12 Best Things to Do in Gran Canaria

Welcome to Gran Canaria! The first thing you should do when you arrive in Gran Canaria is to arrange a safe transfer from the airport to your hotel. This will allow you to get off to a good start. Once you are settled in, it will be time to begin your adventure on this beautiful island.

I suggest starting with a trip to one of its picturesque villages. You can also see dolphins, go to an amusement park, go canyoning or visit the beach. Thanks to its variety of landscapes, Gran Canaria is a place where you will never feel bored and can make the most of your time.

If you are travelling with children or if you yourself are a fan of amusement parks, you have to visit the best parks Gran Canaria has to offer. There you can ride classic attractions such as the Ferris wheel, see dolphins or enjoy slides that take you straight into a huge swimming pool. Like the idea?

The most famous park on the island is Holiday World Maspalomas. Here you will find a roller coaster, a family carousel, the Ferris wheel and other interesting attractions such as the Giro Loop and Pirate Bay. Tickets usually cost around €15 and you can go any day of the week.

If you want something more relaxed and also want to see aquatic animals, I recommend going to the Poema del Mar Aquarium. Here you can visit the jungle, deep ocean and reef areas. You can include this visit in your plans to see the animals that live around this island. A visit to this aquarium costs around €20.

Water parks also have their charm. Aqualand Maspalomas has outstanding attractions such as Kidsworld, Adrenalice Fun, Family Fun and Chill out & play. Tickets cost €10 or more. Choose any of these parks and spend a special day full of adrenaline and fun.

Gran Canaria is known for having some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands, so a day at the beach could not be left off this list. You will have many options to choose from, so you can pick a few or simply visit them all. Always remember to bring sunscreen, your swimsuit, and everything you need to be comfortable.

Playa Dedo de Dios is located near Puerto de las Nieves. Here you will see a very impressive contrast of colours, as the beach is close to cliffs and pebbles. When you arrive, you will see signs warning of the high risk of rockfalls, but even so, do you dare to visit it?

On the other hand, Güi Güi Beach is beautiful and has hardly been explored because it is difficult to access. If you are not in the mood for a long walk, I recommend visiting more popular beaches such as Amadores Beach. This is an artificial beach protected from strong winds and waves, ideal for a family day out.

If you are interested in exploring stunning landscapes, you should visit Tufia and Aguadulce Beaches. At the former, you will find black volcanic sand, and at the latter, you will see ochre-coloured sand. If you like the idea, you can collect the sand in small jars and take it home as a souvenir.

Traveller Tip
For a day at the beach, you should always bring sunscreen and comfortable clothing. To access some beaches, you have to take a long walk, so it is best to wear comfortable shoes.

A full-day tour of Gran Canaria is the best option when you want to make the most of your holiday. These types of excursions usually include visits to cities such as Telde, Firgas and San Bartolomé. You can also see the Cruz de Tejeda and the Roque Nublo. This experience usually lasts about eight hours and costs an average of €40.

These activities usually include transport to and from your hotel. You will start the day very early in the morning when the bus picks you up. From there, your professional guide will explain interesting facts about Gran Canaria. You can make stops in each of the three cities included in this tour.

Some excursions include lunch or snacks, but this is something you should check before paying for the experience. If it is not included, don't worry, in each city you can visit cosy restaurants and bars where you can have lunch and enjoy a delicious drink. Bottles of water for the journey are always included.

On the other hand, if you travel to Gran Canaria in October during the autumn season, you can also see how holidays such as Halloween are celebrated in some of these cities. This celebration in the Canary Islands is usually called "Noche de Los Finaos"(Night of the Dead). Enjoy all the activities according to the season you visit and don't forget to take pictures!

Dolphin watching tours in Gran Canaria are one of the most popular activities among tourists. On this tour from Puerto Rico beach, you can sail for at least two hours while watching the marine fauna. This experience costs an average of €40.

These cruises are usually done on a catamaran and you will have a guide. This person will tell you interesting facts about the dolphins while you watch them. To get the best view, it is best to choose a comfortable spot, either above or below deck. Sometimes these cruises include complimentary drinks and snacks.

