15 Best Things to do in Gran Canaria and Ultimate Guide
Swim in natural volcanic pools, hike amongst dramatic scenery, explore picturesque fishing villages, stroll through quaint colourful towns, enjoy locally caught seafood and so much more. These are just some of the best things to do in Gran Canaria, continue reading our guide for more and everything you need to know for your visit.
Gran Canaria is one of seven Canary Islands located off the coast of Northwest Africa and is part of Spain. It’s the third-largest and second-most-populous island of the archipelago and is of volcanic origin so the landscapes and scenery are spectacular!
Due to its location, the Canary Islands enjoy warm weather and sunny days all year round making it a popular spot for Europeans to escape the cold dark days after Christmas and enjoy some winter sun.
The most popular places to visit in Gran Canaria are around the south coast where you’ll find most of the beautiful sandy beaches and resort towns. The majority of visitors tend to flock here and not venture much further than the hotel or beach which is a shame.
Gran Canaria is a wonderful island that rewards visitors who want to experience its history, culture and beauty. Gorgeous colourful towns, charming white-washed fishing villages, magnificent mountainous scenery, pine forests, idyllic wineries, dramatic cliffs and so much more await those who explore.
It’s incredibly easy to get around Gran Canaria as it’s round with a diameter of around 50 kilometres so you can explore a lot without driving huge distances.
In this guide, we’ll start with our list of the best things to do in Gran Canaria alongside accommodation recommendations and then everything you need to know for your trip including the best time to visit, how long we’d recommend, how to get around and more.
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Contents
Best Things to do in Gran Canaria
Visit Las Palmas; one of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria
Kicking off our list of the best things to do in Gran Canaria is visiting Las Palmas; the island’s bustling capital city offering a fantastic mix of beaches, history, charm, shopping, culture and cuisine.
The main areas to visit in Las Palmas are:
- Vegueta – the Old Town of Las Palmas and one of our favourite things to see in Gran Canaria. Vegueta is characterised by colourful historical buildings, charming narrow cobbled streets, museums, beautiful squares and fantastic restaurants.
- Triana – this is the shopping and dining area and one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Las Palmas. The shops are housed in gorgeous colourful buildings with elegant decorative balconies.
- Playa de Las Canteras – a golden sand beach stretching for 3 kilometres bordered by a charming beach walk where you’ll find bars, restaurants, shops, nightlife, cafes and ice cream parlours. This is also one of Gran Canaria’s best snorkelling spots as the beach is sheltered by a reef home to a variety of marine life.
Accommodation in Las Palmas
- Budget: Santa Ana Suite & Rooms – located 100 metres from Santa Ana Cathedral in Vegueta and boasts wonderful city views.
- Mid-range: Boutique Hotel Cordial Malteses – a gorgeous and historical boutique hotel offering a luxurious stay in the heart of the Old Town.
- Luxury: Royal Hideaway Santa Catalina – this 5-star wellness hotel is the oldest hotel in the Canary Islands dating back to 1890 and is part of the Architectural and Cultural Heritage of the capital. Featuring multiple outdoor pools, one at the charming rooftop bar, 3 restaurants and a wellness centre.
Explore Puerto de las Nieves
White-washed buildings, fresh seafood, a dramatic mountain backdrop and quaint narrow streets make Puerto de las Nieves one of the most charming places to visit in Gran Canaria.
This fishing village and coastal town is home to two beaches, ideal for swimming as they’re sheltered from the waves, a port where ferries and fishing boats come and go, lovely restaurants overlooking the sea, a dramatic coastline to the south and some of the best things to do in Gran Canaria including:
- Swimming in Las Salinas de Agaete – three natural pools sheltered from the open ocean linked by volcanic tubes. We’ll share more on this later.
- El Dedo de Dios – this impressive natural monument is over 30 metres high and is one of Gran Canaria’s iconic symbols. It was a lot higher until November 2005 when Tropical Storm Delta hit and the thin top section broke off and fell into the sea.
- Visiting La Laja Farm and Bodega los Berrazales – a gorgeous 200-year-old coffee plantation and winery located at the foot of the Tamadaba cliffs and under centuries-old Canarian pine forests.
- Hiking in the Tamadaba National Park – where you’ll find some of Gran Canaria’s most spectacular scenery. More on this below.
- Exploring Agaete – a quaint town with white-washed historic buildings sitting amongst the dramatic mountains of the Tamadaba National Park.
