Gran Canaria packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a 1,560 km² island. You can walk Saharan-style sand dunes in the morning, hike through pine forests at 1,500m by midday, and explore a 500-year-old colonial quarter by afternoon. The Gran Canaria travel guide island gets 2.8 million visitors per year, but best time to visit most cluster on the south coast beaches. This weather by month travel tips guide covers the best attractions across the entire island, with prices, opening hours, and practical tips for each.
Things to Do in Gran Canaria: Natural Wonders
Maspalomas Dunes (Dunas de Maspalomas)
A 400-hectare expanse of golden sand dunes along the south coast, looking like a chunk of the Sahara transported to the Atlantic. The dunes shift constantly and reach heights of 10 to 15m. You can walk the 4km dune trail from Playa del Ingles to the Maspalomas lighthouse (Faro de Maspalomas), which takes about 60 to 75 minutes. The adjacent Charca de Maspalomas is a brackish lagoon that attracts migratory birds. There is no entry fee and no opening hours, the dunes are a public nature reserve. Best visited at sunrise or an hour before sunset for the softest light and fewest people. The nudist area is between kiosk 3 and kiosk 4. Camel rides (EUR 12 for 30 minutes) operate 9am to 4pm from the eastern access point.
Roque Nublo
An 80m basalt monolith standing at 1,813m above sea level, visible from much of the island. The Roque Nublo is Gran Canaria’s most famous natural landmark and a sacred site for the indigenous Canarii people. The hiking trail starts from the parking area at La Goleta on the GC-600 road (free parking, fills by 10am on weekends). It is a 3km round trip taking 1.5 hours with a modest 150m elevation gain. The trail is well-marked and suitable for anyone with basic fitness. From the summit plateau you get 360-degree views of Tenerife’s Mount Teide on clear days. Go at sunrise for the most dramatic light and to secure parking. Carry water (no facilities at the top) and check the forecast, the summit is often above the cloud layer and can be 10°C cooler than the coast.
Caldera de Bandama
A 1,000m-wide volcanic crater located 10km south of Las Palmas, formed about 5,000 years ago. You can view it from the free mirador at the rim (GC-802 road, parking available), or hike down into the crater floor on a 3km loop trail that takes 90 minutes. The trail descends steeply with loose volcanic gravel, proper shoes are essential. At the crater floor, you will find abandoned farm terraces and endemic plant species. The Pico de Bandama lookout point next to the crater sits at 569m and offers views of Las Palmas and the east coast. Access is free and open 24/7. The adjacent Bodega Hoyos de Bandama winery offers tastings of local volcanic-soil wines (EUR 8 for three wines, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm).
Pico de las Nieves
At 1,949m, this is the highest point on Gran Canaria. The public viewpoint (Mirador de Pico de las Nieves) sits at 1,940m and offers the best panorama on the island: on a clear day you see Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma across the Atlantic. The drive up the GC-600 from Ayacata takes 15 minutes on a paved road. Sunrise here is spectacular, the sea of clouds below you glows orange. Temperature at the top can be 12 to 15°C cooler than the coast. There are no facilities aside from a small parking area that fills by sunrise. Free access year-round.
Things to Do in Gran Canaria: Beaches
Las Canteras Beach (Playa de Las Canteras)
Gran Canaria’s best urban beach: 3.1km of golden sand running along the western edge of Las Palmas, protected by a natural lava reef called La Barra that creates a calm lagoon for swimming. The southern end (La Cicer) has consistent 2 to 4 foot waves for surfing and bodyboarding. The central section (Playa Grande) is the swimming zone, with calm water year-round. The northern end (La Puntilla) is popular with locals and has the best seafood restaurants. Facilities include showers, sunbed rentals (EUR 5 per day), lifeguards, and a paved promenade lined with cafes. Free access. Water quality is Blue Flag certified. Best visited at low tide when the reef is visible and the lagoon is calmest.
Playa del Ingles
A 2.7km sweep of golden sand at the eastern edge of the Maspalomas dune system. The beach is wide (up to 70m at low tide) and backed by the dunes. The eastern end (near the Riu Palace hotel) is the busiest section with sunbed rentals, watersports, and beach bars. The central section is popular with the LGBTQ+ crowd around kiosk 7. The western end transitions into the nudist section as you approach the dunes. Surf conditions are moderate, suitable for beginners and improvers. Facilities include lifeguards, showers, and parking at Avenida de Tirajana (EUR 1 per hour). The beach faces south and gets direct sun from 9am to 6pm year-round.
Playa de Guigui
One of the most beautiful and least crowded beaches on Gran Canaria, accessible only by a 2-hour hike or a 20-minute water taxi from Puerto de las Nieves in Agaete. The hike departs from the Tasartico trailhead (GC-204 road, limited parking) and follows a steep, unmarked path down a ravine to a 500m stretch of black sand and pebbles. There are no facilities whatsoever, you must carry water, food, and sun protection. The water taxi service operates from the pier at Agaete (EUR 15 to 20 round trip per person, book ahead via local operators). Guigui is clothing-optional and rarely has more than 20 to 30 people even in August. Do not attempt the hike in summer (June to September) unless you start at sunrise, there is zero shade on the trail.
