Gran Canaria overview
With a winning combination of great weather, good beaches, sophisticated nightlife, interesting history, marvellous scenery, and the equivalent to duty free shopping, Gran Canaria is a great year round holiday destination. Nicknamed a mini-continent, the island has coastline scenes of dramatic cliffs giving way to golden sandy dunes, with rugged mountains, tropical forests and tranquil valleys.
Situated between Tenerife and Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria is the most southerly of the major Canary Islands. It boasts a coastline of more than 230km with more than 50km of golden sandy beaches. The island is formed from a classic volcanic cone with the central mountain range separating the north and south.
Each area offers a number of microclimates and a wide variety of landscapes and with mild temperatures all year round, it is possible to go, in just one day, from warm coastal areas to temperate midlands, or through valleys and subtropical forests to reach the high peaks, where occasionally there are snow falls at the same time that the sun shines brightly on the coast!
Beaches
The temperate climate, warm sea temperatures and clear waters make bathing and water-sports a pleasure the whole year round and the island boasts more than 150 beaches and coves. The main beaches are located along the southern coast with the famous dunes of Maspalomas, a protected nature reserve aping the dunes of the Sahara, covering an area of more than 250 hectares with more than 5km of golden sandy beaches where the dunes meet the ocean.
Deep sea diving is popular on the northern coast and the whole island is popular for sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing and surfing. Deep sea fishing is also popular.
In contrast to Las Palmas, the busy capital, the mountains provide a stark tranquillity with gnarled mountains, sheer cliffs, almond groves and pine forests. Driving is tiring in the mountains as you will rarely change from low gears, but the panoramic views are worth the effort especially near Teror in the north, a village that appears to be ‘floating in the air’. Located at more than 575m, this little village of colonial style houses is surrounded by breath-taking mountains.
Map
Climate
Dry and warm all year round in the resorts although if you venture into the mountains do ensure that you take something warm and waterproof in anticipation of the cooler, damper weather.
Did you know?
Theories abound as to how Gran Canaria came to be named. One claims that the original people of Gran Canaria were in fact Berbers of the Canarii tribe living in what is today Morocco. Canaria became Gran following the tough fight that the islanders put up against the Spanish conquistadores.
Gran Canaria hotels
Gloria Palace San Agustin Thalasso Hotel
Located in the quiet resort of San Agustin, Gloria Palace is within short walking distance of the beach
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace
Situated in an enviable location by the ocean and close to the Maspalomas Golf Club
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Hotel Gloria Palace Amadores
Perched on a cliff top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, offering good access to the bars and restaurants of Puerto Rico
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Hotel Santa Catalina
Hotel Santa Catalina is ideally situated within a sub-tropical garden area os Las Palmas which is known as Cuidad Jardin (The Garden City)
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Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino
Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino is a large resort complex located a few minutes walk from the beach
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Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort
Situated between the sandy beach of Meloneras and golden dunes of Maspalomas
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Melia Tamarindos
With direct access to the peaceful beach of San Agustin and 5km from the famous beach at Playa del Ingles, Melia Tamarindos offers warmth and friendliness
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Parador de Cruz de Tejeda
Owing its name to the impressive 17th century towering stone cross at its entrance, the typically Canarian building which houses Parador de Cruz de Tejeda
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Riu Grand Palace Maspalomas Oasis
Offering an unrivalled position and sensational botanical gardens including some 2,000 palm trees
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Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
Just 200 metres from the sandy beach at Maspalomas and 5 km from the southern resort of Playa del Ingles
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Seaside Palm Beach
Situated beside the famous dunes and golden sandy beach of Maspalomas, and a member of the Seaside Hotels Collection
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Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa
This luxurious retreat enjoys splendid views overlooking the breathtaking greens and fairways of the 27-hole Salobre Golf Course
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Villas Salobre
Villas Salobre is a collection of private villas which have been designed to blend perfectly with the attractive setting of the Salobre valley
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Map
Climate
Dry and warm all year round in the resorts although if you venture into the mountains do ensure that you take something warm and waterproof in anticipation of the cooler, damper weather.
Did you know?
Theories abound as to how Gran Canaria came to be named. One claims that the original people of Gran Canaria were in fact Berbers of the Canarii tribe living in what is today Morocco. Canaria became Gran following the tough fight that the islanders put up against the Spanish conquistadores.
Gran Canaria sightseeing
Las Palmas
Gran Canaria’s vibrant capital and bustling seaport is the largest city in the Canary Islands. The central Parque Santa Catalina is a popular shady square with outdoor cafés and bars and is just a short stroll from the 3km-long beach at Playa de las Canteras.
Music
There is a continuous programme of musical events including a Classical Music Festival, the Alfredo Kraus Opera Festival, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Gran Canaria season of concerts and a Guitar Festival. Additionally, when the World of Music, Arts and Dance (Womad) festival takes place, there are rock, jazz and celtic music festivals, concerts and recitals all over the island. The International Cinema Festival of Las Palmas is also an annual favourite with both locals and visitors.
