Gran Canaria is the perfect place to spend the winter in Europe. It is not expensive here yet, great climate, delicious food, beautiful beaches, mountains with hiking trails to rivers and secret waterfalls, and a huge number of the digital nomads.
We prefer to stay in Las Palmas (the capital of Gran Canaria). It has all the necessary urban infrastructure, with a gorgeous beach and a large number of activities.
If you cone to the island, I highly recommend these places to eat: 11 best places to eat in Las Palmas and Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas is cool, but it doesn’t hurt to explore the island either. Almost all interesting places on the island can be easily reached by the Guaguas bus, but it will be more convenient to rent a car.
Rent a car in Gran Canaria
In the Canaries there are two local companies with inexpensive car rentals: Cicar and Cabrera Medina. A car (automatic) with full insurance cost us 30 euros per day. This despite the fact that the driver (me) was only 22 years old. Typically, companies ask to pay extra if you are under 25.
If you plan the trip around the island – follow the link below. I have made 2 nice 1-day itineraries.
Top-9 places to visit in Gran Canaria
1. Las canteras beach
This is my favorite place on the island. Where I advise to stay during your vacation. An apartment on Airbnb a block from the beach cost us about 250 euros per week.
Las Canteras Beach with its promenade is the most beautiful place in Las Palmas. Imagine a long promenade, a beautiful beach with waves, cafes with ocean views. Where you will have a delicious breakfast with the best view.
Read also: Best places to eat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
2. Vegueta
Historic center of Las Palmas. I advise you to get out here for half a day, walk along the streets with colonial buildings. The architecture in the center is very different from the beach, even though there are only 15 minutes by bus between these locations.
This pic is taken from that blog.
So it was about the city, now let’s travel around the island.
In this article, I wrote out all the interesting places of the island. At the request of friends, I also compiled 2 itineraries for a one-day trip around Gran Canaria.
3. Agaete Puerto De Las Nieves
Agaete is a small village with white houses. The village itself is not that interesting as its surroundings.
- Take a day-trip to El Risco waterfall, Charco Azul natural pool;
- And El Risco black sand beach with amazing view.
You will nee this guide: How to get to Charco Azul waterfall and black sand beach in Gran Canaria?
4. Mirador del Balcon
This is a viewpoint made in the form of a balcony. It is located right on a cliff overlooking the ocean. There are several parking spaces near the balcony.
5. Roque Nublo
Roque Nublo — 80-meter rock of volcanic origin. It is also called “rock in the clouds.”
How to Get to Roque Nublo? – Everything is simple. Tap the Roque Nublo in the car navigator and it will lead you to the parking lot. After that, you need to walk 30 minutes (1.5 km) along the path.
6. Pico de las Nieves
In my opinion this is the best place in mountains for the Roque Nublo view. You should come here for the sunset.
Before or after the visit to the viewpoint you can visit the mountain restaurant with the traditional Canarian food – Asador de Yollanda.
If you made it to the viewpoint I recommend to make a 10 min path and find the La Ventana del Nublo.
If you’re interested in this attraction and plan to visit it, you may read this article: Hike to La Ventana del Nublo in Gran Canaria.
7. Dunes of Maspalomas
If you want to admire the real sand dunes, but fly far to Africa, then you are in Maspalomas. The sand on the sand dunes of Maspalomas is brought directly from the Sahara. Since the island is located opposite the famous desert.
Thedunes are constantly in motion, depending on the wind and weather. So in different months, at different points in the park, there are more or less dunes. Climbing the dunes is a great adventure.
8. Meloneras
A small but very picteresque promenade on the South of the island. Here you will find good restaurants and a lighthouse. If you plan to go to Maspalomas, I recommend to have a dinner in one of the restaurants in Meloneras.
9. Caldera de Bandama
Caldera de Bandama is the crater of an ancient volcano. Its age is 5000 years. And this is the largest volcano on the island. You can go down to the crater, there are several hiking trails. Previously, grapes were grown directly in the crater, so when you walk you will see caves with storing grain and grapes.
You can see the Caldera Bandama from above, from the top of the Pico de Bandama. The municipality of Santa Brigida has developed a special walking route for tourists who want to get to know the crater closer.
How to get to Caldera de Bandama? It can be reached by bus. A bus number 311 runs from Las Palmas to the volcano. If you are traveling by car, you need to put in the navigator “Caldera de Bandama”, leave the car in the parking lot and follow the signs.
10. Puerto De Mogan
A picturesque Mediterranean-style town in the south of the island. You need to go here for half a day to wander through the narrow streets with bright houses buried in flowers, to sit in a restaurant overlooking the sea.
11. Teror
It’s a small authentic city hidden in the mountains.
12. Anfi Del Mar
White sand beach on the South. The sand here is brought from the Caribbean islands. Before coming here you have to know that the beach is beautiful, but small and can be overcrowded.
13. Secret beach Playa de Gui-Gui
Gui-gui can really be called a secret beach. It is very beautiful, absolutely virgin and not spoiled by tourists. The beach is located in the southwest of the Gran-Canaria island between two mountains.
Read also: How to get to the secret beach Gui-Gui in Gran-Canaria.
Read also: Follow the link to read all my articles about Spain
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