Gran Canaria is one of seven islands making up the Canary archipelago and is known as 'the small continent' due to its diverse landscape. This paradise island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 130 miles away from the African coast. It is an island of contrasts. Where else can you find stunning beaches, desert dunes, mountains, rich forests, colourful fauna and flora, volcanic craters and a vibrant capital city alongside a stunning coastline? The island is ideal if you enjoy swimming, snorkelling, fishing or sailing or just want to take a dip in the oceans calm emerald waters. This variety of landscapes and microclimates make Gran Canaria a unique holiday destination. Half of Gran Canaria is a Biosphere Reserve, making it the perfect getaway for nature lovers. A few minutes away are the bustling commercial centres, restaurants and museums.
Gran Canaria Accommodation
The spectacular beaches of Gran Canaria are dotted with various accommodation options. There are hotels, apartments and hostels that can accommodate a wide range of budgets, from the cheap to the expensive. Holiday home rentals that have all the amenities of a home away from home offer a great experience for families and big groups. Villas in various parts of the island can be rented for a unique and authentic Canarian experience. There are also campsites for nature lovers who want to completely immerse themselves in the great Canarian outdoor experience.
Top Things to do on Gran Canaria
Experience exciting marine excursions. Gran Canaria is the perfect place to go deep sea fishing, sailing, and riding on glass-bottomed boats or a submarine and scuba diving. There are many wonderful dive sites such as the El Cabrón Marine Reserve, which gained Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) Status in 2001.
Go on safari. One of the best and most exciting ways to explore the inner parts of the island is through jeep safaris. Camel safaris are available in the Maspalomas dunes, and quad safaris are available from Playa del Ingles.
Take helicopter tours. See the stunning views of the Grand Canaria from the air. Helicopters pick up from major resorts.
Visit other islands. Exciting day trips to neighbouring Tenerife Island, where you can marvel at Spain's Mount Teide and its powerful crater.
Go windsurfing. The trade winds and perfect windsurfing conditions throughout the year make Gran Canaria the Mecca for windsurfing. The perfect combination of wind and waves at Pozo Izquierdo is what makes it the ideal venue for the annual World Championship Events.
Las Palmas
Most people generally head to the southern coastline to the familiar beaches of Playa del Inglés, Puerto de Mogán (otherwise known as Little Venice), or Maspalomas, and spend their time swimming in the shallow surf or sun worshipping amongst the sand dunes. However, Gran Canaria is not just about sand and sea. The capital, Las Palmas, is popular with tourists, either for shopping or chilling out on its Las Canteras beach. In the district of Vegueta, there are several historic buildings like the Casa Regental; a 17th century building that is now the residence of the President of Gran Canaria's High Court of Law. Vegueta is the oldest quarter in city and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. Vegueta, like Triana, is an old district that had been turned into Las Palmas' commercial centre, but its main street, Calle Triana, was declared a national historic monument. An oasis in the midst of bustling Las Palmas is Ciudad Jardin with its elegant houses and quaint gardens. Ciudad Jardin's beautiful landscaped park, Parque Doramas, is the highlight of this district with its water features, monuments, cafes and free shows. The chic district of Santa Catalina offers specialty stores, elegant boutiques, and Spain's largest department store, El Corte Ingles. Near the ferry terminal is the impressive Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología, a science and technology museum.
Parks and The Great Outdoors
Aqualand is regarded as the best water park in Gran Canaria with 13 rides and 33 water slides.
Ocean Park, located in the Campo Internacional area of Maspalomas, features 13 water slides
Palmitos Park, a zoological park and subtropical oasis with large exhibits, houses an aquarium simulation of a Pacific tropical reef and a tropical river with piranhas
Located in the Campo Internacional of Maspalomas, Holiday World is a traditional fair with Ferris wheel, rollercoaster and other fun rides.
Sioux City is a Wild West Theme Park complete with a wild west town replica and re-enactments of bank robberies, duels, hangings, and everything Western, plus a small zoo for the children. The park is located in Cañón del Aguila.
Outside of Playa Ingles is Mundo Aborigen, Mundo Aborigen is a reconstruction of a pre-Spanish Canarian Village
Reptilandia Park is home to over 150 species of reptile, including a huge Komodo Dragon.
Eating Out
Though not as complex as other European fare, Canarian cuisine is hearty and greatly satisfies the palate. Most meat and fish are either fried or prepared 'a la plancha', meaning baked on a baking sheet. Heart-warming soups and stews also are commonly served. A rustic old town restaurant that serves good rural food at reasonable prices is Los Hermanos Herrenos, located in Vegueta. In the centre of Santa Catalina, is Casa Pablo, frequented for its French-Basque cuisine, huge portions and reasonable prices. Bar Los Nidilos is famous for its, simple, cheap Canarian dishes served in huge portions with a great ocean view. One of Las Palmas' most popular restaurants is Novillo Precoz, which serves phenomenal meat dishes in big portions at very reasonable prices.
Nightlife
The coastal resorts bars and hotels are all within a short distance of the whitewashed local villages that seek shelter from the sun beneath the island's mountainous interior. The Paraninfo is considered the centre of the surf scene and one of the best bars and discos in Las Palmas. Las Palmas Wilson, a few metres away from Canteras beach, offers something different every day. La Estacion in Parque Santa Catalina is an extraordinary place, a café, pub, bar and disco rolled into one. Disco Treinta y Tanto near Parque Santa Catalina takes visitors back to the 80s. Disco Pick Up is a versatile club that transforms into a dance palace for the young and old alike during weekends. Disco Pacha is easily the hottest club on the harbour, while the Las Brujas is one of the best and unique nightclubs. It is housed in a typical Canarian manor house in one of the rocky and dry canyons, ten minutes away by car from the Old Town of Las Palmas.