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17 Things To Do in Gran Canaria - Best Places to Visit - 2024 Guide

Gran Canaria is the second most visited island of the Canary Islands (after Tenerife) and it's often referred to as a Mini Continent, due to its diversity in landscapes. From amazing beaches to mountain trails and volcanic landscapes, Gran Canaria has it all.

What to do in Gran Canaria

1. maspalomas dunes, gran canaria's top attraction, 2. playa del ingles - the island's party epicenter, 3. go on a boat tour , 4. puerto de mogan, the little venice of gran canaria, 5. submarine tour in mogan, 6. roque nublo, gran canaria's iconic rock , 7. palmitos park - great place to visit with kids in gran canaria, 8. visit the capital: las palmas de gran canaria, 9. playa de las canteras - best urban beach in the canary islands, 10. poema del mar - amazing aquarium in gran canaria, 11. pico de las nieves - gran canaria's highest peak, 12. amadores beach, one of the most popular beaches in gran canaria, 13. la aldea and its famous fiesta del charco, 14. visit arucas, 15. visit firgas, the city of water, 16. visit the old town of teror, 17. carnival season in gran canaria.

Visitors come here for the beautiful and warm weather even during the winter months when the rest of Europe is suffering from low temperatures and snowfalls.

But the island is much more than beautiful beaches, there are so many breathtaking landscapes and beautiful places to visit in Gran Canaria, from charming small towns to mountain trails with unique views, so everyone can find something they'd like to see. 

If you're planning a holiday to this beautiful island and you're wondering what to do in Gran Canaria besides relaxing by the pool, read our article to get an idea of how diverse and amazing this place really is.

The Maspalomas Dunes are one of the island's symbols - walking along these dunes will make you feel like you're visiting one of the world's great desserts, although you have some hotels still in sight (depending on where you are).

Walking along the dunes is a MUST and afterward, you can spend the day at the beach Playa Maspalomas, followed by a romantic walk at sunset towards the Maspalomas Lighthouse.

Playa del Ingles is probably the liveliest place in Gran Canaria and the place to be if you're looking for nightlife and party atmosphere. Playa del Ingles is famous as a destination for gay tourism in Europe, and it's full of bars and entertainment, including the famous Yumbo Center.

Since you are on holiday on an island, a great idea for a day out would be to go on a boat trip: see the coast and also dolphins in their natural habitat. Most excursions will also include soft drinks and pick-up from your hotel, so all you have to do is to enjoy the experience.

• Dolphin watching cruises
• Luxury catamaran cruises
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Even if you're staying in another part of the island, Puerto de Mogan is worth a visit during your explorations.

It's a picturesque resort, with a charming marina and a nice and quiet beach (compared to other resorts). On Fridays this place is buzzing with tourists from all over the island, coming to the popular market in Puerto de Mogan to buy souvenirs and all sorts of other objects.

Get into this submarine and discover all the charms of the seabed of Puerto de Mogán for 40 minutes. You will be able to see some shipwrecks and the wonderful marine fauna from its big windows. 

Especially for the kids, this can be a really fun activity and it's a great way to spend the morning during your family holiday to Gran Canaria.

• 40-minute submarine tour & TV screens for every passenger to watch maneuvers
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts

Situated inside Nublo Rural Park, Roque Nublo is yet another symbol of Gran Canaria, seen on many postcards and souvenirs sold on the island.

Trekking to see Roque Nuble is easy and the route starts from the main road. From here you have around 1.5 km to walk until you reach the famous rock and also its "brother" Roque de la Rana.  The entire route is circular and it measures a total of about 5 km, along which you can also see the views from Caldera de Tejeda, Llanos de la Pez and Pozo de las Nieves.

Day trip from Las Palmas: Bandama, High Peaks, and Roque Nublo Tour

Admission tickets to Palmitos Park

If you like visiting ZOOs this is the place to see in Gran Canaria. For a holiday in Gran Canaria with the kids this is a great day out and it's better to choose a cloudy day for your visit, so you don't get a sunburn.

Las Palmas is a lively city , great for a city break if you want to explore more around the city. The beach of Las Canteras is a popular beach not only on the island but also in all of Spain. You can also visit The Science and Technology Museum or Casa Colon, but you can read more about these in our guide on what to do in Gran Canaria when it's raining . Walk on the streets of the old town Vegueta, admire the architecture and take a coffee break or lunch at one of the many terraces along the way.

If you only have one day to visit Las Palmas (maybe you're in Gran Canaria just for a day stop on your cruise around the Canaries) you also have the option to get the 24 hours hop-on hop-off bus tour that takes you around the city, so you can visit both the old town and the area of Las Canteras on the same day.

You can also read our review and impressions about the Hop-on Hop-off bus in Las Palmas.

Playa de Las Canteras deserves a separate mention, as it's one of those iconic places that you see in a tone of photos. Spend the day here along with the many residents of the capital who also come here, especially during the summer months. Playa Las Canteras is often recognized as the best urban beach in Spain and it's one of our favorite places in the capital. If you plan on visiting the capital you can find more ideas in our article about things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria .

Another place that is great for kids, but for adults as well. Poema del Mar is one of the most popular places to visit while in Las Palmas and it's owned by the same company that owns Loro Parque and Siam Park in Tenerife. At Poema del Mar you can see a giant Aquarium with many species of marine life, along with many other exhibits which will keep you occupied for a few hours.

• Entry is free for children under 4 years old
• Skip the ticket line
• Wheelchair accessible attraction

Pico de las Nieves is the highest peak in Gran Canaria and its easy to here if you have a car hire or if you take an organized bus tour. The road towards Pico de las Nieves is an attraction in itself, as the inland of Gran Canaria is very different from the coastal towns and tourist resorts. Discover the natural beauty of this island by driving through the small towns, as Pico de las Nieves is situated right in the middle of the island, so it's easy to get there no matter where you stay in Gran Canaria .

For many people, Playa de Amadores is the perfect holiday beach - clear water, extremely calm, clean, sunbeds, umbrellas and all the facilities you may think of. It does get crowded especially during the school holidays, as it is a great place for a family holiday in Gran Canaria. Even if you don't stay in this area it is still worth a visit for the day.

If you are visiting Gran Canaria in September and you want to experience a local event, then you must go to La Aldea de San Nicolas for the Fiesta del Charco . Participants gather around a pond and when the signal is given, everyone rushes into the pond to catch the fishes who start to jump out of the water, due to the fact that it gets crazily crowded with people. This is an event that is popular, especially among locals, so if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, this is one of the best things to do and experience while in Gran Canaria.

And if you're visiting Gran Canaria at another time of the year, La Aldea is still a beautiful place to visit, so relaxed and unique, a perfect spot to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets in Gran Canaria .

Arucas is famous mostly for its magnificent San Juan Bautista church, also referred to as the Arucas Cathedral by most people, although it's not officially a cathedral. Arucas is also home to the Arehucas rum distillery which you can visit and participate in a tasting.

Arucas can be visited during the same excursion as Firgas, as the two towns are located near each other and they are usually visited on the same day.

• Visit Telde, Arucas and Firgas
• Admire the stunning mountain landscapes with a stop at Mirador de Tejeda for amazing views over Roque Nublo and El Teide
• Return bus service from the following areas: Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, Bahía Feliz, Puerto Rico, Arguineguín, Taurito and Puerto Mogán

Firgas is a small town located in the mountains, in the northern part of the island, a region that is enriched with mineral water (do you know the popular brand Aguas de Firgas?). 

Firgas is famous for its charming street Paseo de Canarias, which you have probably seen around on the internet in many instances, but didn't know where it was. Paseo de Canarias, along with Paseo de Gran Canaria (pictured above) is the focal point of the town and it's really worth a few moments of your time if you want to discover the real Gran Canaria, beyond the resorts in the south . 

Teror is a small town situated close to the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Its historic center is very well preserved and it provides a nice walk where you can see the specific architecture with wooden balconies that are so iconic for the Canary Islands. A good day to visit would be on Sundays when there's also a market happening and the town comes to life. You can read more in our dedicated article about markets in Gran Canaria .

