25 essential places to see in Gran Canaria

1. Historic center of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, things to do in Gran Canaria

As we see it, walking through the historic center of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of essential things to see in Gran Canaria. Specifically, we are talking about Vegueta and its neighboring neighborhood Triana. You can easily explore it in one morning. We leave you with a list of places to visit and you can get more information in our article about what to see in Vegueta with more tips and restaurants.

• Colón House-Museum (free plans to do on a Sunday in Gran Canaria)
• Cathedral of Santa Ana or Cathedral of the Canary Islands (you can climb one of the towers)
• Plaza de Santa Ana
• Belvedere Terrace (for the best views of the cathedral)

• Hermitage of San Antonio Abad (where Columbus prayed)
• Vegueta Market
• Plaza and Hermitage of the Holy Spirit
• Atlantic Center of Modern Art (free plans to do on Sunday in Gran Canaria)
• Streets of Los Balcones, Mendizábal and La Pelota

A few steps away you can take a walk through the neighborhood of Triana, one of the most beautiful and oldest in the city. The essentials are the Triana Main Street (here look at the old tram tracks), the Literary Cabinet, the Pérez Galdós Theater and the Benito Pérez Galdós museum. We also recommend visiting its most beautiful pedestrian streets such as Cano and Pérez Galdós. At the end of Triana you reach San Telmo park where the train station is. buses (buses). If you prefer to be accompanied by a guide, you can book a free tour of Triana and Vegueta at this page.

2. Playa de Las Canteras, essential places to see in Gran Canaria

Another of the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria is playa de Las Canteras. We talk about one of best urban beaches in Spain with about 3.100 linear meters to walk along the sand come 365 days a year. One of the main characteristics of the beach is «La Barra» a volcanic barrier approximately 1 kilometer in length which makes the waves on the beach moderate. It is only visible when the tide is low and you can swim to it, as there is only 200 meters of separation from the shore. You should also know the La Cícer area, famous for its good waves for surfing (there is no bar) and, furthermore, it is a few steps from the famous Alfredo Kraus Auditorium.

Some activities you can do in Las Canteras They are: walking along its sand or avenue from La Puntilla to the Auditorium, snorkeling (its seabed is incredible), swimming, paddle surfing, kayaking, surfing, beach volleyball, beach tennis and there is also a playground on the sand. Finally, This famous beach to see in Gran Canaria also stands out for its wide gastronomic offer. You can take a look at our recommendations in this article with the best restaurants in Las Canteras. You can expand information about the capital in our guide with the places what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with more beaches, markets, museums, beautiful neighborhoods, etc.

3. Maspalomas Beach, what to see in the south of Gran Canaria

Similarly, the Maspalomas beach and its impressive dunes They are two must-sees. what to do in the south of Gran Canaria. Furthermore, the thing does not stop here, the Maspalomas Lighthouse y The Pond his back iconic places in Gran Canaria to see. Our recommendations are: a walk along the beach from the Maspalomas Lighthouse to the beginning of Playa del Inglés and return. It can be about 3 kilometers each way. Along the beach you will pass by its nudist zone and there will come a point where you only see sand, dunes, the sea and the sky. It's brutal. If walking is not your thing, to have the best panoramic views of the Maspalomas Dunes, Visit the Las Dunas de Maspalomas viewpoint and Tourist Information point (next to the RIU Palace Maspalomas hotel).

And remember, it is It is prohibited to leave the delimited paths to guarantee the conservation of our Dunes. On the other hand, the Maspalomas Lighthouse (built between 1884-1889) can also be visited and is one of the oldest still in operation in the Canary Islands. A few steps away is the Maspalomas pond, as well as the promenade and the beach of Meloneras. If you are going to spend a few days here, you have more plans to do in the south of Gran Canaria in this article: what to see in Maspalomas.

4. Natural Monument of Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria things to do in the interior

Once you have visited the city and both most beautiful beaches in Gran Canaria to see. Now play tour the interior to see other landscapes of the island and the famous Roque Nublo. El Roque Nublo is a monolith located at 1.813 meters above sea level surrounded by nature and offering impressive visits to the entire Nublo Rural Park. It is in turn one of the most characteristic symbols or emblems of Gran Canaria. If you don't have a car to visit the island, this excursion which combines the Roque Nublo with Teror and the Caldera de Bandama has very good ratings. In addition, we know the company that organizes it, they work with an official guide and are very professional.

