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Gran Canaria
A round island of dunes, beaches and a mountainous interior, with the lively capital Las Palmas
A round island of dunes, beaches and a mountainous interior, with the lively capital Las Palmas
A volcanic rock pinnacle standing about 80m tall near the island’s highest point. A short, moderately steep path leads to it, with views across to Teide on Tenerife on clear days.
Go early; parking near the trailhead is limited.
Photo: Rvr, CC BY-SA 4.0
The old quarter where Las Palmas was founded in 1478, with Santa Ana Cathedral and the Casa de Colón museum on Columbus’s voyages, which stopped in Gran Canaria in 1492.
Photo: Bengt Nyman, CC BY-SA 4.0
A city beach about 3km long, sheltered by a natural reef (La Barra) that keeps the water calm and good for snorkelling, with a seafront promenade lined with restaurants.
Photo: Bengt Nyman, CC BY 2.0
Tejeda, often called one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, overlooks a vast volcanic caldera. The Risco Caido cultural landscape nearby, with ancient cave dwellings, is a UNESCO site.
Photo: Felix König, CC BY 3.0
Try papas arrugadas with mojo, ropa vieja, grilled cheese with palm honey, fresh fish and almond sweets from Tejeda.
Las Palmas has the best restaurant scene, around Vegueta, Triana and Las Canteras.
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is on the east coast, about 25 minutes from Las Palmas and 30 minutes from Maspalomas. Global buses run across the island, but a hire car is best for the interior. Ferries link Las Palmas and Agaete with the other islands.
The Canary Islands are part of Spain and the Schengen area. EU citizens need only an ID card; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia and many other countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, with biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System. An ETIAS travel authorisation is also due to be introduced. Check current rules before you travel.
Gran Canaria is moderately priced; Las Palmas is good value for food. The islands use the euro. Instead of VAT, they have a lower local sales tax (IGIC, generally 7%), so some goods are cheaper than on the Spanish mainland.
City, mountains and dunes.
Explore Vegueta and Triana, then swim and snorkel at Las Canteras.
Drive to Tejeda, Cruz de Tejeda and Roque Nublo, then down through the mountain villages.
Walk on the Maspalomas dunes and visit the lighthouse and Puerto de Mogán.
Stay on marked paths in the protected Maspalomas dunes and take water.
The north can be cloudy while the south is sunny.
Interior roads are winding; allow extra time.
The Mogán municipality charges a small overnight tourist tax.
Quick answers for planning time in Gran Canaria.
No visa is needed for EU citizens or for UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens for short stays; Schengen rules apply, including the Entry/Exit System.
About 30 minutes south by car or bus.
Yes, for the historic Vegueta quarter, Las Canteras beach and the food.
Yes, a short, moderately steep path of about 1.5km each way leads to the rock.
All year: winters are mild (around 18–21°C by day) and summers warm but rarely very hot, cooled by the trade winds.
Spanish is the language; English and German are widely spoken in resorts.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Canary Islands travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.