Travel guide – gran canaria
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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 that it offers, from the big city bustle of the capital, Las Palmas, to the serenity of its lush woodlands.
The Canaries lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 125 miles (200km) from the African coast and almost 800 miles (1,250km) 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 which radiate out from the centre down to the coast. The north of the island is humid, boasting green valleys and volcanic craters, while the south is arid and desert-like with vast stretches of beach. The capital, Las Palmas, lies on the northeast tip of the island, between two long beaches, Las Caletas and Alcaravaneras. The interior of Gran Canaria hosts 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, flocking 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 of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas is situated at the northeast tip of the island, between two long stretches of beach. The city was founded in 1478 and was the spot where Christopher Columbus began each of his voyages to the Americas. Much of the origional Vegueta district remains behind the modern appartment blocks which line the seafront, and there are many interesting sights and museums to visit.
Things to do and see in or around Las Palmas
Museo Canario
The main museum in Las Palmas is well worth a visit, boasting the world’s largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls and a few mummies. The museum also gives a comprehensive overview of the life and times of Gran Canaria’s original inhabitants, the fair-haired light-skinned Guanche people, who were conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century.
Telephone: 928 336 800 ; Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, weekends 10am to 2pm. Guided tours are available
Casa de Colon
Christopher Columbus is believed to have stayed for different periods in the Casa de Colon in the historical quarter of Vegueta in Las Palmas on his way to the Americas. The house now serves as a museum displaying relics of early transatlantic voyages and pre-Columbian cultures, as well as acting as a cultural centre for the study of the Canaries' relationship with the Americas.
Telephone: 928 312 373 ; Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, weekends 9am to 3pm
Pueblo Canario
The whitewashed Pueblo Canario was the pet project of Canarian artist Nestor Martin-Fernandez de la Torre, who conceived and oversaw the creation of this idealised representation of a typical island village in Dorames Park, Las Palmas. Buildings surround a square where performances of traditional folk music and dance take place every Sunday morning. The village also contains the Museo Nestor, in which is housed a collection of the artist’s modernist paintings. The village also contains a Bodegon (wine bar) serving local dishes.
Tuesday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 10.30am to 2.30pm
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, carved in stone by local workers. The town is also the centre of sugar and rum production on the island and visitors are welcome at the Fabrica y Museo del Ron to witness how sugar cane is turned into rum. It is possible to take a short walk out of the town to the Montana de Arucas viewpoint for a panoramic look at the northern coastline.
Reptilandia
Those with a soft spot for reptiles should visit Reptilandia, situated a little off the beaten tack, near Agaete in the northwest of the island. It includes a collection of snakes, tortoises, turtles and lizards – the Komodo Dragon here is believed to be the largest lizard in the world. There are also sections on spiders and monkeys.
Telephone: 928 551 269 ; Daily 11am to 5.30pm
‘The Englishman's beach’ is how Playa del Ingles translates – those naming the resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main feature is the wide sandy beach that stretches from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north. Playa del Ingles has a vast array of shops, bars and restaurants and a very busy nightlife, making it a great destination for those wanting a lively holiday. Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas. Maspalomas is only a mile or two southwest of Playa del Ingles and is a little quieter and less built up than its neighbour. Its main attraction is the staggering four-mile (6km) beach, which is backed by a vast empty expanse of Sahara-like dunes, popular with nudists.
Things to do and see in or around Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas
Sioux City
One of the most popular days out in Gran Canaria, Sioux city 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, Indians, Mexicans and of course a sheriff. There are shows throughout the day featuring bank robberies, saloon fights, cattle stampedes, rodeos and gunfights at the OK Coral. Between shows visitors can enjoy a barbeque or taste the culinary delights of the Three Star Saloon. Every Friday evening there are barbecue evenings complete with country dancing.
Telephone: 928 762 573 ; Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; closed Mondays
Waterparks
There are three water parks on Gran Canaria: Aqua Park in Puerto Rico and Ocean Park and the smaller Aqua Sur in Maspalomas. All offer enough attractions to keep children and adults amused all day, including dozens of slides and swimming pools. Aqua Sur also has a wave machine and a ‘lazy river’ where visitors can float around the complex on an inflatable tyre.
All parks 10am to 5pm
Parque de los Crocodilo
This Crocodile Park is home to more than 300 crocodiles and alligators from all over the world. Visitors shouldn't miss the crocodiles' feeding time - at 12pm, 2pm and 4.15pm. The other half of the park is a zoo, which has sections on monkeys and chimpanzees, tigers, jaguars, camels and much more. There is a restaurant in the centre of the park where visitors can see a show where parrots perform various tricks, including doing a jigsaw puzzle and roller skating! The park is near the town of Aguímes, a few miles southwest of the airport.
Telephone: 928 784 725 ; Daily 11am to 5.30pm
Situated on the south west coast, nine miles (14km) west of Puerto Rico, Puerto Morgan is one of the more up-market resorts on Gran Canaria. The town is an old fishing village that has recently started to be developed into a modern resort town but retains a Spanish feel to it. Tourism is centred around the marina which bustles with local boats, yachts and Atlantic cruisers. There are a selection of bars, shops and restaurants aimed at tourists, but the shops are less tacky than in neighbouring resorts and the restaurants serve some of the best seafood on the island. Backed by the mountains, the old village is a maze of narrow roads and colonial style houses; the couple of canals running through it has prompted tour operators to dub it ‘Little Venice’. There is one small beach in the resort and another, Playa Taurito, three miles (five km) to the east; both have black volcanic sand and boulders. Although there is a disco in Puerto Morgan, those looking for more noise should head to Puerto Rico or Playa del Inglés.
The vibrant, modern resort of Puerto Rico, on the island of Gran Canaria, revels in excellent weather year-round, being situated on the island’s southern tip just across the ocean from the Sahara. Puerto Rico is encircled by hills, its whitewashed holiday accommodation clinging to steep cliff sides above two golden beaches. It includes three large commercial centres overflowing with shops, bars and restaurants, and is flanked by a marina packed with luxury yachts where it is possible to indulge in every kind of water sport imaginable. Puerto Rico has something for everyone: sunny corners for seekers of peace and tranquillity, or a lively venue for a family holiday. Just two miles (three km) west of Puerto Rico is the smaller neighbouring resort of Playa Del Cura, offering a beach cove and a quieter location from which to enjoy the amenities of Puerto Rico. It has a small shopping centre, no nightclubs and a relaxed atmosphere.
Things to do and see in or around Puerto Rico and Playa del Cura
Palmitos Park
A colourful and entertaining look at nature is presented at Palmitos Park, situated four miles (6km) inland from Arguineguin on the south coast. The park is a subtropical oasis containing thousands of birds, fish, trees, plants and particularly orchids. The orchid house is the largest in the Canary Islands and the range is astonishing. There is a cactus garden too, a huge butterfly house and an aquarium featuring a recreated riverbed. Parrots complete the picture among the lush Canarian flora which fills the park.
Telephone: 928 140 276 ; Daily 9.30am to 6pm
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 microclimate with generally better weather than other parts of the island, although the sea breeze can be quite bracing. The average temperature is comfortable all year round, rarely dropping below 63°F (17°C) and more often above 82°F (28°C) during the day. Rainfall in the summer months is almost non-existent, but showers are likely between October and April.
Health
There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing free emergency health care at State run hospitals. UK travellers should take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Note that private clinics are not covered, and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised.
The basics
Getting Around
There are plenty of cheap, metered taxis available in all resorts. The island also has good bus services which operate around the resorts and to all the main towns on the island; there is 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, they are good value and popular with those wanting to explore the north of the island.
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