Canary Islands · Spain

Gran Canaria

The round island of the Ilhas Canárias, with Las Palmas and the beach of Las Canteras, the colonial neighborhood of Vegueta, the Roque Nublo in the mountains and the dunes of Maspalomas in the south.

Islands

In the photo: Dunas de Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Gran Canaria is the third-largest of the Ilhas Canárias, in the Atlantic, about 200 km from the coast of Africa. The island is almost round, about 50 km in diameter, and because it has very varied landscapes in a small area it is called a continent in miniature: beaches and dunes in the south, green valleys in the north, pine forests and volcanic mountains in the center, where the Roque Nublo rises above the caldeira of Tejeda. Half the island is a Reserva da Biosfera da UNESCO.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital, is the largest city of the Ilhas Canárias and shares with Santa Cruz de Tenerife the seat of the archipelago's government. It was founded in 1478, and the Vegueta neighborhood preserves the colonial center, with the Catedral de Santa Ana and the Casa de Colón, where, according to tradition, Christopher Columbus stayed in 1492 on his way to the Americas. On the other side of the city, the beach of Las Canteras, with light sand and protected by a reef, has about 3 km of promenade.

The south of the island, with Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, concentrates the beach hotels, next to the golden sand dunes that slope down to the sea. Between them, inland villages like Teror and Tejeda have Canarian houses with wooden balconies.

Flights from Madri take about 2h45.

This destination brings together 1 city: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Gran Canaria is

Outlines: IGN/CNIG, unidades administrativas, CC BY 4.0. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Gran Canaria

✈ Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria (LPA), in Telde · 18 km to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Check before buying. Gran Canaria airport is located between Las Palmas and the south, 18 km from the capital, with flights from Madri, Barcelona and from Europe. From Madri the flight takes about 2h45. Ferries link Las Palmas and Agaete to Tenerife.

Canárias · Gran Canaria Capital

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the largest city of the Ilhas Canárias and shares with Santa Cruz de Tenerife the seat of the archipelago's government. The Vegueta neighborhood preserves the colonial center, with the Catedral de Santa Ana, the Casa de Colón and the Museu Canário. On the other side, the urban beach of Las Canteras has about 3 km of light sand protected by a reef.

The local experience

Things to do in Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Historic neighborhood

Vegueta

Founding neighborhood of Las Palmas, from 1478, with stone streets, colonial houses with wooden balconies, the cathedral, the Casa de Colón, the Museu Canário and the market.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Cathedral

Cathedral of Santa Ana

Catedral de Las Palmas, begun in 1500 and completed in the 19th century, with a Gothic interior of palm-shaped columns, a neoclassical façade and a tower with an elevator and viewpoint.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Museum

Casa de Colón

Former house of the island's governors, in Vegueta, where according to tradition Columbus stayed in 1492, today a museum about voyages to America, with courtyards and Gothic portals.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Museum

El Museo Canario

Archaeology museum founded in 1879 in Vegueta, with a collection about the ancient Canarians, such as pintaderas, ceramics, mummies and a room with hundreds of skulls.

See 6 more places in Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Beach

Las Canteras Beach

Urban beach of about 3 km of light sand on the isthmus of Las Palmas, protected by the La Barra reef, with a promenade, restaurants and snorkeling.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Garden

Canary Islands Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo)

Botanical garden of Canarian flora in Tafira, 8 km from the center, opened in 1959 on a barranco slope, with dragon trees, cardones, laurel forest and Canary Island palms.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Mountain

Roque Nublo

Monolith of volcanic rock about 80 meters high on the highlands of Gran Canaria, at 1,813 meters altitude, symbol of the island, reached by a short trail.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Beach

Maspalomas Dunes

Natural reserve of golden sand dunes in the south of the island, covering about 400 hectares between Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas lighthouse, including a palm grove and the lagoon La Charca.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · Historic village

Teror

Inland village 20 km from Las Palmas, with Canarian houses featuring wooden balconies, the Basilica of the Virgen del Pino, the island's patron saint, and a Sunday market.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Canary Islands · House museum

Pérez Galdós House‑Museum

Birthplace of the writer Benito Pérez Galdós, in Triana, with a Canarian courtyard, furniture, personal items and manuscripts by the author of Fortunata y Jacinta and the Episodios Nacionales.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Gran Canaria usually has mild weather year-round, with sun more frequent in the south than in Las Palmas, where low clouds are common in summer. From October to April the south receives many Europeans escaping the winter. The Las Palmas carnival is usually in February or March. In the mountains it is cold in winter.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days in Las Palmas cover Vegueta, the cathedral, the Casa de Colón, the Museu Canário and Las Canteras. One day for the island's center, with Roque Nublo and Tejeda, and another for Maspalomas. With five to seven days you can add Teror, Agaete and beach days.

Which city to stay in

In Las Palmas, the Las Canteras area is the most sought-after, with beachfront hotels, restaurants and buses to the historic center; Vegueta and Triana are close to museums and shopping streets. In the south, Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés have beach resorts and more sunshine. Those wanting mountains can stay in rural houses in Tejeda or Santa Brígida, with cool nights and clear skies.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Gran Canaria

Do I need a car in Gran Canaria?

For Las Palmas and the south, no: the guaguas, the Canary buses, connect the capital to the airport and to Maspalomas frequently. For Roque Nublo, Tejeda and the inland villages, a car is very helpful.

Las Palmas or Maspalomas: where to stay?

Las Palmas has city life, museums and the beach of Las Canteras. Maspalomas has resorts, dunes and more sun. Many split their stay between the two.

How to go from Gran Canaria to Tenerife?

By ferry, from Las Palmas or Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in about 1h20 to 2 hours, or by plane in about 30 minutes.

Is it hot in Gran Canaria in winter?

Winter is usually mild, with sunny days in the south and pleasant temperatures for the beach. In the mountains in the center it is cold.

What to eat in Gran Canaria?

Papas arrugadas with mojo, island cheeses such as flor de Guía, grilled fish, gofio and bienmesabe, an almond sweet.

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Gran Canaria

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.