The island of Gran Canaria is a volcanic gem, tucked away in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco. Though closer to North Africa, it belongs to the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands. Of the eight islands, Gran Canaria is the third largest, trailing Tenerife and Fuerteventura, yet it is home to the most populous city — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
The island is nearly circular in shape, boasting diverse landscapes within its 600 square miles. The coastline is rugged and desolate — like a dusty moonscape — while the interior is lush, punctuated by volcanic mountain tops. With 320 days of sunshine and temperatures rarely dipping below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s a favored winter getaway for Europeans looking to get a little extra vitamin D.
During my three months in Gran Canaria, I tried to cram in as much exploring as possible, from mountain villages and hiking in the north to sand dunes and golden beaches in the south. Here are my top 10 things you absolutely can’t miss on your next trip to sunny Gran Canaria.
1. Surf or sunbathe on Las Canteras
Las Canteras is the main beach in Las Palmas — the capital city of Gran Canaria — and one of Europe’s most important urban beaches. Its soft golden sands stretch for nearly two miles, backed by a stunning seaside promenade and oceanfront restaurants. To the northern side of the beach, you’ll find La Barra, an extension of rocky reef that acts as a natural breakwater, meaning the water is almost always calm on this side. This is also an excellent place to snorkel, as the reef provides a habitat for many fish, like sea bream, parrotfish, and schools of silvery sardines.
To the south, you’ll find La Cícer, an unprotected stretch of beach dominated by waves dotted with novice and expert surfers. The Canary Islands are one of the best places to learn to surf in Europe and the neighborhood near La Cícer is chock-full of surf schools and camps.
2. Swim in natural pools at Puerto de las Nieves
Puerto de las Nieves is one of my favorite spots in Gran Canaria. This charming fishing village is located on the western coast and is the gateway for ferries over to Tenerife. The port city is known for its charming harbor, the blue and white buildings that line the waterfront, volcanic beaches, and natural swimming pools. Natural pools are a staple in the Canary Islands, carved out by the elements and filled with crystal clear seawater protected from gnarly swell, the perfect place for a refreshing dip.
The natural pools are less than a 10-minute walk outside the town center, equipped with bathrooms and a small food truck. On warm, sunny days (which is pretty much every day in the Canaries) the pools get very busy, especially on the weekends, so arrive by early morning or stop by in the evening for sunset.
3. Visit “Little Venice” in Puerto de Mogán
Another of Gran Canaria’s most captivating villages, Puerto de Mogán, is a little gem perched on the russet-colored moonscape of the southern coast. The town is known as “Little Venice” for the small footbridges that span the canal, dividing the village in half, the beach on one side and the port on the other. Puerto de Mogán boasts an enchanting marina, whose crystal waters are populated by swaying sailboats and flitting schools of fish, lined by bustling waterfront restaurants.
The neighborhood surrounding the marina is equally charming, whitewashed houses with red, yellow, and blue trim, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea. I could’ve spent hours here, wandering the tiny grid of streets, snapping photo after photo of the village. Puerto de Mogán also hosts a Friday market, held weekly from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It’s one of the largest markets on the island, offering everything from traditional clothing and local art to knock-off purses and brick-a-brack. While it’s not my favorite market on Gran Canaria, there’s a huge variety of goods.
4. Hike sand dunes in Maspalomas
Another unique trait of Gran Canaria is its incredibly varied landscape, from the lush interior dotted with mountains, rugged coastline, and every color of beach from obsidian lava rocks to soft golden sand. Maspalomas — a popular resort town on the southern coast — boasts a breathtaking swath of sand dunes adjacent to the infamous Playa del Inglés. The dunes span 1,000 acres, giving visitors a taste of the vast Sahara in nearby Morocco. You can enter the dunes near the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas, or from Playa del Inglés (where I entered).
Spend the afternoon climbing the golden peaks and wandering the desert oasis, a truly unique and otherworldly experience. The dunes are a protected nature reserve, so follow the posted signage and don’t leave any trash behind. The best time to come is around sunset when the sandy peaks are awash in golden light.
5. Catch epic views at Roque Nublo
Roque Nublo (Rock in the Clouds) is the most recognizable landmark in Gran Canaria and not adding it to your itinerary is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. This staggering volcanic monolith is 260 feet high, with sweeping views over the interior valley and coastline. Once an ancient place of worship for Indigenous Guanche people, Roque Nublo is now a popular hiking spot within a protected nature park. The small parking lot fills up quickly, so get there early or be prepared to park on the winding road.
