home · Spain · Spain: Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). Gran Canaria and its main attractions The main attractions of Gran Canaria

Spain: Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). Gran Canaria and its main attractions The main attractions of Gran Canaria

History of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is Tenerife's closest competitor in the fight for tourist popularity among the seven Canary Islands and the third largest in area of ​​1540 km2. The history of Gran Canaria is in many ways similar to the history of Tenerife, all the Canary Islands were formed as a result of volcanic activity, and appeared millions of years ago, rising from the depths of the ocean. It is believed that Gran Canaria was inhabited as early as 500 BC, the first inhabitants were the Guanche tribes, descendants of the Berbers, who arrived here from North Africa. But there are legends that say that the Canaries were originally inhabited by the surviving inhabitants of the sunken Atlantis.

In the 15th century, Gran Canaria, like other islands, was invaded by Italian, Portuguese and Spanish conquerors, and although the local population fiercely resisted, in the end the island was conquered by the sailors of the Catalan fleet. Starting from the 20s of the XX century, Gran Canaria began to develop as a tourist center, its popularity grew due to its unique climatic conditions and geographical location, but the real tourist boom here began in the mid-70s of the XX century. Most of the upscale hotels and other tourist infrastructure appeared here after 1975.

Climate and nature of Gran Canaria

Like other Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has an unusually mild climate, with spring all year round and the tourist season in full swing all year round, thanks in large part to the warm Gulf Stream. Geographically, the island of Gran Canaria is located slightly south of Tenerife and closer to continental Africa for these reasons, the water and air temperature here can be on average slightly higher than in Tenerife. The main tourist centers in Gran Canaria are located in the south of the island and in summer there is practically no rain here, and in the winter months they are extremely rare. The coldest time of the year is January, when snow falls on the tops of the mountains, although at the same time summer continues on the coast and the beach season is in full swing.

The landscapes and climatic zones of Gran Canaria are extremely diverse, here you can see mountain peaks, cooled volcanoes, gorges and valleys overgrown with lush vegetation, sand dunes like in a real desert, majestic rocks washed by ocean waves, charming bays and a wide variety of beaches. In each area, the climatic conditions are slightly different, for these reasons Gran Canaria is called the "continent in miniature", the nature of the Canary Islands is unique and, in general, is not similar to either European or African. The mountain range passing through the island from the northwest to the southeast conditionally divides it into two parts, in the south where the tourist centers are warmer and drier because the mountains hold back the incoming clouds, in the north the humidity is slightly higher.

Sights of Gran Canaria

Palm Park- the most popular park for walks and entertainment in Gran Canaria, its area covers more than 20 hectares. This is a kind of botanical garden and a zoo in one. Here you can see shows of trained parrots, shows of exotic birds, as well as performances of raptors - vulture eagles and others. In Palm Park you can see the "last dinosaur" of the Earth - the Komodo dragon, this is the largest predatory lizard in existence. In a separate pavilion is the "Butterfly House", which contains a collection of several hundred butterflies from around the world in all colors of the rainbow.

Cactus Park- Another park where you can have an interesting time in Gran Canaria, located in the west of Gran Canaria in the small town of San Nicolás de Tolentino. The name of the park speaks for itself, here you can see and even buy your favorite exhibits at an affordable price. On the territory of 15,000 m2, all kinds of cacti collected from various places from all over the planet. In the same park there is an observation deck from where a stunning panorama of the island opens and you can see the top of Mount Teide of the neighboring island of Tenerife.

Aboriginal world- An ethnographic museum, for travelers who are interested in ancient history. Not far from the picturesque gorge, a reconstruction of an ancient village has been created, where panoramas of life and life, the mysterious Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands, are reproduced. Historians still argue about the origin of the Guanches - where could the fair-skinned inhabitants come from in the African latitude? Perhaps these are the descendants of the inhabitants of Atlantis, the answer has not yet been found.

