It is not a secret that at Villa Gran Canaria, we want to make your life easier! We want to help you enjoy the best Gran Canaria holidays — that is the reason why we want to provide you with all the information about getting around Gran Canaria.
As you probably already know, Gran Canaria is the third-largest island in the Canary Islands.
The island of Gran Canaria has a lot of things to offer, so it has options for nearly every kind of traveller, from beach lovers and hikers or climbers, to water sports lovers. You will find a wide variety of activities suited for all tastes!
The island is known as a miniature continent due to its great range of different landscapes and terrain — so that Gran Canaria was named a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
It goes without saying that there are a lot of things to explore in the island, regardless of where your traveling interests lie.
Are you ready to live this unforgettable experience? Then, you will need to know how to travel around the island. Here below you will find everything you need to know about getting around Gran Canaria, together with some of our tips to enjoy the best holidays in Gran Canaria!
Getting around Gran Canaria
Getting around Gran Canaria by Car
Renting a car is always a good option in Gran Canaria. The island gives our clients the chance to enjoy the main beaches, the amazing cities, the beautiful towns, the impressive mountains or the best shopping areas in just a few minutes by car.
If you want to get to every corner of the island easily, we strongly recommend you to rent a car during your stay. Villa Gran Canaria has agreements with different car rental companies that will offer you competitive prices together with the best service.
Getting around Gran Canaria by bus
Buses are probably the most comfortable way of getting around Gran Canaria. Especially if you want to move between the capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the most touristic towns in the south of the island, such as the famous town of Maspalomas and its popular spots, or the beautiful town of Mogan.
The wide network of inter-urban buses in Gran Canaria — also known as the blue buses — is quite extensive. It counts on over 100 routes which connect approximately every main point on the island. The capital city of Las Palmas has its own and complete city bus network too, but this time, the buses are yellow.
One ride in local buses in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria cost 1.40 euros if you buy the ticket on the bus, preferably with coins. Nevertheless, if you are planning to take the bus more than a couple of times, we strongly recommend you to invest in a 10-ticket card, which price is 8.50 euros. You can buy it at any bus station or at any newsagent.
Getting around Gran Canaria by taxi
Taxis in Gran Canaria are quite cheap and very easy to find, so you can usually catch one easily on the street without the need to call them. They drive with a sign that will either read “libre” — which means “free” in English —, or “ocupado” — which means that it is taken. They are white and have also a green light on the roof of the car to indicate it is available.
Getting around Gran Canaria by bike
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also a favourable city for being explored on two wheels. There are altogether 11 kilometres of bike lanes, together with a lot of companies that offer bike rentals. If you are interested in renting a bike, the best and the easiest way to find a one is to ask at your holiday accommodation in Gran Canaria for the place to rent a bike.
Getting around Gran Canaria by walking
Walking is a fantastic way to discover lovely places in Gran Canaria, specially Las Palmas.
Get lost in the narrow stone streets of its historic quarter of Vegueta, where you will find a lot of cultural places such as museums, or leisure spots like restaurants and bars, as well as a handicraft market on Sundays!
Getting to, around and from Gran Canaria International Airport (Las Palmas Airport)
The best way for getting to, around and from Gran Canaria International Airport — or Las Palmas Airport (LPA) — is definitely by bus. The bus stop is located at the national and international departure terminal. Once you are outside the baggage reclaim area, you have to go up a floor — by escalator or by lift — and then, simply follow the signs.
The bus tickets can be purchased once you are on the bus or at the ticket machine, which is situated at the bus stop. The bus number 60 will take you directly to the “Estacion de Guaguas” — the bus station — at San Telmo, right in the city centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, or at Santa Catalina Station, in the port/beach area, that it stops in this one depends on the timetables.
Regarding service hours, the first service from the airport to Las Palmas leaves at 6:15 am., and the last service leaves at 11:15 pm. The price of this bus is 2.30 euros.
The bus number 66 starts out from the international departures section of the airport and it will take you straight to the main tourist resort of Maspalomas, right next to Meloneras.
The bus stops at these tourist areas in the south — Playa del Ingles, San Agustin, Playa del Aguila, Campo Internacional de Maspalomas and it finishes up in Faro de Maspalomas. The service hours of this bus go from 7:20 am., to around 9 pm. Its price is 4.05 euros.
However, if you are travelling outside of when the bus operates, or if you are carrying very heavy luggage, you can also find taxi stops outside the national/international and local terminals. The price of a ride to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria cost approximately 40 euros.
We hope that you have enjoyed this post about getting around Gran Canaria and that the information has been useful to organize your trip! If you have any doubt or you need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be waiting for you!