If you can move on your own, one of the best activities to do in Gran Canaria is to climb the Roque Nublo along its shortest path. It is about 3 kilometers round trip (approx. 1 hour) and leaves from the Degollada de La Goleta car park. However, keep in mind that parking is LIMITED, We recommend avoiding peak hours and holidays. Furthermore, it is It is essential to wear appropriate footwear. We have a post with all the recommendations for your visit and more details about how to get to Roque Nublo in case you want more information.

5. Town of Tejeda, center of Gran Canaria, what to see

The people of Tejeda It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and, therefore, it is another of the corners what to see in the center of Gran Canaria. We recommend combining it with Roque Nublo for its proximity. The houses of Tejeda are all white and this inland town stands out because it is surrounded by the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria (UNESCO World Heritage). As you see in the following photo, Roque Bentayga is the clear protagonist, although there are areas of the town from where you can also see the Roque Nublo.

In addition, Tejeda is also famous for its delicious almonds and the sweets made from these such as bienmesabe canary. At Dulcería Nublo (since 1946) in the historic center you can buy this typical sweet, as well as taste the more than 25 types of chocolate palm trees that have become very viral. In a few minutes you can visit "the basket" of the Roque Bentayga, which is right on the way to this famous Roque to see in Gran Canaria.

6. Mirador del Pico de Las Nieves & Ventana Gañifa, Gran Canaria what to see and do

Another things to see and do in Gran Canaria, since you are touring this area of ​​the island, is to visit the Viewpoint of the Pico de Las Nieves Well overlooking the Roque Nublo. Right at this viewpoint we find some stairs that take you to the highest peak in Gran Canaria at 1.956 meters above sea level. Is Morro de La Agujereada. From this viewpoint, especially if there is no fog, you can see Tenerife with Teide as the protagonist. Besides, if you like photography and wear appropriate footwear, you can walk down a short path to the Gañifa Window, another of the natural monuments What to see in Gran Canaria.

Finally, a few minutes by car from the Mirador del Pico de Las Nieves you can also visit some of the island's old snow wells such as Nieve Grande. You find this on the way to the famous forest hut, Another nice place at the summit of Gran Canaria to see.

7. Teror, essential towns to see in Gran Canaria

Another of the towns to see in Gran Canaria essential es Teror. Here highlights the Pine Basilica (1760), where the Virgen del Pino (patroness of Gran Canaria) is located. They also highlight their beautiful, cobbled pedestrian streets and the Canarian balconies of the traditional Canarian houses. Furthermore, here It is celebrated every Sunday one Gran Canaria markets more traditional and frequented by locals. Here you can buy typical products from Gran Canaria and taste the famous chorizo ​​sandwich Teror with cheese. You can get more information about other plans and restaurants in the area in this article about what to see in Teror.

And up to here you would have the list of the places to see in Gran Canaria in 3 days. Now we continue with more plans in case you have 4 days or more or if you want to know everything our island offers so you can choose based on your tastes.

8. Puerto de Mogán and its beach, coastal towns to visit in Gran Canaria

Puerto de Mogán is one of tourist coastal towns to see in Gran Canaria. Here its white houses stand out with colorful touches, its bougainvillea, as well as its marina. In addition, it has a beach, the Mogan beach, with calm waters, highly recommended for families. From here you can see one of the best sunsets in Gran Canaria, give a boat trip with snorkel and enjoy one of the Michelin Star restaurants in Gran Canaria: The Guayres.

It also has a panoramic viewpoint of the entire coast, yes, to get there you have to climb 257 steps. In another article we tell you the essentials what to see in Mogán. But, if you don't have a car, sign up for this excursion through Maspalomas, Puerto de Mogán and Guayadeque from the capital with very good ratings. Besides, We know first-hand the company that carries them out and they are very professional. This activity leaves you 1,5 hours of free time to discover this beautiful fishing village.

Another Essential things to see in Gran Canaria It is its west coast, the most virgin and inaccessible area of ​​the island. The coast of Mogán is the perfect point to connect with the spectacular western highway that connects the south with the north. We share all the stops along the way below, so keep reading as we still have many unique places to recommend.

9. Los Azulejos Mogán, things to do in the south of Gran Canaria

La Source of Los Azulejos and its colorful mountains is another places to visit in Gran Canaria and an essential stop if you are going to make a road trip along the west coast of the island. The Source of Los Azulejos it's a one natural formation caused by the alternation of different types of rocks among which predominates green clay. There is a path that starts from here to the Inagua Comprehensive Nature Reserve, a plan that we recommend only for the winter months and/or after the rains, as there are usually pools of water. There is also usually a fruit juice stand here, although the last few times we visited it was closed.