Maspalomas
A protected natural park encompasses the splendid dunes at Maspalomas including watersports, camel safaris, Palmitos Park: subtropical gardens with exotic birds, and for youngsters, Sioux City, a fun-packed theme park.
Puerto de Mogan
Situated at the end of a verdant valley in the southwest, Puerto de Mogán is a small fishing village with a sandy beach and pretty white houses, where boutiques, bars and restaurants surround a picturesque marina.
The North Coast
The north of Gran Canaria is green and lushand banana plantations are plentiful. Agaete on the northwest coast surrounds a striking rocky bay and boasts delightful Botanical Gardens. Additional gardens, Jardin Canario, are to the southwest of Las Palmas in Tafira, and close-by is Caldera de la Bandama, a volcanic crater 1,000m wide.
Central Highlights
Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior includes spectacular crags, caves, and pretty villages including the charming old towns of Teror, Artenara, and Tejeda. Ramblers will delight in the views from Pico de las Nieves, at 1949m this is Gran Canaria’s highest peak and serious hikers will enjoy the stiff climb to the summit of Roque Nublo at 1,700m.
Map
Climate
Dry and warm all year round in the resorts although if you venture into the mountains do ensure that you take something warm and waterproof in anticipation of the cooler, damper weather.
Did you know?
Theories abound as to how Gran Canaria came to be named. One claims that the original people of Gran Canaria were in fact Berbers of the Canarii tribe living in what is today Morocco. Canaria became Gran following the tough fight that the islanders put up against the Spanish conquistadores.
Gran Canaria cuisine
The cuisine of Gran Canaria is rich and varied and is similar to that of the rest of Spain. A popular favourite is papas arrugadas (potatoes boiled in salt water and served in their jackets) accompanied by mojo picon (spicy sauce) as is puchero (a combination of beef and pork with vegetables, chorizo, potatoes and sweet potatoes).
The regional cuisine also boasts a wide variety of cured cheeses, the most well-known of which are mountain cheeses known as flor (flower), or semi-flor which interestingly has thistle added at the curd stage! Fish, of course, is popular with grouper, parrot-fish and wreck-fish amongst the favourite types used in main dishes as well as in the traditional caldo de pescado (fish soup).
Map
Climate
Dry and warm all year round in the resorts although if you venture into the mountains do ensure that you take something warm and waterproof in anticipation of the cooler, damper weather..
Did you know?
Theories abound as to how Gran Canaria came to be named. One claims that the original people of Gran Canaria were in fact Berbers of the Canarii tribe living in what is today Morocco. Canaria became Gran following the tough fight that the islanders put up against the Spanish conquistadores.
Gran Canaria offers
Gloria Palace San Agustin Thalasso Hotel
Located in the quiet resort of San Agustin, Gloria Palace is within short walking distance of the beach
5 offers
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace
Situated in an enviable location by the ocean and close to the Maspalomas Golf Club
5 offers
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Hotel Gloria Palace Amadores
Perched on a cliff top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, offering good access to the bars and restaurants of Puerto Rico
3 offers
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Hotel Santa Catalina
Hotel Santa Catalina is ideally situated within a sub-tropical garden area os Las Palmas which is known as Cuidad Jardin (The Garden City)
10 offers
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Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino
Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort, Spa & Casino is a large resort complex located a few minutes walk from the beach
7 offers
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Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort
Situated between the sandy beach of Meloneras and golden dunes of Maspalomas
8 offers
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-
Melia Tamarindos
With direct access to the peaceful beach of San Agustin and 5km from the famous beach at Playa del Ingles, Melia Tamarindos offers warmth and friendliness
2 offers
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Parador de Cruz de Tejeda
Owing its name to the impressive 17th century towering stone cross at its entrance, the typically Canarian building which houses Parador de Cruz de Tejeda
5 offers
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-
Riu Grand Palace Maspalomas Oasis
Offering an unrivalled position and sensational botanical gardens including some 2,000 palm trees
3 offers
-
Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
Just 200 metres from the sandy beach at Maspalomas and 5 km from the southern resort of Playa del Ingles
2 offers
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Seaside Palm Beach
Situated beside the famous dunes and golden sandy beach of Maspalomas, and a member of the Seaside Hotels Collection
6 offers
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Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa
This luxurious retreat enjoys splendid views overlooking the breathtaking greens and fairways of the 27-hole Salobre Golf Course
10 offers
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-
Villas Salobre
Villas Salobre is a collection of private villas which have been designed to blend perfectly with the attractive setting of the Salobre valley
4 offers
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-
Map
Climate
Dry and warm all year round in the resorts although if you venture into the mountains do ensure that you take something warm and waterproof in anticipation of the cooler, damper weather.
Did you know?
Theories abound as to how Gran Canaria came to be named. One claims that the original people of Gran Canaria were in fact Berbers of the Canarii tribe living in what is today Morocco. Canaria became Gran following the tough fight that the islanders put up against the Spanish conquistadores.