The largest carnival in Gran Canaria is the one in Las Palmas , but there are several other celebrations organized on the island. Maspalomas and Telde have their own carnivals, Aguimes also and many more. If you're on the island between February and March (these are usually the months when the carnivals are organized), then you must participate in these large Spanish celebrations, get costumes to match that year's theme and join in all the fun.

• Best apartments in Gran Canaria:  Monte Feliz (San Agustin)
• Popular hotels in Gran Canaria: Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa (Puerto Mogan) • Palm Oasis Maspalomas (Maspalomas) 
• Luxury 5* hotels in Gran Canaria: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa  (Puerto Mogan) • Hotel Riu Palace Oasis (Meloneras) • Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa (Meloneras) • Santa Catalina Hotel (Las Palmas)  
• See our dedicated guide for the best places to stay in Gran Canaria .
• Best Tours & Excursions: From Puerto Rico: Dolphin Watching Cruise • Half-Day Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Food

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Sponsored | what to do in gran canaria – how to spend an entertaining five days on the island.

There's more to Gran Canaria than stunning sandy beaches - if you're wondering what to do in Gran Canaria we've teamed up with the tourist board to put together a fab five-day itinerary, covering the bustling capital, the wild north of the island, the volcanic south and of course the gorgeous beaches

SPONSORED | What to do in Gran Canaria - how to spend an entertaining five days on the island

Gran Canaria has long been an obvious choice for sun, sea and sand. As one of the main Canary Islands, with golden sandy beaches and gentle breezes, it’s a safe bet for a brilliant beach holiday.

But there’s so much more to the island than the popular resorts of Playa del Inglés or Puerto Rico on the south of the island. On the island you’ll find everything you’d expect to find across a whole continent – mountains, forests, towns, volcanoes and sand dunes, as well as Europe’s only coffee plantation, 60-plus wineries and the perfect night sky for stargazing.

Follow our five-day itinerary covering what to do in Gran Canaria and you’ll not only bag some brilliant beach time, but you’ll discover a cultural identity that combines European, American and African influences with a diverse landscape. There’s everything from lush green hills covered with pine trees around Tamadaba, to the UNESCO volcanic Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga stacks of rocks and epic sand dunes on the Atlantic shore at the Maspalomas Special Natural Reserve.

Why visit Gran Canaria?

A round drop of an island in the Atlantic Ocean, Gran Canaria is just off the south-western coast of Morocco and has a whopping 120 beaches. With a year-round average temperature of 24º it’s a shoo-in for some decent sunshine at any time of the year. Unlike some of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has plenty of white sandy beaches – as well as a few volcanic sand beaches on the north of the island.

The south of the island is where you’ll find sheltered, shallow golden beaches – rising in the middle of the island, dramatic Caldera de Tejeda (Tejeda crater) with Gran Canaria’s highest point, Pico de las Nieves at 1,949m, provides a natural windbreaker to the north-east trade winds.

Some beaches across the north and west of the island are secluded, and boast excellent fresh seafood restaurants tucked away in little harbours. Some beaches here are also great for surfing, especially La Cicer at Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

How to get around?

Gran Canaria’s airport is approximately four hours 30 minutes from the UK, and there are direct connections from 17 UK airports.

To properly explore the island it’s best to hire a car, and there are loads of car hire companies at the airport. Four stretches of motorway run from the north to the south of the island along the east coast, and well signposted single carriageway roads crisscross the island, with safety barriers on the bends. Drive on the right, don’t speed or use your mobile at the wheel and you’ll steer clear of any on-the-spot fines.

The great thing about Gran Canaria is its size – nowhere is much more than a 45 minute drive from elsewhere, so while it may seem like there’s a lot to fit into five days, getting around won’t take long.

What to do in Gran Canaria – our five-day itinerary

Gran Canaria may only be around 50km in diameter, but due to the amazing variety of landscapes, from the beaches to the mountains, there’s a lot going on and we’re going to see the best of it.

Aim to land in Gran Canaria late morning and drive 15 minutes up the coastal motorway to the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the biggest city in the Canaries.

Check into the Santa Catalina, A Royal Hideaway Hotel by Barceló, a grand dame of a five-star hotel that opened in 1890 and was recently totally renovated. It’s located within the old botanical garden, by the marina, between the Old Quarter and Las Canteras beach. This fine hotel is elegant and welcoming, and has a beautiful pool and spa plus a fantastic rooftop bar.

Wander the cobbled streets of charming Vegueta old town, with its historical buildings that has been standing for five centuries and stop for a healthy lunch and coffee before heading to the 4km golden sand beach of Las Canteras. Stroll along the beautiful promenade and dip your toes in the shallow sea that’s protected by a reef.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has several great food markets and Mercado del Puerto, at the northern end of Las Canteras beach, is a firm favourite for grazing your way through tapas and fresh produce in a beautiful wrought-iron building dating from 1891. Don’t miss the local speciality, papas arrugadas - wrinkled small potatoes, typically served with a chilli pepper garlic sauce, known as Mojo.

Day two and three

We’re heading out to discover the north of the island today. Take the motorway east and stop at the pretty little villages of Arucas, with its black-stone church and rum distillery, Firgas, with its quaint pedestrianised centre, and/or Gáldar, with its prehistoric rock paintings, before arriving at Agaete, on the north-west corner of the island.

The harbour and narrow streets of the Puerto de Las Nieves area are lined with restaurants, craft shops and galleries, so there’s plenty of choice for lunch, but the main highlight is Agaete’s natural saltwater pools built into the rocks. Backed with a lush green pine forest, the three pools are a proper hidden treat, and is just one set of totally unexpected volcanic pools on the north of the island of Gran Canaria.

Agaete is also home to Europe’s only coffee plantation, Finca La Laja in the San Pedro valley. With Gran Canaria’s mild climate and fertile lava soils, conditions are ideal for growing coffee beans. The Finca is open daily for tours.

From here, drive up into the mountains and Tejeda region, at the summit of Gran Canaria, where it’s very easy to spend a couple of days in this beautiful part of the island.

Explore Risco Caído, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers a large rich, biodiverse landscape full of surreal volcanic ravines and rock formations, as well as some ancient troglodyte settlements, including two sacred temples.

Also spend time walking through the Casa Forestal de Pajonales, admiring the strange towering rock formations at Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga (walks from 30 minutes to six hours are signposted around the rocks) and investigating the rich archaeological heritage around Tejeda. If you can squeeze it in, head into the Tamadaba National Park, the island’s oldest and biggest forest with incredible views over the cliffs towards the Atlantic.

We recommend staying at the Parador de Cruz de Tejeda, a hotel located at 1,500m above sea level, with a spa and swimming pool that’s set on a hillside with far-reaching views over the pine woods to the ocean. Double rooms start from a very reasonable €105 a night and this privileged spot in the centre of the island is just the place for some spectacular stargazing.

Before leaving the Tejeda region, it’s also worth visiting the Abraham Cárdenes Sculpture Museum, an influential sculptor from Gran Canaria whose work reflects his homeland.

Days four and five

It’s now time to chill out in beach-front luxury in the south of the island. Head to the southern point for the Maspalomas and Meloneras resorts. Found by the huge sand dunes and with a beautiful 2km-long oceanfront promenade of bars, restaurants, boutiques, there’s a great selection of stylish luxury hotels. Or the sheltered Playa de Amadores is along the southwestern coast, with fantastic hotels offering direct ocean views from the clifftop, and a lift down to the promenade and beach.

For somewhere less obvious, Playa de Güigüí, on the western coast, can only be reached by boat or a two to three hour hike from Tasartico.

While on the south of the island, don’t miss eating at La Aquarela in Patalavaca, one of the island’s three Michelin-starred restaurants, and visit the picturesque fishing village and beach of Puerto Mogán, known locally as Little Venice. Our accommodation pick here is the Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa, which is set among its own botanic garden with over 450 different plant species. It’s a beautiful spot for a relaxed stay in the sun.

When you’ve had your fill of what to do in Gran Canaria and are ready to tear yourself away, it’s approximately a 30 minutes drive to the airport from the south of the island.