10. The Village of San Nicolás and the Beach of La Aldea

The next stop on this route along the west coast reaches The Village of San Nicolás and your beautiful beach of La Aldea. Here you can take the opportunity to stretch your legs and walk along its renovated promenade and even take a dip in the pier or snorkel. On the avenue there are also several bars where you can eat or have a drink. Here you can see another contrast in the island's landscapes with a pebble beach and a very sparsely inhabited area. By the way, Next to the beach there is a small pedestrian tunnel that connects La Aldea beach with the pier, ideal for taking a souvenir photo of the area.

11. Mirador del Balcón, one of the most impressive things to see in Gran Canaria

On the road that connects La Aldea with Agaete, you can take a detour to visit one of the most emblematic viewpoints of Gran Canaria to see. Is Balcony Viewpoint, also known as the Mirador del Paso Marinero or Mirador de Andén Verde. From here you can enjoy unique views of the island's rugged coast known as the "Dragon's Tail". On clear days you can also enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Tenerife, beautiful sunsets and starry sky, since it is also an astronomical viewpoint. Of course, it is a windy area, so we warn you that sometimes it can be unpleasant to stay for a long time.

12. Agaete and Puerto de Las Nieves

If only I could choose 10 places to see in Gran Canaria, Agaete and its Puerto de las Nieves would be on my list. After visiting the Mirador del Balcón for a nice road along the coast (although with many curves) you will reach Agaete. This coastal town stands out for its white houses with sailor touches and the cliffs that surround it like the impressive Risco Faneque, one of the highest coastal cliffs in the world (1.027 m). Another curious fact is that One of the main natural monuments of the island was previously located here, the Finger of God. A rock formation shaped like a finger and pointing to the sky. Unfortunately, it was demolished by Storm Delta in 2005. Today we can only see what remains of what many have baptized as "God's stump."

A few meters from the Las Nieves beach You can also walk there Las Salinas natural pools to take a dip. We also recommend taking a walk through the historic center of Agaete and, if you have time, delve into the Valle, one of the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria. Finally, for information purposes, you should know that this area is one of the best for eat fish in Gran Canaria y from where the ferries leave for Tenerife. You can get more information about more plans to do in this municipality in this article: what to see in Agaete.

13. Sardina del Norte Beach, what to see in the north of Gran Canaria

If we continue discovering the northern coast, after leaving Agaete behind, we reach Sardinia del Norte in the municipality of Gáldar, one of the most beautiful beaches what to see in the north of Gran Canaria. It has Blue flag and famous for its seabed, ideal for diving. This is another places to see the sunset in Gran Canaria Due to its orientation towards the west, Tenerife is also usually seen. Here you can't miss the Restaurants in the area with sea views and good fresh fish from the island.

14. Gáldar and the Painted Cave of GáldarWhat to see in northern Gran Canaria

Did you know Gáldar It was the first capital of the island of Gran Canaria? In its historic center you can still see its old theater, casino, market, church, pedestrian streets and, of course, the famous archaeological museum of the Cueva Pintada Gáldar. We have an article about what to see in Gáldar In case you are interested in more information about another of the most beautiful towns to visit in Gran Canaria.

15. El Agujero natural pool, Gáldar

A few minutes by car from the historic center of Gáldar, you can also visit one of the natural pools of Gran Canaria most beautiful. It is the hole beach. Well, it's not really a natural pool, it just has salt water in it. Throughout the Coast of Gáldar We find different pools like this one since the waves in the area are dangerous and the coast is more volcanic.. Here we cannot give you many more names in order to preserve the most hidden corners of the island, but in our beach and pool guide You can find many tips. We hope you can keep the secret.

16. Arucas, city of Rum

If you continue touring the north of the island, you will pass through the municipalities of Moya and Guía, although if you have little time on the island, one has to choose. For us You cannot miss visiting the town of Arucas, mainly known for the spectacular church of San Juan Bautista. Here is also the famous factory rum arehucas that can be visited. The historic center of Arucas is full of beautiful pedestrian streets where you can appreciate the stonework of Arucas, a gray stone from the area and which is the same one that covers the church and that we can see throughout Arucas). Here we tell you more about other places of interest what to see in Arucas.

17. Firgas, the Water Village

Just 10 minutes by car from Arucas you can reach the town of Firgas, known for its water. In fact, in many restaurants you will see Firgas Water. This small town stands out for its Paseo de Gran Canaria and Paseo de Canarias, full of tiles in tribute to each municipality with a central fountain in tribute to water. You can combine this place perfectly with Arucas and In about 15 minutes you will visit the most important parts of the small town. In any case, if you like hiking, from here starts one of the most beautiful routes in hiking in Gran Canaria What does it take you to know the Special Natural Reserve of Azuaje.

