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 find a safe transfer from the airport to your hotel. This will get you off to a good start. Once you're comfortable, it's time to start your adventure on this beautiful island.

I suggest you start with an excursion to one of the picturesque villages. You can also see the 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 you will be able to make the most of your time.

If you are travelling with children or if you are a fan of amusement parks yourself, you have to visit the best amusement parks in Gran Canaria. Here you can go on classic rides like the Ferris wheel, see dolphins or enjoy slides that take you directly into a huge pool. Do you 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 panoramic wheel and other interesting attractions such as the Giro Loop and the 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 meet aquatic animals, I recommend you to go to the Poema del Mar Aquarium. Here you can visit the jungle, deep ocean and reef animal areas. You can include this visit in your plans to learn about the animals that live around this island. The cost of a visit to this aquarium is around 20 €.

The water parks also have their charms. Aqualand Maspalomas has some great attractions such as Kidsworld, Adrenalice Fun, Family Fun and Chill out & play. Tickets cost €10 and upwards. 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 couldn't be missing from this list. You'll have plenty of options to choose from, so you can pick a few or just visit them all. Always remember to bring sunscreen, your swimming costume and everything you need to be comfortable.

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

On the other hand, Playa Güi Güi is beautiful and almost unexplored as it is difficult to access. If you are not in the mood for a long walk, I recommend you to visit more popular beaches such as Playa de Amadores. This is an artificial beach protected from strong winds and waves, ideal for a family day out.

If you are interested in exploring stunning scenery, you should visit Playa Tufia and Aguadulce. On the former you'll find black volcanic sand and on the latter, ochre-coloured sand. If you like the idea you can collect the sand in small jars and take them as souvenirs.

Traveller Tip
For a day at the beach you should never be without sunscreen and comfortable clothes. Some beaches are a long walk, so it's best to wear comfortable shoes.

Taking a full-day tour of Gran Canaria is the best option when you want to make the most of your holiday. This type of excursion usually includes a visit to towns such as Telde, Firgas and San Bartolomé. You can also see the Cruz de Tejeda and Roque Nublo. This experience usually lasts about eight hours and has an average cost of 40 €.

These activities usually include transfer to and from the hotel. You will start the day very early in the morning when the bus will pick you up. From then on your professional guide will explain interesting facts about Gran Canaria. You will be able to 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 not included, don't worry, in each city you will be able to visit warm restaurants and bars where you can have lunch and a delicious drink. What is always included are bottles of water for the road.

On the other hand, if for example you travel to Gran Canaria in October in the autumn season, you will also be able to see how festivals such as Halloween are celebrated in some of these cities. This celebration in the Canary Islands is usually called "Noche de Los Finaos", so enjoy all the activities depending on the season you go and don't forget to take pictures!

Dolphin watching tours in Gran Canaria are one of the most popular activities for tourists. On this tour from Puerto Rico beach you can sail for at least two hours while watching the marine wildlife. This experience has an average cost 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 better appreciate the dolphins 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 the fin whale, the common dolphin, sperm whales, spotted dolphins, among others. These cetaceans are most commonly seen in winter or spring. If you travel to Gran Canaria in December, it can 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 scuba diving and it can be a very nice activity, because if you are lucky you can even swim with the dolphins. Do you like the idea? Always check out the different options and choose the most attractive of them all.

Practical information

• Location: in the 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. As well as travelling to interesting places on the island, you can also visit nearby islands such as Tenerife. The average ferry trip costs around 70 €.

For this trip you can take a ferry from Agaete in Gran Canaria to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The journey can take more than an hour, but the stay on the island is at least 15 hours. When you arrive your guide will help you explore the streets of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Don't miss the chance to explore Tenerife's best beaches.

On your tour you will also see La Giganta de Santa Ursula, an iconic stone statue adorned with the vegetation of the site. Further along you'll come to Villa de la Orotava, a small town with an artistic historic quarter that you'll love. When you have finished exploring this area, it will be time to return to Gran Canaria.

