Culturally Spanish; geographically African: Gran Canaria’s dramatic scenery, white beaches and warm blue waters are a seductive combination. The third largest of the Spanish Canary Island archipelago, it is known for it’s unique microclimate, extensive coastline and acclaimed carnivals. Gran Canaria is the perfect destination for heat, relaxation and exploration.
Lying out in the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful Gran Canaria is a paradise waiting to be discovered.
The capital of Gran Canaria, and the ninth biggest Spanish city, is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. A popular destination for travellers, this city hosts a huge variety of holiday accommodation, from budget apartments to beautiful white painted villas with swimming pools. Agaete and Sardina del Norte are popular with both locals and Spanish visitors and are good choices for those looking for something a little less “touristy”. There are plenty of sandy beaches in Gran Canaria but the best run along the south coast of the island. So if you want a truly relaxed beach holiday, check out the apartments and villas in this area. Maspalomas is a quiet yet more sophisticated neighbourhood with first-class restaurants and designer boutiques – all next to a picturesque beach. It is possible to get away for a golfing trip by staying in El Salobre.
While Gran Canaria’s main draw is its coastline, there is plenty to do besides sunbathing on the hot white sands. Head west into the mountains where you will find opportunities for horse trekking, hiking or simply losing yourself in the flora and fauna of the island. Much of Gran Canaria is a UNESCO protected World Heritage Site and many of the wild flowers and plants that grow here are unique to this part of the world. For those who find the prospect of hiking up hills in the heat a little too much to bear, there is also plenty of opportunity for outdoor activity along the coastline, with water sports from scuba diving to yacht cruising. But the charm of Gran Canaria isn’t all nature’s doing: there is also some spectacular architecture on the island, including several religious sites and historic monuments.
Gran Canarian is home to mouthwatering cuisine. One traditional dish which must be tried is wrinkled potatoes accompanied with a rich Canarian sauce called ‘mojo’. This delicious red sauce is made using garlic, pepper, olive oil and paprika and is also great with meat. Many local meals use ‘gofio’, or toasted cereal flour. Canarios consume this in a variety of ways including accompanying a glass of milk, in a soup and cold as a dessert. Other local delicacies not to miss are mousse gofio and the island’s cheeses, especially in the northwest of the island where they have a protected designation of origin license. Visitors can also experience traditional Spanish recipes with African and Latin-American influences. Fish dishes are also popular and some restaurants have their own fishing boats which go out daily to catch fresh produce.
There are only two options to get to the island of Gran Canaria - by air or by sea. The Gran Canaria Airport is located 18 kilometres from the capital and about 25 kilometres from the southern tourist area. Despite several buses in operation, the best way to get around is by car – there are many rental businesses on the island. Travelling by car means that guests can fully explore the island and visit the more remote beaches. It is also possible to visit some of the other islands, the closest being Tenerife and Lanzarote. You can take a plane to the islands and arrive in less than half an hour or take a boat which takes just over an hour. Make sure you decide where you will spend most of your time in the region so that you can book the most appropriate accommodation for your holiday.
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