Accommodation in Puerto de las Nieves
- Budget: Apartamento Juli4 – this basic but clean and spacious apartment is located 500 metres from Playa de las Nieves and comes fully equipped with everything you’ll need for a wonderful and relaxing stay.
- Mid-range: Occidental Roca Negra – built into the volcanic rock, this stunning adults only property is located 200 metres from Las Salinas de Agaete and boasts magnificent views over the rugged coastline from the rooftop bar. Perfect for a luxury seaside stay and one of the best views of sunset in the area.
- Luxury: Paramount views Agaete Apartment – this modern and spacious apartment is ideal for a relaxing stay but still want to cook for yourself at times. Located in the heart of Puerto de las Nieves and has an outdoor pool and lovely terrace where you can soak up the views surrounding the town.
Hike in Tamadaba National Park; one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria
Due to its volcanic and mountainous landscapes, one of the top things to do in Gran Canaria is go hiking. From vast barren trails and shaded pine forests to rugged rocky outcrops and green verdant valleys, there’s a diverse range of landscapes to discover.
One of the best places for hiking in Gran Canaria is the Tamadaba National Park, located on the northwest coast. The Tamadaba National Park is characterised by forests of indigenous Canary pine trees, lush valleys, secluded beaches and steep sloping cliffs plunging into the ocean making it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Gran Canaria.
There are many hiking trails in the national park ranging from relatively flat easily accessible strolls to more challenging trails leading you deeper into the park.
Our top tip: if you’re staying in Puerto de las Nieves or Agaete, you can combine a visit to Bodega los Berrazales with Tamadaba National Park. Catch the 102 bus to El Lomo for the winery and hike back along the section between San Pedro and Puerto de las Nieves from this hike. The scenery is unreal, we felt like we’d stepped into Jurassic Park!
Fall in Love With Puerto de Mogan
Located on the south coast of Gran Canaria, Puerto de Mogan is a former fishing village now turned tourist resort. It’s one of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria for a relaxing beach destination away from the noisier and crowded resort towns of Maspalomas or Playa del Ingles.
Strolling the Old Town of Puerto de Mogan is one of our favourite things to do in Gran Canaria. Quaint Mediterranean cottages with beautiful balconies line the marina while white-washed houses in the narrow streets don colourful flowers.
Although the beach is small and therefore rather crowded, it’s a lovely spot for a swim as the breakwater means the ocean is always calm. The beach is lined with plenty of restaurants and cafes so you’ll never have to venture far.
Our top tip: some of Gran Canaria’s best restaurants are in the Old Town of Puerto de Mogan.
Accommodation in Puerto de Mogan
- Budget: Las Brisas Mogan Apartment – located just 2 minutes’ walk from Playa de Mogán and close to the marina, these fully-equipped apartments enjoy a shared rooftop terrace offering stunning sea views.
- Mid-range: Cordial Mogan Hotel Playa – this stunning property is built in the style of a Canarian Village and is set in gorgeous tropical gardens. It features 2 outdoor swimming pools, spa and a Michelin-Star restaurant.
- Luxury: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa – built into the rocks, this spa and wellness hotel offers a wealth of activities both on-site and offsite to make the most of your visit. There’s a range of bars and restaurants as well as 2 swimming pools.
Explore the Charming Town of Firgas
Known as the town of water, Firgas is hands-down one of the most beautiful places to visit in Gran Canaria!
This charming town has a long history with water and one of the top things to do in Gran Canaria is to visit the artificial waterfall flowing 30 metres down Paseo de Gran Canaria in the centre of the Old Town.
This street is absolutely beautiful! The charming waterfall is lined with vibrant flowerbeds and the street is decorated with colourful tiled murals depicting the different municipalities on the island.
Continue on from Paseo de Gran Canaria to Paseo de Canarias where each of the Canary Islands has been sculpted and sits alongside its coat of arms and an image of scenery typical to that island.
Other places to visit in Firgas include the San Roque Church, Plaza and Mirador with a view out to the ocean, the Old Royal Canal which is the restored water channels used by women to launder clothes in the past and the monument to the rancher; a tribute to farmers and ranchers who helped the region to prosper.
Take Part in Las Palmas Carnival; one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria
This is one of the most unique things to do in Gran Canaria and we’d 100% recommend trying to time your visit with the Las Palmas Carnival.
Las Palmas Carnival is the most popular festival in the Canary Islands. For three weeks every year, the island celebrates one of the biggest carnivals in the world (apparently it rivals the Rio Carnival!).
Gran Canaria transforms into an endless party and the streets are alive with music, dancing, colour, laughter, events and an incredible amount of fun!
