Gran Canaria, the third largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is known for its volcanic landscapes, white sand beaches, leafy mountains, and nightlife. Travelers with an appetite for adventure can scuba dive to coral reefs, explore desert dunes on a camel, or trek to Roque Nublo. For culture vultures, walking tours of UNESCO-listed Vegueta (Las Palmas Old Town), and the historical towns of Teror and Arucas are bound to impress, while those seeking rest and relaxation should head for the beach resorts of Maspalomas in the south. Other must-see activities include dolphin and whale watching off the coast of Puerto Rico, and sampling local Spanish cuisine on a food tour.
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Gran Canaria is famous for its beautiful beaches, and sunseekers visit the island year-round to swim, surf, and sunbathe on the white and black sands. The island is also renowned for its sand dunes, traditional Canarian villages, and duty-free shopping—La Palma is a popular port of call for cruise ships.
...MoreGran Canaria is renowned for its long, sandy beaches, with a mix of black lava and white sands. The most popular beaches lie along the south coast, including Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico, and San Agustín, as well as the sweeping sand dunes of Maspalomas beach.
...MoreWhile you can take in the highlights of the small island over a four-day weekend, most visitors opt to spend a week or more in Gran Canaria. There’s plenty to pack into a week-long itinerary, from beach-hopping and hiking to whale-watching cruises and exploring the traditional villages.
...MoreWhile cruise ships arrive in Las Palmas on the north coast, most sunseekers head south to the family beach resorts of Maspalomas and Puerto Rico. Nearby, Playa del Inglés is renowned for its nightlife, while Puerto de Mogán is ideally situated for hikers, and San Agustín is great for escaping the crowds.
...MoreWith 37 miles of beaches, Gran Canaria has plenty of options for swimming, surfing, and water sports, and the island also has several water parks. Other popular activities include a walk through the Maspalomas dunes, a dolphin and whale-watching cruise, and a hike to the summit of Pico de las Nieves.
...MoreYes. Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands are an Autonomous Community in Spain and part of the EU, but they are not part of the EU VAT area. This means international travelers can enjoy duty-free (tax-free) shopping on items such as alcohol, tobacco, perfume, and souvenirs up to a personal allowance.
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