Gran Canaria Holidays

Popular sights

If you fancy a break from the beach, try exploring one of these sights…

• The Maspalomas Dunes – On the southern coast, this 400-hectare nature reserve is famous for its desert-like golden sands, La Charca Lagoon and palm groves. Explore the dunes and look out for wildlife, then spend an afternoon on Playa de Maspalomas.

• Pico de las Nieves – Hike up to the highest point on the island. The trail takes you past pine forests and rock formations, then you’ll be able to see all the way to the sea when you reach the top. If you don’t feel like walking, you can also reach it by car.

• Las Palmas Cathedral – Visit this impressive 15th-century cathedral at the heart of Vegueta. The architecture’s a combination of Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical styles, and you can climb up the bell tower for great views over the Old Town.

Shopping

These are the best places to go shopping in Gran Canaria…

• Calle Triana, Las Palmas

  – A historic, pedestrian street in the heart of Las Palmas, home to independent shops and popular high-street brands.

• Meloneras waterfront – This high-end area is filled with designer shops.

• Yumbo Centrum, Playa del Ingles – This large shopping centre has over 200 shops, restaurants and bars. You can visit during the day to pick up souvenirs and some food, then in the evening it transforms into a nightlife hub, with karaoke, drag shows and all-nighter clubs.

• Local markets – Pick up a bargain at one of the island’s markets. Puerto Mogán’s Friday market is one of the best. It’s an open-air set-up that fills the two plazas by the marina. Another good option is the Sunday jumble sale in Maspalomas. Souvenir shops are in every town, though, so you can buy gifts to take home even in smaller resorts like Bahia Feliz and Playa Taurito.

Historic sites

Visit one of these places to find out about Gran Canaria’s history.

• Roque Bentayga – This rugged rock formation was a sacred site for the Guanches, the island's indigenous people. It was a prominent place for rituals and stargazing, thanks to its low levels of light pollution.

• Cueva Pintada Archaeological Park – Learn about island life before the Spanish arrived through cave paintings and artefacts left by the Guanches. You can walk through the remains of an ancient village and take in the island’s rich cultural heritage.

• Vegueta – Wander down the cobbled streets lined with Colonial-era buildings in Las Palmas Old Town. Vegueta’s filled with museums, traditional markets and local restaurants, making it an ideal spot to get to know Gran Canaria’s culture and cuisine.

Outdoor activities

Get involved in one of these outdoor activities on your holiday to Gran Canaria.

• Golf – Play on beautifully designed greens with the sea and mountains in the background – the 71-par Salobre Golf Resort and the 73-par Campo de Golf are two of the most popular.

• Watersports – With consistent wind conditions, the west coast is known for windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can hire jet-skis, kayaks and paddleboards in most beach resorts around the island, and the south coast is a great spot for scuba diving, thanks to its reefs and shipwrecks.

• Roque Nublo – Hike up to this 80-metre-tall volcanic rock in the centre of the island. Standing over 1,800 metres above sea level, it has great views over the island’s landscapes. The trek takes around 40 minutes and is suitable for all fitness levels.

Family-friendly attractions

Your little ones will love these family-friendly activities.

• Sioux City Park – Visit this Wild West-themed park packed with live shows and interactive activities. Originally built as a movie set in the 1970s, the park shows you what cowboy life was like, from lassoing lessons to fun reenactments of cowboy shootouts and bank robberies.

• Aqualand Maspalomas – The island’s largest waterpark has all kinds of slides, pools and attractions for everyone, from little ones to grown-ups. There are twisty flumes, steep slides and fast rapids, plus smaller children have splash parks and mini slides. You’ll also find a massive beach-style wave pool here that’s perfect for a swim or surf lessons.

Popular beaches

Here are some of Gran Canaria’s best beaches.

• Maspalomas Beach – Known for its desert-style sand dunes and crystal-clear waters, Maspalomas Beach has Blue Flag status. The area is also counted as one of the 12 Treasures of Spain, alongside Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and Teide National Park in Tenerife.

• Playa de Amadores – This beach has shallow, turquoise waters and there’s a barrier that protects the bay from the waves, making it ideal for a leisurely swim or for families with little ones. You can hire loungers, and there are lots of options for food and drink.

