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History
Immersive history awaits in Gran Canaria
Having been trodden by Romans and Barbary pirates alike, Gran Canaria is a great place to get stuck into immersive European and African history. It all starts in the handsome colonial centre of the capital, Las Palmas. The city is laden with cobbled lanes and plazas with babbling fountains, and topped by the mighty Catedral de Santa Ana and its Gothic-Moorish edifices – a symbol of the strength of Spanish rule across the Canary Islands that was raised in the 1500s. Keep exploring near your Gran Canaria holiday rental and you'll also find the Casa de Colon Museum, where the great adventurer, Christopher Columbus, is said to have lived before heading on his escapades across the Atlantic Ocean. Deeper histories await outside of town, too. Check out the Risco Caido temple and the rock-cut complexes of the Sierra del Bentayga, which span millennia of Berber settlement in the region.
Activities
Activities and attractions in Gran Canaria
Are you hoping to discover things to do during your stay? Venture out of your cosy holiday rental and check out everything that makes Gran Canaria a fun spot to go on holiday. These are some of the top attractions to see, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:
- Bentayga Winery (2.1 mi / 3.4 km)
- Las Tirajanas Winery (2.5 mi / 4 km)
- Cocodrilo Park (8.7 mi / 14 km)
- Real Club de Golf Las Palmas (9.5 mi / 15.4 km)
- Sioux City Park (12.3 mi / 19.8 km)
- Aqualand Maspalomas (12.4 mi / 20 km)
Outdoor activities
Dive and hike around Gran Canaria holiday lettings
Gran Canaria is a veritable playground for adventurers. The whole inland is given over to soaring mountains that clamber up to the rock-ribbed Pico de las Nieves and carved jutting stones of the Roque Nublo. That's all dashed with verdant pine forests and misty laurel woods, which come criss-crossed by more hiking paths and mountain biking tracks than you can shake a Canarian fish stew at. Talking of fish, more exploration awaits out at sea. Coral gardens, sharks and rays all draw the scuba divers, while surfers are forever conquering the waves of La Cicer and the north shore.
Weather
Seasonal weather in Gran Canaria
If warm-weather activities are high on your list, August, July, September and October are the hottest months to visit, when temperatures average 25°F.
Natural features
Exploring the beaches and other natural features in Gran Canaria
Whether you're an active traveller or just want to appreciate the scenery, Gran Canaria is a great spot to appreciate mother nature. Here are a few of the area's most enchanting sights, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city centre:
- Palmitos Park (8.6 mi / 13.8 km)
- San Telmo Park (14.9 mi / 24 km)
- Las Nieves Peak (1.3 mi / 2 km)
- Riscos de Tirajana (1.3 mi / 2.1 km)
- Nublo Rock (1.6 mi / 2.5 km)
- Chira Lake (3.7 mi / 5.9 km)
Beaches
Get yourself a Gran Canaria holiday let near the beach
- Playa Meloneras is a hidden gem of Maspalomas, a dash of beautiful brown-tinted sand hugged by stylish cocktail bars on the south coast
- Long and arched Playa del Ingles is where the action is, with stylish Gran Canaria holiday villas and happening bar-lined streets converging on the sunbed-spotted sands
- The horseshoe-shaped bay of Amadores has turquoise water and plenty of sunbathing spots, set beneath a wall of rugged cliffs
- The wave-bashed stretch of La Cicer is perfect if you want to wax down the surfboard
- Rocky Playa del Juncal offers a secluded and lonely cove for adventurous travellers
How to get there
Travelling to and around Gran Canaria
Fly into Las Palmas (LPA-Gran Canaria), the closest airport, located 12.4 mi (19.9 km) from the city centre.
How to get around
Finding your way around Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has an excellent bus network. Routes run by Global go all over, linking popular resorts like Playa del Ingles with the capital at Las Palmas, along with wave-bashed marina towns on the west coast like Puerto de las Nieves to rustic mountain villages with connecting services. If you're not one to wait for a ride, then renting a car is a popular choice. Try to book those ahead of time to save money and familiarise yourself with the main Autopista del Sur and the Autovia del Norte – the 2 main motorways on the island.
Restaurants and bars
The best restaurant options in Gran Canaria
From old Spanish cantinas to cutting-edge kitchens touting creative Mediterranean cooking, Gran Canaria is laden with enticing places to eat:
- Fishing villages, like Puerto de Mogan, offer super-fresh fish dishes, usually simply grilled, doused in olive oil and lemon, and served with potatoes
- Gran Canaria holiday villas close to Las Palmas are a great place to launch foodie trips through Andalusian-style tapas bars in the evening
- The buzzing resorts around Playa del Ingles are home to plenty of family-friendly, international eateries, where pizza, pasta, steaks and more can be found
- Inland villages have bodegas overlooking the pine-clad mountains, usually serving local Canarian wines, meats and cheeses
Essential info
Facts for those staying in Gran Canaria holiday homes
- The currency in Gran Canaria is the euro, the same as on mainland Spain
- Most of the popular beach towns are located on the south side of the island, while the best surfing beaches are in the north
- The Gran Canaria International Airport, located just south of the capital of Las Palmas, is the main arrival point for flights
- Driving is on the right-hand side of the road in Gran Canaria
- Tipping 10% is the norm in restaurants and bars
Can I find a vacation rental around Gran Canaria?
Yes, our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 4,010 vacation rentals near Gran Canaria. From 459 villas to 1,990 flats & apartments, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends. The best places to stay near Gran Canaria for a holiday or a weekend are on Vrbo.