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Tourism in Gran Canaria

From the second half of the 19th century, Gran Canaria started gaining popularity in European circles as an attractive base for recreational holidays; a place for people in need of a rest. Shipping companies soon took advantage of this development and equipped their vessels with cabins for the transport of passengers. These companies would go on to build the first hotels on the island, one of which was the Hotel Santa Catalina  (1890) in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria . This is the only hotel dating from the early beginnings of tourism that still remains open.

In 1912 the Island Council Law was brought into force and the foundation stone for the development of the tourism industry and its related services was laid. This led to a number of infrastructure projects such as the construction of the airport, water reservoirs and the principal motorway network of the island. During the first half of the 20th century a number of wars (World Wars I and II and the Spanish Civil War) impeded further growth. Not even the opening of the then-called Gando Airport (Gran Canaria’s first airport) in 1930 could spark a new boost to the tourism industry. It was only in 1957 when an aircraft from the Swedish airline TSA landed on the island with all of its 54 seats completely booked that tourism really starting taking off. This was the first of many charter flights to arrive on the island from that date on.

Eventually, building on the boom of the 1960s, tourism became the main source of income for the island, making Gran Canaria one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world.

Today tourism in Gran Canaria is mainly about beaches , water sports , nightlife  and leisure parks , especially when it comes to the south of the island. This is the place, where you find water and theme parks, shopping malls, discos, and many hours of sun. Tourists coming to the southern sandy beaches and dunes have brought more wealth to Gran Canaria than banana plantations could ever have done – tourism has grown from less than a hundred visitors a year at the end of the 19th century to 11 million visitors per year in the beginning of the new millennium.

The north of the island is more orientated to the business visitor, hosting all sorts of facilities for the organisation of conferences, seminars and business meetings. This is also the area where you’ll find the cosmopolitan city of Las Palmas , the island’s business centre, and the busy port Puerto de la Luz, one of Europe’s most important harbours. The sandy beaches of Las Canteras  and Las Alcaravaneras , flanking the city of Las Palmas, account for a stable income from tourism in this north-eastern area.

And if you want to get away from it all, Gran Canaria provides the perfect destination for a holiday. It’s not difficult to get off the beaten track when there are over 300km of footpaths. Rural tourism  has become increasingly popular with the renovation and improvement of facilities available at casas rurales (rural houses). These include cave houses where you can get as close to nature as is humanly possible.

Note: Gran Canaria is also attracting more and more visitors with niche markets, which have emerged in the past years, such as golf or wellness holidays or rural tourism, adding even more attractions to this already eclectic destination and making it one of the most accomplished in Europe.

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Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the third-largest island in the Canaries’ archipelago, but accounts for almost half the population. It lives up to its reputation as a continent in miniature, with dramatic variations of terrain ranging from the green and leafy north to the lush mountainous interior and the desert south. You can also run headlong into three or even four seasons in one day, with microclimates dotted around the coast and hills that can transport you from piercing sunlight into clammy fog banks at the drop of a hat. To capture a sense of Gran Canaria's breathtaking diversity, head to beautiful Artenara, where the sheer drama of the mountains reaches a crescendo.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cueva Pintada Museum & Archaeological Park

Discovered by a local farmer in the late 19th century, this is one of Gran Canaria's most important pre-Hispanic archaeological sites: a cave adorned with…

Casa-Museo de Colón

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

This fascinating museum documents Columbus’ voyages and features exhibits on the Canary Islands’ historical role as a staging post for transatlantic…

Catedral de Santa Ana & Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro

The spiritual heart of the city, this brooding, grey cathedral was begun in the early 15th century, soon after the Spanish conquest, but took 350 years to…

Dunas de Maspalomas

These fabulous dunes cover 400 hectares and were designated a nature reserve in the 1990s, ensuring that the rapidly multiplying hotels would never…

Museum of the Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pino

Don't miss this museum (also called the 'treasure house'), accessed upstairs from the rear of the basilica, where you can get a real close-up view of the…

Mirador de Unamuno

One of several viewpoints in town, the Mirador de Unamuno looks out onto a sweeping panorama of the vast volcanic caldera beyond – it is a stupefying…

Playa de las Canteras

The fine 3km stretch of yellow sand is magnificent, and is considered by many to be one of the world's best city beaches. There’s an attractive seaside…

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista

The extraordinary, neo-Gothic church stands sullen watch over the bright, white houses of Arucas in a striking display of disproportion and contrast. The…

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How to get there - transport information

Select the means of transport to see how to get there or how to get around at your destination.

How to get to aeroplane

The Canary Islands have excellent air transport connections, reaching practically anywhere in Europe in 5 hours or less.

The seven main Canary Islands have their own airports. The airports with the most international traffic are Gran Canaria , Tenerife Sur , Lanzarote and Fuerteventura .

There are many daily flights between these airports and to the rest of the islands via the airports of Tenerife Norte , El Hierro , La Palma and La Gomera .

You can see how to get to your destination on each airport’s information page.

You can check a table of approximate journey times to the Canary Islands from other parts of Spain.

How to get to boat

The Canary Islands are a major cruise line destination, and two ports stand out:

Las Palmas Port (Gran Canaria): just 5 kilometres from the centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with regular city bus services.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port (Tenerife): the cruise terminal is very near the city centre and you can walk to Plaza de España, a transport hub with many city buses.

The Canary Islands have many ferry connections from the Spanish cities of Cadiz and Huelva, mainly to the ports of Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as well as to the Arrecife Port (Lanzarote).

You can check a table of approximate journey times to the Canary Islands by boat from other parts of Spain.

Practical information

The best way to explore each island is probably by car.

The islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, El Hierro, Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Palma have airports and ports with plenty of transport connections.

Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the two largest islands and have many transport options every day, both by plane and ship.

The island of Gran Canaria also has many daily connections to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The island of Tenerife has many daily connections to El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma.

How to get around in aeroplane

Most flights between the islands take between 30 minutes and one hour. You can see approximate journey times in “ Air connections for exploring Spain ”

There are flights between all the islands, especially between Gran Canaria Airport and Tenerife Norte Airport.

Gran Canaria Airport also has the most frequent flights to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura airports.

Tenerife Norte Airport has frequent flights to La Gomera , El Hierro and La Palma airports.

How to get around in boat

Ferries are a common way to travel between the Canary Islands. You will find a range of frequent connections, offering you the option of bringing your vehicle aboard.

The journey time between islands depends on the distance and type of ship. Journeys range from 35 minutes to ten hours. For example, you can travel between Gran Canaria and Tenerife in about an hour and a half. You can see other journey times in “ Spain's main sea connections .”

Several islands have more than one port for cruise ships and ferries. Check your port of origin and destination carefully when booking tickets.

Choose between thousands of activities to live your best life on holiday.

• Tourist Brochures

Tourist brochures

  Leisure Guide

  Discover Gran Canaria

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  Map of Gran Canaria

  Towns on Gran Canaria

  Gran Canaria pets welcome

  Press Kit

  The Island with 21 ingredients

  Gran Canaria Bike

  Gran Canaria Shopping

  Welcome to Cruisers

  Dive Guide

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  Ermitas e Iglesias de Gran Canaria

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  Gran Canaria Blue

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Gran Canaria Island

Gran canaria island is also known as mini continent, due to its landscape diversity. it's the perfect holiday destination for those wanting beautiful, warm weather even during winter. in the morning you can sunbathe on a sandy beach, then do some hiking for the afternoon on a mountain trail surrounded by canary island pines and in the evening you can enjoy an unforgettable view of a volcanic landscape enhanced by sundown., this blog post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases..

From the second half of the 19th century, Gran Canaria started gaining popularity in European circles as a place of rest for tourists. Shipping companies soon took advantage of the opportunity to equip their vessels with cabins for the transport of passengers. These companies would also take the initiative in building the first hotels on the island, one of which was the Hotel Santa Catalina (1890) in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Hotel Santa Catalina (1890) in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , this being the only hotel dating from the early beginnings of tourism that remains open. You can find more info about Santa Catalina on Historic Hotels Then & Now page.

Where to stay in Gran Canaria:

Staying in Gran Canaria depends on what you have in mind for your vacation. For exploring the island I would recommend staying in Las Palmas or somewhere near it. As for the best beaches and nightlife you could stay in the southern part of the island in resorts such as Puerto Rico or Maspalomas.

