20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN GRAN CANARIA

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The island of Gran Canaria is much more than beaches and sea: this round island hides an interior full of surprises, from white villages to immense dunes that will take you to the desert, from neighborhoods full of history to pre-Hispanic archaeological sites. You can already get an idea that a trip to Gran Canaria will be the most complete. And to help you with the planning, in this post we will tell you the best 20 things to see and do in Gran Canaria.

1. Know the capital of the island: The Gran Canarian palms, a super interesting and pleasant city (not to be confused with the island of La Palma), where to get lost in the charming cobbled streets Vegueta neighborhood (This tour is very interesting), admire the Santa Ana Cathedral or explore the triana neighborhood (among many other things). By the way, Juan and Yani ... I owe you an XD dinner

2. One of the great treasures of the island are the Dunes of Maspalomas, a nature reserve where you will seem to be in the Sahara! It is a protected space where several endemic species live, such as flamingos (there is a lagoon!) Or giant lizards. Near there you can also visit the Maspalomas lighthouse, from 1890 and with a height of 60 meters. It is located at the southern end of the island and is still working today, being one of the oldest lighthouses in use in all the Canary Islands and one of the icons of this island. Today it houses a cultural center in its annex building.

Tip: it is best to visit the dunes at sunrise or sunset, to enjoy the best light. And tip: the entrance is completely free! Of course, please do not do a camel tour: they are a total tourist, always try to be a responsible traveler!

3. Visit the town of Puerto de Mogán, a curious fishing village, with a beautiful harbor, picturesque streets full of white houses and restaurants where you can feast on fresh fish. From here, in addition, there are many boat tours to snorkel and enjoy the island's bars, or even without having to get wet, watching the marine life from a submarine! It is one of the most beautiful villages in Gran Canaria and must stop, and if you go on a Friday when riding and jumble sale, best!

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4. Gran Canaria is home to one of the highest natural monoliths in the world: we talk about Roque Nublo, which measures almost 90 meters (almost na). This place, at 1,813 meters high (the second highest point of the island), has a very important symbolic load for the islanders, and you can see it from the viewpoint next to the parking lot of La Goleta, or approach he after touring a beautiful trekking of 1.5 km. But first it passes through the pretty town of Weaves, in a spectacular natural setting.

5. Do not leave there without also visiting the Cloud Window, a rock that forms an arch of natural stone, so perfect that it seems part of a set. It reminded us a lot of the Arches National Park in the United States. And for photography lovers there will be a big surprise: the arch seems to frame the Roque Nublo. Come on ... photo guaranteed! Of course, the reward is preceded by a small effort, to get there you have to walk through another path 1.5 km born in the Bailico recreational area.

View of Roque Nublo and the Teide in the background

6. Ok, Gran Canaria is not just beaches ... but it is undeniable that it has some Beaches Very pretty where it is impossible to resist a bath. These are the Gran Canaria beaches that you should not miss:

Las Canteras Beach: the urban beach of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
English beach: one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island, in the Maspalomas area, although be prepared to share it with a few more tourists.
Anfi de Mar beach: You'll love it if you like white sand and turquoise waters. Curiosity: the sand was brought from Fuerteventura.
Maspalomas Beach: With those dunes as background, there is no one who resists.
Amadores Beach: an artificial beach but no less beautiful ... in fact it is one of the coolest, with calm, shallow waters and a turquoise impossible to resist.
Güi Güi Beach: in a much more remote location, we talk to you below about it.

7. If the sand gives you a little cosmetics we will not judge you (in fact we understand you perfectly), we have a perfect option for you: swimming in a natural pool. The Agaete Salinas They are a set of saltwater pools made of the same rock, but adapted to easily access and take a bath. Of course, the water is very cold!

8. One of the best viewpoints on the island is the “El Balcón” viewpoint, which is located on the road that goes from Agaete to the Village of San Nicolás. From there, the views of the Ocean are spectacular, and the one known as “Dragon's Tail”, a series of zigzag-shaped cliffs reminiscent of that mythological animal.

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9. Another unmissable viewpoint (and the highest on the island) is the “Peak of the Wells”, Which is located almost 2,000 meters high, in the center of the island. It is one of the best places to see a legendary sunset, especially if there are some clouds, since you will seem to be in a dream to see how the island of Tenerife appears in the background floating in a sea of clouds. On clear days, you can see perfectly the silhouette of the Teide.

