What to see in Gran Canaria
What to see in Gran Canaria
Of the hundreds of places to go in Gran Canaria, we offer you the most iconic 20 places and monuments on the island, and even tell you how to get there and why you should visit them.
20 places you must see and visit in Gran Canaria
SOUTHERN AREA
Puerto de Mogán
Known as “Little Venice” thanks to its canals, this city nestled in an old fishing town is one of Gran Canaria’s most visited places. Walk along its quiet streets, lined with white-faced two-story houses with colorful flowers on their balconies. Enjoy its beach, tour its sports pier or eat something at one of the numerous restaurants. If you come on a Friday, you can also explore its popular market.
Don’t forget that you can experience a unique adventure from Puerto de Mogán: going 20 metres under the sea in a yellow submarine.
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Dunes of Maspalomas
Without a doubt, the landscape formed by the dunes of Maspalomas is the island’s most representative and iconic. Its 400 hectares of dunes, which can be over 10 metres high and stretch to the banks of Maspalomas Beach, make this place one of Gran Canaria’s most photographed. The best place to contemplate the immensity of this natural space is the Lookout near the Riu Palace Maspalomas hotel.
If you want to feel like a nomad, we recommend you do one of Gran Canaria’s most popular activities and go on a camel ride through the Dunes of Maspalomas.
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Maspalomas Lighthouse
The Maspalomas Lighthouse has been declared a World Heritage Site and is one of the oldest functioning lighthouses on the Canary Islands. It is 60 metres tall and up to 6.2 metres wide, which means it can be seen from almost anywhere on Maspalomas Beach.
Guayadeque Ravine
Declared a Natural Monument and a World Heritage Site, the Guayadeque Ravine is one of the island’s most well-known and beautiful canyons. It is 11 kilometres long and its steep walls are hundreds of metres tall. It’s worth visiting some of the cave dwellings that are still inhabited today, as well as sampling something in one of the restaurants serving Canarian or international cuisine.
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Village of Agüimes
The historic centre of Agüimes is, without a doubt, one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful. The houses offer the perfect example of the island’s traditional architecture, with stone and lime facades. Touring its streets, you will see many sculptures adorning them, the most popular of which is the camel.
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Degollada de la Yegua Lookout
Very close to Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés is a landscape that you can’t miss. It’s one of those hidden treasures that is much closer than you think.
From the Degollada de la Yegua Lookout, you can see a panoramic view of the Fataga ravine, a large canyon 15 metres long and comprised of arid scenery, which is gorgeous at any time of day.
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Fataga
This small town in the island’s southern region is also one of the island’s most beautiful. It is outstanding due to its location in the Fataga Ravine, the beauty of the surrounding palm trees, and the traditional Canary architecture of its homes. Its narrow, steep and cobbled streets are lined with low houses with white facades made of stone that contrast with the wooden windows and doors.
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Valley of 1000 Palms
Located in the Fataga Ravine, this area has numerous Canary palm trees (Phoenix canariensis), which make this an oasis in the desert. In addition to seeing this valley on our excursions, you can also ride a camel through the Fataga Ravine while enjoying the canyon’s impressive views.
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CENTRAL AREA
Village of Tejeda
Tejeda is considered one of Spain’s most beautiful villages due to its location and the white facades of its houses, which is typical of the island’s traditional architecture. Located 1050 metres above sea level, Tejeda is in itself a spectacular lookout from which to contemplate Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga.
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Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga
These rocky monoliths in central Gran Canaria are two of the island’s most important natural symbols. Located very close to one another, Roque Nublo (Cloud Rock) is larger at 80 metres tall and a height of 1,813 metres above sea level, while Roque Bentayga reaches 1,414 metres above sea level.
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Bandama Crater
Also known as the Bandama Caldera or the Bandama Volcano, this crater is the island’s largest at over 1,000 metres in diameter and 200 metres deep.
From the nearby lookout, you can contemplate the crater, the coast and some villages toward the north, since it is 569 metres above sea level.
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Church of Saint John the Baptist
Located in the historic district of the city of Arucas, this neoclassic church was built between 1909 and 1977. Its impressive facade causes many people to call it the Cathedral of Arucas.
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Village of Teror
Teror is probably the most-visited town in Gran Canaria due to its charm. The historic centre is known for the facades of its two-story houses in which the wooden balconies really stand out. Take advantage of your time in Teror to visit the Basilica of the Pine, one of the most venerated churches on the island.
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Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine
The Basilica of the Pine is located in the historic district in the village of Teror and was built in the neoclassic and gothic styles.
It is a pilgrimage destination for the inhabitants of Gran Canaria since the island’s patron saint, the Virgin of the Pine, is found here.
NORTHERN AREA
Village of Agaete
Agaete is the most beautiful fishing village in northern Gran Canaria. It stands out thanks to its peaceful streets, maritime path, beach and wall. If you do an excursion on the island, this is a good place to eat and to sample Canarian cuisine.
Another good reason to visit Agaete is to see its spectacular scenery, in which the cliffs along the coast contrast with the greenery of the valleys in the island’s interior.
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Los Tilos de Moya
The area known as Los Tilos de Moya is a leafy forest, mainly of laurisilva and lindens, located near the village of Moya.
The scenery in this thick forest contrasts with the landscapes of the grand ravines and arid lands found in the island’s southern region.
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LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
The city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of the island and of the “Las Palmas” province. It is also the most populous city in the Canary Islands. It is worth exploring:
Vegueta Neighborhood
The Vegueta Neighborhood is the city’s historic centre, the seed from which Las Palmas de Gran Canaria flourished. Its origins date back to when the Crown of Castille conquered the island toward the end of the 15th century.
It’s worth walking along its streets and getting to know the Plaza de Santa Ana with the Cathedral,Town Houses, Canary Museum and the Columbus Museum.
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Santa Ana Cathedral
Declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument, the cathedral is the island’s most important church and various styles are mixed in its architecture, especially neoclassic and gothic. If you decide to go up the bell tower, you will be able to see magnificent views of the Plaza de Santa Ana and the city.
Shopping Districts: Triana, Mesa and López
Triana Street, José Mesa Avenue and López Street are the capital’s most important shopping districts. On these streets and their side streets, the biggest clothing, shoe, perfume and jewelry brands can be found, to name a few, in addition to cafes and restaurants where you can eat and drink.
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High City Lookout
Nestled in an area not often frequented by tourist is a lookout that offers spectacular views of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
From here, you can appreciate the entire city and its most iconic places: Puerto de la Luz, Ciudad Jardín, Maritime Avenue, Alcaravaneras Beach, etc.
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Las Canteras Beach
Considered one of the most beautiful urban beaches in the world, Las Canteras Beach is where the city’s residents prefer to enjoy their free time, since they can sunbathe, swim in the sea, walk along the avenue or drink something in the numerous restaurants and terraces.