The carnival usually lasts around 3 weeks with events, parades, galas, drag contests, floats and dances. On the penultimate day, the Big Carnival Parade is held which is what we’d recommend timing your visit to Gran Canaria with.
Over 100 decorated floats pass through the streets of Las Palmas for approximately 7 kilometres each with a different theme. Each lorry has a DJ blasting music while people dance along behind or even join the float – most of them have bars and toilets on!
This is one of the best things to see in Gran Canaria and takes place in January and February.
Hike to Pico de las Nieves
Located at 1,949 metres above sea level, Pico de las Nieves is Gran Canaria’s highest peak and rewards visitors with magnificent views across the island with its deep valleys and rugged landscapes.
On a clear day, you can even see Mount Teide; a volcano on Tenerife and the highest point in Spain!
Although you can drive to Pico de las Nieves, we’d recommend hiking so you can experience some of Central Gran Canaria’s stunning scenery.
There are numerous hiking trails around Pico de las Nieves. We hiked this circular route from Llanos de la Pez which is well signposted, easy to follow and leads you through lush forests, barren land, fascinating rock formations and incredible viewpoints.
The viewpoint at Pico de las Nieves also gets really busy with cars parked along the road and people at the viewpoint so hiking allows you to experience great scenery and viewpoints all to yourself.
See Roque Nublo
Situated at 1,813 metres above sea level, Roque Nublo is the third-highest summit on the island and one of the top things to see in Gran Canaria. It’s one of the world’s biggest natural crags and has inspired many painters, writers and composers.
This 80-metre-high volcanic monolith has always been a focal point for Canarian pilgrims and today, it also represents a goal for many mountaineers.
Roque Nublo is located in the Tejeda municipality and can be viewed from multiple viewpoints across Gran Canaria’s mountainous centre.
Although you can hike to it, the trail gets very busy as it’s a short 1.5 km from the car park at Degollada de la Goleta which has limited spaces and quickly overflows.
We hiked this trail, where we often had great views of Roque Nublo protruding in the distance and we didn’t feel we had to hike any closer.
Visit the Mountain Town Tejeda
As well as being Gran Canaria’s mountainous central municipality, Tejeda is also a charming and picturesque town that we’d definitely recommend spending at least 1 night.
Amble about the town’s quaint cobbled streets, visit the beautiful Parochial Church of Nuestra Señora de Socorro which dates back to 1921, don’t miss the views of the island from Cruz de Tejeda and enjoy the view from the town over the white-washed houses with red tile roofs and deep into the valley below.
Tejeda is one of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria for those wanting to try traditional Canarian dishes. Goat’s meat and beef are very common and delicious as are potato soups, watercress and jaramagos (cruciferous plant). However, the food that stands out the most is almonds.
Almond trees grow around Tejeda and it used to be quite common for families to have almond trees in their gardens and make their own almond cakes. Until the 1960s, many young girls also had jobs collecting almonds so a lot of them still make marzipan at home.
The best place to visit in Tejeda (and also Gran Canaria) to try sweet treats made with almonds is Dulceria Nublo; a pastry shop with origins dating back to the 1940s and fuses traditional baking methods with new recipes and modern demands. They use more almonds than sugar in their products and even the ovens are heated up with almond shells!
Accommodation in Tejeda
- Budget: Princess Antonella – this cosy apartment is located down a quaint quiet street within walking distance of Tejeda town. It features a kitchen, BBQ and terrace with wonderful views across the mountains for sunset and sunrise.
- Mid-range: Casita Roque Nublo – this charming holiday home is located within walking distance of Tejeda town and features a fully equipped kitchen and lovely garden with amazing views across the town and surrounding mountains.
- Luxury: Parador de Cruz de Tejeda – situated at one of the highest points of Gran Canaria, this stunning luxurious hotel offers panoramic views across the surrounding mountains and forests and an extensive spa.
Swim in Las Salinas de Agaete
Located a 10-minute walk from Puerto de las Nieves are Las Salinas de Agaete; three natural volcanic swimming pools sheltered from the open ocean and linked by underwater tunnels.
They’re idyllic to swim in and offer magnificent views of Gran Canaria’s rugged northwest coast. There’s also plenty of space for sunbathing and a small beach.
Swimming in the pools you can see the big waves from the ocean crashing into the rocks and overflowing into the pools; this is really one of the most unique Gran Canaria activities.
There are toilets and a kiosk bar although the kiosk was closed when we were there (even though Google said it was open).
