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Spain > Gran Canaria

Overview

The third largest but most developed of the seven islands in the Spanish-administered Canary archipelago, Gran Canaria has been billed as a miniature continent because of the variety of climates and landscapes it offers. From the big city bustle of the capital, Las Palmas, to the southern desert, mountainous interior and lush, northern woodlands, the destination has lots to offer at any time of year.

The Canary Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 125 miles (200km) from the African coast and almost 800 miles (1,280km) from the closest European port of Cadiz. Gran Canaria is almost circular, with a diameter of about 32 miles (50km), and is characterised by deep ravines that spread from the centre down to the coast.

The north of the island is humid and lush, with green valleys and volcanic craters, while the south is arid and desert-like, with vast stretches of sandy beach. The interior of Gran Canaria has steep highlands dotted with small villages, sporting white houses with red roofs, banana plantations and orchards bursting with tropical fruits.

Tourists generally favour the southern coastline, and flock to the well-known beaches of Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas, where the sea washes soft sands and empty dunes stretch for miles. The capital, Las Palmas, lies on the northeast tip of the island, between two long beaches, Las Caletas and Alcaravaneras.

Nightlife

The fun, energetic nightlife in Gran Canaria includes nightclubs, foam parties, karaoke, casinos and cabarets, and is mostly found around Playa del Ingles. Here, the Kasbah Centre is brimming with pubs and clubs, which are open until the early hours.

If travellers are looking for a gay party scene, they should head to the Yumbo centre. Entrance to most nightclubs is free but drinks and cocktails can be expensive. The capital city also has a great nightlife. Las Palmas' Plaza de Espana, in the Mesa y Lopez district, has pulsating clubs and bars that are open until very late, as well as live bands, jazz bars, pubs, discos and a casino.

The Maspalomas Plaza is great if visitors are looking for a couple of relaxing pints in a bar, and Puerto Rico is one of Gran Canaria's hottest resorts after dark. Playa del Cura is a fantastic location for a mellower evening out and, although there is a club in Puerto Morgan, most of the evening entertainment is distinctly low-key in comparison to its neighbouring resorts.

Shopping

Gran Canaria has a wide range of shopping opportunities for visitors and, apart from the regular souvenir shops and tourist tat, there's a fine choice of shops and boutiques in just about every town and resort. The Canary Islands enjoy duty-free shopping and Gran Canaria caters well to tourists. The Yumbo and Kasbah centres in Playa del Ingles and Centro Civicoin Puerto Rico are great for buying almost anything, while electrical shops, photographic equipment and imitation designer wear stalls abound.

The Faro 2 Complex in Maspolamas is the place to go for designer boutiques, jewellery, perfumes and designer wear, while the 13-storey El Corte Ingles in Las Palmas is Spain's largest national department store and the Las Arenas Mall in Las Canteras is a favourite with tourists. Puerto Morgan's souvenir shops are more arty-crafty and sell less junk than the usual stores dotted around the island's resorts, but everything from fresh fruits and produce to clothing and football shirts can be picked up at the Friday morning market in town. Perhaps the largest street market in Gran Canaria, and a must for shopaholics, is held every Tuesday and lies in the south coast town of Arguineguin. Popular souvenirs and gifts include banana-leaf baskets, pottery, embroidered goods and felt hats.

Sightseeing & Attractions

Sightseeing

Gran Canaria has a plethora of fantastic attractions that will appeal to all kinds of travellers. Tourists visit mainly to enjoy the resorts and beautiful beaches, but there's a lot to enjoy besides sun, sand and sea.

Animal lovers should head to Palmitos Park, Reptilandia and Parue de los Cocodrilo to engage with all sorts of creatures, while culture lovers should stop at the Museo Canario in Las Palmas to admire the world's largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls. The Casa de Colon, a historic old house that's now a sort of maritime museum, is worth seeing as well. For something completely different, visitors should try Sioux City in San Agustín for a wild-west day out, while the historic town of Arucas remains a popular tourist attraction.

Getting around Gran Canaria to explore the varied landscapes and various towns and resorts is easy, as plenty of cheap, metered taxis are available. Grand Canaria also has reliable and efficient bus services that operate around the resorts and to all the main towns on the island; there's nowhere on the island that takes much longer than an hour to get to by bus. Local car rental companies have offices in all the main resorts for those who prefer to explore independently.