Excursions to the ancient part of the capital of Gran Canaria Las Palmas– for guests of the island who would like to get acquainted with its past. Small towns in the vicinity of Las Palmas keep the memory of the great discoverer Christopher Columbus and convey to visitors the unique charm of antiquity and the history of Gran Canaria. Narrow streets, houses and churches with medieval architecture in the cities of Teror, San Bortolome de Tirajana, Firgas and Aguimes will help diversify the cultural program of your stay in Gran Canaria. To visit several ancient cities in one day, you can order a sightseeing tour.

Mountain walks and hiking should appeal to climbers, and just lovers of the beauty and grandeur of the mountains. It is worth climbing here even just for the view of the panorama of the island, which opens from above, from here you can see the top of the island of Tenerife Peak Teide. The guides will acquaint you with evidence of the life of the indigenous population of the ancient Guanches and show you one of the symbols of Gran Canaria Roque Nublo (Rock in the clouds), this rock from afar resembling a finger was a shrine for the ancient Guanches.

The main tourist areas of Gran Canaria

  • Las Palmas - Gran Canaria Airport is 26 km away.
  • Playa San Agustin - the distance to Gran Canaria Airport is 27 km.
  • Playa Maspalomas - Gran Canaria Airport is 33 km away.
  • Puerto de Mogan - the distance to Gran Canaria Airport is 57 km.

The island of Gran Canaria (Gran Canaria, Grand Canary, 1560 sq. Km) is the third largest in the archipelago. It is a rounded island with a diameter of approximately 50 km, topped by the volcanic cone Pico de las Nieves (1949 m). Gran Canaria is often referred to as a "small continent" due to the huge variety of climates, landscapes and natural areas concentrated in such a small area. The variety of local landscapes also contribute a lot to this, so the island is under protection and has the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and some of its parts are closed to the public (there are 32 protected areas in total). The central mountain range, running from northwest to southeast, provides a difference in weather conditions between parts of the island - the dry and sunny south differs markedly from the slightly cooler, but noticeably wetter northern coast in its natural and climatic conditions.


The southern part of the island is an endless series of resorts (San Agustin and Sonnenland), turning into the famous dune beach, included in the list of the 100 best beaches in the world (the total length of the beaches is more than 17 km). There is also a bird park, two amusement parks, the Palmetum Botanical Garden (area of ​​120,000 sq.m.) with a large collection of palm trees and its own system of reservoirs, as well as an ethnographic museum and a business center (the project has not yet been completed, so limited access for tourists is possible only in the palm park). The picturesque lighthouse and lagoon of Maspalomas, reptile parks "Reptilandia" and "Kokodrilos Park" are widely known.


Among other natural attractions of the island, tourists are attracted by the harsh rock monolith Roque Nublo (80 m high), the Senobio de Valeron cave complex (the most interesting archaeological park in the Canaries), the Jardin Canario botanical gardens in Tafira Alta and Cactualdea in La Aldea de San Nicolas. The famous rock El Dedo de Dios, protruding from the sea in Puerto de la Nieves, lost its famous "spire" as a result of the impact of Hurricane Delta (2005), but numerous adjacent underwater caves and reefs, and also diving schools were not affected. Other well-known rock formations have been preserved in their original form - El Cura (El Fraile), La Rana, Bentayha, Roque de Gando and Penon Bermejo. Small villages and Puerto de Mogán, often referred to as "little Venice" because of the numerous canals, are also famous as first-class sea fishing centers.


The capital of the island - (full name - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) lies on the north coast and is considered the center of nightlife.

To the town Teror you should definitely go for the beautiful local beaches, water park and excellent conditions for snorkeling. A town in the east of the island Aguimes famous for its carefully restored historical center and the many Guanche dwelling caves that can be found around the city, especially in the Guayadeque Gorge area (even a church and restaurants are built into the slope here). In the same area are the Pozo Iskerd windsurfing center and the best dive sites of the island, and part of the El Cabron coast near the town Arinaga protected as a marine reserve. in the town arucas there is a magnificent neo-gothic temple, around Galdara many ancient settlements have been discovered (including the mysterious Cueva Portada cave and Cueva Pintada, which has the status of a national park) and graves, and the fishing town Arkhinekhin, lying in the western part of the south coast, is famous for its market - the largest on the island, as well as a first-class beach and a large Norwegian commune, which built its churches, a school and a hospital here. In the old capital of the Guanches Telde you can see the Cuarto Puertas cave complex.