Explore Arucas
One of the best things to do in Gran Canaria is explore the beautiful historical and traditional town of Arucas, rich in history and surrounded by incredible natural scenery.
Arucas is located 12km from Las Palmas and can easily be visited if you’re driving to the west coast from the capital.
Arucas, like many other towns in Gran Canaria, is centred around its church and plaza; San Juan Bautista Church and the Plaza de San Juan. The church was built entirely by hand between 1909 and 1917.
Surrounding the church and plaza are many emblematic and historical buildings, picturesque colourful streets and quaint cafes and restaurants. Spend some time strolling around the town soaking up the peaceful atmosphere.
Other top things to do in Arucas include:
- Arehucas Rum Distillery – rum has been produced here since 1884 and you can take a guided tour which includes learning about the distillery’s origins, visiting the ageing cellar, learning about the rum production process, visiting the mill, fermentation and distillation rooms, the bottling lines and a tasting session. Tickets cost €7 and no reservation is required.
- Plaza de la Constitution – where you’ll find the Town Council and former Municipal Market.
- Municipal Museum and Park – lovely for a short stroll with several tree-lined pathways and full of beautiful flowers.
- Jardin de la Marquesa – a small botanical garden with over 2,500 species of tropical and sub-tropical flora on display. €6 entrance fee.
- La Montana de Arucas – a former volcano that dominates the Arucas landscape with a viewpoint across the town and northern Gran Canaria. If you have a car, we’d recommend driving as it’s a 30-minute walk from the Plaza de San Juan up the windy road.
- Piedras la Cantera – a historic quarry which has played a significant role in shaping the town’s architectural heritage. Stone extracted from this quarry has been used in constructing several iconic buildings including the San Juan Bautista Church.
Discover Sardina del Norte
Sardina del Norte is a bit of an unknown gem among tourists in northern Gran Canaria in the municipality of Galdar.
Historically, Sardina del Norte was a small port that played an important role during the 15th and 16th centuries during the fighting of the conquest of the island. After the conquest, Sardina del Norte became an important site for the sugar trade until the Port of Las Palmas developed into the island’s main port.
Today, Sardina del Norte is a charming fishing port with a black-sand beach with a contrasting backdrop of beautiful colourful buildings. The sea is a gorgeous greeny-blue colour and is one of the most highly rated spots for scuba diving in Gran Canaria.
Experience Sunrise at the Dunas de Maspalomas
Visiting the Dunas de Maspalomas is one of the most popular things to do in Gran Canaria. For this reason, they get very busy so we’d recommend visiting at sunrise when it’s quieter and also incredibly peaceful.
The Dunas de Maspalomas is one of the most unique places to visit in Gran Canaria. It was established as a protected Nature Reserve in 1987 and includes a vast beach, sand dune system, lagoon and palm groves.
The dunes began to form during the last ice age when sand was washed up from the bottom of the ocean when the water retreated and sand was left exposed. Over time, the wind carried the sand towards the shore. Even today, the dunes are constantly moving at a rate of 2 – 5 metres per year from east to west.
Unfortunately, due to increases in urban development and human impact, the dunes are constantly losing sand. It’s estimated around 45,000 cubic metres of sand are lost each year leading to increasing erosion and a negative impact on the animals and plants living here. There’s a concern the dune system may disappear in less than a generation if this continues.
There’s currently a plan in place to work on the natural recovery of the Dunas de Maspalomas in several phases. Recently, walking routes have been mapped out and visitors must stick to these routes to protect the fauna. These were introduced in 2020 when the system noticeably improved after lockdown.
Maspalomas is home to some of the best Gran Canaria activities, many of which take place at the Dunas de Maspalomas so head to the link below to discover more.
Go Wine Tasting
Wine tasting may not immediately spring to mind when thinking of the best things to do in Gran Canaria, however, the rich volcanic soils and variable weather give wines produced here a real depth of flavour.
Wine cultivation in the Canary Islands dates back to the 15th century when the first Spanish conquerors arrived on the islands. In the 16th century, malvasian wines from the islands achieved international acclaim and became known in European courts and were even complimented by William Shakespeare!
What’s unique about the wine produced in the Canary Islands is that the islands have remained free from phylloxera; an insect that affects vine cultivation. As a result, vine cultivation can take place on open ground without needing rootstocks, allowing the plants to maximise the consumption of soil minerals and develop unusual properties.
