Gran Canaria is an outdoor paradise with multiple climate zones across varying altitudes. The best beaches are concentrated on the southern coastline, while scuba diving is possible in every coastal sector. Children will enjoy the numerous nature and animals parks as well as the plentiful water and amusement parks that can be found in every major tourist centre.
Beaches
The island of Gran Canaria boasts more than 145 miles of coastline, 37 miles of which is covered in luxurious white sand. The perennially warm waters never cool much below 18°C in the winter, meaning it’s always a good time for a swim. Playa del Ingles or Las Canteras Beach in the capital are always busy and exciting, though it’s just as easy to find secluded coves and hidden gems. The vast majority of the island’s beaches are situated along the southern coastline.
Crocodile Park Popular with Gran Canaria’s younger visitors, Cocodrilo Parkis home to 300 crocodiles as well as a variety of tropical birds and monkeys. Parrots, monkeys and of course, crocodiles all star in their own special shows. Visitors can also tour the onsite cactus garden. Phone: +34 928 784 725.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Since the archipelago was formed seafloor up by a volcano (as opposed to the gradual rise of a continental landmass), the waters offshore quickly retreat to great depths. This makes Gran Canaria an ideal launching point for deep-sea fishing. Outfitters (found mainly in the southern marinas) can arrange all of the equipment you need and will likely send you to the fertile waters between Maspalomas and El Descojonado, where fishing boats regularly encounter marlin, tuna and barracuda.
Golfing
Golfing on Gran Canaria goes back to the late 19th century when the first course (Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas) was built to cater for British tourists. This particular course later moved from Las Palmas city centre to Bandama. In all, there are nine courses on the island: five in the south and four in the northeast.
The island is criss-crossed by a network of trails in a variety of difficulty levels. Hiking expeditions can be tailored for families with children seeking a leisurely, scenic walk or for expert hikers craving challenging treks to the high altitude of the interior. Many of the trails also accommodate horseback tours.
Palmitos Park
Perennially popular with families, this park features an expansive array of flora and fauna. Peacocks, macaws, flamingos and toucans are just a few of the more than 200 bird species found here, and you’ll also find an aquarium, a cactus garden, a butterfly house and an impressive orchid collection. The park’s most popular attraction is Gibbon Island, home to a colony of captive-bred white-handed gibbons originally sourced from Myanmar and Malaysia. Phone: +34 928 140 276.
Scuba Diving
There are a number of scuba diving schools on the island that hire out equipment and arrange certification by a licensed instructor. The offshore shelves of rich, volcanic rock provide an ideal habitat for coral reefs and other aquatic life. Visitors will find intermittent diving sites along the coastline of Gran Canaria.
An island rich in local and imported cultures, Gran Canaria boasts an impressive array of heritage buildings. Some of the finest architectural specimens are located in the capital city, Las Palmas, particularly on Plaza de Santa Ana. Meanwhile, there are several areas of archaeological interest, such as the Painted Caveof Gáldar where modern excavations have revealed a great deal about the lives of ancient Canarians.
Atlantic Centre of Modern Art
The Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno, as it’s locally known, is dedicated to the exhibition and interpretation of art created from the 20th century onwards. The facility relies heavily on artists based in the Canary Islands, although you’ll also find work created by mainland and international artists. Certain exhibits are also accompanied by art courses or programmed events. Phone: +34 902 311 824; website: www.caam.net
Colón House The namesake of this house, Christopher Columbus, spent some time resting in this house in the 15th century. Today, the 500-year-old structure houses a museum dedicated to the early exploration of the Americas and the important role of the Canaries in this endeavour. You’ll also find exhibits on scientific frontiers during period of transatlantic exploration. Phone: +34 928 312 373.
Lucha Canaria
This freestyle wrestling sport is a hallmark of Canarian culture, with roots dating back to the early aboriginal culture. Contestants match up in a circle of sand known as a terrero and then attempt to knock their opponent to the ground. The match is over once one of the two takes a knee or otherwise touches the sand with any body part other than the feet. The Island Federation of Canarian Wrestling organises periodic Lucha Canaria events.
Museo Canario Founded in the late 19th century, this is the most important archaeological museum in the Canaries. The permanent exhibits explore the everyday lives of native Canarians who lived here before the Spanish arrived. Attention is given to mummification rites, ritual artefacts, typical clothing and the artificial caves that were once hewn from the rock and used as shelter. Phone: +34 928 336 800; website: www.elmuseocanario.com
Nestor Museum
This museum is dedicated to the work of Néstor de la Torre, a famous Canarian artist. Aside from an extensive collection of this artist’s work, the museum also hosts an audiovisual hall and a workshop designed to foster artistic expression. The museum is located at Las Palmas in the Parque Doramas. Phone: +34 928 245 135.
Painted Cave of Gáldar
Easily one of the most important ancient sites on Gran Canaria, the Painted Cave at Gáldar has been meticulously excavated and is now open to the public. The restored paintings on the walls of the cave offer insight into the lives of indigenous people that lived here before colonisation. The onsite museum has a collection of artefacts recovered during excavation. Phone: +34 928 895 746; website: www.cuevapintada.com
The Modernist poet, Tomás Morales, was born in 1884 here in this house which has been converted into a museum in his honour. Walking through each room leads visitors through important stages of the poet’s life, revealing everything from his literary works to his furniture and personal effects. The museum publishes a local literary magazine and offers a poetry prize in Morales’s name. Phone: +34 928 620 217.
Restaurants in Gran Canaria are diverse and well established, especially in the heavily-touristed southern resort region. Visitors will find numerous Spanish-style tapas bars and full-service restaurants that rely heavily on the abundant locally-caught seafood. Waterfront establishments featuring al fresco dining are ubiquitous in places like Playa del Ingles.
Indigenous island cuisine diverges from mainland Spanish fare. The most authentic local dishes often feature goat, rabbit or pig, usually marinated or worked into casseroles. Fresh produce is readily available throughout the Canaries, highlighted by crops of fresh tomatoes, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard and watercress.
Avid shoppers are well accommodated on Gran Canaria, with expansive options in most of the island’s major cities. Las Palmas offers the greatest concentration of shops, situated on Calle Mayor de Triana Street. Here you’ll find a mix of practical shopping centres (frequented by island residents) and touristy boutiques and gift shops. Heading to the southern resorts, shopping outlets are increasingly boutique-oriented.
Aside from mainstream department stores and shopping centres, Gran Canaria also has its share of open-air marketplaces and street vendors. The village of Moya is particularly well-known as a place to shop for handicrafts. Products include baskets woven from palm or cane leaves, the Canarian small guitar (known as a timple), traditional clothing, wood carvings, and delicate embroidery.
The hotel in the outside is amazing,unfortunately in the inside is only average.And I don't understand why the minibar was empty and why we should pay for the wireless used in the reception hall.Anywa...