Budget places:

1. casa antonia by the beach.

A fully equipped apartment situated in a quiet location with a sea view and a beautiful beach nearby. Antonia pays attention to small details, which makes the stay smoother. You can enjoy watching the sunrise without having to step out of the apartment. The location of the apartment is also perfect if you want to visit the whole island of Gran Canaria. You can park a car for free on a street nearby.

2. Apartamentos Natural Park  

This aparthotel is situated on the outskirts of a popular family-friendly Puerto Rico holiday resort. It has spacious apartments which are a bit outdated but are spotlessly clean and well maintained. All apartments have a great view of the mountains and sea, especially at sunset. There are two swimming pools, one with a slide for children. It has a bar, a restaurant, and even a small market. A rented car is a plus, but you can get a taxi to reach the beach or other places at the resort.

1. Tabaiba Princess  

The 4-star Tabaiba Princess Hotel is a resort near the beach of Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, on the southern part of the island. It is an all-inclusive hotel, where there are activities and zones for adults and children alike. This means it’s more for a chillout and relaxes type than exploring and knowing the island type vacation.

2. Riosol Hotel  

Hotel Riosol is in Puerto Rico, on the southern coast of Gran Canaria. This terraced building on top of a hill blends into its background and offers beautiful views of the Atlantic and the Bay of Puerto Rico. It offers room-only, breakfast, half-board or all-inclusive options so it’s good for everyone’s taste be it exploring the island or just sunbathing by the pool. It can be a difficult walk to Puerto Rico or Amadores beaches as it is situated on top of a mountain. It is recommended to take a taxi.

Luxury accommodation:

1. santa catalina, a royal hideaway hotel  .

For over a century, the Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel 5*GL has been a privileged witness to the history of the island of Gran Canaria, famous for its white sand and black lava beaches. Since its opening in 1890, it has been a landmark of the city’s social life. Some of the most important people of the 20th and 21st centuries (Sir Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, Maria Callas, also prime ministers, presidents, and princes) have passed through its doors, leaving behind traces of their culture and talent.

2. Bohemia Suites & Spa  

Bohemia Suites & Spa is a boutique space combining cutting-edge design with stylish interiors, hi-tech features, and quirky touches for a thoroughly modern feel. The hotel’s “star” is the Sky Suite featuring two fantastic terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows which will more than impress. When it’s time to take a break, the freestanding bathtub in the bedroom is the ultimate indulgence. A fully-equipped wet bar with an Illy® espresso machine makes it easy to entertain or just enjoy a nice drink in the stylish living room.

Getting around:

To discover all the places in Gran Canaria, I will always recommend renting a car and the best for this job is Autoreisen. Buses (guaguas) do not reach all parts of the island, and their frequency and connection are not ideal to reach all the places, so it’s recommended as a cheap transfer option from/to the airport. The line of buses that goes from Gran Canaria Airport to Las Palmas is number 60. The lines of buses that go from the airport to Maspalomas are numbers 66 and 90. There are taxis, but it’s good for only getting around the same municipality.

You can get anywhere around the capital fast and easily with a bike. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria you can rent a bike at Sitycleta .

Another option to explore the island is by getting a tour. You can find plenty of activities on Get Your Guide website.

Top things to see and do:

Be it a great outdoors, wild sandy beach, or gastronomy tour to a local cave, I will summarise it to your best liking. By the way – the last one on this list may surprise you!

1. Roque Nublo hike

Clouded Rock or Rock in the Clouds with its lesser companion “the Frog” is located in the mountainous center of Gran Canaria island, in the municipality of Tejeda. Its unique shape, which is 65 meters tall and sits at 1813 meters height, is visible from multiple places and villages. In addition, Roque Nublo and its surroundings make up the Nublo Rural Park and in 1987 they were declared a Protected Natural Area.

Getting there it’s fairly easy by car or you can take a tour. There is no public transport you can take to the Roque Nublo. If you are driving to Roque Nublo you need to enter Aparcamiento de la Degollada de La Goleta or Roque Nublo into your navigation app. Navigating it, you will get to a car park in about an hour from various places (Las Palmas, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, LPA Airport, or the Northern side of the island), from which the hike to Roque Nublo begins. Note that the car park is not of the biggest ones and it can get full fairly easily.

At the start of the trail is a nearby stall that sells local products, refreshments, and souvenirs. It’s a non-circular trail which means you will walk uphill 1,5 km (about 40 min) and then descend 1.5 km (about 20 min). 3 kilometers in total (about 1 hour). Overall the trail is fairly straightforward, so it is one of the hiking routes that is recommended to go along with kids.

Tips for Roque Nublo:

Get there early  – if you want to avoid overcrowding and get a place for a car in a car park. Go for sunset  – if you want amazing photos of you and Roque Nublo in the symphony of color. Bring something warm  – as it can get chilly very fast. Have proper footwear – that means no flip-flops, Jack! Get there with your children – for an easy trail. There’s a skull-shaped rock along the path if you can spot it, and in the end, there’s Nublo and the Frog. Add Roque Bentayga  – to your day trip as it is not far from Roque Nublo. Do a picnic  – at Presa de las Niñas or Llanos de la Pez before or after visiting Roque Nublo.

2. Presa de las Niñas

Las Niñas Dam is one of the best recreational areas of Gran Canaria. It is located within the municipality of Tejeda and has stone tables, BBQs, toilets, and parking spaces which make it an ideal place for a barbecue day, picnic, or even camping. Nearby sights consist of a lake which gets a lot bigger after rainy days (usually winter). Then there is a mysterious Casandra tree, a four-hundred-year-old huge pine tree. Legend has it that a young 15-year-old girl Casandra liked to spend pleasant hours in the company of young Iván. After some envy and nasty gossip she was called a witch and burned under that very tree called by her name. The strangest thing is that the pine tree has survived several fires and by its size easily recognizable in this huge area.

If you are a bird lover. You can spot and hear a great spotted woodpecker in the area, or a blue chaffinch. During our second visit to the Presa de las Niñas, while walking around we saw a beautiful hoopoe near the shore of the lake.

Tips for Presa de las Niñas:

Add Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo  – to your day trip as it is not far from Presa de las Niñas. Get early or go on a working day  – weekends and holidays can get very crowded. Go during winter or after rainy days – then you can see this campsite at its best. To stay camping for the night – is free, but you need permission from  Cabildo de Gran Canaria (Spanish only, use Google, etc. translator).

3. Roque Bentayga

Bentayga’s special location in the center of the island a few kilometers west of Tejeda and its configuration as a natural fortress, reaching 1415 meters above sea level, offered the native Canarians, the Guanche, perfect conditions for establishing their homes and collective granaries, as well as a means of refuge from attack. Bentayga was the scene of a last stand against the Spaniards during the conquest of the island in the fifteenth century.

Nowadays after a short drive on a well-marked road from Tejeda, you can reach Centro de Interpretación. Be sure to visit it for some insight into Roque Bantayga and its surroundings, and about walking trails to visit the caves that would’ve once housed the Guanches.

Tips for Roque Bentayga:

Add Roque Nublo  – to your day trip as it is not far from Roque Bentayga. Do a picnic  – at Presa de las Niñas before or after visiting Roque Bentayga. Take an Instagram photo – of the basket of Tejeda. The basket is located just outside Tejeda. Enter La Cesta  on your navigation app.

4. Playa de Güigüí

The secret beach, or not-so-secret but hard-to-reach beach, has remained unspoiled up to this day, thanks to the absence of modern establishments around the area. The hike to the beach offers stunning views on all sides. The mountains display mostly gray volcanic rocks and sparse vegetation.

The beach can be reached by foot or a boat. The trail to Guigui Beach is a challenging one so if you have difficulty walking or with children, it’s better to get a boat from Puerto Rico or Mogan. To get to a start of a Güigüí trail you need to enter Tasartico into your navigation app. After reaching Tasartico drive a bit farther until you see signs marking the start of the hike. The distance of the trail is about 9 kilometers (3-4 hours) to both ends. Be sure to take plenty of water and headcover, because there’s almost no shade during the hike.

