The most beautiful places in Gran Canaria
An island of beautiful beaches but also mountains
Gran Canaria is one of the Spanish Canary Islands in northwest Africa. It is known for its black lava and golden sand beaches. Its southern beaches include the bustling Playa del Inglés, as well as the quieter Puerto de Mogán and San Agustín. To the north is the capital Las Palmas, which is a busy stop for cruise ships and duty free shopping. The interior of the island is rural and mountainous.
Las Palmas
The capital of Gran Canaria
Las Palmas is the capital of the island of Gran Canaria, one of the Spanish Canary Islands in northwest Africa. The city is a major port for cruise ships and is known for its duty-free shopping and sandy beaches, and more recently as a popular wintering ground for digital nomads and remote people. Playa de Las Canteras Beach is lined with a coral barrier that protects swimmers and offers pleasant access to water and children. The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival is held here every year, bringing together artists in flashy costumes, music and dance. continue reading
Dunes in Maspalomas
Walk through the sand dunes
The sand dunes in the south of the island of Maspalomas are a great attraction not to miss when visiting Gran Canaria. They cover an area of 404 hectares and have been protected as nature reserves since 1987. They formed from the sand of the now subdued sea shelf when it was dried up during the last ice age and the wind brought the sand to the coast of the island. continue reading
Roques Nublo
Rock landmark of Gran Canaria
The dominant feature that most visitors to the Canary Island Gran Canaria come to see is the Roque Nublo rock formation. You will find it in the interior of the island, which is very mountainous and offers different scenery than the coast. Roque Nublo 67m high rocky formation, which is formed by volcanic rock and its peak is at 1813 m above sea level. Roque Nublo is the third highest point on the island of Gran Canaria, after Morro de la Agujereada with 1,956 meters and Pico de las Nieves with 1,949 meters. continue reading
Mogán Beach
Beach at the cliffs
When traveling around Gran Canaria, head along the south bank to the end of the motorway to Purto de Mogán. You will find a resort that the locals rank among the so-called resorts – a part of the island where there are holiday resorts and the sun is still shining. The city must not lack a sandy beach in the bay hidden from the waves and so suitable for children. But you will also find a pebble overlooking the cliffs, which fall a few tens of meters steeply down into the ocean below. continue reading
San Nicolas Beach
The western tip of Gran Canaria
At the very western tip of Gran Canaria you will find the small village of Playa de San Nicolás, which also boasts a beautiful pebble beach for both swimming and surfing. There are also several restaurants and cafés, and you can walk along the cliffs in the surrounding area and enjoy the beautiful views of the bay from a height. continue reading
Playa Amadores
The most famous beach on the island of Gran Canaria
The beach at Amadores is considered to be the most beautiful beach in Gran Canaria. It is very large, lined with shops and restaurants. It is a very popular location not only for tourists but also for locals. For this reason, it is quite crowded here, especially on weekends. The local light sand is imported because the natural color of the sand in Gran Canaria is black. continue reading
Azuje Special Nature Reserve
Nature reserve with waterfalls
Reserva Natural Especial de Azuje is located in a valley between the villages of Firgas and Moya in the north of Gran Canaria. Right from the edge of the reservation, you will come across the building of the already crumbling former spa. In the valley flows a river with several cascading waterfalls, which are a popular destination for refreshment. The river and surrounding vegetation offer a pleasant climate even in the summer months. From the edge of the road you will find several information signs about the area and even a picnic area with seating. Gradually further to the heart of the reservation, mainly towards Firgas, the journey becomes more adventurous thanks to the number of footbridges across the river. continue reading
Playa del Inglés
Popular beach resort in the south of Gran Canaria
Playa del Inglés is a beach resort in Maspalomas, on the south coast of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, and is a popular tourist attraction. The locals simply call it „resorts“ and the people of the capital, Las Palmas, come here for the sun and the warm climate, which is very stable during the year. Long golden sand beaches are adjacent to sand dunes. continue reading
San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Mountain town in the center of Gran Canaria
San Bartolomé de Tirajana is the largest municipality in the area on the island of Gran Canaria and also in the Canary Islands. You will find it in the middle of the island, nestled among the mountainous surrounding terrain. The village is the capital of the entire eponymous area, which extends from this village to the south coast of the island. continue reading
Pico de las Nieves
The second highest mountain in Gran Canaria
The second highest mountain, Pico de las Nieves, is hidden in the central mountainous area of Gran Canaria at an altitude of 1,949 meters. You can easily get to this point by car, because the road with a small parking lot just below the hill leads to the top. Pico de las Nieves has traditionally been considered the highest peak on the island, however, this is uncertain because Morro de la Agujereada stands at 1,956 meters, which would make it higher than Pico de las Nieves. Both mountains stand side by side. continue reading
Pico Bandama (575m)
The peak above the largest crater of Gran Canaria
Just south of the capital of Gran Canaria – Las Palmas you will find the peak of Pico Bandama (575m). It is interesting in that directly below it is the largest crater on the island of Caldera de Bandama, which is over two hundred meters deep. The road leads to the very top. You can walk around the caldera on foot or explore it continue reading
Historic centre
Historic town west of Las Palmas
The historic city center consists of beautiful colorful houses with cafes and shops. continue reading
Tejeda
Historic town in the middle of the island of Gran Canaria
The historic town of Tejeda is located in a huge historic crater, below the highest peaks of the island of Gran Canaria. In the center is the picturesque church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro around which are the most beautiful streets of the city. Directly from the city are very nice views of the surrounding beautiful countryside. continue reading
Destination of the voyage
Destination of catamaran trips
We find ourselves at Playa Perchel. The bay is very suitable for diving due to the number of fish used to feeding from regularly arriving catamarans. At the same time, it is possible to ride a „speedboat“ to a nearby cave, however, I definitely do not recommend taking a camera or mobile phone for this ride. continue reading
Chira Press
Water dam in the mountains
Near the village of Cercados de Araña, deep in the middle of Gran Canaria in the mountains, lies the Presa de Chira Dam. This place is popular for fishermen, but also as a camping place for a caravan. There are several hiking trails in the area for an interesting trip with views of the dam. continue reading
Tiritaña Beach
Beach east of Puerta Mogán
Playa de Tiritaña beach is sandy, nice and with a minimum of people. Unlike the large beaches in the resorts, which are surrounded by breakwaters, there are, of course, larger waves. Playa de Tiritaña can be reached by road, but at first glance there doesn't seem to be a road at all. However, a visit to this beach is definitely worth the effort in the form of worse access. continue reading
Medio Almud Beach
Beach at the unfinished recreational complex
At the unfinished resort west of La Playa de Cura you will find two beaches of Playa Los Frailes and the nicer and less rocky Playa Medio Almud. Access to the water is good, although a bit rocky. The number of people here is minimal. continue reading
