Gran Canaria offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. One of the main draws of the island is its stunning beaches. From the bustling Playa del Inglés to the more secluded Maspalomas, there are plenty of options to relax, sunbathe, and swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Water sports enthusiasts can also indulge in activities like surfing, windsurfing, and diving in popular spots such as Las Canteras and Puerto de Mogán.
Aside from its beautiful coastline, Gran Canaria is renowned for its diverse landscapes. The island is home to stunning natural wonders like the dramatic cliffs of Puerto de Mogán, the rugged mountains of Roque Nublo, and the lush forests of Doramas Rural Park. Hiking and biking trails are abundant, allowing visitors to explore the island's unique flora and fauna.
Culture and history enthusiasts will be fascinated by Gran Canaria's rich heritage. The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria boasts historical sites like the grand Cathedral of Santa Ana and the Casa de Colón, a museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus. The picturesque towns of Teror and Arucas are also worth a visit, with their charming colonial architecture and scenic plazas.
For those seeking entertainment and nightlife, Gran Canaria doesn't disappoint. The island is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, particularly in popular areas like Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico. Visitors can enjoy a variety of bars, clubs, and live music venues, ensuring there is always something happening after the sun goes down.
In summary, Gran Canaria offers a diverse range of activities and sights to satisfy all types of travelers. From its stunning beaches to its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, there is something for everyone to enjoy on this beautiful island.
Did you know that the days in Gran Canaria are long and sunny with mild temperatures and few variations? In fact, Gran Canaria is one of the regions in Europe with more hours of sunlight – over 3,000.
Its geographical location also favours long days that are full of sunlight all year round. In winter, the sun rises at 7:30am and sets at 6:30pm; in summer it’s sunrise at 7:00am and sunset at 8:30pm.
Have you already decided that you want to spend your next holiday on the beautiful island of Gran Canaria and you need a holiday rental? Gran Canaria is an island with a huge offer of accommodation of all kinds and for all tastes.
A villa is probably the best option for those looking for maximum privacy. At VillaGranCanaria we are experts in renting villas of all types:
Those who prefer to stay in a holiday flat are generally looking to spend more time outside than inside. Even so, at VillaGranCanaria we have great alternatives:
One of the most popular options on the market are bungalows. Fortunately, at VillaGranCanaria we have the best bungalows on the island at your disposal:
Nature lovers are in luck because this island has spectacular natural landscapes. Discover them by staying in the rural houses of VillaGranCanaria:
If you're thinking of a holiday rental in Gran Canaria, mark your calendar because this beautiful island is more than just sun, beach and spectacular scenery. Not for nothing is it known as the miniature continent.
Being one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain, it is not surprising that most of the tourists who decide to book their holidays in Gran Canaria do so attracted by its dream beaches. And the closest places to enjoy the island's coastline to the full are Salobre Golf, Maspalomas, Meloneras or Pasito Blanco, among others.
However, more and more people are visiting this destination for rural tourism, hiking, water sports or cycling, and to discover fascinating places such as Roque Nublo, Roque Bentayga or Pico de las Nieves. Be sure to discover charming villages such as Tejeda, San Mateo, Teror, Arucas, Gáldar and Agaete, among others.
The island's capital, a cosmopolitan city open to the sea, is Gran Canaria's main cultural, commercial and leisure attraction. Here you will find everything: shopping centres, museums, restaurants, the kilometre-long and impressive Las Canteras beach, the majestic Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, the historic Cathedral of Santa Ana... the list goes on and on!
The best way to travel to Gran Canaria is by air to the Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), which is located around the middle of the east coast of the island. It is situated more or less at the same distance (about 25 kilometres) from the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the southern part, a true sunny paradise.
No matter the location of your Gran Canaria holiday home, it will likely be accessible by transportation from the airport. Buses, coaches and taxis are all available for you to bring you to your destination. Rental cars are also available at the airport, which ensure a quicker and more comfortable journey.
The local cuisine of the Canary Islands comprises a variety of fresh vegetables and a mix of seafood and meat. This gastronomy is influenced by many cultures, most prevalently Spanish, North African, Latin American and even historical aboriginal themes also influence the vibrant local dishes.
We encourage you to choose from the large variety of traditional restaurants called bochinches or guachinches throughout the island if a true Canarian culinary experience is what you are after. Nevertheless, there are plenty of restaurants where international gastronomy can be found.