Tips for Playa de Güigüí:

Depart early  – for cooler weather. Water  – do not forget lots of water. Have proper footwear  – it’s a moderate hike after all. Bring a headlight – or other means of light if you going to the beach during the winter season as the sun sets early.

Tips for Mirador del Balcon:

Get to the El Balcon at sunset – for the best photos. Add some other places  – to your day trip. Such as Playa de La Aldea, Tamadaba natural park, Natural Pools, or Charco Azul. Take some best Instagram photos  – not only at the El Balcón viewpoint but there’s a tunnel too near Puerto de La Aldea (just enter Tunel Playa de la Aldea into your navigation app).

6. Barranco de Guayadeque dine at one of the Cave Restaurants

Its location here represents the island’s greatest density of archaeological sites, spread along both slopes of the Ravine, among which troglodyte habitats abound, under escarpment ledges and on hillsides. It is considered one of the most stunning cultural landscapes in Gran Canaria. After exploring Guayadeque Ravine stop by for a meal in one of the Cave Restaurants. We chose Restaurante el Centro . The food was nothing out of the ordinary but the environment and the staff were incredible. I even got lost among a few stone halls and corridors while coming back to my table from the men’s room.

7. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The capital of Gran Canaria is a must-see for all who come to the island. Get lost among quiet cobbled streets, old stone quarters, and colored homes clinging to the hillside in historic Vagueta. Go for a swim at Las Canteras Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Visit some of Las Palmas museums such as Museo Canario, Elder Museum of Science and Technology (take your kids here), or Casa de Colón (Columbus House) one of the most visited museums in the Canary Islands. Or take your kids to the Poema del Mar aquarium, you will all love it.

Tips for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:

Rent a place in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – for exploring the island. Most of the must-see places are within an hour’s drive by car. Free walking tour – is the best way to discover the history of the Canary island’s capital city.   Park your car for free  – on weekends and holidays in public parking spaces for cars (Blue lined spots).

8. Playa de Amadores

Oh, Amadores Beach, it’s my all-time favorite beach! Playa de Amadores is located in the municipality of Mogan, which is famous for its resorts and beaches. You can reach it by car, taxi, bus, or a short walk from the Puerto Rico resort. The waters in Amadores Beach are shallow, turquoise, clear, very kid-friendly, and ideal for swimming. There are bars and restaurants nearby. Public showers and toilets. On the north side of the beach floats Amadores Fun Park consisting of bouncy castles in the water. We had a great time there with my daughter. So lots of running around, laughing, and falling off and over. We loved it!

Tips for Playa de Amadores:

Get there early – for a parking spot. Of course, it’s possible to find a spot even in the middle of the day, because the car park has many spots.

9. The Maspalomas Dunes

Glamorous pyramids of smooth yellow sand on top of which you can witness the neighboring blue ocean are surrounded by the famous Maspalomas resort. The Maspalomas Dune stretching 400 hectares to the south of Gran Canaria is protected by the Canarian government as a Nature Reserve of special value. Because of its popularity the dunes have been under nature protection since 21.05.2020, they may no longer be entered directly.

Tips for The Maspalomas Dunes:

Go at sunset – for amazing photos.

10. Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre and Área recreativa Tamadaba

The first time I heard about this place I had my doubts, but when we came to the Tamadaba picnic area and then went to Llanos de La Mimbre viewpoint for a sunset it easily became my best place in all of Gran Canaria island. The Tamadaba picnic area is one of the best-known places among the locals in Gran Canaria. Here practically all the locals come with children to spend some family time together. A recreation area is settled under Canarian pines with picnic tables and a barbecue area. In addition, it has public toilets, drinking water, and a parking area. There was a place for camping but it is closed for an indefinite time. A short hike from the picnic area you will come across Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre. A miraculous viewpoint offers majestic images of Agaete, La Aldea, and the peak of Teide.

Tips for Tamadaba:

Plan – for me, this place was the hardest and longest place to reach. No fire months – are July, August, and September. This means the USE OF FIRE is expressly PROHIBITED, even for food preparation. More info on the Council of Gran Canaria page.   Barbeque until 6 PM – then apparently comes the Ranger and informs that all fires should be extinguished. Go at sunset – to Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre for amazing photos.

We hope this helped you to decide on the best spots to visit while reading The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Gran Canaria Island.

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Ultimate Gran Canaria Travel Budget Guide

Updated: March 31, 2022

Spain , Europe , Travel Budget Guides

written by: Steph Kloeckener

This Gran Canaria travel budget guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan your Gran Canaria vacation costs - accommodation, transport, activity costs & more

Planning your Gran Canaria travel budget is not easy, as the island offers a lot of different activities and accommodations. You can plan a trip that suits your dreams – be it a relaxing beach vacation with an all-inclusive package or an adventure full of road trips, hiking, diving, and other outdoor activities. And if you want to, you can even mix it up and combine a few adventurous days with a relaxed hotel stay.

While exploring islands in Europe tends to be more expensive than in Asia, the higher costs are more than worth it when it comes to Gran Canaria. After all, the island is full of amazing landscapes, cities, and things to do. You are bound to find what you love and after reading this Gran Canaria travel budget guide, you will know how much the trip of your dreams will cost you. And maybe you will even stumble upon some things that you will want to add to your trip.

Table of Contents

About this Gran Canaria Travel Budget Guide

This Gran Canaria travel budget guide is based on a press trip, but I looked up how much everything would have cost me if I had paid for everything. That way, it will be easier for you to plan your own Gran Canaria vacation costs, if you want to follow a similar itinerary.

Like my last travel budget guide , this overview of Gran Canaria vacation costs is split into two parts. In the first part, you can see how much my trip cost so you have a comprehensive overview.

After listing all of my own expenses in Gran Canaria, I will list the average price of all things that could impact your daily budget in Gran Canaria. This way it will be easier for you to figure out how high your own Gran Canaria travel budget per day will be. You can easily add or exclude the things you do or do not want to do, and adjust everything based on whether you are traveling alone, with a friend, or with a group.

My Gran Canaria Travel Budget

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Please see the full disclosure for further information.

When this blog post was first published in October 2021, the exchange rate was as follows: 10 EUR equals 11,57 USD, 16,02 AUD, or 8,59 GBP.

Accommodation Expenses in Gran Canaria

As I was working with the tourism board and some hotels, especially the Gloria Palace, I got the chance to experience everything from a hostel, a vacation house, and a luxurious room with a private pool with an all-inclusive package. Therefore, this Gran Canaria travel budget guide will be much more in-depth than any previous guides about vacation costs when it comes to accommodation costs.

For the biggest part of my trip, I shared the room costs with a fellow blogger, so I will break the costs down to show how much the room cost in total and how much the price per person was. Please be aware of the fact that I did not pay for all hotel stays. I did however look up the exact costs of everything to give you a comprehensive overview.

2 nights in HiTide Surf House, Las Palmas (dorm room) – 17,50€ per night – 35€ total

1 night in Kumara Serenoa by Lopesan Hotels, Maspalomas (suite with breakfast) – 140,05€ per night – 140,05€ total – 46,70€ p.p.

3 nights in Hotel & Spa Cordial Roca Negra (now Occidental Roca Negra), Agaete (classic sea view room with breakfast) – 125€ per night – 375€ total – 187,50€ p.p.

3 nights in Gloria Palace Amadores Thalasso & Hotel, Puerto Rico (double room premium sea view private pool, all-inclusive) – 340€ per night – 1.020€ total – 510€ p.p. + 24,00€ Thalasso Get Fit Pool

7 nights in Lala’s House, Ingenio (entire house) – 46,57€ per night – 326€ total – 163€ p.p.

1 night in Boutique Hotel Cordial La Peregrina, Las Palmas (double room) – 78€ per night – 78€ total – 39€ p.p.

1 night in Sweet Stays, Las Palmas (private room) – 25€ per night – 25€ total

My total cost of 18 nights in Gran Canaria: 1.030,20 EUR / 1192,09 USD / 885,12 GBP / 1650,55 AUD average price per night: 57,23€ p.p.