Gran Canaria is the third largest and most visited island in the Canary archipelago. Despite the volcanic origin of all the Canary Islands, they are strikingly different from each other with an unusual landscape. Gran Canaria is no exception, more than three million tourists annually come here for the heavenly climate and amazing nature.

Holidays in Gran Canaria will leave only positive emotions, it is clean, beautiful, well-groomed and safe here. At the same time, the island has a large selection of hotels, shops, restaurants and recreational facilities from theme parks to entertainment attractions. Well developed infrastructure and transport.

How to get to Gran Canaria?

  • Air traffic

Gran Canaria has a modern international airport that receives flights from different countries. Also between Gran Canaria and Tenerife there are daily flights of local airlines. Gran Canaria's airport of the same name (LPA) is located in the east of the island, not far from the capital of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The airport is larger than in Tenerife and is the fifth largest in terms of passenger traffic in Spain. The modern airport is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable trip. You can get from the airport by public transport, taxi or rented car. Follow the information signs so you don't get lost.

  • ferry service

Ferries run between the Canary Islands, where you can go to the neighboring island with a rented car. In Tenerife, the ferry sails from the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the port of Agaete in Gran Canaria. The trip takes just over an hour. Free buses run from the port to Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria.

The ferry service is represented by two companies:

  • Ferry Fred Olsen Express
  • Ferry Naviera Armas

Rent a car

As with all the Canary Islands, the best way to explore the island is by renting a car. There are a huge number of rental companies on the island, both well-known European brands and local local distributors. You can rent a car right at the airport of Gran Canaria, here is the largest choice. However, if you do not want to rush, then in every tourist city of the island you can rent a car, scooter or bicycle. Prices for car rental in Gran Canaria are quite reasonable, and the choice is large.

Transport in Gran Canaria

Not planning to rent a car in Gran Canaria? Take advantage of public transport, which is well developed here. Global buses run throughout the island, which the locals call "guagua". You can get acquainted with the schedule and route of buses on the official website of the company. In Las Palmas, in addition to municipal buses, there are special tourist buses, which are convenient to get acquainted with the capital. You can pay for the fare upon boarding or in advance at the ticket machine.

Weather in Gran Canaria

The warm current of the Gulf Stream and the favorable geographical location of the island created all the conditions for an excellent holiday in Gran Canaria. After all, it is warm here even in winter, the temperate warm climate of the island attracts travelers from all over the world. Separately, it is worth talking about the unique, completely different microclimates in Gran Canaria: you can spend the morning on the hot coast, go on an excursion inland in the afternoon, and end up on a snowy peak in the evening.

In summer, the air temperature is stable within 26-28ºC, and in winter around 22-24ºC. Due to rare rainfall and warm climate, the season in Gran Canaria lasts all year round. The mountain chain divided the island into two main climatic zones: dry and warm south and cool north. The main tourist resorts are located in the south of Gran Canaria, this is where you should go on a beach holiday.

Things to do in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is ideal not only for a beach holiday, but also for an active pastime. All conditions for water sports are created here: diving, surfing, sapboarding, and, of course, sailing. Gran Canaria has all the necessary infrastructure for yachting. In the capital of the island there is a large seaport. You can rent a yacht or a catamaran in Gran Canaria at any time of the year, either for a weekly trip or for a daily yacht trip around the island. Yacht charter is possible with or without a skipper if you have the necessary skills and a skipper's license.

During the season, it is better to take care of renting a yacht in the Canary Islands in advance, as the services are in great demand, and good offers are sold out quickly enough. In addition to fishing while yachting in Gran Canaria, you can go to the village of Arguineguin (Arguineguin), where for a moderate fee you will be provided with fishing equipment for rent and suggest the best fishing spots.

