Gran Canaria travel guide - how to experience the island

An island like a miracle

Gran Canaria is the third largest of the Canary Islands and could hardly be more contrasting in a small area. Nature has gathered true treasures on this miniature continent: golden yellow dunes, vast forests, rugged cliffs, landscapes criss-crossed by magical gorges and black sand beaches. The striking 1813 metre high Roque Nublo, one of the island's great landmarks, rises out of the sea of clouds that sometimes hovers over the massive mountains. Around the southern end of the island, the shifting dunes of Maspalomas pile up over an area of 400 square metres and in the well-guarded centre, the Caldera de Bandama expands into a mighty, accessible volcanic crater. No fewer than 14 different microclimate zones are responsible for this turbulent appearance. Each one is a unique combination of temperature, rainfall and vegetation.

Geographically, Gran Canaria is closer to Africa than to Europe: it is just under 200 kilometres to Morocco and around 1,350 kilometres to the Spanish peninsula. As a bridge between Europe, Africa and America, Gran Canaria has often been at the centre of events throughout its long history - although from a European perspective, the island was somewhere at the end of the world. Even the great explorer Christopher Columbus is said to have made a stopover here on his way to America to commission repair work on his ships before the great voyage - at least the locals consider this tradition plausible and today dedicate a museum to the traveller in the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The Canary Island's proximity to the equator is accompanied by a blessed climate. Mild temperatures prevail throughout the year in almost every climate zone, making it the best weather for travelling. The south is generally drier than the north. The sunniest regions include the south-east coast of the island and the valley around Mogán in the south-west. Almost 3 million holidaymakers come to Gran Canaria every year to relax, discover the island's beaches, take in this unique mosaic of landscapes and enjoy the Canarian way of life. Gran Canaria, like the Canary Islands in general, is a popular sun and reliable winter destination.

• Places of interest - Top 10
• Things to do
• Most beautiful beaches
• Insider tips

The island's cultural history is as diverse as its landscape - a rich mixture of what the indigenous people created and what conquerors and visitors from three continents added. This special dynamic has remained visible, on the one hand in the island metropolis of Las Palmas, and on the other in the rural regions, where traces of the original life of the islanders have been preserved.

Gran Gran Ganaria is a destination of longing for many people. The life and rhythm of this island, so richly endowed by nature, are both fascinating and moving. Tourism was late to establish itself on Gran Canaria, but it has rapidly gained in importance. Visitors are literally embraced by the hospitality of the Canarios and the cosmopolitan atmosphere. The island's good infrastructure makes it easy to get out of the holiday resorts and explore the "Cumbres", as the mountains are called here, or the historic villages in the centre of the island.

While the cultural and political centre with the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is rooted in the north, the tourist hotspots are mainly located in the south. The southern coastal resorts offer a mild subtropical climate and all amenities. Playa del Inglés is the largest and best-known holiday resort, with a long sandy beach surrounded by dunes, hotels and flats in all price ranges, discos, bars and restaurants. The main focus here is on beach holidays and water sports.

However, there is much more to do on this island of light. Active holidays are meant literally with the range of hiking trails, cycling routes, canyoning and guided sightseeing tours. Gran Canaria has 235 kilometres of coastline, around 60 kilometres of which are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. Playa las Canteras in Las Palmas is considered the living room of the city's inhabitants, while the beaches of Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Pozo Izquierdo offer the best conditions for surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving and snorkelling. Those with hiking boots will find great routes in the Tamadaba nature reserve, in the Barranco de las Vacas or around the Roque Nublo, and in the climbing areas of Ayacata and Fataga there is a suitable slope for all levels.

The island's enormous biodiversity has contributed to its current protected status. In 2005, Unesco designated a biosphere reserve that covers an area of 327,000 hectares across almost the entire island. The Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve was designated due to its diverse and unique ecosystems, including pine forests, subtropical forests, dune landscapes, wetlands and endemic plant and animal species. The area also includes the Inagua, Tamadaba and Pilancones natural parks and the extensive Cuenca de Tejada depression.

Good reasons for a holiday on Gran Canaria

Nature & landscape

Nothing about the landscapes of Gran Canaria is arbitrary or random - neither the golden dunes nor the green ravines. Everything is special, unique and extravagant. The island's landscapes are of volcanic origin: mountains, valleys, deserts, beaches and cliffs have formed a mosaic. On this almost circular island with a diameter of 50 kilometres, everything is there at the same time. Small natural wonders are lined up one after the other and literally amaze visitors, from the huge Caldera de Bandama crater landscape to the subtropical laurel forests in the north-west of the island, the beaches, most of which are lined with black sand, to the Barranco de Guayadeque. If you need arguments for a holiday on Gran Canaria, then a look at the diversity of the microcontinent's landscape is enough.

Weather & sunshine

Always beautiful and mostly sunny - the weather on the island is as simple as that. The climate is generally subtropical, with mild temperatures all year round (between 20 and 30 degrees) and low rainfall. However, this also depends on where you are on the island. At higher altitudes, especially in the central mountain range, it is somewhat cooler and it rains more frequently. The island's climate is influenced by several factors. One of the most important is the trade wind, which blows constantly from a north-easterly direction and keeps the humidity low. The location in the Atlantic also ensures that the climate on Gran Canaria remains temperate. The north and centre of the island are generally cooler and wetter than the south, which is known for its long sandy beaches and warm weather. In the north, the trade winds from the Atlantic meet the mountains and form clouds and precipitation. As a result, the vegetation there is far more lush than in the south.

The history

The culture and history of Gran Canaria are a special mixture and tell of 6 centuries of history in the middle of the Atlantic. At first there were only the indigenous people, the Guanches. They left numerous traces on the island, including rock paintings, cave dwellings and burial sites. Some of these sites are now open to visitors and can be viewed. The island was also an important base on the trade routes between Europe and America and has been shaped by different cultures over the centuries. This is reflected today in the island's architecture, which is characterised by Moorish, Spanish and Latin American influences.

Gran Canaria also has a lively art scene with numerous museums, galleries and cultural events. There are many music and dance events, including flamenco and Latin American dances. The island is also known for its craftsmanship, particularly ceramics and embroidery, which are sold in local markets and shops.

Food

On the one hand, the island's cuisine is characterised by regional dishes that used to be prepared from the ingredients available on the island. The food is very aromatic, favouring local products, simple, modest and healthy. The influence of Latin American cuisine is unmistakable. Two ingredients are often found when you study the menu in the restaurants. One is the Canarian classic papas arrugadas, jacket potatoes served with a spicy mojo sauce, and the other is gofio. This Canarian staple is made into everything that goes into a pot or pan: porridge, bread, dumplings, dessert. The Canarios' fondness for all kinds of stews is also legendary. There is also fish, a wide range of island fruit and hearty meat dishes. And did you know that the island produces good rum and a highly prized goat's cheese?

People

The inhabitants of Gran Canaria are known as Canarios and are said to be cosmopolitan and welcoming. If you are interested in the greatest passion of many inhabitants, you have to come to the carnival in February or March and you will certainly enjoy the life-affirming culture. The population is made up of different ethnic groups. The majority are of Spanish descent, but many people from other European countries such as Germany, Great Britain and Scandinavia also live on the island. There is a large African community on the island, mainly immigrants from Morocco and West Africa. These communities have enriched the island's cultural life over the years with their own traditions. Most of Gran Canaria's inhabitants live from tourism, agriculture, fishing and industry. The island is also an important centre for international trade, especially for the import and export of fruit and vegetables.