Nicest part of gran canaria: Best Areas to Stay in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – Best Districts

Best Places To Stay In Gran Canaria

Discover where to stay in Gran Canaria, one of the most famous and popular tourist destinations in the Canary archipelago. For years the island has enjoyed unflagging popularity, not only because of the excellent weather all year round but also for its culture, nightlife and stunning nature. 

For those seeking a sunny escape, even during winter, find a holiday home to rent in Gran Canaria – ‘The island of eternal Spring,’ where nature lovers, culture hunters and beach bathers alike will find their perfect destination. 

• Family Holidays In Gran Canaria
• Beach Holidays In Gran Canaria
• Romantic Break In Gran Canaria
• For Culture, Attractions and Sightseeing
• Walking And Nature In Gran Canaria
• Nightlife In Gran Canaria

Where To Stay For Families In Gran Canaria

It is no wonder that families love Gran Canaria, the variety of attractions on the island makes a trip with children a real adventure with every day promising a new experience. Destinations on the south of the island offer an almost guaranteed warm climate as well as long, sandy beaches ideal for a holiday in Gran Canaria with children.

One of the most family-friendly places to stay in Gran Canaria is Maspalomas. Some of the villas in Maspalomas overlook the emblematic beaches on the island and are located near the biggest attraction of the area, the sand dunes. These protected dunes are famous for resembling the hot sands of the Sahara desert and were formed during the last ice age. Children will have endless entertainment climbing and rolling down them. 

In addition to the long, safe beaches, the town is well prepared for family tourism. Find a great variety of restaurants with Spanish and international cuisine, shops, kiosks and supermarkets. There are also several theme parks near Maspalomas, for the adrenaline seekers, spend a fun-filled day at Aqualand Maspalomas and for those who prefer an amusement park with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster and toy cars should go to Holiday World.

Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria is located on the south-west of the island and is said to be the most family-friendly resort in Gran Canaria. Playa Amadores is an artificially created beach (the sand comes from the Sahara) and is one of the favourite places for a day out at the beach with children. The soft golden sand and calm waters make it ideal for toddlers and young swimmers. The beach has an abundance of amenities as well as bars and restaurants. Entertain older kids with watersports and take the whole family on a boat trip, if you are lucky, observe dolphins and whales in their natural environments.

Where To Stay For Beaches In Gran Canaria

The beaches in Gran Canaria stretch over 60km of coastline and to fully enjoy the charms of the local beaches, rent a villa or apartment in Gran Canaria by the sea. Some of the best beaches in Gran Canaria are Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and the beaches of San Agustin. Maspalomas is in protected nature areas due to its magnificent sand dunes and some spots on these beaches are designated for nudists and practising water sports. 

In Las Palmas – Playa Las Canteras has been named the best city beach in the world as it gets more pleasant days of good weather than anywhere else on Earth and does not experience as much air pollution as other big cities with beaches. Las Canteras is big enough to still feel wild and natural even though it is located in the centre of the city. The south end of the beach has no reef and the waves are surfable almost every day and is also ideal for windsurfers and kitesurfers due to its weather conditions and lack of dangerous rip tides.

The beaches in Gran Canaria are some of the most unique in Europe, some of them are constructed with sand brought from the Sahara and others from the Carribean. Beaches such as Puerto Mogan and Amadores have been likened to those in Puerto Rico. To enjoy these Caribbean like beaches, stay in Patalavaca, a quiet resort, with calm shallow waters and pure white sand imported from the Bahamas. 

For those who want to explore the more rugged beaches in Gran Canaria – head to Güigüí beach. It is not as easily accessible as the majority of beaches on the island as you can only reach it by boat or embark on a five-kilometre walking route. There are no shops or restaurants and you may find when you get there you have the bay all to yourself. Güigüí also owes its charm to the dark volcanic sand, which is reminiscent of the islands volcanic past.

Where To Stay For Couples In Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is an idyllic holiday destination for couples. Take long walks along the seafront, have a romantic meal while the sun sets and share lazy mornings with breakfast on a terrace overlooking the sea. If you seek a tranquil and intimate location, consider apartments in Agaete, located in the north of the island. By law, these rustic whitewashed houses are required to have green or brown doors and shutters or white walls and blue doors in the port adding to the charm of the town.

