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Gran Canaria is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot thanks to wonderful climate, quick access from mainland Europe and a implausible vary of year-round offers and bundle holidays.
The third largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, it’s dwelling to a formidable vary of high-end resorts, idyllic coastal villages and charming inland cities, whereas the capital, Las Palmas, is a phenomenal Spanish metropolis replete with magnificent architecure, loads of tradition and a preferred metropolis seaside.
An island formed by roughly 10 million years of volcanic exercise, Gran Canaria can also be a haven for nature lovers, with volcanic craters and mountains providing climbing and trekking alternatives.
A slew of golden seashores and the rolling dunes of Maspalomas are unmissable websites, whereas the likelihood to attempt your hand at water sports activities or see well-preserved archaeological websites means there’s loads to fill a vacation apart from lounging beachside.
Here’s our choose of the best things to do in Gran Canaria.
Spend time in the capital
The metropolis of Las Palmas has loads of points of interest
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Las Palmas is by far the largest settlement on Gran Canaria, and as such it comprises slightly bit of all the pieces that makes the island so nice. Many will begin with a go to to the city seaside of Las Canteras, a stretch of golden sands that extends for nearly two miles, or a stroll round the outdated city, generally known as Vegueta, to see a spread of medieval and Renaissance structure and the Casa de Colon, a museum with displays on the voyages of Christopher Columbus.
The metropolis additionally has its personal trendy artwork gallery and science museum, and a museum devoted to the island’s pre-conquest historical past (in addition to a number of notable spiritual buildings, akin to the Santa Ana cathedral). The metropolis’s fundamental park is the leafy, shaded San Telmo, whereas Mayor de Triana is the most notable purchasing avenue. Alternatively, get in your bike to discover areas like Triana and the seaside San Cristobal, a quaint outdated fishing neighbourhood.
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Cross the Maspalomas dunes
The dunes have been a protected pure space since 1994
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The sprawling dunes of Maspalomas are actually one of the most placing sights in Gran Canaria. Extending from the waters of the Atlantic in direction of the well-liked resort city of the similar identify, these sands present a 900-acre panorama of rolling dunes that appears prefer it was plucked straight from the Sahara.
The dunes may be accessed from Maspalomas itself, however watch out not to litter. Come at sundown for the best photographs, and make certain to discover the numerous sections of seaside too; e-book a guided tour if you would like to study extra about the dunes and see the best routes.
Kick again at the seaside
Winter temperatures that stay round 20C imply that Gran Canaria’s seashores are well-liked all yr
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Gran Canaria has nearly 40 miles-worth of seashores to select from. Maspalomas and Las Canteras are sometimes visited due to their pure magnificence and comfort, however there are dozens of others, from quiet and family-friendly to these with untouched pure magnificence.
West of Maspalomas, fashionable and tranquil Meloneras affords a laid-back expertise close to a number of of the island’s upscale resorts. Head additional west to see the palm tree-lined, Caribbean-esque white sands of Anfi del Mar, or northeast to Amadores, full of cliffs and coves and proving a quieter various to the water sports activities and events of Puerto Rico. Playa de Morganlies simply quarter-hour away by automobile, and is well-liked for households and people searching for a scenic base on the island.
Hike to the Roque Nublo
The Roque Nublo is estimated to be round 4 million years outdated
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The Roque Nublo sits at over 1,800m above sea stage, making it the third-highest level on Gran Canaria and a preferred ending level for climbing. Standing at 80 metres tall, it was as soon as a spot of worship for the island’s natives, and now lies inside a protected pure space and Unesco-listed biosphere reserve.
There are a number of routes to hike up to the monolith, with guided excursions obtainable that take round two hours. Popular self-guided routes can take as little as 75 minutes to attain the Roque, protecting a distance of slightly below two miles.
Visit one of the smaller cities
Pretty cities are unfold all through Gran Canaria
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Las Palmas could steal the headlines together with bigger resorts like Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico, however Gran Canaria is dwelling to a slew of lovely smaller cities, each on the coast and inland. The aforementioned Mogan is a coastal instance, full of small canals and well-liked with households searching for slightly extra peace and quiet; Sardina del Norte is one other pleasant coastal city surrounded by clear waters. Agaete is an enthralling coastal city of vibrant homes, an enthralling historic quarter and crystalline pure swimming pools.
Towns together with Teror and Tejeda are good locations to see conventional Canarian structure, outdated church buildings and countryside views. Other cities have totally different promoting factors, from the Gothic Revival cathedral and rum distillery of Arucas to the archaeological websites of Galdar.
Hike to the Caldera de Bandama
The Caldera de Bandama is a formidable volcanic crater
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The Caldera de Bandama is maybe the most placing instance of the volcanic exercise that has come to outline Gran Canaria’s panorama. Located in the northeast of the island not removed from Las Palmas, this crater measures round one kilometre vast, 216 metres deep and over 570 metres excessive.
The place to begin for a number of hikes may be reached through bus from Las Palmas, and from there a quantity of routes can take from round 90 minutes to so long as 4 hours, protecting up to 6km on some trails. Many hikers purpose for the Pico de Bandama, the most distinguished ‘peak’ alongside the caldera, for sweeping views over the northeast of Gran Canaria.
Try some water (and on-land) sports activities
Prevailing winds imply the south of the island often stays dry and heat
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Gran Canaria’s temperate year-round local weather signifies that it’s a great spot to attempt your hand at numerous sports activities, each on land and in the water. Golf is well-liked all through the yr, with eight programs on the island, the most famous of which is the Real Club de Golf Las Palmas subsequent to the Caldera de Bandama. For a wildly totally different setting, play subsequent to the dunes at Maspalomas.
Winds round Gran Canaria make it particularly well-liked for browsing and associated actions together with wind browsing, whereas paddle boarding, kayaking and jet snowboarding are additionally doable. Beaches like Puerto Rico, Anfi, Maspalomas and Taurito are all dwelling to specialised water sports activities corporations, and there are additionally established surf colleges at Las Canteras and Playa del Ingles.
Discover the island’s caves
The Caves of Valeron had been as soon as thought to be a set of convent rooms
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The island comprises two main historic cave websites, the Caves of Valeron and the Cueva Pintada (‘painted cave’). The former is a considerably eerie collection of caves set excessive in the Montana del Gallego that after served as grain shops for the island’s native Guanche inhabitants, whereas the latter is a pre-Hispanic cave adorned with geometric shapes. Tours present guests the illustrations from inside a glass room, with separate reconstructions of historic dwellings additionally obtainable to discover.
Other cave websites to discover embrace the ‘Four Doors’ of Mount Bermeja and the Cuevas del Rey close to the small village of El Roque, whereas some of the most picturesque swimming caves embrace these at Taurito seaside and the Cave of a Thousand Colours in Telde.
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