For a different and fun family holiday, there is nothing better than a visit to Gran Canaria. The island has everything the little ones need to have a great time: water parks, theme parks, amusement parks, outdoor activities, zoos, aquariums and the chance to live unforgettable experiences and adventures in places where fun for young and old is always guaranteed.
Although all the water parks are ideal for having a great time, spending a day at Aqualand Maspalomas or Lago Taurito (100% salt water) is an unforgettable experience not to be missed if you are travelling to Gran Canaria with children.
Children always have a great time at theme parks. It's a safe bet. And in Gran Canaria there are two of the best: Sioux City Park (where they will feel like a western sheriff) and GrancAventura (a different adventure park...).
The classic amusement parks are also a great attraction for children. Here you will find two spectacular ones: Angry Birds Activity Park (for action-packed fun) and Holidayworld Maspalomas (with countless attractions, bowling, escape room, karaoke...).
Gran Canaria also has zoos and aquariums where you can discover all kinds of exotic animals up close: Palmitos Park (with a large number of birds, plants, reptiles, mammals...) and Poema del Mar (with three well-differentiated areas and thousands of marine species).
Gran Canaria is famous for its magnificent beaches of fine sand and crystal-clear waters, but also offers much more than sun and sand. Its lush forests, mountains, trails, ravines, beaches, reefs and clean skies are some of the natural spaces in Gran Canaria that invite you to do active tourism, without forgetting relaxation, fun and adventure. Some of the most practiced sports on the island are:
Gran Canaria provides fully equipped infrastructures and top-class courses adapted for all handicaps designed by world champions and reputed architects like Salobre Golf. The climate here means you can enjoy golf all year round to focus on your game and disconnect from it all. And after a few swings, there’s practically no better plan than to spend a while relaxing on the beach, for professionals and amateurs alike.
Gran Canaria has a huge variety of ideal routes for road cycling, with paved tracks and roads with slopes and gradients that cross volcanic passes posing a great challenge for cyclists of all levels. The unchanging temperatures throughout the year and the low rainfall enable you to go cycling every day of the year.
The sea around the island allows for many water sports to be practiced, like the following ones:
Of course, apart from sea sports there are lots of mountain sports you can do on the island:
Theatre, dance, concerts and plastic arts go hand in hand in the island's cultural agenda.
In the Museo Néstor, named after the local artist Néstor de la Torre, you can see his portraits and most important works. It is located in the Pueblo Canario, in the capital of Gran Canaria.
The Casa de Colón, located in the Vegueta district of the historic quarter of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the best option for discovering the island's relationship with the American continent and what oceanic voyages were like.
Nearby, the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM or Atlantic Centre of Modern Art) is the archipelago's leading contemporary art museum. Highly recommended for those looking for a different kind of museum.
What were the ancient Canarians like and how did they live? The answer to these and many more questions can be found at the Museo Canario in Las Palmas. Its large collection of aboriginal mummies will leave you speechless.
The Elder Museum of Science and Technology has one rule that everyone who enters the museum must obey: it is strictly forbidden not to touch. Young and old alike will have a great time in a 100% interactive museum.
If nightlife is your thing, Gran Canaria is the place to go, with a vibrant and fun atmosphere throughout the cities on the island. Choose from a range of pubs, bars, clubs and discos, in cities like Las Palmas, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Meloneras.
In fact, in certain areas the island seems to never sleep, and parties deep into the night. If you are looking for a quieter atmosphere, skip the clubs and check out the numerous stylish bars, cafés and casinos throughout the cities on the island.
On an island that offers as much to the visitor as Gran Canaria, you should not miss the most attractive places on the island:
Located on the south coast of the island, the dunes of Maspalomas were formed from ocean sand during the Ice Age and are now a nature reserve.
The Roque Nublo, located in Tejeda and 67 metres high, was formed by a volcanic eruption millions of years ago and was used by the ancient Canarians for rituals.
This urban beach is one of the best in Gran Canaria. It is almost 4 kilometres long and is protected by La Barra, a rock formation with abundant marine life.
With its narrow cobbled streets, this old part of Las Palmas transports visitors back to the 15th century, with beautiful buildings, galleries and museums steeped in history.
The canals that link the marina with the fishing port gave the town its name of Little Venice. It is a place to enjoy fresh fish on a daily basis.