Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria's more than the sum of its famous beaches, where holidaymakers assume the horizontal position to lap up one of the world's most-celebrated climates. It's not hard to see why capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was named after the island's palms. They are here, there, and everywhere. If you think of active sports in GC, you'll probably think of diving and surfing. But head to the island's interior to climb. It's even possible to ascend Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria's iconic Cloud Rock. Little wonder GC's dubbed the miniature continent.Find your trip
Bird species from every continent, exotic flora and spectacular shows awaits you at this Gran Canaria icon. To save money, you can buy a combined parks ticket which also allows you entry to Aqualand Maspalomas.
Roque Nublo is a landmark which is a must see in Gran Canaria. Thousands of rock climbers and tourists visit this each year. It is simply beautiful. Park your car at the La Goleta car park and follow a well-signposted path.
Also known as the Jardín Canario, this botanic garden is a great place for a stroll. Start from the bottom and work your way up or the other way around. Whichever way you choose to explore, you'll easily spend a couple of hours here.
If you love to get up close and personal with nature, then the Guayadeque ravine is paradise for you. Here you will find almost 2,000 different plant species and many historical remains.
Travelling to Maspalomas lighthouse and walking on the beach and amongst the shops makes for a lovely evening. Try to catch the sunset and enjoy the view with a leisurely drink or bite to eat.
Cenobio de Valerón is one of Gran Canaria´s most visited sights. The area of the caves inside the rocks is listed as an archaeological area. It is simply just a gorgeous place. And easily reached off the GC-2.
Bird species from every continent, exotic flora and spectacular shows awaits you at this Gran Canaria icon. To save money, you can buy a combined parks ticket which also allows you entry to Aqualand Maspalomas.
Roque Nublo is a landmark which is a must see in Gran Canaria. Thousands of rock climbers and tourists visit this each year. It is simply beautiful. Park your car at the La Goleta car park and follow a well-signposted path.
You can follow La Ruta de Enyesque for a bite-sized introduction to the world of Canarian gastronomy. An enyesque's Gran Canaria's version of the tapas, it's an appetizer; titbit. Find restaurants to crawl in the north, centre, and south of the island.
You'll certainly enjoy the view at this restaurant. The local flower cheese (queso de flor) makes a triumphant appearance on the menu of this Guía grill.
Feel the roar, and indeed rush of the Atlantic Ocean, at Nautilo. Situated next to La Cicer, the surfers' end of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's Las Canteras beach, this restaurant offers seafood at its most stylish.
Restaurante Calma Chicha is Playa del Inglés at its most gentrified. Try their posh cup-a-soup, a savoury cappucino, which offers a gateway to their nouveau take on tradtional Spanish cuisine.
Tejeda's Let me take you's high season is winter and it closes during its low season of summer. Expect creative salads and Japanese dishes from a resident sushi chef.
Do you need to follow a gluten-free diet? Arinaga's Restaurante Ca' Miguel offer celiac-friendly versions of every item on their menu, including the Canarian staple, pulpo frito (fried octopus).
A gateway into the flavours and fragrances of south-east Asia in the heart of Playa del Inglés, British chef/proprietor David Gibson's regular visits to the Far East make for some authentic renditions of classic Asian dishes.
Whilst the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria original is well worth visiting, this newer Meloneras branch allows you to eat Argentinian al fresco. The speciality at this restaurant located inside the Lopesan Costa Meloneras is the Aberdeen Angus steak.
You can follow La Ruta de Enyesque for a bite-sized introduction to the world of Canarian gastronomy. An enyesque's Gran Canaria's version of the tapas, it's an appetizer; titbit. Find restaurants to crawl in the north, centre, and south of the island.
You'll certainly enjoy the view at this restaurant. The local flower cheese (queso de flor) makes a triumphant appearance on the menu of this Guía grill.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's main high street is where the locals like to do their shopping. It's also where they like to have a coffee, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy a drink. So expect to find lots of bars, cafés, and restaurants, along with shops.
As well as bars, cinema, and restaurant, there are free activities to keep the kids entertained at this Las Palmas de Gran Canaria shopping centre. This is the last CC you'll encounter before leaving the capital on the GC-2.
Enjoy Atlantic views along with a budget supermarket and Primark at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's newest shopping centre. One that nevertheless includes an archaeological park which can be visited by groups by prior arrangement.
If you're a cruise-ship passenger, the CC El Muelle will be the first shopping centre you'll see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It's also handy if you're travelling in by bus to the capital, located, as it is, above the Parque Santa Catalina bus station.
Head to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's Siete Palmas for a modern shopping experience. There are regular exhibitions and concerts here to transform your shop into something out of the ordinary.
Bargain hunters can take their pick from the various outlets offering brand-name labels at discounted prices. Adrenaline junkies, meanwhile, can get their fix at this ocean-side shopping centre's go-kart track.
Dedicated followers of fashion will like perusing the latest trends at the upmarket boutiques within this classy shopping centre in Meloneras. There are also jewellery shops if you're looking to find a special gift.
El Tablero is a largely residential area above Maspalomas. But this shopping centre offers more of a reason to visit this commuter town. If not only to dine fine on the top floor and admire the views.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's main high street is where the locals like to do their shopping. It's also where they like to have a coffee, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy a drink. So expect to find lots of bars, cafés, and restaurants, along with shops.
As well as bars, cinema, and restaurant, there are free activities to keep the kids entertained at this Las Palmas de Gran Canaria shopping centre. This is the last CC you'll encounter before leaving the capital on the GC-2.
Airport
You'll find the Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria (LPA) roughly halfway between capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the island's southern resorts. It's 24km south of the capital city and 30km north of Playa del Inglés. There's a taxi rank at the airport plus Global bus stops.
Public Transport
You can get to more or less anywhere on the island by Global bus. The capital has two bus stations, in Parque San Telmo and Parque Santa Catalina. If you're travelling around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, look out for Guaguas Municipales' yellow buses to cut journey times.
Taxi
Taxis are generally inexpensive with fixed rates for longer distances. There's a rank at the airport, as well as outside Las Palmas de Gran Canaria's two bus stations. Although you never have to wait long to see one on the capital's streets.
Post
The main post office is in Avenida Primero de Mayo 62, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The post office is the place to buy stamps for the postcards you buy at souvenir shops. As well as to send larger packages home.
Pharmacy
From the largest city to the smallest village, it's generally not a problem to find a chemists. However, it can be a trickier to locate one open out of hours. Nevertheless, each pharmacy displays the information on which particular chemist is open 24 hours on that particular date.
Airport
You'll find the Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria (LPA) roughly halfway between capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the island's southern resorts. It's 24km south of the capital city and 30km north of Playa del Inglés. There's a taxi rank at the airport plus Global bus stops.
Public Transport
You can get to more or less anywhere on the island by Global bus. The capital has two bus stations, in Parque San Telmo and Parque Santa Catalina. If you're travelling around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, look out for Guaguas Municipales' yellow buses to cut journey times.