During the tour, you will see several species of dolphins, such as tropical rorquals, common dolphins, sperm whales and spotted dolphins, among others. These cetaceans are most commonly seen in winter or spring. If you travel to Gran Canaria in December, it may be a good time to see them.

Depending on the type of excursion you choose, you will have the opportunity to do other activities. The most common is diving, which can be a very enjoyable activity, as if you are lucky you may even be able to swim with the dolphins. Do you like the idea? Always check out the different options and choose the most appealing one.

Practical information

• Location: south of Gran Canaria.

• When to go: all year round, especially in winter and spring.

• Price: around €40.

• Timetable: preferably during the day.

Excursions from Gran Canaria are a great way to make the most of your time on the island. In addition to travelling to interesting places within the island, you can also visit nearby islands such as Tenerife. The ferry trip usually costs an average of €70.

For this trip, you can take a ferry from Agaete in Gran Canaria to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The trip can take over an hour, but you will have at least 15 hours to spend on the island. When you arrive, your guide will help you explore the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Do not miss the opportunity to explore the best beaches in Tenerife.

On your tour, you will also see La Giganta de Santa Úrsula, an iconic stone statue adorned with local vegetation. As you continue, you will arrive at Villa de la Orotava, a small town with a historic centre that you will love. When you have finished exploring this area, it will be time to return to Gran Canaria.

Keep in mind that you can also take a plane to the island of Tenerife. This makes the trip much shorter. I also recommend that you stay at least one night on this island. This will allow you to visit its cities at a more leisurely pace and enjoy all the scenery. The next day, you can return to Gran Canaria at your leisure.

Practical information

• Location: from Agaete in Gran Canaria to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

• When to go: all year round.

• Price: around €70.

• Timetable: preferably during the day.

Boating in Gran Canaria is one of the most popular activities on the island. As well as being very relaxing and allowing you to explore the island from a different perspective, you can also go snorkelling on these trips. The average price for these trips is €50 and they last around three hours.

These trips usually depart from Puerto de Mogán and head to a beach. Once you arrive, you can snorkel at your leisure. If you're not interested in this activity, you can also swim or choose another option, such as diving. During the trip, you can enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks.

If you're interested in learning about the flora and fauna of Gran Canaria, this excursion is for you. When you dive into the water, you will see an almost magical world. Do you like the idea?

Before purchasing this experience, I recommend that you check whether the guides will provide you with all the equipment you need. Keep in mind that you will need diving goggles, special fins and a snorkel. Sometimes it is better to buy this equipment separately so that you can be more comfortable in the sea.

Practical information

• Location: Puerto de Mogán.

• When to go: any month of the year

• Price: around €50.

• Hours: during the day.

If you enjoy outdoor adventures, I suggest you try canyoning in Gran Canaria. This is a trip where you can swim in rivers, see waterfalls and enjoy nature for a whole day. These activities usually last at least five hours and cost an average of €60.

Canyoning is a sport that involves descending ravines on foot. This is done using ropes and special equipment that can be used in rock formations such as ravines, canyons, or riverbeds. Gran Canaria is full of places with these characteristics, so it is a very popular activity among tourists.

If you are travelling to Gran Canaria for at least seven days, you should include this activity in your itinerary. It is usually done in the Barranco de La Manta or the Barranco de Los Cernícalos. Both locations are in Las Palmas. For your comfort and safety, you will always be accompanied by a professional guide.

In addition, you will be provided with a wetsuit, harness, helmet, descender and neoprene socks. All this equipment is ideal for descending a canyon without any problems. You can also have a picnic for lunch. Photographs will be taken throughout the activity so that you can keep a nice souvenir.

Practical information

• Location: Barranco de La Manta or Barranco de Los Cernícalos in Las Palmas.

• When to go: winter and summer.

• Price: around €60.

• Hours: during the day.

Would you like to explore the seabed and all the life that hides there? Then I invite you to take a submarine tour in Puerto de Mogán, in the south of the island. In a vessel around 18 metres long and four metres wide, you can take a trip to the bottom of the sea. Like the idea? It will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. The trip lasts around 50 minutes and costs an average of €35.

Anyone can take part in this activity, from pregnant women to people with heart or hearing problems. The submarine reaches a depth of approximately 25 metres. Once there, you can see the fascinating marine fauna hidden in the Atlantic Ocean and even some sunken ships.

