Planning a trip to Gran Canaria? Check out this list of the best sights and things to do in Gran Canaria, Spain.
Gran Canaria is the third largest of the Canary Islands, a volcanic island group northwest of the African coast. This popular Spanish island is characterized by its long sandy beaches and pleasant climate all year round.
The pleasant climate is also one of the reasons why Gran Canaria is an extremely popular travel destination during the winter months. Every year, thousands of sun-hungry Europeans travel to this scenic island to enjoy the sun.
Although the perfect sun holiday on Gran Canaria is planned, the island has so much more to offer. If you’re planning a trip to Gran Canaria, don’t forget to check out this list of the very best things to do in Gran Canaria.
Table of Contents
List of the best things to do in Gran Canaria:
1. Dunas de Maspalomas
Dunas de Maspalomas is a 400-hectare sand desert with large dunes as far as the eye can see. The sand is blown here all the way from the Sahara Desert in Africa.
Take a walk in the endless dunes but be aware that it’s hard to walk in the large amounts of sand. Remember to bring plenty of water for the trip. Dunas de Maspalomas is an impressive thing to do in Gran Canaria that you shouldn’t miss.
2. Holiday World
Holiday World is the largest amusement park in Gran Canaria. It is reminiscent of a traveling amusement park, except that it doesn’t move around. Here you can try traditional amusement park rides, most of which are aimed at children. However, there are also some rides for teens and adults.
In Holiday World, you can also visit an indoor area with bowling alleys, slot machines, and a 4D cinema. There’s also a large gym and wellness center as well as several restaurants and nightclubs.
Holiday World isn’t exactly one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria. But it’s a great place to visit if you’re traveling with children and staying at a hotel nearby. Admission is free, but the rides obviously cost a bit.
3. Las Palmas
Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and the largest city in the Canary Islands with approx. 380,000 inhabitants. The city is like a modern metropolis with a large selection of shops, restaurants, cafes, and sights. It’s the obvious place to visit if you’re looking for cultural experiences or shopping in Gran Canaria.
Don’t forget to visit the city’s great long sandy beaches. Also, don’t forget to visit Vegueta, the charming old town of Las Palmas. Here you’ll be greeted by cobbled streets and old Spanish colonial houses inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Remember to take a stroll past the Cathedral of Santa Ana and Christopher Columbus’ house Casa de Colón.
4. Caves of Valeron
Caves of Valeron is one of the greatest historical sights of Gran Canaria. At this important archeological site, you can see about 300 caves that have been carved into a rock hundreds of years ago. It is a pretty impressive attraction in Gran Canaria that you shouldn’t miss. You can either visit the place on your own or go on a guided tour.
5. Caldera de Bandama
This impressive volcanic crater is one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria. It was formed by a volcanic eruption about 2000 years ago and has a diameter of 1000 meters and a depth of 200 meters.
If you want the best view of the crater, head up to the Pico de Bandama vantage point. From here there’s an insanely beautiful view of the crater and large parts of Gran Canaria from an altitude of 569 meters. If you’re in good shape, you can also choose to walk around – or down into – the lush crater.
It’s possible to buy food at the nearby Golf Club, Real Club de Golf De Las Palmas. This isn’t only the oldest golf club in Gran Canaria, but the oldest in all of Spain.
6. Moonlight Cinema
An unusual thing to do in Gran Canaria is a visit to the Moonlight Cinema, the only outdoor cinema in Europe. Here you can watch movies in the open air with a view of the stars in the background. Fortunately, there are blankets to warm yourself if it gets too cold.
The on-site service is excellent, and you just have to press a button to be serviced by an employee. You can also order popcorn, stone oven pizza, nachos, etc. that can be enjoyed while watching a movie in Moonlight Cinema.
7. Jardin Botanico Canario
With its 10 hectares and around 500 different plant species, Gran Canaria’s Botanical Garden is the largest botanical garden in Spain. The garden focuses mainly on flowers and plants from the Canary Islands, but there are also plants from the rest of the world.