And up to this point we could say that you would have another of the itineraries with things to see in Gran Canaria in 4 days or even 5 days, depending on your pace. Now we go with other places of interest for those who have more vacation days and are looking for what to see in Gran Canaria in a week.

18. Tufia Beach, Telde

This is hidden on the coast of Telde the little one Tufia beach, a dark sand cove ideal for diving. In fact, its seabed has been declared a Site of Scientific Interest. Tufia also stands out for the town with maritime details that surrounds it. Right next to it you can take the opportunity to visit Aguadulce beach with golden sand, although it is a windier beach. Something that does not happen in Tufia thanks to the nose that protects it. Of course, keep in mind that planes pass through here, since it is very close to the Gran Canaria airport. In the same way, On this beach there are no bars, no bathrooms, nor is there coverage. We share our article with all the essentials what to see in Telde in case you were looking for places to see in Gran Canaria in 7 days or more.

19. Agüimes, what to visit in Gran Canaria

In the interior of the eastern part of the island we also recommend visiting the town of Agüimes. Its historic center is full of metal sculptures like the one of the camel that we show you in the following photo. At the same time, their cobbled Canarian houses full of color, make it one of the Essential places to see in Gran Canaria.

20. Guayadeque Ravine, Agüimes / Ingenio

El Guayadeque ravine is another places to see on the island of Gran Canaria What we like to recommend the most. We locals love to go on weekends to get in touch with nature and enjoy Canarian food in the famous Guayadeque Caves. Along the Barranco there are 5 restaurants to choose from, although we stayed with Vega and/or La Era. Try to avoid weekends, since it is a plan that, as I told you, locals usually do. If you don't have a car, remember that this excursion through the south of Gran Canaria includes a visit to this beautiful ravine departing from the capital.

21. Ravine Las Vacas

Just a few minutes by car from Agüimes we have the ravine Las Vacas with the most curious formations to see in Gran Canaria: The Colored tuffs. Take a look at the previous link with our advice to keep in mind if you decide to visit this site since it is not worth going just for the Instagram photo. That is, we suggest that you combine it with places like Agüimes or Guayadeque. Our visit here was a little disappointing, but we know that it is a great attraction for many, so we don't want to stop mentioning it to you.

22. Fatigue. Beautiful towns to see in Gran Canaria

Fataga es another beautiful place to visit in the interior of Gran Canaria, although it belongs to the tourist municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. If you are going to stay in the south of Gran Canaria, we recommend that you take your rental car to enjoy a unique landscape with stop at Degollada de Las Yeguas Viewpoint and the Valley of a Thousand Palm Trees.

23. Tamadaba Natural Park

One of the essential places to see in Gran Canaria If you are a nature lover it is the Tamadaba Natural Park. In this protected natural space you will be able to go hiking surrounded by unique species of Gran Canariaand blue finch, great woodpecker, the Tamadaba flycatcher, the fistulera, among others. Also, if you've never seen a canary pine forest, here you will have the opportunity. One of the places of interest in this natural park is the Llanos de La Mimbre Viewpoint. From here you will have the best views of Agaete and Las Nieves Port.

24. Caldera de Bandama, another essential place to see in Gran Canaria

Until now we had not recommended you go through the municipality of Santa Brígida. Here is hidden one of our most beautiful natural resources: the Bandama boiler. It's found next to Pico de Bandama, where there is a viewpoint to appreciate the spectacular views. If you're up for hiking, there is a circular route along the edge of the caldera suitable for children. Then you cannot miss on your visit to Gran Canaria the wine tasting from this area, grown in volcanic gravel or picón (as we call it on the Islands).

25. Güi güi Beach, La Aldea de San Nicolás

La Güi güi beach, Güigüi Guguy is located in the core of the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO), so you can imagine how virgin and paradisiacal these beaches are. The Güigüi Special Natural Reserve is a essential to visit in Gran Canaria for the most adventurous, since to get here you must pass the test of walking a hard path. Gui gui is one of the best places to disconnect, since it has no coverage or services nearby (restaurants, bathrooms, supermarkets, etc.).

Well, these have been our list of the 25 places that visit on the island of Gran Canaria. Thank you very much for coming this far. Keep in mind that it is normal that you will not have time to visit everything if you come for just a few days, so you can always come back. As we see it, the south of Gran Canaria You have to visit it, but the island offers much more. You can't just stay with the touristy areas of Playa del Inglés or the sandy beaches of the Caribbean (artificial beach) of amphi of the sea y Amadores. Each destination must promote its own, its local, its most authentic side and we are here to help you achieve it.