Gran Canaria is one of the few places in Europe that has a climate suitable for growing coffee. If you are staying in Agaete, take a romantic excursion to a coffee plantation farm in a neighbouring town. Finca Los Castaños offers a guided tour, during which you will learn about the process of growing and preparing coffee and the tour finishes with sampling some of their specialities. 

Bodega Los Berrazales is another place for couples on holiday in Gran Canaria. Not only a vineyard it also has a coffee plantation and orchards with tropical fruit. Try all the products that the vineyard has to offer, explore its history and spend a sunny afternoon wandering around the fields and orchards.

Take romantic strolls along Agaete’s narrow streets with traditional Canarian architecture. Be sure to check out the botanical gardens – El Huerto de las Flores, full of lush vegetation also the perfect spot for a picnic for two. Agaete valley is the islands most rural destination, known as the ‘fertile valley’ its nestled amongst lush green pine trees paving the way to the sea. The deep valley is ideal for couples wanting to escape the crowds of tourists, disconnect and experience local life in Gran Canaria. Don’t forget to stop by a rock spring and drink some of the water, the locals swear that it brings good health and longevity. 

Complete your couples getaway by visiting ‘Little Venice’ in Puerto Mogan. Named the Venice of Gran Canaria due to its canals linking the marina to the harbour, this little fishing village consists of narrow white streets full of colour and character. Find a romantic spot for lunch in one of the many restaurants with stunning views of the marina and pick up some typically Canarian trinkets from the market on a Friday.  

Where To Stay In Gran Canaria For Culture

If you love to experience some of the local traditions on your holiday, the best place to stay in Gran Canaria for culture is Las Palmas. The island’s capital has been recognised as having the best climate for a city in the world and it is full of sightseeing opportunities as well as being in an ideal location to take excursions to neighbouring towns.

Wander around the oldest part of the city – La Vegueta. Pass through the streets and admire architecture from the colonial times, enter the House of Columbus (Museo Casa de Colón), where Columbus supposedly stayed when visiting the island and visit the impressive Cathedral of St. Anne. Set aside a few hours to explore the Canary Museum and learn about the foundations of Canarian culture.

Whilst staying in Las Palmas, head to Triana, along with La Vegueta it is one of the oldest parts of the city. Relax in one of the pubs and try local delicacies such as ‘papas arrugadas’ and admire historic houses dating back to the twelfth century. 

If you want to immerse yourself in Canarian culture, find holiday accommodation in Aguimes – the eastern part of the island. It’s a great place to see and feel what life in Gran Canaria was like before tourism. The town looks like a catalogue of perfectly restored, buildings, churches and squares encouraging you to spend long afternoons with a glass of local wine in one of the traditional cafes.

Where To Stay For Walking In Gran Canaria

Fall in love with Gran Canaria’s natural, rich landscape, with lush pine forests, mountainous ranges and breathtaking ocean views. Walking in Gran Canaria has become an integral part of many peoples holiday on the island, the desire to get out into nature, breath in the fresh air and navigate the network of trails. One of the most famous and historic routes is the ‘Caminos de Santiago’ – the king’s highways – it is still possible to cross the whole island via these tracks.  After a day hiking around, head to Puerto Mogan to refuel in one of the many restaurants and cafes. In an ideal location, some of the popular walking routes in Gran Canaria begin nearby.

If you want to relax and disconnect, stay in a traditional Canarian pueblo, with local taverns, bars and a somewhat sleepy atmosphere. Rent an apartment in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which is along the Camino de Santiago hiking route and one of the best places to stay in Gran Canaria for cycling. With well-maintained roads, a pleasant climate, stunning scenery and the biggest municipality on the island, explore the impressive landscape by bike.

Gran Canaria has been named as one of the best places in the world for windsurfing. Watersports enthusiasts should head to the beaches of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Las Canteras beach is particularly popular with windsurfers all year round. If you want to take some inspiration from professionals tackling the waves, head to Pozo Izquierdo where winds can reach up to 60mph.  

Gran Canaria has also been dubbed the Hawaii of Europe, with conditions ideal for surfers all year round. Constant onshore winds mean the waves can reach up to 5 metres high on the north coast of the island from Las Palmas to Gáldar.