In the Jardin Botanico Canario, there are dragon trees, palm trees, lakes, a waterfall, a cactus garden, and much more. A visit to the botanical garden is the perfect thing to do in Gran Canaria for any nature lover.
8. Teror
The name may sound a bit dramatic, but Teror is just an extremely beautiful and charming little town. It is said that Teror has some of the best examples of colonial-style architecture in the world. According to a legend, the Virgin Mary herself has appeared on top of a pine tree right here in Teror.
After the sight of the Virgin Mary, the city has become the religious center of Gran Canaria. And there’s even an annual festival in honor of the Virgin Mary. If you’re visiting Teror on Sunday, you can also witness the oldest market in the Canary Islands.
9. Puerto de Mogán
The large number of small canals in Puerto de Mogán has given the city the nickname Little Venice. However, you shouldn’t expect it to be anything near Venice, but the city is beautiful, nonetheless.
The charming little fishing village is characterized by old Mediterranean-style houses and narrow car-free streets. It’s definitely one of the most romantic cities in Gran Canaria. And dinner at the cozy harbor will just be the icing on the cake.
10. Angry Birds Activity Park
Angry Birds Activity Park is a super fun thing to do in Gran Canaria with kids. Here the children can easily spend many hours on fun and games. They can play on the playground, jump on trampolines, climb climbing walls, and play on one of the many ball fields. The activity park also has moon-cars, trams, cable cars, mini-golf, and much more.
11. Roque Nublo
One of the best things to do in Gran Canaria is a trip to Roque Nublo. This 80-meter-high volcanic rock is believed to be one of the largest natural rocks in the world. It is located at an altitude of 1,813 meters above sea level and is almost impossible to avoid spotting when driving around the island.
Roque Nublo is the second-highest point in Gran Canaria, surpassed only by the Pico de las Nieves. By comparison, it is located 1,949 meters above sea level. The hike to Roque Nublo is short, but it’s usually very hot. However, once you reach the rock, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the island.
12. Mundo Aborigen
This open-air museum represents a village from the time of the indigenous people. Here you can learn about how the first people of Gran Canaria lived.
The village has more than 100 life-size figures standing in vivid scenes. They provide a great insight into everyday life more than 2,000 years ago. Mundo Aborigen also has a small archeological museum with artifacts from various excavations.
13. Playa de Amadores
Just outside Puerto Rico which is said to be the sunniest city on Gran Canaria, you’ll find Playa de Amadores. This man-made beach is one of the absolute best beaches in Gran Canaria. The water is completely turquoise blue, and the white sand is imported directly from the Caribbean. Playa de Amadores is protected by two piers, making the water nice and calm.
14. Submarine Adventure
Did you know that there’s a submarine on Gran Canaria that takes tourists on a unique underwater adventure? The yellow submarine is one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria with kids. However, it’s also a cool experience for adults interested in life under the sea.
The submarine dives under the sea to a depth of about 20 meters and allows you to experience colorful fish and old shipwrecks. During the approximately 40-minute-long ride, you can look out the large windows or at the screens inside the submarine. It is a very special thing to do in Gran Canaria, and therefore the price is also a bit spicy.
15. Puerto de las Nieves
Puerto de las Nieves is an extremely charming and idyllic fishing village. It is characterized by white and blue houses that immediately direct your thoughts to a beautiful Greek village. The pulse of Puerto de la Nieves is at Paseo de los Poetas, a cozy promenade adorned with fish restaurants and small shops.
Furthermore, the charming city is so close to Tenerife that you can see Tenerife’s highest point, the volcano Teide, in the distance. If you’re dreaming of visiting Tenerife, it is also from here you’ll find ferry departures to the neighboring island.
So, that’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Gran Canaria, Spain. What are your favorite things to do in Gran Canaria? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Gran Canaria? Feel free to leave a comment.
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