Things to Do in Gran Canaria: neighborhoods guide Towns and Culture
Vegueta (Las Palmas Old Town)
The historic quarter of Las Palmas, founded in 1478. Vegueta is a UNESCO World Heritage candidate with cobblestone streets, colonial-era churches, and the Casa de Colon (Columbus House), where Christopher Columbus reportedly stayed in 1492 while repairing his ship en route to the Americas. The Casa de Colon museum (EUR 4, open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 3pm) has 13 exhibition rooms covering pre-Columbian America and the Canaries’ role in Atlantic navigation. The Santa Ana Cathedral (EUR 3, Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm, Saturday 10am to 1:30pm) was built between 1497 and 1570 and combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Neoclassical styles. The CAAM modern art museum (EUR 5, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 9pm) is housed in an 18th-century building with a strong collection of Canarian and Latin American contemporary art. The Mercado de Vegueta food market (Monday to Saturday 7am to 2pm, Thursday also 4pm to 8pm) has tapas bars on the upper floor where you can eat standing at the bar for EUR 2 to 4 per tapa.
Puerto de Mogan
Nicknamed the Venice of the Canaries for its network of canals and bridges, Puerto de Mogan is a meticulously maintained fishing village and marina on the southwest coast. The Friday market (8am to 2pm) draws visitors from across the island with local crafts, Canarian cheeses, and fresh produce. The marina has 200+ berths and several excellent seafood restaurants (La Cucara, Restaurante El Capuchino). The small beach (Playa de Mogan, 200m of imported golden sand) is calm and ideal for families. Glass-bottom boat trips (EUR 10 for 30 minutes) and submarine tours (EUR 28 for 1 hour) depart from the marina. Parking in the underground lot costs EUR 1.50 per hour but fills by 10am on market days, take the Global bus 91 from Puerto Rico or Maspalomas instead (EUR 3.50, 40 minutes).
Teror
A mountain town 20km southwest of Las Palmas at 600m elevation, famous for its well-preserved Canarian colonial architecture with carved wooden balconies. The Basilica of Nuestra Senora del Pino (free entry, daily 7am to 8pm) houses the island’s patron saint, the Virgen del Pino. The Sunday market (9am to 2pm) on Calle Real is the best place on the island to buy local products: chorizo de Teror (a spreadable paprika sausage, EUR 4 to 6), queso de flor (flower cheese from sheep’s milk), and bienmesabe almond dessert. The town’s architecture along Calle Real de la Plaza is among the best-preserved in the Canaries. Reach Teror via Global bus 216 from Las Palmas San Telmo station (EUR 3, 35 minutes). Combine with a visit to the Caldera de Bandama, which is on the same route.
Cenobio de Valeron
A pre-Hispanic grain storage complex carved into a volcanic cliff near Santa Maria de Guia, about 22km west of Las Palmas. The site consists of 300+ chambers hollowed into the soft tuff rock, used by the indigenous Canarii people as a communal granary from roughly 500 AD until the Spanish conquest in the late 15th century. The site (EUR 3, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm) has a small interpretation center and a walkway that allows you to view the chambers up close. The whole visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. Combine with the nearby town of Galdar and the Cueva Pintada archaeological site (EUR 6, same hours).
Things to Do in Gran Canaria: events and festivals where to stay Water Parks and Family Attractions
Aqualand Maspalomas
The largest water park on the island with 13 slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and a dedicated children’s area. The signature Tornado slide sends you down a 20m funnel. Open daily 10am to 5pm (6pm in July and August). Adult tickets EUR 30, children 3 to 11 EUR 20, under-3 free. Online booking 48 hours ahead saves 20%. Parking is free. Located in the San Fernando area north of Maspalomas. The on-site food is expensive (EUR 10 to 14 for a burger meal); you can bring your own food but not glass containers.
Palmitos Park
A botanical garden, zoo, and dolphinarium set in a dramatic canyon near the village of Arteara, about 10km inland from Maspalomas. The park has the largest butterfly house in Europe (over 1,000 free-flying butterflies), dolphin shows, birds of prey demonstrations, and a collection of exotic birds. Open daily 10am to 6pm. Adult tickets EUR 34, children 3 to 10 EUR 25. The dolphin show runs twice daily (12:30pm and 3:30pm). The park is built into a steep hillside, there are a lot of steps and slopes. Arrive at opening time to see the animals when they are most active. Parking is free. There is a free shuttle from major south coast hotels (book at your hotel reception the day before).
Sioux City Park
A Wild West theme park 5km north of Playa del Ingles, set up as a replica frontier town. Live shows include bank robberies, saloon brawls, can-can dancing, and a staged showdown. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. Adult EUR 25, children EUR 18. The Friday night BBQ dinner show (EUR 45 adults, EUR 25 children, from 7pm) is the most popular option. The park has a small zoo with farm animals and a horse-riding ring. Best for families with children aged 4 to 12. Book online for a 10 to 15% discount.