Where To Stay In Gran Canaria For Nightlife

Stay in the Las Palmas for some of the best nightlife in Gran Canaria, as the largest city on the island there is an extensive offering of bars, restaurants and clubs. There is a variety of discotheques and they are full every night with locals, students and tourists. In addition to traditional bars, you will find trendy clubs, Irish pubs and live music concerts. Visit one of the rooftop bars located at the top of the tallest buildings of the city and admire the panoramic views.

In the south of Gran Canaria, find the best nightlife in Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico, located only short distances from each other. Interestingly, a large part of nightlife in Gran Canaria takes place in shopping centres, which turn into huge clubs at night. Yumbo, Plaza and Kasbah are the most popular party venues, ideal if you are staying in Playa del Inglés.

Find one of the one most famous clubs in the world in Playa del Ingles –  the prestigious Pacha Gran Canaria. They host events throughout the year and it is worth checking their website before you go as some of their parties are ticket only. 

The whole of Gran Canaria is LGBT-friendly, however so if you’re looking for Gran Canaria Pride events, then Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés are a great choice. There are many options for those seeking a boat party in Gran Canaria where alcohol is streaming and some even have a jacuzzi at the disposal of party people! The most famous boat party is by MTV Pacha Party Boats, cruises are organised throughout the year every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

To experience a Spanish festival, head to Gran Canaria during the carnival season, the most anticipated event of the year with celebrations spread over three weeks. The colourful carnivals are full of energy and as vibrant as those in Rio de Janeiro. The main events take place in the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Mogan and Galdar. Other areas all over the island also have their own festivities during this period. 

It is worth remembering that nightlife in Spain begins very late, the bars won’t start to fill up until around 11 pm and some of the clubs won’t open until around 1.00-2.00 am, so pace yourself and party until sunrise. 

The most beautiful sights in Gran Canaria:

HomeNewsBeautiful sights in Gran Canaria:

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The Top 10 most beautiful sights in Gran Canaria:

09/12/2022

Gran Canaria is one of the most popular travel destinations for a sun-drenched holiday. The Canary Islands are located near Morocco and are blessed with a pleasant subtropical climate.

In Gran Canaria you can completely relax on long fine sandy beaches and cool off in the Atlantic Ocean, but there is much more to see and experience.

We have put together a Top 10 of the most important sights and the best excursions in a row below, but there is much more to experience beyond this list.

10 – Roque Nublo

The Roque Nublo is the symbol of Gran Canaria. It is a gigantic basalt rock of no less than 80 metres high at an altitude of 1813 metres. The landscape around the rock is rough and lends itself perfectly to beautiful walks. 

The footpath GC-600 will take you to the Roque Nublo and you will also pass other beautiful vantage points along the way. At the rock you have a beautiful view over Gran Canaria and in the distance you can even see Tenerife.

9 – Barranco de Fataga

The Barranco de Fataga is a spectacular ravine in which hundreds of palm trees grow. It is one of the most spectacular places in Gran Canaria. In the ravine lies the eponymous village of Fataga. This is a village that characterises the Canary Islands, with narrow, cobbled streets and indigenous Canarian architecture. 

If you drive here from the south of the island, you’ll come across a beautiful viewpoint over the ravine along the way – a great day out!

8 – Puerto de Mogán

Puerto de Mogán is a picturesque fishing village. It is also called Little Venice because there are so many canals and bridges. Puerto de Mogán is very touristy, but still the village has managed to keep its authentic character. There is an excellent family-friendly beach with golden sand and calm waters, and the sea at high tide is fantastic for snorkelling.
 

On the coast is the marina for which the village is so well known, and where you can also relax on the beach.

The harbour is also home to the Yellow Sub-marine (a yellow submarine), which introduces tourists to the island’s underwater landscape, and lets you enjoy the underwater life!

7 – Jardín Canario

The Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo, or the Jardín Canario for short, is the largest botanical garden in Spain. You will find the garden not far from Las Palmas. The area covers ten hectares and you can admire as many as 500 different Canary plant species. 

The park was designed by Swedish-Spanish botanist Erik Ragnar Stevenson in the 1950s. It is also an important place for scientific research. A library and various laboratories belong to the garden.

6 – Tejeda

Tejeda is located in the central part of Gran Canaria. This village is not big, but there is a lot to see. For example, visit the parish church or the museum dedicated to the Canarian sculptor Abraham Cárdenes. In Tejeda you’ll also find a centre where you can learn more about the healing powers of some of Gran Canaria’s plants.