The hike to Roque Nublo is short and sweet, only one mile each way, following a steady climb through the pine forest towards the monolith. Along the way, you’ll pass Roque del Fraile, named for its likeness to a friar, before making your way toward Roque Nublo and the smaller adjacent Roque de la Rana. If you scramble over the smaller boulders slightly to the left of the monolith, you’ll see a rocky overhang that is the perfect spot to snap some photos. The hike is beautiful at all times of day, but the sunsets are particularly special when the surrounding mountainsides are cast in an orange glow, as if on fire. This is also a very popular hike to see the sunrise.
6. Eat traditional sweets in Tejeda
Perched into the chocolate-brown mountainside in the shadow of Roque Nublo is the stunning village of Tejeda. This captivating white-washed town is known for its traditional sweets, especially those made with almonds grown in the area. While there’s not tons to do in this tiny village, it’s the perfect spot to unwind and drink in the the mountain air. While steeped in sunlight year-round, try to visit Tejeda in February when the landscape is awash in light pink almond blossoms.
Stroll the steep, winding streets, take in panoramic views and red-tile roofs from the mirador, and stop for a sweet treat at one of the bakeries. Dulcería Nublo is my favorite, offering a wide selection, from giant Palmeras —crispy cookies shaped like hearts covered in chocolate, fruit, etc — to bienmesabe, a decadent spread made from honey and ground almonds that literally means “it tastes good to me.”
7. Browse the Sunday market in Teror
The quaint little mountain village of Teror comes alive on Sundays to host its weekly market. The square surrounding the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino is lined with vendors selling traditional food, fresh produce, and religious tokens. Take a peek into the lavish, gilded basilica for a glance at the patron saint of Gran Canaria, the “Virgin of the Pine,” behind the altar.
At the market, you’re bound to see people walking around with large paper-wrapped sandwiches, “bocadillos” with a generous portion of “chorizo de Teror” smeared inside. This spreadable meat is flavorful and has a brilliant orange color from paprika and other spices. For the ultimate combination of local flavors, add some of Teror’s famed farmer’s cheese to your sandwich, the perfect complement to the spiced chorizo.
You cannot leave the market without sampling some local pastries either. From marzipan and aniseed cakes to fluffy macaroons and truchas — Canarian half-moon pastries filled with a sweet potato/almond paste and dusted with sugar (my absolute favorites).
8. Learn about Guanche culture
In addition to geographical location and topography, the Canary Islands differ from mainland Spain when it comes to Indigenous history. Prior to colonization, the Canary Islands were inhabited by the Guanche people, who were likely descendants of the Berber people in North Africa. While the Guanche population was largely decimated by the 1600s, their influence is still widely seen throughout the Canary Islands.
The Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave) in Gáldar on the northern coast is one of the most notable sites, a museum and archeological complex featuring a notable cave painting. Here you can see artifacts and dwellings from this pre-Hispanic, as well as a visit to the cave to see the fabled painting.
Other notable sites include the Cenobio de Valerón, a fascinating granary complex carved into a cave, Maipés Archaeological Park, a funerary complex built on a lava field, and the Guayadeque Ravine, a picturesque gorge with cave houses.
9. Sample rum in Arucas
Not far from Las Palmas is the inland town of Arucas, a quaint village with stunning colonial buildings and the formidable slate grey Gothic facade of the Church of San Juan Bautista. In addition to its architecture, Arucas is known for rum, home to Arehucas, the largest distillery in the Canary Islands. Meaning “fertile land” in Guanche, Arehucas has been bottling grog since 1884.
For just a few euros (it was only €8 when I visited in October of 2024) you can take a guided tour of the distillery. Tours are offered in both English and Spanish. The tour lasts about an hour, walking through the entire process of rum-making, from the aging room to the mill and the bottling plant. The tour ends with a tasting in their elegant store room, where you can sample a variety of products, like their 18-year-old dark rum, honey rum, banana liquor, and many more.
10. Tour a banana plantation at Mundo del Plátano
The guided tour of Mundo del Plátano was truly one of my favorite things I did in Gran Canaria. The location is beautiful, a restored farmhouse perched on the hillside overlooking fields of wide banana leaves and the sparkling Atlantic ocean. The Canarian bananas are a staple of the islands and one of the archipelago’s leading exports. Volcanic soil provides the perfect environment for the “plátano canario” and these delicious yellow fruits are seen across grocery stores in Spain and Europe.
Our tour was led by the incredibly energetic María, who imparted engaging information about the cultivation of Canarian bananas and their distribution. We also walked through part of the plantation, while María pointed out different species, from red and blue bananas to “praying hands” bananas that grow in spiral-shaped bunches. The tour was followed by a tasting outside the restored farmhouse museum/store, including banana wine, different jams, and mojo — the typical sauce of the Canary Islands. Tours are offered in both English and Spanish and cost €14 when I visited in December of 2024.