waffle served at the Seamen's Church:

• 6 eggs
• 1 liter of milk
• 2 dl natural yogurt or light sour cream
• 1 kg flour
• 1.5 tsp cardamom
• 1 tsp vanilla sugar or vanilla extract
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 dl Apple Mozell or Appeltiser
• 100 gr sugar
• 3 dl melted clarified margarine or liquid melange
• 2 tsp salt

Add the ingredients in the order listed. Finally, stir in the sugar and salt.

We commend the Seamen's Church for their outstanding work

At Nordicconnection, we would like to say a big thank you to the Seamen's Church in Gran Canaria for the invaluable work they do for Norwegians on the island. Their presence creates security and community, while offering a wide range of activities and services that mean a lot to many. Through their work, both in everyday life and in crisis situations, they are a pillar of support and care for Norwegians abroad. We greatly appreciate everything they do, and encourage everyone to support this important work.

Contact information for the Seamen's Church

For more information or if you would like to get in touch with the Seamen's Church in Gran Canaria, you will find all the necessary contact information below:

• Address: Calle La Lajilla 18, Arguineguin, Gran Canaria
• Phone number: +34 928 735 246 / +47 5555 2254 / +34 649 867 867 (local emergency phone)
• E-mail address: gran.canaria@sjomannskirken.no