Don’t forget to visit the parish church. If you are interested in archaeology, Tejeda has a lot to offer.

There are caves that served as cemeteries, rock paintings, prehistoric houses and artefacts… A great archaeological site in this area is Roque Bentayga, once a holy place for the locals. The Cuevas del Rey (“caves of the king”), which are located inside Roque Bentayga, shed light on the life and faith of the people who worshipped here. There is also the Bentaya Archaeological Park, an eco-museum with information about the archaeological complex.

5 – Teror is the most beautiful village in Gran Canaria.

Walk through the central square which is bordered by several historic buildings. The houses have been painted in different colours and are all equipped with a typical Canarian wooden balcony. On Sundays you can also visit the local market here, highly recommended! 

Teror is also an important place of pilgrimage on the island. 

According to local legend, the Virgen del Pino, the patron saint of the island, appeared here. Therefore, a pilgrimage to the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pino is organised every year. In that eighteenth-century basilica an ancient statue of the Virgin is kept.

4 – La Vegueta in Las Palmas

La Vegueta is the oldest district of the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In this historic district you can admire many beautiful buildings. The most beautiful place of the district is without doubt the Plaza de Santa Ana. You walk along colourful buildings like the Casas Consistoriales de Las Palmas and the Archivo Histórico Provincial de Las Palmas. On the square you should not miss the Catedral de Las Palmas, a sixteenth-century Gothic Roman Catholic church.

In La Vegueta you can also visit the Casa de Colón at the Plaza de Colombus. This former governor’s house would have been where the explorer Christopher Columbus would have stayed for a while. The building houses a museum dedicated to the travels of Columbus. Other attractions in La Veguetta include the CAAM art museum and the Museo Canario about prehistory in the Canary Islands.

3 – Gáldar

Gáldar is a small authentic village in the north of Gran Canaria at the foot of the mountains. It is a cosy village where you can stroll around between the narrow streets. 

On Sundays you can also visit the local market here. You can buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the region. 

In Gáldar you can also enjoy delicious food in some tapas bars at the central square Plaza de Santiago. There is also a beautiful church. A little further on you can admire centuries-old murals in the archaeological museum Cueva Pintada.

2 – Dunas de Maspalomas

Between the seaside resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés lie the sand dunes of Dunas de Maspalomas. This is a unique dune area that resembles the Sahara, an absolute must-see on the island! 

Dunas de Maspalomas is a protected nature reserve where you can make beautiful walks. The dunes run into the beach of Maspalomas at El Oasis, a seawater lagoon surrounded by palm trees and where you can spot various migratory birds.

Our tip: ¨visit the dunes also at sunset, the sand will get a nice red glow¨.

1 – Pico de las Nieves and the cliffs of Tirajana

Pico de las Nieves is the highest point of Gran Canaria (1949 m). Its origin is volcanic. Only the islands of Tenerife and La Palma have higher peaks. On the highest plateau there is a military base, but a little lower there is a viewpoint on a platform accessible to the public, from where you can see half of the island when the weather is fine. 

In the south, the cliffs of Tirajana are another natural attraction. The cliffs are remarkable due to their geology and geomorphology. Important erosion processes helped in their creation, and many indigenous species live here.

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Artenara, Gran Canaria Maybe even the last one. I felt very good there. I would like to live in Las Palmas, next to Las Canteras beach. I would learn to ride on a board, run along the ocean …

The plane was supposed to take us there today, but for some reason it will not take us. The plane was cancelled. The damn world has gone crazy. And the magical island is farther and farther in memory. nine0003 One day I will definitely be there again. Love him.
Artenara is one of the most beautiful “regional centers” of Gran Canaria. And also the highest.

I have visited most of the centers of the municipalities of Gran Canaria. I have not been (well, at least passing through) only to Guia, Moya, Bayeseko and Teror. I will definitely go to all of them. Someday. It seems to me that even the regional centers of the Leningrad region are more unvisited: Podporozhye, Boksitogorsk, Volosovo, Kirovsk. No, just the same. But for some reason I want to go to Teror more than to Volosovo 🙂
During the wintering of 2018-2019, I visited Artenara twice. For the first time to the competition, which took place in the Tamadaba forest.