One of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria for wine tasting is Bodega los Berrazales. This winery (and coffee plantation) is over 200 years old and is situated in the breathtaking scenery of the Tamadaba National Park. Guided tours cost €12 and also include a tasting.
Try the Local Food
We find one of the best ways to get to know a destination is through its food so one of our favourite things to do in Gran Canaria was try as many local dishes as we could.
Food in Gran Canaria is based on simple flavourful ingredients and fresh local produce grown on the island as much as possible. Some traditional Gran Canarian dishes include:
- Mojo – mojo refers to several types of sauces varying in spiciness and flavours and is a staple in Gran Canarian cuisine served alongside many foods.
- Papas Arrugadas – probably the most popular food in Gran Canaria and found on pretty much every menu. They’re Canarian potatoes and served with mojo and are delicious. They’re often called ‘wrinkly potatoes’ as they’re small and wrinkled when boiled.
- Gran Canaria cheeses – we didn’t know Gran Canaria had its own cheese and these did not disappoint. Most cheeses are cured and semi-cured and made from either sheep or goat milk or a mixture of both. One of our favourite dishes was fried cheese accompanied with red fruit jam – this was absolutely delicious and we ordered it every time we saw it on the menu.
- Pulpo a la Canaria – this is a flavourful dish of octopus served with Canarian potatoes and peppers in a spicy sauce.
- Croquettes – one of Helen’s favourite tapas dishes and include a variety of fillings including cheese, ham, mushroom, oxtail and prawns.
- Sancocho – boiled salted fish typically sea bass or a local variant of grouper and garnished with potatoes, sweet potatoes and mojo served in a clay casserole.
- Ropa Vieja – a stew made with chicken, pork or beef with vegetables and potatoes.
- Seafood – seafood in general is a staple in Gran Canaria and you’ll find endless options of locally caught fresh seafood cooked in various ways.
Everything You Need to Know to Visit Gran Canaria
The best time to visit Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is a wonderful year-round destination. During the UK’s winter, temperatures are around 23 degrees making it ideal for some winter sun without having to fly too far.
During the summer, temperatures in Gran Canaria average around 28 degrees, again making it a fantastic summer holiday.
How long to spend in Gran Canaria
If you’re looking to see as many of the best things to do in Gran Canaria as you can, we’d recommend between 7 days and 2 weeks. We visited for 9 days staying in different places and we’d have liked a few more.
If you’re looking to head to the south coast only for some beach and sun then a week would be enough.
How to get around Gran Canaria
The easiest way to get around Gran Canaria is with a car as this gives you complete freedom and flexibility on timings, locations and when to stop if you spot a nice view.
The roads are fairly quiet out of the cities and tourist hotspots so it’s easy to drive on the island. The windy mountain roads need a bit of navigating at times and could do with resurfacing so if you’re heading to the mountains, we’d recommend an automatic.
The bus company Global operates around the island so you can absolutely get around Gran Canaria without having a car but it will take more planning, you may need to leave early and make a couple of changes.
Taxis in Gran Canaria are handy if going short distances and not too expensive. If crossing municipalities however, the fare is considerably increased.
You won’t need a car to get around the cities and we found driving in Las Palmas to be quite stressful. We walked everywhere in Las Palmas although buses are frequent or you can cycle using the public bike rental Sitycleta. E-scooters are also common.
Another great way to get around Gran Canaria once you’re staying somewhere is with excursions. Most excursions offer return transport from your accommodation and everything is organised for you.
Get Your Guide offer a wide range of tours with local and knowledgeable guides. Browse some of their tours below and head to their website for more.
Prices in Gran Canaria
Prices in Gran Canaria are very reasonable and considerably lower than in the UK, especially out of the main tourist hotspots.
Away from the south coast and out of hotels, expect to pay around €3 for a large beer, €5 for spirit and mixer and main meals from €8. Obviously, if you’re somewhere more high-end, these prices will be higher but still lower than in upmarket places in the UK.
Even on the south coast and at hotel bars and restaurants, the average price of food and drinks is lower than the same standard in the UK and still reasonable. Large beers are around €5 and main meals are around €12.
Entry Requirements
As a UK passport holder, you can travel to Gran Canaria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must be valid for 3 months from the date you plan to leave.
Currency
Gran Canaria is in Spain so uses the Euro. At the time of writing, 1 USD is 0.91 EUR.
Plug
Like most countries in Europe, you will need either type C, E or F which have two round pins.
We hope you enjoyed our guide to the best things to do in Gran Canaria. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or get in contact. We’d also love to hear your favourite Gran Canaria activities so let us know in the comments what these are.