If you like an extreme kind of holiday, the Aeroclub de Gran Canaria is at your service. Try a helicopter ride, paragliding or even skydiving. And not far from Baia Feliz there is an excellent karting club, with a track 1650 meters long. There are many family-friendly theme parks on the island, so the most popular activity in Gran Canaria is hiking.

Where to go on holiday in Gran Canaria?

  • Palmitos Park

A subtropical oasis nestled in a gorge, surrounded by palm trees and numerous varieties of cacti, Palmitos Park is one of the most popular theme parks on the island that attracts adults and children alike. More than 200 species of unique birds live in Palmitos Park, and 3 types of shows are held during the day: a parrot show, a dolphin show and an exotic bird show. Each show is not inferior to another in entertainment and beauty. The park is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00

  • Cocodrilo Park Gran Canaria

If you want thrills, then be sure to visit the crocodile farm in the city of Agüimes. Over 300 species of crocodiles live in Cocodrilo Park! It is also home to unique reptiles, colorful tropical fish, monkeys and parrots. Animals are in their natural environment and feel very comfortable. Crocodile and parrot shows are held daily in Cocodrilo Park.

  • cactus park cactualdea

Fans of unusual plants and cacti should go to Tocodoman village. The unique botanical garden Cactualdea Park is located here. Dozens of different types of cacti are collected from different parts of the Canary Islands.

  • Dorama Park

And another small but pretty park, which was laid out by the British in the 19th century - Doramas Park, this park is distinguished by dragon and laurel trees.

  • Columbus House Museum

It is noteworthy that the house-museum of Columbus in Gran Canaria never belonged to the great traveler, but it was here that he stayed on one of his first trips. The beautiful three-story colonial-style building is now the Museum of the Age of Discovery. The Columbus Museum is dedicated to sea voyages and discoveries of different periods. Expositions with authentic maritime exhibits tell about the voyages of Columbus, the development of navigation and the history of the islands. The museum also features a three-dimensional model of the island of Gran Canaria. The Columbus Museum is open Monday through Saturday.

  • Dunes of Maspalomas

The visiting card of Gran Canaria, the dunes of Maspalomas, is not only a national reserve, but also a stunning sandy beach. The size of the tourist complex is more than 1000 hectares, there are shops and restaurants, hotels and bungalows, and, of course, the sand dunes of Maspalomas, whose length is more than 3 kilometers.

Nearby is an impressive old building - the darkened lighthouse Faro de Maspalomas (Faro de Maspalomas), a symbol of the city and the island of Gran Canaria. This is a functioning lighthouse built in 1890. Be sure to visit the observation deck at the lighthouse, from a height of 60 meters offers stunning views of the dunes of Maspalomas and the endless ocean, as well as the surrounding area.

  • Cathedral of St. Anne (Cathedral of Canaries)

Another significant architectural monument of the island, which is the seat of the Catholic Diocese, is the Canary Cathedral (Catedral de Canarias) or the Cathedral of St. Anne (Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de Canarias). Long construction, which was stopped and resumed again, led to an unusual mixture of styles. In the architecture of the building, you can find elements from late Gothic to neoclassical.

  • Cueva Pintada Museum Park

You can learn more about the history of the island in the historical and archaeological complex of Cueva Pintada (Museo y Parque Arqueológico Cueva Pintada). Archaeologists are still actively working here and you can become participants in new discoveries and unusual finds, go down to the underground park to a cave with a unique rock painting or get acquainted with household items in a traditional exhibition. In the museum you can watch informative videos, listen to thematic lectures and visit the library.

Join the Canary Islands sailing trips with SAILME!
We will discover and show you Gran Canaria from a new perspective, because it is a unique place that will surprise many travelers. As part of our Canary Islands yacht cruises, we travel from Tenerife and visit the island of Gran Canaria. See the current sailing schedule for a yacht in the Canary Islands

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Gran Canaria is the most popular tourist island in the Canary archipelago and the third largest after Tenerife and Fuerteventura.