Kids Attractions

Gran Canaria has many fantastic family attractions, and kids will have a great time exploring the island. There are a number of good beaches for children, although families may prefer to seek out the sandy stretches instead of the dramatically beautiful black beaches, which can be a bit pebbly.

Visitors should take a day trip to Palmitos Park for an interesting day out with birds and orchids, or for thrills, Parque de los Cocodrilo is great for those with a love of predators. The zoo on the other side is perfect for younger kids to explore. Playa del Ingles is brimming with kid's activities as it has everything from amusement arcades and mini-golf to water parks and go-karting.

Another fun day out in Gran Canaria is a visit to Sioux City, which was built originally as a stage set for an American western film in 1972, but developed into a Wild West theme park complete with cowboys, Native Americans, Mexicans, and of course, a sheriff. There are shows throughout the day that feature bank robberies, saloon fights, cattle stampedes, rodeos and gunfights at the OK Corral. Between shows visitors can enjoy a barbeque or taste the culinary delights of the Three Star Saloon.

Attractions

Museo Canario

Museo Canario skull

The Museo Canario boasts mummies and the world's largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls. The permanent exhibition is devoted solely to the aboriginal population of Gran Canaria, who inhabited the islands from the second half of the first millennium BC up until the 15th century. It covers things such as religion and mythology, funerary practices, economic activity and the organisation of society. The award-winning museum in Las Palmas houses the most complete and comprehensive archaeological collection in the Canary Islands and should be of great interest to anybody keen on archaeology, anthropology and the ancient history of the Canary Islands. There's a room full of the skeletal remains of the ancients, which is spooky but fascinating.

Casa de Colon

Casa de Colon

Christopher Columbus is believed to have stayed in the Casa de Colon at various times. Situated in the historical quarter of Vegueta in Las Palmas, the house now serves as a museum that displays relics of early transatlantic voyages and pre-Columbian cultures, as well as acting as a cultural centre for the study of the Canary Island's relationship with the Americas. The building is a famous example of the architecture of the Canary Islands, and has heavy wooden balconies, patios, fountains and some unusual ornamental features. It was once the residence of Las Palmas's early governors.

Arucas

Arucas

The delightful town of Arucas sits beneath a dormant volcano on the northern coast of Gran Canaria, and is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit. The neat town is dominated by the majestic Church of San Juan Bautista, which local workers carved in stone. It's possible to take a short walk out of the town to the Montana de Arucas viewpoint for a panoramic look at the northern coastline. The town is scenically situated, surrounded by fields of corn and potatoes and banana plantations, and the Palmitos ravine provides some beautiful vistas. The stunning, UNESCO-listed Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve is also easily accessible from Arucas.

Palmitos Park

Palmitos Park

Palmitos Park is situated four miles (6km) inland from Arguineguin on the south coast, and presents a colourful and entertaining look at nature through a botanical garden, zoo and aquarium. The park is a subtropical oasis containing thousands of birds, fish, animals, trees, plants and particularly orchids. The orchid house is the largest in the Canary Islands and the range is astonishing. Visitors will also find a cactus garden, a huge butterfly house and an aquarium featuring a recreated riverbed. Attractions include dolphin shows and a number of bird shows including displays by birds of prey, parrots and exotic birds. Popular displays help fund the park's serious conservation programmes.

Aqualand Gran Canaria

Aqualand Maspalomas

Aqualand is a must for all families visiting Gran Canaria, especially those with children. The wide range of slides, pools, and rides will keep the young and the young at heart happily entertained for hours. Those looking for an injection of adrenalin should try the wide array of thrill rides, while young children have their own water playground with fun mini slides and swings. There is a surf beach and a lazy river, which families can enjoy together, and there are plenty of benches and beach areas for relaxing and picnicking. Lockers and sun loungers cost a little extra, but visitors do get free bags to keep their towels and other belongings in. The park is clean and well maintained, generally receiving rave reviews from tourists.