I went there alone, hurried back to us to the south to the girls – I almost didn’t see anything.
And another time I took the girls for a picnic in a beautiful pine forest of the same Tamadaba, on the way back we still looked at Artenara herself.
Tamadaba is a beautiful forest located in the mountains of the very north-west of the island. It is very difficult to imagine here that just a few kilometers away, completely alien landscapes of the center of the island begin. Tamadaba is a real forest. nine0006

The picnic was a success, we ate so much that we didn’t check the restaurants in Artenar. Although they are there, of course.

Both times I went to Artenara from Maspalomas along the highway and climbed the mountains through Santa Brigida and San Mateo, through a very beautiful Cruz de Tejeda pass. Here early in the morning it was +3, while in the afternoon on the south coast it can reach up to 26-27. In general, it must be borne in mind that it is cold in the mountains in winter. But with the girls I was driving later, and at half past 12 at the same place it was +18:

Even snow sometimes happens in Gran Canaria (in Tenerife, in the mountains, it generally lies for a month). In Gran Canaria, of course, the mountains are lower, and when it snows here, it is a holiday for the locals – everyone goes to the mountains to play snowballs and take pictures.
After the pass the road goes down and then creeps up again a little bit.
The village lies at an altitude of 1230 meters. Neat houses,

Streets:

Everything is very tidy:

Back in the 1930s, most of the population lived here in “cave” houses. It looked like this:

This was quite recently. The current idyllic picture has developed only in new “tourist” names. In Artenar, there is the “most beautiful observation deck” of the island – Mirador de Unamuno. It is really a very beautiful place, it is a slope “to the center” of the island, from here you can see the two most beautiful peaks of Gran Canaria – Roque Nuble and Roque Bentayga. nine0006

This is a view of the “caldera” in the center of the island, where lava flowed from the center of the island to the west.
Miguel de Unamuno – Spanish novelist and philosopher of the early 20th century who visited these places in 1910 and left a description. The sculpture was installed in 1999.

At this place my daughter wrote down a small message for her instagram – it turned out magical 🙂

https://instagram.com/p/BtzUlHYiLhj

This Mirador is really one of the most beautiful on the island. nine0003 Artenara still has a rather touristic and very well-groomed appearance. It was a great idea to arrange such an attraction here, it is written about in every guidebook – and it attracts tourists.

In the village, as expected, there is a church – de San Matías. Practically modern, built in 1870, and interior decoration completed in the 1960s.

A little north of the village is another observation deck – Mirador De La Atalaya. It has a view to the north, from here you can see the ocean:

Here is a monument erected in 2007. The “habitat of the municipality” is depicted here: pine forests and coastal landscapes.
The monument is strange, it’s not Unamuno.

It was not too late to leave Artenara.

The island’s mountain roads are not designed for night driving. And on the way, we also wanted to stop by Tejeda.
Artenara is nice, beautiful mountain village. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2019, the municipality was hit hard by forest fires. Fires are the scourge of the Canary Islands. In summer it is very dry and hot here. The slightest spark starts a fire. nine0003 This is what the fire of our Tamadaba forest looked like from the port of Agaete.

That’s about Gran Canaria for now. Until better times.

Tags: Artenara, Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria 2019, Spain, Canary Islands

Capital of Gran Canaria. Gran Canaria: Sights

Gran Canaria Atoll, whose sights we will consider in our article, according to its population, is a continent in miniature. And indeed it is. After all, here are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, high mountains, desert landscapes and tropical forests. This small island is part of the archipelago of the Canary Islands and is its pearl. The atoll is of volcanic origin, and its highest point is the Pico de las Nieves volcano, which erupted more than 3.5 thousand years ago. nine0006

Some information about the island

Gran Canaria (the sights are described below) is a kind of nature reserve, since almost half of the island is protected by different organizations. The symbol of the area is Mount Roque Nublo. Its height reaches 1813 meters. A long time ago, the top of the mountain was a place of worship for the natives. Today, it has become the most favorite place for travelers, because it offers a magnificent panorama of the surrounding islands, as well as a volcano called Teide. nine0006

Gran Canaria (the sights of the island are listed in the review) is an excellent place for those who love beach holidays, rural tourism, golf, water sports and cycling. Almost all the historical sights of the atoll were built after the island was conquered by the Spaniards. But there are also pre-Hispanic sites, such as the archaeological park called Senobio de Valeron and the Cueva Pintada cave.