Note that you can also take a plane to the island of Tenerife. This way the journey is much shorter. I also advise you to stay at least one night on this island. This way you will be able to visit its cities at your leisure and enjoy all the landscapes. 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.

• Time: preferably during the day.

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

These trips usually depart from Puerto de Mogán and head to a beach. When you arrive you can snorkel to your heart's content. If you are not interested in this activity you can also swim or look for another option that includes, for example, scuba diving. Along the way you can enjoy some complimentary snacks and drinks.

If you are interested in getting to know 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 you buy this experience, I recommend that you check if the guides will provide you with all the equipment you need. Bear in mind that you will need goggles, special fins and a rebreather. Sometimes it is better to buy this equipment separately in order to be more comfortable in the sea.

Practical info

• Location: Puerto de Mogán.

• When to go: any month of the year

• Price: around 50 €.

• Opening hours: during the day.

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

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

If you travel 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 ravine or in the Barranco de Los Cernícalos ravine. Both locations are in Las Palmas. For your comfort and safety you will always be accompanied by a professional guide.

In addition, you will wear a wetsuit, harness, helmet, a descender and neoprene socks. All this equipment is ideal for descending a canyon without any problems. You will also be able to have a picnic lunch. Photographs will be taken at all times 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.

• Opening hours: during the day.

Do you want to get to know the bottom of the sea 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 ship of about 18 metres long and four metres wide you can take a trip to the bottom of the sea. Do you like the idea? No doubt it will be an unforgettable experience. The trip takes 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 depth that the submarine reaches is approximately 25 metres. Once there, you will be able to see the fascinating marine fauna hidden in the Atlantic Ocean and even some sunken ships.

Inside the submarine you won't feel the pressure changes as you descend. It is a totally safe space where you can simply enjoy your stay. You can sit back, relax and look out of the submarine's windows. At the end of the time the ship 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 space is unique in all the Canary Islands and is home to a unique beauty with varied ecosystems. It has 400 hectares of organic sand, a palm forest, a lagoon and a beach. It is undoubtedly an excellent combination of oasis and desert.

Exploring the dunes is an activity not to be missed on your visit to Gran Canaria. The average cost of this experience is €15 and the trip itself lasts approximately half an hour. Anyone can do this tour as professional guides will always be on hand to help and guide the camels.

For this activity you should be prepared with some sunscreen, water and mosquito repellent. If you are travelling with children over the age of four you can also take them along for the adventure. With all this you will be able to explore the dunes and their immensity. Bring 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 have a good swim.

Practical information

• Location: Maspalomas Dunes.

• When to go: any time of year.

• Price: around €15.

• Timetable: during the day.

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

On these buses you can get off at any point of your choice. On the way you will pass by Parque Santa Catalina, El Corte Inglés, the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, Paseo la Cornisa, some 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 entrance to the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium or the Pérez Galdós House Museum. You must first confirm with the company to find out what the benefits of the bus you will be taking are. 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 one trip.

In your three-day travel itinerary in Gran Canaria you can include a visit to the Roque Nublo Natural Monument. 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 Law of Natural Spaces of the Canary Islands since 1994.

In this monument you can go trekking, always with the help of a professional guide, so you won't get lost. Bear in mind 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 admiring the landscapes along the way.

The route starts at the main road. From there it is about 1.5 kilometres to 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 can also see the Tejeda caldera, Pozo de las Nieves and 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 taste the wine made in Gran Canaria. That's why I recommend you take a guided tour of the island's vineyards. There you will be able to taste various wines and even eat various types of cheese to accompany your drink.

A common itinerary for this type of excursion includes a visit to the San Juan winery. There you will enter the wine museum and three wine presses, which are 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 with spontaneous fermentation, without fining or filtering. 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. Transfer to and from a specific point is usually included.

As a fun fact, if you are travelling to Gran Canaria in November and you are very interested in wine, you can attend the Santa Brígida con Vino, an event organised by the Santa Brígida Town Hall on the island. During the event there are workshops, wine tasting and learning about this drink, for which the Canary Islands are world renowned.