Food and Drinks Expenses + Supermarket

Unlike during other adventures of mine, I only ate five full meals at restaurants while exploring Gran Canaria. This can mostly be attributed to the fact that I spend an entire week living in a rental house which allowed me and my travel buddy Florine to try out hand at making Canarian food and tapas. While staying in hotels, breakfast was often included and for three days, I even had an all-inclusive package. Therefore, it was enough to simply grab some smaller snacks while out and about instead of sitting down to enjoy a full meal.

Eating out: 56,55€

average price per meal: 11,31€

While shopping at the supermarket, my friend and I decided to split all expenses in half. We went to the shops several times to ensure that we did not have to throw anything away at the end of our trip. For the most part, we bought vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese, hummus, guacamole, flour, milk, eggs, and chicken. Funnily enough, our cheese expenses made up a fourth of our supermarket budget.

Total supermarket expenses: 110,96€ – my share: 55,48€ + 8,58€

Total eating out costs: 56,55 EUR / 65,44 USD / 48,59 GBP / 90,60 AUD + cocktails 14,00 EUR / 16,20 USD / 12,03 GBP / 22,43 AUD + supermarket 64,06 EUR / 74,13 USD / 55,04 GBP / 102,64 AUD

Transportation Costs in Gran Canaria

Airport Bus (LPA to Las Palmas & Las Palmas to LPA): 4,60€

My total public transportation costs: 4,60 EUR / 5,32 USD / 3,95 GBP / 7,37 AUD

Rental Car and Fuel Costs

Gran Canaria is not a small island and therefore perfect for shorter road trips. We had a rental car for 17 days which allowed us to see amazing locations all over the island, so I can only recommend you to rent a car even if doing so does increase your Gran Canaria travel budget. Our rental car was from Tirma Rent a Car and I can only recommend them as they were great.

Total Rental Costs: 645,15€ for 17 days; 37,95€ per day

Share of Car Rental Costs: 322,58€

Total Fuel Costs: 79,00€

Share of Fuel Costs: 39,50€

Total Parking Costs: 31,20€

My total car rental costs : 377,68 EUR / 437,03 USD / 324,49 GBP / 605,11 AUD average cost per rental day: 44,43 EUR (22,22 per person)

There are a lot of free activities in Gran Canaria, but when it comes to these things to do in Gran Canaria, the additional expenses are well worth it.

Dolphin and whale watching cruise Spirit of the Sea : 35€

Coffee plantation tour with taste testing of local food and drinks: 10€

Cathedral Rooftop Access, Las Palmas: 1.50€

Scuba Diving

3 dives in Agaete Buceo Agaete : 150€ (double boat dive + 1 shore dive)

2 dives in Anfi Del Mar Scuba Sur : 72€ (double boat dive)

6 dives in Arinaga: 190€ (2 double shore dives + double boat dive)

My total activity costs : 458,50 EUR / 530,55 USD / 393,93 GBP / 734,59 AUD

I love buying small souvenirs for both family and friends and myself. When it comes to Gran Canaria, I mostly bought things related to local delicacies as I fell in love with the Canarian cuisine.

magnet, metal salamander, sand postcard, mojo cookbook: 11,35€

local marmalade & cookies, a bottle of mojo picante , a 1l bottle of Ron Miel : 20,60€

My total souvenir costs: 29,65 EUR / 34,31 USD / 25,47 GBP / 47,50 AUD

Summary of my Gran Canaria Travel Budget

My Daily Gran Canaria Vacation Costs: 107,12€ 123,95 USD / 92,03 GBP / 171,62 AUD

My Total Gran Canaria Travel Budget : 2035,24€ for 19 Days 2355,06 USD / 1748,63 GBP / 3260,79 AUD

Gran Canaria Travel Budget

Accommodation costs in gran canaria.

There are accommodations of every price class and form all over Gran Canaria, and prices tend to vary depending on the location and the season. If you book accommodations all over Gran Canaria and mix vacation homes and hotels, so you can experience the different vacation types the island has to offer, you can expect to pay around 60€ per person per night. Therefore, a week costs around 360€ per person.

Keep in mind that accommodation prices tend to rise as more people travel there in the summer or fall holidays, so be sure to book in advance to get the best deal.

If you wish to stay within a certain price class, the different accommodation types in terms of costs are as follows:

$ – 20 – 25€ / night p.p. – hostel dorm rooms, vacation home (at least 1 week; shared costs)

$$ – 40 – 65€ / night p.p. – hotel room (sometimes with breakfast)

$$$ – 75 – 175€ / night p.p. – 4* or 5* hotel, half-board or all-inclusive

Transportation Expenses in Gran Canaria

Airport transport in gran canaria.

Upon arrival in Gran Canaria, it is really easy to catch a bus to wherever you want to go in Gran Canaria. The busses that stop at the airport have a luggage storage area, so you do not have to worry about getting on the bus with your suitcase. Just ask the bus driver to open the compartment for you. The cost for a bus ride from the airport to Las Palmas or the other way around is between 2,30€ and 2,95€.

A taxi from the airport to Las Palmas, and to other locations like Maspalomas, usually costs between 33€ and 38€.

Gran Canaria Car Rental Prices

If you want to see remote places and make the most of your time, getting a rental car is a must. With rental costs starting at 35€ per day, doing so might increase your Gran Canaria travel budget, but it is well worth it. After all, it allows you to explore the hidden gems of Gran Canaria , drive to Roque Nublo , and reach some of the best viewpoints .

On average, fuel (95) costs around 1,119€ per liter. We ended up driving all over the place and even revisited some more remote locations and only had to fill up the tank twice.

Most towns and even many hotels outside of Las Palmas offer free parking. It is only in really crowded places that you might have to pay 2€ for a day (Puerto de las Nieves) and between 7,50€ and 12€ for a night or 24 hours in Las Palmas.

Getting around in Gran Canaria

If you do not have a rental car, you can use a bus to explore Gran Canaria. The fares are not too expensive, so buses are a good option for travelers that want to get from one city to another. However, you should keep in mind that there might be no bus to more remote locations like some popular viewpoints and that other bus stops might only see two buses a day, which means that you are on a tight schedule.

A return bus ride from Las Palmas to Agaete costs 8.80€ and a return trip between Maspalomas and Las Palmas will cost you between 6,25€ and 6,80€ depending on where exactly you enter or exit the bus.

Food and Drinks in Gran Canaria

On average, a full meal in a restaurant in Gran Canaria costs around 11,30€. If you want to enjoy a lot of tapas as you explore the island, you should expect to spend between 2€ and 5€ per tapas depending on the size of what you are ordering. A glass of soda in a restaurant averages at 2€ and a bottle of water costs around 1.50€.

Be sure to enjoy as much of the Canarian cuisine while there and ask what the local dish is when you explore picturesque towns in Gran Canaria like Teror. And be sure to eat papas arrugadas with mojo rojo at least once.

Cocktail and Wine Prices in Gran Canaria

You are on vacation, so there is a good chance that cocktails and wine will be part of your Gran Canaria travel budget. And while the cocktail prices in Gran Canaria vary, most cocktails cost between 7,50 and 9,00€. For example, a cocktail at the popular 8 Canes Cocktail Bar in Las Palmas costs 8,60€.

Meanwhile, a glass of house wine or sangria usually costs around 4€. A 0.5l jug of sangria costs around 10€.

Is it expensive to eat out in Gran Canaria?

The food prices in Gran Canaria vary depending on the location, with scenic and sea view restaurants being more expensive, but on average a meal with one drink costs around 11,30€ per person. Therefore, the daily food costs are usually 20€ to 30€ per person if you eat all of your meals at a restaurant.

Entrance Fees

• Casa de Colón, Las Palmas: 2€
• Casa-Museo Antonia Padrón- Centro de Arte Indigenista, Gáldar: 0€
• Museo Canario: 5€

Archeological Sites

• Caves of Valeron: 3€
• Parque Arquelógico Maipés de Agaete: 3€
• Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave): 3€

Activities in Gran Canaria

As you explore the island, you have the chance to do a variety of different activities that range from sports to food tastings at plantations. Hereby, some of the most popular ones are the following:

stand-up paddle-boarding – When you are near Anfi del Mar, you should consider renting a SUP for 1 hour. For only 15€ you get to explore this beautiful area from the seaside.

kayaking – Renting a kayak is possible at several locations around the island including Anfi del Mar. One hour costs 10€.

climbing/canyoning – The prices vary depending on the length of the tour but expect to pay between 60 and 80€ for an action-filled adventure.