The largest airport in Spain and Gran Canaria

The first thing a person will see upon arrival on the island is Gran Canaria Airport. This is an international airport terminal, which is located in the east of the atoll. It is located almost twenty kilometers from the main city of Gran Canaria – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Every year the airport receives about ten million people. Often this heavenly berth is called Gando.

Gran Canaria Airport is one of the largest airports in Spain in terms of passenger traffic. It is also the largest in the Canary Islands. In 2014, a new terminal was equipped on the territory of the air station, where passengers can use the full range of necessary services. The terminal area is divided into several compartments: European Union flights depart from zone C, flights outside the EU are carried out from zone D, and separate zones are provided for the Canary Islands. nine0006

Resort province of the Canary Islands and the Spanish kingdom

Las Palmas is an island and one of the main attractions of Gran Canaria. The administrative center and the main settlement of the periphery is the old town already mentioned above. This is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The province is made up of several inhabited and uninhabited islands, as well as the rocks of Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste. In 2005, the population of this territory barely exceeded one thousand people. nine0006

Among the natural attractions of Las Palmas, the following objects can be distinguished: the huge botanical garden of Viera y Clavijo and the huge Doromas Park. Thousands of species of valuable plants grow in the garden, and the park can please visitors with a large number of cafes and fountains.

Casa de Colon

The capital of the Canary Islands is home to an attraction of great interest to travelers of all ages. This is the home of Columbus, or Casa de Colon. The navigator who discovered the United States of America stayed at this house a long time ago. The building is an incredibly beautiful architectural structure dating back several hundred years. The great navigator lived here for some time. nine0006

At the beginning of the 1950s, Casa de Colon was converted into a museum. It has 13 rooms that house expositions and libraries. The institution has a huge number of compasses, maps and a globe. All this once belonged to the discoverer. The uniqueness of the globe lies in the fact that there is no mainland on it, which is called America. The institution also has a large collection of paintings. It will be interesting for adults and children to look at the models of ships. nine0006

There are many documents about relations with the American states, a collection of books and exhibits on the marine theme.

The most popular attraction

The most popular attraction in Gran Canaria is the Palmitos Park, which is home to over 200 species of different birds. Among them there are small macaws, toucans, pink flamingos and many others. Also in the park is the Cactus and Aloe Garden, the Butterfly House, which is the largest in Europe, and the Orchid Pavilion, where hundreds of flowers grow in a wide variety of colors and shapes. The underwater world of Palmitos Park has thousands of species of fish. nine0006

Here you can dine and see a variety of shows. But for this you have to spend half a day in the park. Not so long ago, a large dolphinarium was opened on the territory of the attraction. In addition, you can see beautiful performances, the main participants of which are parrots and eagles. The birds perform unique tricks, such as cycling.

The main attraction of the city

The main attraction of Gran Canaria is the Canary Cathedral, which is located in the ancient quarter of Vegeta. This temple houses the chair of the Bishop of the Canary Islands. Despite the fact that the decision to build the church was made in 1487, it was only ten years later that it began to be built. But the work was suspended for some time, as there was not enough money to complete them. The construction of the cathedral was resumed in 1781, and it was completely completed only in our time. nine0006

Late Gothic style prevails in the interior of the temple. And the facades of the building are created in the neoclassical style. The arches, piers and vaults of the church are made of hewn blue stone brought from the quarries of San Lorenzo.

A number of other attractions

Gran Canaria, whose sights we are considering, can be proud of its other objects. For example, the dunes of Maspalomas. This is a park of national importance. Its full name is Dunas de Maspalomas and it covers 403 hectares on the coast. The park has a salt water lake and a variety of Canarian fauna and flora. nine0006

Another attraction of the island that deserves everyone’s attention is the Cueva Pintada cave. The cave is a small museum with geometric patterns of the ancient Guanches. Previously, Cueva Pintada was the residence of the Guanche kings. The modern museum has several halls.