Holiday World

Holiday World

Holiday World is a fun park that features a wide variety of activities and caters specifically to families on holiday in Gran Canaria. Kids of all ages can enjoy rides such as bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, roller coasters and a pirate ship, as well as ten-pin bowling, pony rides and a parrot show. There's a playground area for children too young to enjoy the rides. A range of restaurants and fast-food outlets are available and, after dark, there are some nighttime entertainment options such as frequent live shows and music concerts, an Irish pub and some other drinking and dancing venues.

Climate

While Gran Canaria has a wonderful climate throughout the year, the south of the island (where the major resorts are located) enjoys its own micro climate with generally better weather than other parts of the island. However, the sea breeze can be quite bracing.

The mountainous regions inland are a bit colder and can experience frost or even snow. The average temperature is comfortable all year round, rarely dropping below 63°F (17°C) and often reaching 82°F (28°C) during the day. The peak summer months are June to August, but May and September are almost as hot.

The warmest month is August, when average temperatures range between 70°F and 80.8°F (21°C and 27°C). Winters are very mild along the coast, especially in the south. During the coldest month, January, average temperatures range between 58.5°F and 69.1°F (14.7°C and 20.6°C).

Rainfall in the summer months is almost non-existent, but showers are possible between October and April. Rainfall is unevenly distributed throughout the island, but the south is generally the driest and most sunny. The best time to travel to Gran Canaria is between May and September, but the island is a wonderful destination year round.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rain (cm) 48 58 38 26 10 3 3 5 2 35 65 80
Rain (inches) 1.88 2.28 1.49 1.02 0.39 0.11 0.11 0.19 0.07 1.37 2.55 3.14
Average Temperature (°C) 17.5 17.5 18 18.5 20 21.5 23 23.5 23.5 22.5 20.5 18.5
Min Temperature (°C) 15 15 15 16 17 19 20 21 21 20 18 16
Max Temperature (°C) 20 20 21 21 23 24 26 26 26 25 23 21
Average Temperature (°F) 63.5 63.5 64.5 65.5 68 70.5 73.5 74.5 74.5 72.5 68.5 65.5
Min Temperature (°F) 59 59 59 61 63 66 68 70 70 68 64 61
Max Temperature (°F) 68 68 70 70 73 75 79 79 79 77 73 70

Gran Canaria Airport

The airport is situated 13 miles (21km) south of Las Palmas.

Tel: + 34 (0)928 579 130, +34 (0)902 404 704.
www.aena.es/en/gran-canaria/servicios-del-aeropuerto/car-hire.html

Facilities

Facilities at the airport include bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office, a children's play area and a wide variety of shops, bars, and restaurants. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs are advised to contact their airline in advance.

Car Parking

Facilities at the airport include bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office, a children's play area and a wide variety of shops, bars, and restaurants. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs are advised to contact their airline in advance.

Car Rental

Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, and Top Car AutoReisen are all represented at the airport.

Taxis

Taxis are available outside the airport on the ground floor of Arrivals.

Transfer City

Array

La Palma Airport

The airport is located five miles (8km) south of Santa Cruz La Palma.

+34 91 321 10 00
www.aena.es/en/la-palma.html

Facilities

The terminal contains duty-free shopping, restaurants, banks, tour operators, meeting rooms, police station, children's play area, first-aid station and information desk.

Car Parking

The terminal contains duty-free shopping, restaurants, banks, tour operators, meeting rooms, police station, children's play area, first-aid station and information desk.

Car Rental

Avis, Cicar, Europcar and Hertz operate car hire facilities at La Palma Airport.

Taxis

Taxis are available outside the terminal.

Transfer City

There is a regular bus service to the airport from La Palma.

Departure Tax

None

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Getting out and about

All Inclusive Catamaran trip from £48 per person

During your trip you will have the opportunity to visit a sea cave, swim in the cristal waters of the Canary Islands and enjoy one of the best climates of the world.You will pass by the Port of Mogan, the beautiful fishing village, known locally as “Little Venice”.

Aqualand Maspalomas from £23 per person

Aqualand Maspalomas - Enjoy a day of watery fun in the sun at Aqualand Maspalomas, the biggest water park in the Canary Islands! Aqualand is located in the splendid tourist resort of Maspalomas, where warm temperatures can be enjoyed all year round.

Our Personal Travel Agents can help you plan a trip to Gran Canaria, and so much more

Enter your postcode to find your nearest Personal Travel Agent, so you can have the best holiday without any of the effort