• Playa de Las Canteras – In Las Palmas, this urban beach is perfectly placed for time on the beach after sightseeing in the city. You can also do plenty of watersports here, including surfing and snorkelling.

• Playa del Ingles – A wide, three-kilometre strip of dark golden sand that runs from the lively resort all the way to the rugged dunes in Maspalomas. There’s plenty of space here, whether you want to be near the action or find a peaceful spot all to yourself.

Beaches for Watersports

Here are the best beaches for watersports on holidays to Gran Canaria.

• Surfing – Head to Playa del Ingles or Playa de Las Canteras to catch big waves from the Atlantic. There are plenty of spots to hire a board and lots of surf schools if you’d like to learn from the pros.

• Scuba diving – Choose from dive spots like El Cabrón Marine Reserve or Pasito Blanco, as well as coral reefs and shipwrecks. This area’s also known for spotting marine life like turtles, dolphins and friendly angel sharks.

• Snorkelling – The clear waters of Puerto de Mogán or Puerto Rico are great for snorkelling. See if you can spot sea urchins and tropical fish, and you may even spot a turtle.

Quieter beaches

Avoid the crowds at one of the island’s quieter beaches.

• Playa Guigui – Tucked away on the west coast of the island, this beach has native black sand and volcanic cliffs. To get here, catch the boat from Puerto de las Nieves or Puerto de la Aldea, or go on a two-hour hike from the village of Tasartico. It’s secluded, with not much else apart from a small café – the main activities are swimming and sunbathing.

• Pasito Bea Beach – Known for its peaceful atmosphere, Pasito Bea is much quieter compared to the island’s other beaches. With soft sands and calm waters, it's a lovely place for reading in the sunshine or going for a swim.

• Guayedra Beach – Unlike most beaches here, this stretch is a blend of rock and black sand. Its secluded location near Agaete means there aren’t any facilities, and it has a more natural, untouched feel to it.

Local food

The food here is similar to Spanish tapas, but with a Canarian twist.

• Papas arrugadas – You’ll see these wrinkly-skinned potatoes on most menus – and they’re usually covered in mojo sauce. The most common flavours are mojo picon, made from peppers and chillies, and mojo verde, made from coriander.

• Caldo de pescado – A hearty fish soup made with fresh seafood and vegetables.

• Gofio escalado – A creamy polenta-like dish made from roasted cornmeal, a staple in Canarian cuisine.

• Chorizo de teror – A spicy sausage made with paprika and garlic. It’s great in sandwiches, stews and rice dishes – or just by itself as a snack with a sangria.

Local drinks

Try one of these Canarian drinks at a local bar or restaurant.

• Wine – Canarian wine has been exported since the 16th century, but you might not find it on the supermarket shelves. Tinto del Monte is a rich red and Listan Blanco is a popular white.

• Mejunje – For an alcoholic shot of something traditional, order a glass of mejunje. It’s a local liqueur made of lemon, honey and rum.

Nightlife

Out of all the Canaries, Gran Canaria’s home to some of the best bars and clubs…

• Pacha Nightclub, Playa del Ingles – A few steps from the beach, Pacha Nightclub has multiple bars, an open-air terrace and a huge dancefloor – plus it’s open until 6am.

• Shamrock Bar, Puerto Rico – This Irish bar is famous for its friendly atmosphere and nightly live music. There are cabaret shows and karaoke, plus if you’re after a classic pint of Guinness, this is the ideal bar.

• Sky Bar, Maspalomas – This rooftop bar is a great place to order a cocktail with beautiful sunset views.

Bus

Gran Canaria's buses are cheap, regular and reliable. They cover most of the island, mainly between the big towns, beach resorts and the airport. It’s a great way to get along the coast, and you’ll be able to take in sea views along the way.

Taxi

Official taxi services like Socomtaxi are an easy way to get around the island for one-off journeys, but they can be expensive if you use them regularly. They're handy for quick transfers between the airport and your stay or if you’re going out in the evening.

Car hire

Renting a car is the best option for exploring the island at your own pace. You’ll be able to find all the secluded spots that the bus routes don’t reach, like the hillside villages and nature reserves. Plus, it means you can get up and go without having to look at public transport times or find a taxi.