Inside the submarine, you will not feel the pressure changes as you descend. It is a completely safe space where you can simply enjoy your stay. You can sit back, relax and look through the submarine's windows. When the time is up, the submarine will rise to the surface and you can continue with your itinerary of at least ten things to do in Gran Canaria.

Practical information

• Location: Puerto de Mogán.

• When to go: any day of the year.

• Price: around €35.

• Opening hours: during the day.

The Maspalomas Dunes are the perfect place for camel riding in Gran Canaria. This area is unique in the Canary Islands and boasts a unique beauty with varied ecosystems. It has 400 hectares of organic sand, a palm tree forest, a lagoon and a beach. It is undoubtedly an excellent combination of oasis and desert.

Exploring the dunes is an activity that should not be missed during your visit to Gran Canaria. This experience costs an average of €15 and the trip itself lasts approximately half an hour. Anyone can take this tour as professional guides are always on hand to help and guide the camels.

For this activity, you should bring some sunscreen, water and mosquito repellent. If you are travelling with children over the age of four, you can also take them on this adventure. With all this, you will be able to explore the dunes and their immensity. Wear clothes that are easy to wash, as they will probably get dirty with sand.

If you are staying in Gran Canaria for at least four days, you should include this experience in your itinerary. This way, you will have explored the different climates and environments that this dream island has to offer. At the end of the tour, you can visit the beach and take a refreshing dip.

Practical information

• Location: Maspalomas Dunes.

• When to go: any time of year.

• Price: around £15.

• Opening hours: during the day.

One of the most enjoyable ways to explore Gran Canaria is to take a Hop on Hop off Bus around the island. The usual destination is Las Palmas, the capital. On this bus, which usually costs around €20, you can see the city and its landscapes from the windows.

You can get off at any stop you like on these buses. Along the way, you will pass Santa Catalina Park, El Corte Inglés, the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Paseo la Cornisa, several restaurants, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Ana de Canarias, the Pérez Galdós Theatre, among others. You can ask for the bus route to choose where to get off before boarding the bus.

Some of these buses include admission to the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium or the Pérez Galdós House Museum. You must first confirm with the company to find out what benefits are included with the bus you will be taking. If you will be in Gran Canaria for at least five days, you can add this tour to one of your days to enjoy the city in a single trip.

You can include a visit to the Roque Nublo Natural Monument in your three-day itinerary in Gran Canaria. This is a monolith located in the municipality of Tejeda in Gran Canaria. It is an iconic symbol of the island and has been protected by the Canary Islands Natural Spaces Law since 1994.

You can go trekking at this monument, always with the help of a professional guide, so you don't get lost. Please note that if you wish to do any of these activities, you must be in good physical condition. The activity consists of walking for several hours while admiring the scenery along the way.

The route starts on the main road. From there, you walk about 1.5 kilometres to reach the monument. On the way, you will pass by the El Fraile rock. You will also be able to see nearby towns such as Artenara and Acusa. You will also be able to see the Tejeda caldera, the Pozo de las Nieves and the Llanos de la Pez. After a long walk, seeing these landscapes will be a great reward.

Practical information

• Location: Roque Nublo Natural Monument

• When to go: any time of year.

• Price: around €20.

• Opening hours: during the day.

If you like wine, you can't miss the opportunity to try the wine made in Gran Canaria. That's why I recommend taking a guided tour of the island's vineyards. There you can taste several wines and even eat various types of cheese to accompany your drink.

A typical itinerary for this type of excursion includes a visit to the San Juan winery. There you will visit the wine museum and three wine presses, unique on the island. At these sites, you will learn about the history of the vineyards and the winemaking process, both ancient and modern. It will be a very interesting visit!

The wine you will taste is made using spontaneous fermentation, without clarification or filtration. This tour usually lasts at least two hours and costs an average of €20. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to the starting point. Return transport to a specific location is usually included.

As a curious fact, if you travel to Gran Canaria in November and are very interested in wine, you can attend Santa Brígida con Vino, an event organised by the Santa Brígida Town Council on the island. During the event, there are workshops, wine tastings and opportunities to learn about this drink, for which the Canary Islands are world-renowned.