10. In Gran Canaria, the Carnival since 1521! In 2017, a festival of tourist interest was declared and every year it gathers thousands of people through the streets of Las Palmas to enjoy the murgas, the batucadas and the election of the Carnival Queen and the Drag Queen of the Carnival. Curiosity: this contest was the first of its kind, opened in 1998 and since then it has been replicated in numerous carnivals around the world.

Dunes in front of Maspalomas Beach

Tired? There are still 10 things to see and do in Gran Canaria!

11. The Archaeological Park of Maipés It is one of the places that indicate that the island was inhabited by aborigines long before the arrival of the Spaniards. In this archaeological site you can see the remains of some 700 graves over 1,000 years old. Curiosity: the maipés It is a volcanic wash that allowed the conservation of this necropolis. The ticket is worth € 3.

12. Another indication of the existence of native Canaries is found in the Painted Cave, where you can see some paintings Pre-Hispanic with geometric patterns. The mystery that hides this place has not yet been deciphered, the researchers believe it could represent the room where political and / or religious acts were taking place. The entrance to the cave and a museum costs € 6.

13. Enjoy the extraordinary cuisine of the island It is one of the most important things to do in Gran Canaria. As in the rest of the archipelago, here you eat vice. Watercress soup, wrinkled potatoes with picón and green mojo, adobo pig or canary stew, are just some of the typical Canarian dishes that you have to put in that mountain body before you leave.

14. And at the end of the meal, try a shot (or two) of honey Ron, how delicious it is! In my travels in the Canary Islands with my old job I caught the tradition of bringing a bottle to Rober. If you want to know more about the production of Canary rum you have to visit the town of Arucaswhere is the famous Arehucas distillery which offers guided tours (and tastings, of course). More information. In Arucas it is also mandatory to get to know the spectacular Church of San Juan Bautista, one of the symbols of the island.

15. Although the most beloved church is possibly the Basilica Our Lady of the Pine, in the town of Teror, since it houses nothing more and nothing less than the Virgen del Pino, the patron of the Canary Islands. By the way, the town is a real gem, with narrow streets of colorful houses, with the typical Canarian balconies. Do not miss a stop here on your trip through Gran Canaria.

Streets of the beautiful town of Teror

16. There are lots of trekking and hiking options on the island. One of the most beautiful walks you can do in Gran Canaria is the one that will take you to the virgin beach of Güi Güi. It is only recommended for those who are in good shape since you have to travel about 5km with some quite chunguillos stretches, leaving from the town of Tasartico. If you do, the reward will be unpayable: that of Güi-Güi is one of the most beautiful beaches in Gran Canaria. But there is a shortcut for the bums: you can agree with a Tasartico fisherman to take you and bring you, or take an excursion to see dolphins that includes a stop at the beach (ok, it's a trap, but it's very comfortable!).

17. Ok, it may not be as impressive as Iceland's geysers (it definitely isn't) but the Bufadero de la Garita It could well be your Canarian cousin, and it is certainly a curious place to see in Gran Canaria. What exactly? It is a set of marine rocks that, thanks to a cavity, expel water that is shot out.

18. Did you know that Gran Canaria has endless SPAs, spas, thalassotherapy centers and places to take care of yourself and give yourself a whim? One of the best rated is the Thalasso Gloria Amadores, in Maspalomas, where there are heated seawater swimming pools (with ocean views) and 2-hour sessions of thalassotherapy for about € 24 euros. You can book it here.

19. Thanks to fashion fashions thanks to Instagram (or because of Instagram?) Canyon of the Cows It's getting super famous. The reason? There is a stretch that seems taken from the very West of the United States: that seems the Antelope Canyon! The route is short but the spectacle is immense: the water, with its strength and erosion, has created walls full of curves that are the paradise of every photographer!

The only negative point is that the access is somewhat messy since to get to the canyon you will have to park on the road that goes from Agüimes and Temisas. If you search on Google “Tobas De Colores del Barranco De Las Vacas” you will see the exact address. In the immediate vicinity of the beginning of the road there is a small space only for two cars (early morning or pray for luck!) And from there in 5 minutes you will reach the canyon (although there are circular routes of 6-7 km). If there is no place available, a little further on there is another “parking lot” with more spaces. Tip: visit it in the morning, when the light is prettier!

20. Follow exploring the Canary Islands If you have more time. You can make an excursion to Tenerife or Fuerteventura (the two closest islands) although we also recommend you to know Lanzarote, one of the most spectacular islands of the archipelago. Tip: avoid one-day tours, all those islands deserve several days of time. To go compare flights in Skyscanner or by boat in DirectFerries.