Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands and is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday. These are the best things to do in Gran Canaria.
About Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands which you can find in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Morocco. The archipelago belongs to Spain. Gran Canaria is a popular tourist destination. This is because the island has a lot to offer: untouched nature with green ravines, authentic villages, and many beautiful beaches. In addition, the weather is pleasant all year round. As you can see, a Gran Canaria vacation is always a good idea!
The best things to do in Gran Canaria
What to do in Gran Canaria? These are the most beautiful sights in Gran Canaria.
Visit the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and also one of the largest cities in Spain. It is great fun to spend a day in this city because there is plenty to see and do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A few of the highlights:
- The great cathedral from the sixteenth century, climb to the top for a great view.
- Casa Colon, the home of the world famous explorer Christopher Columbus.
- The cathedral is located on Plaza Santa Ana, a beautiful square full of palm trees.
Go for a hike around Roque Nublo
In the center of the island, you will find beautiful untouched nature. There are several viewpoints and many beautiful hiking trails. One of the most beautiful places to go hiking is in the area of Roque Nublo. This is a 67-meter tall monolith and it stands in the center of the island. There are many beautiful hiking trails around Roque Nublo the view in some places is beautiful.
At Roque Noble, there is also a viewpoint. When the sky is clear, you can see the volcano El Teide on Tenerife from here.
Explore the Dunas de Maspalomas
At the very south of Gran Canaria, you will find the Dunas de Maspalomas, which looks like some kind of mini Sahara. It’s quite large and you’ll see sand dunes everywhere you look. In some places, it feels like you’re all alone in the desert. It is, therefore, an amazing place to discover and you can take some beautiful pictures.
Photo: Quinten Braem | Unsplash
TIP! If you’re looking for a luxury trip in Gran Canaria, Maspalomas is the place to be. There are many great upscale resort hotels to find in this area.
Discover the beautiful town of Teror
There are many beautiful towns and villages in Gran Canaria, but many consider the village of Teror to be the prettiest of them all. It is also one of the oldest towns in the Canary Islands. The story goes that Mary appeared on a branch of a pine tree in 1481, which is why you will find several important religious buildings in the town. In addition, the (wooden) balconies on the colorful houses are also a beautiful sight.
The town is located in a photogenic region since it is surrounded by green mountains. A beautiful place to spend a day.
Photo: Marc Tiedemann | Unsplash
Wander through Puerto De Mogán
Puerto De Mogán is my personal favorite in this list of best things to do in Gran Canaria. It’s such a lovely town! White houses with brightly colored edges, a beautiful harbor, and there are flowers everywhere. Bring your camera, because you want to take at least 100 pictures in this gorgeous place.
Visit the ravine Barranco de las Vacas
Do you fancy some adventure? Then visiting Barranco de las Vacas is a must. This canyon is somewhat reminiscent of the famous Antelope Canyon in Page (Arizona, US) and is not yet well known. Going for a walk through the canyon is a must, it’s absolutely gorgeous. And here again, don’t forget your camera, because you’ll want to capture this.
Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo: the largest botanical garden in Spain
Do you want to learn more about the flora and fauna of the Canary Islands? Then it is recommended to visit Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo. You will find this large botanical garden about seven kilometers southwest of the capital Las Palmas. In the garden, you can see various (huge) cacti, but also many succulents and a laurel forest. A very nice place to stroll around for an afternoon.
Discover the most beautiful beaches
Gran Canaria is known as a beach destination and you can enjoy the most beautiful beaches all year round. The most beautiful beaches can be found in the south, at Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, and Mogán.
Go dolphin & whale watching
On Gran Canaria, you can do various fun tours and activities, like buggy tours and parasailing. One of the best things to do in Gran Canaria is to go on a boat tour, where you have the chance to spot dolphins and you might even see whales! Such an experience will make your Gran Canaria vacation unforgettable.
Photo: Jonas Von Werne | Unsplash
Book a trip to Gran Canaria
Are you excited to book a trip to Gran Canaria? These are some useful websites to book that amazing vacation:
- Check Skyscanner for the cheapest flights to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport (LPA).
- Check Booking.com for beautiful hotels or apartments (most of them have a swimming pool!)
- You can travel around Gran Canaria itself by bus, but of course, it’s always easier to get around with a rental car. Especially if you’d like to see all the best Gran Canaria sights. Check Rental Cars or Discover Cars for the best deals on car rental.
- Would you like to go on a fun day trip or are you looking for fun activities? Make sure to check Get Your Guide.
Discover more beautiful places in Gran Canaria and Spain
Did you feel like you need to learn more about Gran Canaria after reading this article? These travel guides can help you discover more beautiful places on the island.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Gran Canaria
In addition, you can also find more information about other beautiful places in Spain on this website. For example, also read these articles:
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