The resort of Puerto Rico is another world-famous attraction of the island of Gran Caniria. At first, the resort was just a fishing village, but today it is replete with luxurious hotels and expensive apartments. nine0006

History of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is Tenerife’s closest competitor in the competition for tourist popularity among the seven Canary Islands and third in area of ​​1540 km2. The history of Gran Canaria is in many ways similar to the history of Tenerife, all the Canary Islands were formed as a result of volcanic activity, and appeared millions of years ago, rising from the depths of the ocean. It is believed that Gran Canaria was inhabited as early as 500 BC, the first inhabitants were the Guanche tribes, descendants of the Berbers, who arrived here from North Africa. But there are legends that say that the Canaries were originally inhabited by the surviving inhabitants of the sunken Atlantis. nine0006

In the 15th century, Gran Canaria, like other islands, was invaded by Italian, Portuguese and Spanish conquerors, and although the local population fiercely resisted, in the end the island was conquered by the sailors of the Catalan fleet. Starting from the 20s of the XX century, Gran Canaria began to develop as a tourist center, its popularity grew due to its unique climatic conditions and geographical location, but the real tourist boom here began in the mid-70s of the XX century. Most of the high-class hotels and other tourist infrastructure facilities appeared here after 1975 years old.

Climate and nature of Gran Canaria

Like the other Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has an unusually mild climate, with spring all year round and the tourist season in full swing, thanks in large part to the warm Gulf Stream. Geographically, the island of Gran Canaria is located slightly south of Tenerife and closer to continental Africa for these reasons, the water and air temperature here can be on average slightly higher than in Tenerife. The main tourist centers in Gran Canaria are located in the south of the island and in summer there is practically no rain here, and in the winter months they are extremely rare. The coldest time of the year is January, when snow falls on the tops of the mountains, although at the same time summer continues on the coast and the beach season is in full swing. nine0006

The landscapes and climatic zones of Gran Canaria are extremely diverse, here you can see mountain peaks, cooled volcanoes, gorges and valleys overgrown with lush vegetation, sand dunes like in a real desert, majestic rocks washed by ocean waves, charming bays and a wide variety of beaches. In each area, the climatic conditions are slightly different, for these reasons Gran Canaria is called the “continent in miniature”, the nature of the Canary Islands is unique and, in general, is not similar to either European or African. The mountain range passing through the island from the northwest to the southeast conditionally divides it into two parts, in the south where the tourist centers are warmer and drier because the mountains hold back the incoming clouds, in the north the humidity is slightly higher. nine0006

Attractions Gran Canaria

Palm Park
is the most popular walking and amusement park in Gran Canaria, covering over 20 hectares. This is a kind of botanical garden and a zoo in one. Here you can see shows of trained parrots, shows of exotic birds, as well as performances of raptors – vulture eagles and others. In Palm Park you can see the “last dinosaur” of the Earth – the Komodo dragon, this is the largest predatory lizard in existence. In a separate pavilion is the “Butterfly House”, which contains a collection of several hundred butterflies from around the world in all colors of the rainbow. nine0006

Cactus Park
– another park where you can have fun in Gran Canaria, located in the west of Gran Canaria in the small town of San Nicolás de Tolentino. The name of the park speaks for itself, here you can see and even buy your favorite exhibits at an affordable price. On the territory of 15,000 m2, all kinds of cacti collected from various places from all over the planet. In the same park there is an observation deck from where a stunning panorama of the island opens and you can see the top of Mount Teide of the neighboring island of Tenerife. nine0006

Aboriginal World
– ethnographic museum, for travelers who are interested in ancient history. Not far from the picturesque gorge, a reconstruction of an ancient village has been created, where panoramas of life and life, the mysterious Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands, are reproduced. Historians still argue about the origin of the Guanches – where could the fair-skinned inhabitants come from in the African latitude? Perhaps these are the descendants of the inhabitants of Atlantis, the answer has not yet been found.

Excursions to the ancient part of the capital of Gran Canaria Las Palmas
nine0173 – for guests of the island who would like to get acquainted with its past. Small towns in the vicinity of Las Palmas keep the memory of the great discoverer Christopher Columbus and convey to visitors the unique charm of antiquity and the history of Gran Canaria. Narrow streets, houses and churches with medieval architecture in the cities of Teror, San Bortolome de Tirajana, Firgas and Aguimes will help diversify the cultural program of your stay in Gran Canaria. To visit several ancient cities in one day, you can order a sightseeing tour. nine0006