Finca or plantation tour – If you want to learn more about the local products or the only European coffee plantations, you should tour a Finca or a plantation. Many great ones are located near Agaete including Cafe Platinum . I toured this plantation in my spare time and loved learning more about the plantation, its fruit, the coffee-making process, and the taste testing of local products right after the tour. The tour was only 10€ and more than worth it.

If you do not have a rental car or just want a day full of activities where you do not have to organize a thing, you can book a variety of great day or half-day trips in Gran Canaria. The most popular ones tend to be off-road jeep safaris, catamaran cruises, and even canyoning.

Diving Costs in Gran Canaria

If you love scuba diving, your total Gran Canaria vacation cost will undeniably be higher than that of non-divers, but the additional expense is more than worth it. After all, the island has amazing dive sites that you should not miss if you love small caves, swim-throughs, and vibrant marine life.

With prices ranging from 50 to 60€ per dive for shore dives, and 60€ to 70€ for boat dives, the prices are on par with other European diving destinations. And if you want to spend several days exploring the underwater world of Gran Canaria, you will even find great packaged deals that will decrease the price per dive by a good amount.

Gear rental prices vary from dive center to dive center with some centers charging per item per dive and others using a daily rate. Be sure to add gear rental costs to your Gran Canaria travel budget if you decide not to bring your own scuba gear or lack some items like a thick wetsuit.

Read More: Scuba Diving in Gran Canaria

Supermarket Prices in Gran Canaria

The prices in supermarkets tend to differ a bit based on the size and location of the supermarket. If you want the best prices HyperDino , Spar and Mercadona are the best options and tend to have the largest selection. If the name of these supermarkets has an Express at the end, the prices tend to be higher and the selection is more limited. On average, the prices in supermarkets are as follows:

• water (1.5l): 0,65 – 0,68€
• soda (1.5l): 1,16€
• soda (2l): 1,33 – 1,85€
• beer can (0.33l): 0,56 – 0,60€
• beer bottle (0.5l): 0,99 – 1,60€
• mojo bottle: 1,95€
• nachos: 0,90 – 2€
• guacamole: 1,60 – 2,15€
• cheese (gouda): 1,20€
• local aged cheese: 3,88€
• local cheese at a market: 8,00€

Obviously, the costs of souvenirs in Gran Canaria vary and it is impossible to list all possible souvenirs, but here are some of the most common things to buy.

• small mojo rojo bottle: 2,30€
• mojo cookbook 4,95€
• a bottle of Run Miel (1l) at the airport: 8€
• magnet: 2,50€

Sim Card and Roaming

At the time of visiting Gran Canaria, I had an active European mobile phone tariff, so I did not have to worry about being able to use my phone. And if you have an ongoing European tariff as well, you do not have to worry about it either. You will be able to use your normal data and calls without the European Union are free.

If you do not live in Europe, I can only recommend getting a local prepaid sim card. Getting the cheapest one-off rate is usually a lot less expensive than buying an international package from your normal phone provider. Vodaphone is a great option when it comes to coverage in Gran Canaria.

Expected Travel Expenses in Gran Canaria (2 people)

Prices vary depending on where in Gran Canaria you are and when you visit the island, but if you are not traveling on a budget, you should expect to spend 120€ per night on accommodation, 40€ on food with an additional 14€ for two cocktails or wine, an average of 40€ per day on transport or a rental car, 10€ on activities and 2€ as money spend on other small expenses like souvenirs. Therefore, a one-week trip to Gran Canaria for two people should cost you around 1.462€ ( approx. 1693,70 USD, 1.256,50 GBP or 2.341,71 AUD).

Is Gran Canaria expensive to visit?

While it is possible to explore Gran Canaria on a budget of less than 70€ per day if you choose to stay in hostels and cook yourself, doing so means that you miss out on some of the best things that the island has to offer. Therefore, it is best to spend more (around 110€ per day) even if this means that your Gran Canaria travel budget is higher than in other similar European destinations. After all, the things you can do in Gran Canaria make the additional expenses well worth it.

And if you wish to stay in an upscale hotel with an all-inclusive package, it. is best to expect a daily budget of 175€ per day or more.

How much spending money for 1 week in Gran Canaria?

If you are traveling on your own, the average daily food cost per person is 20€ and 10€ on transportation if you decide not to rent a car. Unless you plan to remain in Las Palmas, an average accommodation, which is not a hostel, for a solo traveler is between 70€ per day. Additional expenses per day average at 15€ per person. Therefore, a solo traveler can expect to spend 735€ (851,48 USD, 631,69 GBP, 1.177,26 AUD) per week in Gran Canaria.

In case you want to do more expensive activities like scuba diving, jeep safaris, or canyoning, you should add an additional 60€ per day.

Planning a trip?

Check out these useful websites and resources I use to plan my own adventures.

Roundup: Planning a Trip to Gran Canaria?

More about Spain

If you are making plans for your Spain trip, you might also want to check out these Spain Travel Guides : Great Weekend Trips to Spain Hidden Gems in Spain

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Not sponsored, but written based on a press trip organized in cooperation with the Gran Canaria Tourism Board and other local partners.

I am the founder of A Nomad's Passport and a solo traveling digital nomad, photographer, and writer. Originally from Germany, I have lived in several countries including Australia & Mexico.

As an outdoor lover and culture enthusiast, I love writing about all forms of adventure travel ranging from outdoor activities like scuba diving and hiking to cultural experiences, alongside road trips and itineraries that combine these elements.

A Nomad's Passport is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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Crafts, culture and cuisine: 6 of the best markets in Gran Canaria

Head inland from the sand and sea to explore local markets and communities that showcase the best of Canarian culture.

With a wide variety of climates and landscapes, Gran Canaria's impressive geographical diversity has seen it become known as ‘a continent in miniature’. The third largest of the Canary Islands, it offers everything from pine forest-covered mountain peaks and verdant valleys to undulating sand dunes and chic city neighbourhoods. As a result, its shores attract not just sunseekers, but professional athletes looking to test their mettle on the rugged terrain, historians curious to learn about the island’s pre-Hispanic culture and gourmets seeking a slice of the exciting culinary scene.

Although part of Spain, the island is closer to the west coast of Africa and benefits from balmy year-round temperatures. Its unique microclimate allows for incredible agricultural variety — from avocados and pineapples to potatoes and coffee — and you’ll find local produce on most restaurant menus. But if you’re really looking to try — and buy — some of the best local cuisine and crafts, stop by one of the island’s markets for a true taste of Gran Canaria.

1. Vegueta crafts and culture market

Markets don’t come in much more storied spaces than this. Set in and around the Plaza del Pilar, behind the Santa Ana Cathedral and beside the Casa de Colón (Columbus Museum), this Sunday market is ideal for artisans. Expect everything from local handmade crafts such as woven baskets and leather goods, to cigars and artwork. If you’re here on a weekday, wander the alleyways towards the sea and you’ll also find the Mercado de Vegueta , built in 1856 and still serving the city with the freshest fruit and vegetables. Once you’ve stocked up, head down the road to CAAM , the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art. Offering welcome respite from the sun, the centre has permanent and visiting collections, so there’s always something new to see.

2. Villa de Moya open-air market

Venture up into the island’s northern reaches and you’ll find a number of traditional towns and villages, including the mountain municipality of Moya. To islanders, Moya is known for two main things: forests and biscuits. It’s no surprise then, that the Sunday morning market at the bus station serves up plenty of sweet treats, including the famous bizcocho de Moya — double-baked fingers of biscuit flavoured with lemon. You’ll also find suspiros (delicate swirls of meringue) and gofio — toasted flour that’s characteristic of the island and used in myriad dishes. But don’t just come for the confectionary. The nearby forest, Tilos de Moya , is one of the last remaining places to see native laurisilva trees that date back millions of years and is well worth a visit in its own right.