Large tourist centers have a developed infrastructure, many hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and attractions, people come here for a beach holiday and vibrant nightlife. Small resorts specialize in water sports, where you can make boat trips, windsurf, fish in the open ocean, skydive - in general, have fun actively. The real pearl of the island is its famous Maspalomas Dunes (Dunas de Maspalomas), which tourists from all over the world come to see.

The most popular place in Gran Canaria - a huge 8-kilometer beach - is occupied by three resorts: San Agustin, Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. There are many tourists here all year round and the richest choice of entertainment, including camel rides on the dunes of Maspalomas. Smaller resorts are concentrated on the west coast, including the fishing port of Puerto de Mogan, where the best fish restaurants are, and the secluded Playa de Guigui.

Entertainment and attractions of Gran Canaria

The main attraction of Gran Canaria is its nature. First of all, the dunes of Maspalomas are must-see places. There are several versions about the origins of sand dunes in these parts - it is not completely known where the huge mass of white sand came from, but scientists are of the opinion that they were "blown" by winds from Africa, from the Sahara desert. The dunes are known for their beautiful sunsets and camel rides.

Another natural attraction of the island is the caldera of the ancient Bandama volcano. Several hiking trails have been laid to its crater, and its beauty can also be appreciated from above - from the Pico de Bandama observation deck. Near the volcano there is a village of potters where you can walk along the ancient streets and buy unusual handmade souvenirs.

25 km from Maspalomas is the Crocodile Park, which was opened by the Balzer family, first taking care of a couple of reptiles, and then the farm grew to a whole park. Today, not only crocodiles live here, but also pythons, parrots, monkeys, Siberian tigers and other animals. In the park, you can watch the crocodile lunch show or feed the predators yourself.

Architecture and museums

For beautiful architecture and culture, it is worth going to the capital - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is the largest city on the island, the San Antonio Chapel, Santa Ana Square and the church of the same name, the Regental and Consistorial palaces, as well as one of the main attractions of Gran Canaria - the Columbus House Museum, have been preserved. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Las Palmas, the former residence of the governor of the island, and today it houses the museum of geographical discoveries. This house is directly connected with the name of Columbus - he lived here in 1492, while his ship was being repaired.

The island has discos, concert halls, casinos, gyms, tennis courts, golf courses, etc. All trade, restaurants, bars, discos and other entertainment are concentrated in shopping centers or on the way to them.

In the neighborhood of Baia Feliz and Playa del Aguila, there is the largest karting track in the Canaries, 1650 m long. There is also an aeroclub (Aeroclub de Gran Canaria), where you can order a ten-minute or half-hour helicopter ride over the most beautiful places on the island, and if you wish - jump with a parachute.

Variety shows are open in San Agustin and the only casino in Maspalomas (Casino Gran Canaria) at the Melia Tamarindos hotel. Here is the largest thalassotherapy center in Europe (Talasoterapia Canarias).

The resort of Playa del Ingles attracts young tourists with the Kasbah center, where all the popular Chic and Joy pubs and discos are concentrated, as well as the Cita center with the Pasha disco.

In the Campo International area there is the Faro II entertainment center, a huge golf course, the Holiday World amusement park with roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and a bowling alley, and the Ocean Park water amusement park. Next door is another water park, no less ingeniously named Aqualand.

Discos do not open until 23:00.

Weather in Gran Canaria

Most of the island has a mild climate. Winter is warm (+19...+23 °C), summer is hot (+24...+30 °C). The average water temperature in summer is +20...+23 °C, in winter +17...+20 °C. A feature of the island is a sharp change in natural zones: from high, forested mountains, on the tops of which there is almost always snow, to sunny beaches. Mountain peaks make it difficult for cold northern winds to penetrate the southern part of the island, so a warm and dry climate prevails there. That is why the most popular beach resorts are located in the south, and windy weather is typical for the north, which is why surfers have chosen it.