At the same time, we see a clear example of the destruction that has been allowed to occur in Puerto Rico, a nice beach, but surrounded by cement from the coast to the mountains with restaurants that promote junk food and Irish pubs. In any case, we know that many travelers only visit the island to sunbathe and get drunk. With this blog we hope to be able to change this.

What to see in Gran Canaria map

Being a round island, you can go around it to visit its essentials and, at the same time, cross it to discover its interior. We leave you the map with the locations of this top 25 of the most special corners of our island.

What to do with children in Gran Canaria

Si vas a travel to Gran Canaria With children, we recommend that you take a look at this list of activities you can do:

• Theme park Holiday World Maspalomas
• Park of elastic beds Urban Planet Jump
• Camel ride through the Dunes of Maspalomas
• Aquarius Poem of the Sea
• Palmitos Park Zoo
• Maspalomas water park Aqualand
• Crocodile's Park
• Whale Watching, what to do in Puerto Rico
• Valleseco Lagoon
• Elder Museum of Science and Technology
• Angry birds Activity Park

You have more information in our article about what to do with children in Gran Canaria, including beaches recommended for families.

Hotels in Gran Canaria

On the other hand, we recommend that you visit our article on where to stay in Gran Canaria with recommendations of hotels in Gran Canaria to avoid the most touristy areas. We talk to you about rural hotels, 5-star hotels, hotels to go with children, private villas with pools, cave houses, pet-friendly hotels, etc.

If you are going to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, something we recommend, in the area of Las Canteras you have several options to choose from BEST price, since there is more supply. However, our favorites are Cordial Plaza Mayor of Santa Ana, Hotel Suites 1478 and Santa Catalina hotel. Regarding the area south of Gran Canaria, we like the Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa, ideal for enjoying many hours of sunshine, exploring the south and west of the island, as well as dining at its Michelin Star restaurant.

✔ Rent a car in Gran Canaria

Finally, in order to visit Gran Canaria and visit all the places we suggest, the best way to get around is to rent a car as soon as you arrive at the airport. We recommend the search engine Rentalcars.com in which the prices of all the rent a car on the island, including Canarian companies such as Cicar, Top Car and Auto Reisen. Although we always We usually travel with Avis and it has several offices on the island. Gran Canaria airport is just half an hour from Las Palmas and the same from Playa del Inglés.

✔ Weather in Gran Canaria

As we see it, the best time for travel to Gran Canaria runs from October to April. It is when it is cold in the rest of the European countries, as well as in other areas of the northern hemisphere. Meanwhile, in the Canary Islands we will continue with our temperate climate in the coastal areas above 20 degrees all year round. Therefore, the best month to visit Gran Canaria It's any month. However, you should keep the following tips in mind:

• The best weather (sunny and warm) It is on the south coast of the island. Here you will never have less than 15 degrees and during the day the temperatures are between 20 (winter) and 35 degrees (summer) all year round.
• If you are going to visit the mountains and inland towns bring some warm clothes. During the winter months we can have less than 5 degrees in the Roque Nublo or Tejeda.
• De June to August is usually cloudy in the north of Gran Canaria (including Las Palmas city). This is due to the Trade winds. This phenomenon is known as the "Donkey Belly."
• Regarding prices, The most expensive months to visit Gran Canaria in terms of flights and hotels are usually from November to March. You will find the highest room night prices for the end of the year.
• By contrast, the cheapest months They go from after Easter and until the end of June.

✔ Video: what to see in Gran Canaria

Next, we leave you with a video about what for us are the essential places to visit in Gran Canaria in 4 days or even 5. Everything will depend on the number of days you have and your pace, since throughout the video we mention many more plans to do if you had more time. In our YouTube Channel We publish content about our island weekly, you can subscribe in a moment here. Also daily in Instagram @welovegrancanaria.

Gran Canaria travel guides

We hope this blog will help you discover everything What to see and do in Gran Canaria. If you don't have time to read all our articles, Take a look at our guides for get to know the most authentic side of the island on your own and save time when organizing your trip. For example, we have the following guides on places to visit in Gran Canaria already configured for you:

• Guide what to see in Gran Canaria in 2 days
• Guide to Gran Canaria: what to see in 3 days
• Guide to Gran Canaria: what to see in 4 days
• Guide to Gran Canaria: what to see in 5 days
• Guide what to see in Gran Canaria in 7 days
• Guide what to see in Gran Canaria in 10 days

We also have 12 and 14 day itineraries, as well as a guide with 35 things to do in Gran Canaria, a beach guide and a restaurant guide with more than 80 places to eat... You can see them all here.