3. Valsequillo de Gran Canaria agricultural market

A charming historic town amid the island’s eastern peaks, Valsequillo is famous for its bountiful harvests. Thanks to the region’s varied altitude, farmers here can cultivate everything from strawberries to livestock, and from bees to almonds. The Sunday morning market, just minutes from the historic centre of town, is one of the best places to sample this produce. Highlights include queso tierno (fresh soft cheese) and crumbly curado (cured) cheeses, made using goat’s and sheep’s milk and best sampled alongside the region’s much sought-after honey. Visit in April or May to experience Valsequillo’s famous strawberry festival, where over a tonne of strawberries are available to taste in a variety of forms.

4. Vega de San Mateo agriculture and handicraft market

One of the largest regular markets on the islands, Mercado de la Vega de San Mateo is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. It's made up of two adjacent warehouses, one housing food and produce, the other crafts and clothing. On the agricultural side, visitors can spend the weekend shopping for plants and flowers (including the majestic birds of paradise) and sampling pastries such as truchas de batata (sweet potato pasties) and pan de huevo (light sweet bread often infused with aniseed). Sunday mornings tend to be busiest, as this is when the crafts market is also open, with stalls offering everything from clothing and jewellery to skincare products made using local aloe vera.

5. Villa de Santa Brigida agricultural and craft market

In stark contrast to the arid south of the island, the region of Santa Brigida in the north east is lusciously verdant. The weekend market here enjoys a more rustic atmosphere than others on the island, with locally produced wines, beers, jams, cheese and flowers filling the stalls. Canarian wine dates back centuries — even Shakespeare makes reference to it in Twelfth Night — and there are some standout wines being cultivated on the island. For a taste of some local tipples, head to Casa del Vino just by the market or consider planning an itinerary using the new Ruta del Vino (wine route). Look out for wines made with Malvasía, Negramoll and Listán grapes, among others.

6. Artenara agricultural market

Head up the winding mountain road to Gran Canaria’s highest village, Artenara , where striking volcanic landscapes provide the backdrop to a bustling market at the central Plaza de San Matías. Taking place every Saturday, this is the perfect place to bag a bargain on plants, seeds and fresh fruit. Try the bananas — they might be different to what you’re used to (the Canarian variety are usually smaller and sweeter than their counterparts from Africa or the Caribbean). And be sure to sample   t uno , the Canarian prickly pear, while you’re here too. Once your bag is full, head through the nearby cave to the Mirador de Unamuno viewing point, where you can take in the famous Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga monoliths.

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Tens of thousands protest against Canary Islands’ ‘unsustainable’ tourism model

Organisers say 50,000 turn out to call for limit on tourist numbers, saying model makes life unaffordable and puts strain on resources

Tens of thousands of people are protesting across the Canary Islands to call for an urgent rethink of the Spanish archipelago’s tourism strategy and a freeze on visitor numbers, arguing that the decades-old model has made life unaffordable and environmentally unsustainable for residents.

The protests, which are taking place under the banner “Canarias tiene un límite” – The Canaries have a limit – are backed by environmental groups including Greenpeace, WWF, Ecologists in Action, Friends of the Earth and SEO/Birdlife.

“We’ve reached the point where the balance between the use of resources and the welfare of the population here has broken down, especially over the past year,” said Víctor Martín, a spokesperson for the collective Canarias se Agota – The Canaries Have Had Enough – which helped to coordinate protests on Saturday across the eight islands.

Eleven members of Canarias se Agota have already been on hunger strike for a week to protest against the construction of two large luxury developments in southern Tenerife, which they describe as illegal and totally unnecessary.

Police said 20,000 people had turned out for the demonstrations, but organisers put the figure closer to 50,000, Spain’s TVE public television said.

“We are not against tourism,” Rosario Correo, one of the protesters, told TVE. “We’re asking that they change this model that allows for unlimited growth of tourism.”

Protesters also gathered in Madrid and Barcelona to show their support for the rallies in the Canary Islands, public television said.

Last year, 13.9 million people visited the islands, which have a population of 2.2 million. Tourism accounts for about 35% of the archipelago’s GDP – bringing in €16.9bn in 2022 alone – but local people say the industry is stressing natural resources and pricing them out of the rental market.

Figures from Spain’s National Statistics Institute show that 33.8% of people in the Canaries are at risk of poverty or social exclusion , the highest proportion for any region except Andalucía.

Martín said the regional government’s continuing focus on tourism at a time when the climate emergency was leading to cuts to water supplies made no sense. “Demand is rising in urban areas where there are more tourists,” he said. “We’ve had a very dry winter and a water emergency’s already been declared on Tenerife.

“There are going to be restrictions if there’s not more rain this month but it’s 36C here right now. This is all unsustainable and it means that we won’t even be able to keep normal levels of tourism going. And yet the authorities and the businesses here are trying to stick with this model.”

The housing situation in many parts of the archipelago was also dire because of high prices, low wages, a lack of public housing and the continuing cost of living crisis, Martín said. “I realised we’d reached the limit when I saw people who were working as hotel maids or waiters were living in shacks.

“Wages are so low that they don’t cover the basic costs of living, especially in the current crisis, which is global, but has been felt keenly in the Canaries because we have to import practically everything.”

He insisted the protest movement was not anti-tourist, pointing out that many people in the Canaries had known and liked generations of families from countries such as the UK and Germany.

“The problem isn’t the tourists,” he said. “It’s a model that was built around, and with the connivance of, a business class that doesn’t want to listen to what needs to be done, and with a political class that serves that business class instead of serving all the citizens.”

He said a complete rethink of the Canaries’ tourism model could not wait. “What we’re asking is very simple. Given that tourism is the main economic activity and the cause of all these problems, we want an immediate halt to these two mega-projects,” he said of the Tenerife developments.

“We also want a tourist moratorium that will lead to a study of the load each island can take and which will determine whether we’ve already passed the critical point. In areas where there’s an overload, we want to see a stage of degrowth of economic activity to benefit natural resources. Otherwise, you have an existing model that only benefits a very few people.”

Martín said a proper study of the problems the Canaries suffer from could have global repercussions. “This rethinking of the tourism model could put the Canaries on the map as an example of sustainable tourism development,” he said. “We could be known for something positive instead of something negative.”

Fernando Clavijo, the regional president of the Canary Islands, has said his administration is already taking action. “All the actions this government has taken have been based on a revision of this model,” he told reporters this week . “The Canaries tourist model has been a successful one, but obviously, as with anything, there are things that could be perfected.”

Over-tourism has become a major issue in many Spanish cities and regions , triggering protests and backlashes in Barcelona , and leading the authorities in Seville to consider charging visitors to explore the Andalucían city’s famous Plaza de España .

• The Observer

Most viewed

Thousands protest over mass tourism in Spain's Canary Islands

• Canary Islands
• Saturday 20 April 2024 at 8:46pm

Thousands of protesters have taken part in demonstrations against mass tourism in Spain's Canary Islands .

The archipelago, which includes Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria, is a popular destination for British tourists, but the islands are struggling to cope with the influx of visitors.

in 2023 around 14 million foreigners visited the islands in the Atlantic which have a population of just 2.2 million.

Despite decades of mass tourism, the Canary Islands remain poor compared to other regions of Spain and the average salary of workers is one of the lowest in the country.

Residents living in the holiday destination say too much tourism is damaging the environment, driving down wages and squeezing locals out of the housing market.

Some local people say they have been forced to sleep in their cars or even in caves.

A number of provinces have taken matters into their own hands and are providing guidance - and in some case strict rules - for tourists visiting over the summer, as they try and tackle overcrowding and the problems that come with it.

Tourism represents nearly 12% of Spain’s economy but there has been growing pressure from locals for governments to put measures in place to reduce the number of visitors.

Protestors in Tenerife started a hunger strike on April 12 as part of a wider campaign demanding the Canary Islands government tackle the effects of excess tourism in the region.

Hundreds of people linked arms to form a human chain to demonstrate against the building of an additional hotel and beach resort, as well as future projects aimed at attracting more tourists.

The wider movement is called Canarias Se Agota, which means 'The Canaries Have Had Enough'.

In an Instagram post the organisation said the Canary Islands are "exhausted" because of the "excessive tourism" and the "lack of attention to the basic needs of the population".

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