Hit the beach: The coastline varies from the plunging cliffs of Andén Verde in the north-west to the gradually sloping sands of Maspalomas beach in the south, over a mile wide in parts. There's a choice of 60 beaches along the 147-mile shoreline, with sands of gold, grey and black.…
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Gran Canaria Attractions
Small and compact, Gran Canaria is packed with things to see and do, both man-made and natural. Most of the former can be found along the south coast, where themed parks and recreational activities abound. More sense of adventure is necessary to discover the natural attractions of the island, where cave houses pockmark the interior and stunning hike and bike trails criss-cross the mountainous interior. Las Palmas also houses a collection of museums where its pre-Spanish origins are on display.
10 Results
- The Performing Arts
Alfredo Kraus Auditorium
Culture vultures should keep an eye on the events schedule at this world class concert hall in Las Palmas. With a fortress-like design, the impressive building stands guard over Las Canteras beach. International gospel choirs, symphony orchestras, jazz singers and rock bands have all… - Theme Park
Aqualand
Situated at the back of Maspalomas, this is the largest of two waterparks in the south and is open all year round, thanks to the Canary Islands' warm climate. It provides a veritable multitude of watery thrills and spills on no less than 30 different slides. Brave the spiral Tornado,… - Historic Site
Casa de Colón
Christopher Columbus reputedly stayed here during his numerous stop-offs en-route to his discovery of the New World. The exterior is just as impressive as the interior; the doorway is made from the local "blue stone" of Arucas surrounded by an eclectic display of intricate woodwork,… - Zoo/Aquarium
Crocodile Park
What began in 1988 as a sanctuary for a few stray reptiles has now become the largest crocodile sanctuary in Europe. Cocodrilo Park, in Villa de Aguimes, Gran Canaria has over 300 crocodiles, as well as an aquarium, spider house and a parrot house. However, it's the crocodiles which… - Natural Attraction
Dunes of Maspalomas
You want sand? Go crazy. Take your bucket and spade to The Dunes of Maspalomas Natural Park with more than 6km of beaches. The sandy peaks are a popular tourist attraction and have been a nature reserve since 1987. This curvaceous landscape originated from coral reefs, converted into… - Historic Site
La Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave)
Gran Canaria's most overlooked attraction offers an enthralling multimedia exhibition of the island's ancient cave dwellers. In 1862 during a harvest to gather prickly pears, a local farmer clambered through a narrow gap and discovered a chamber decorated in geometric paintings. It… - Neighborhood
La Vegueta
To visit the island and not spend at least half a day strolling in and out of the shadows of the capital's historical monuments is sacrilege. The Vegueta district is ground zero for putting one foot in the past and savoring the old world charm of cobbled streets, color-washed… - Sports Venue
Maspalomas Golf Course
This par-73 course is in a beautiful coastal location amongst undulating sand dunes and pine trees. Due to the island's year-round good climate, it promises near-perfect conditions. Designed by MacKenzy Ross, the course was opened in 1968 and has a two-tier 300-metre practice range… - Zoo/Aquarium
Palmitos Park
Located in the surroundings of Barranco de Palmitos on the island of Gran Canaria, Palmitos Park has an aquarium and botanical garden complete with an orchid house--an oasis for birds, fish and butterflies. An Eagle House offers a flying demonstration each day alongside the old… - Neighborhood
Puerto de Mogán
Once a small fishing village in southwest Gran Canaria, the harbor has been transformed into a pretty marina complete with quayside bars and restaurants like La Caracola. Rather flatteringly known as "The Venice of Gran Canaria" due to a couple of water channels running past the…
Gran Canaria Shopping
Unsurprisingly, the capital, Las Palmas, is by far the best place to flex the plastic. In the southern resorts, the shopping experience is very much tailored to the visitor. As well as high class department stores like Corté Inglés and designer fashion outlets lining Calle Mayor Triana, it's also worth spending some time seeking out the farmer's markets in the villages of the interior. On the whole, shops tend to open from around 9am till 1:30pm then again at 5pm until 8pm, though in the busy resorts the siesta is often forsaken.
Gran Canaria Nightlife
If there's one thing the nightlife scene is not short of, it's variety. From bars to ballet and rock bands to casinos, Gran Canaria has the lot. Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles are the main party zones, with a multitude of mega-clubs catering for differing musical tastes and sexual persuasions (Maspalomas is one of Europe's gay hotspots). Las Palmas also boasts a heady nightlife. For something less raucous head to the two casinos for a flutter, or to the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium for an evening of refined culture.
