5 places to fall in love with Gran Canaria
17 November 2017
In TopCar we have made a small list with our favorite places of this "miniature continent" called Gran Canaria. There are infinite places on the island that are worth visiting, but here you have our selection of the Top 5 places on Gran Canaria that will make you fall in love with it:
1. Las Canteras, a unique jewel in the world
Photo: veroyal
The city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has a privileged climate, with an average temperature of 17°C in winter and 25°C in summer. This makes Las Canteras one of the best urban beaches in the world, which you can enjoy at any time of the year.
This beach has a very special feature: a natural reef that act as a barrier and protects the beach from the tides, making the bay an ideal place for swimming. It also offers multiple areas full of marine life, ideal for snorkeling.
Three kilometres of coastline separate the two tips of the Canteras, two radically opposite zones that show the diversity of the island's environments.
On the one hand, at the beginning of the promenade we find La Puntilla: an area of great tourist concentration, ideal for eating traditional fresh fish in one of its many restaurants. At the other extreme, the Cícer: a more bohemian atmosphere full of surfers and open-air concerts in front of the sea. The impressive Alfredo Kraus Auditorium is located in this area of the beach, a scene of the main concerts of international category.
- Timetables and info: Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
2. The district of Vegueta, a trip to the past
Photo: veroyal
Without moving from the capital, and not far from Las Canteras beach, we find what is undoubtedly the most charming district: Vegueta.
Its cobblestone streets lead to the most representative and historic places of this city:
- La Plaza de Santa Ana,
- Las Casas Consistoriales,
- La Catedral de Vegueta,
- La Plaza de San Antonio Abad,
- La Plaza del Espíritu Santo,
- La Plaza de Santo Domingo,
- Vegueta Market
- La Casa de Colón
These are just some of the many places that will make you travel through time. We can also visit the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno, one of Spain's main cultural centres.
Very close to the historic centre of Vegueta is the Triana district, famous on the island for its commercial atmosphere. Here you will find all kinds of shops and an endless number of open-air terraces. Don't miss in Triana the Pérez Galdós Theatre, the Gabinete Literario and the Casa Museo Pérez Galdós.
Timetables and info:
Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00 hours.
Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 hours.
Closed on Mondays and public holidays.
Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 hours.
Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 15:00 hours.
Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 hours, working days.
From Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00 hours.
3. Teror, love at first sight
Photo: Cristian Bortes
In the centre of the island, about 20 kilometres from the capital (less than half an hour by car), we reach Teror.
This municipality hides one of the most important cultural and artistic heritage of Gran Canaria: the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino, patron saint of the island. Around it, every Sunday you will find the famous Mercadillo de Teror, the most popular and famous flea market in Gran Canaria, with almost two centuries of history.
Here you can find typical products of Canarian culture and gastronomy, such as gofio, black puddings, sweets, cheeses, textiles, costume jewellery, handicrafts, etc.
We recommend you to walk through its old quarter, in particular the Calle Real de la Plaza. In this tour we will find clear examples of postcolonial architecture, reflected in the beauty of the typical Canarian balconies.
We should not leave without first trying some of its traditional stews. The specialty of its restaurants: ropa vieja, sancocho, carne en adobo or the famous chorizo de Teror.
Finally, a few minutes by car (just two kilometers from the center) nature lovers will be impressed when visiting the famous Finca de Osorio. In addition to its impressive landscape, its interior features a curious main construction that combines features of typical Canarian architecture with English colonial style. To the west of the house is a beautiful romantic garden, which merges with the natural environment.
Timetable and info:
Finca de Osorio
Arucas-Teror Road
Monday to Sunday from 9:00-17:00 hours
Visits upon request by mail:
visitalafincadeosorio@grancanaria.com
4. Maspalomas Beach, an ocean of dunes
Dunes of Maspalomas
Maspalomas, located in the south of Gran Canaria, is one of the most visited beaches in Europe. It is not surprising, since in this beach we can find the famous Dunes of Maspalomas.
It is a pleasure to travel the beach from one end to the other along the coast. We start from the Lighthouse, a spectacular tower 55 meters high that served as a guide to the ships that covered the routes between Europe and America at the end of the nineteenth century. A few meters we reached the Palmeral (palm grove) and the Charca (pond), catalogued as a Special Natural Reserve since 1994, after which the dunes begin. This small desert of 4 square kilometers continuously changes shape, modelled by the ocean wind. Following the direction of this great mass of golden sand, we arrive at Punta de Maspalomas, finally connecting with Playa del Inglés.
5. Mogán, the Canarian Venice
Puerto de Mogán
Mogán is located in the southern part of the island, an hour and a quarter by car from the capital. A must-see, not only for the different beaches that surround its coastline, but for its port.
Puerto de Mogán is a wonderful corner known as “Little Venice”, through the three canals that run to the wharfs themselves. We recommend you to walk from end to end, admiring its genuine seafaring atmosphere, finishing the tour in one of its many restaurants. Once there, don't forget to try local fish. Beyond the port, we also recommend extending our route on foot to the streets of the town centre, where you can visit the Church of San Antonio.
Mogán is also a perfect place to go with the little ones for the number of tourist activities offered by its beaches: water sports, sea excursions and even a submarine that allows you to see the depths of the ocean. But if you are looking for a quiet day at the beach, the beach of Anfi del Mar or Playa del Cura will give you all the relax you need.
If you visit Mogán, don't forget to take a stroll through its flea markets, whose stalls are open from 8:00 to 14:00 in the port.
For more information about the markets click here.
Finally, for wild nature lovers, a few kilometers away by car we find the Veneguera revine. At its end, an almost secret beach is formed where we will be able to observe the neighboring island of Tenerife.
Information: Turismo de Mogán
Photo: GC-info
We hope that this list of 5 places that you should know can serve as a guide for your next trip to Gran Canaria, taking you the best memories of this “miniature continent”. As we anticipated at the beginning, this is our selection of places that you should not miss, but there are many more like the Roque Nublo in the municipality of Tejeda or the super recommended fishing village of Agaete.
And you? If you already know Gran Canaria, what other place would you put on the Top 5?
If you want, you can consult our car fleet available in Gran Canaria directly here.
