20 of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, an island famous for its year-round warm weather and diverse collection of volcanic landscapes, beaches and Canarian towns. It’s a top holiday destination for Europeans that want to escape the cooler temperatures in autumn and winter. It also appeals to cyclists, hikers and adventurers that want to experience the island’s epic national parks.

In this guide, we’ll share 20 of the top places to visit in Gran Canaria. Covering all corners of the island, we’ll tell you the must-see attractions you can’t miss, plus a few lesser-known favourites of ours. From the culture-rich towns of the north, to the mountain ranges of the centre of the island and onward to the golden-sand beaches of the south, you’re sure to find inspiration for your own trip.

If you have any questions about the places we’ve listed, be sure to post a comment. Find a free Google Map of all locations in our guide here.

Google Map of all locations in our guide

Puerto de Mogan

The first recommendation on our list is a place that many people regard as Gran Canaria’s most beautiful coastal town. Puerto de Mogan is a tiny seaside village on the island’s south-west coast. On one side of town there’s a high street of shops and cafes. They lead to a beautiful beach cove that’s sheltered from the waves. This area of Puerto de Mogan is perfect for a beach day or a scenic walk with an ice cream.

Cross the bridge to the other side of town and you’ll see its historic centre. The colourful houses, statues and plants of Mogan’s ‘Little Venice’ neighbourhood make it a charming place to visit at any time of the day. In this area you’ll find a scenic marina, a promenade of restaurants and some good boat tour options.

Playa Anfi del Mar

Playa Andi del Mar is one of the most beautiful areas of Gran Canaria for a relaxing beach day. This small, manmade beach cove is surrounded by a cliffside of luxury hotels and beach clubs, and its secluded location makes it a great place for swimming. It has a marina where you can board a boat trip or go for a scenic walk. It also has several great café, bar and restaurant options.

The highlight of any visit to Anfi del Mar is the beachfront. Hire some sun loungers for the day, bring your own towels and lie on the beautiful white sand or challenge someone to a game of volleyball. We found the beach to be very well maintained and it didn’t feel as busy as other beaches in Gran Canaria.

Arucas

The north of Gran Canaria is home to several old mountain towns, each offering their own unique personality and intriguing architecture. Arucas is one of the must-sees, with a history dating back to the 1400’s. It has a quaint old town centre that’s dominated by the imposing silhouette of Arucas Cathedral. Cobbled streets, colourful buildings and authentic Canarian bars and restaurants can all be found here.

Elsewhere in town, there’s a famous rum distillery that has existed since the 15^th-century and a botanical garden. Visit for an afternoon of sightseeing and soak in the upbeat atmosphere in one of the local restaurants. 

Firgas

Located a short drive up the hillside from Arucas, Firgas is another mountain town you can’t leave off your itinerary. Smaller and quieter than Arucas, Firgas is a place you can enjoy at a slow pace. Admire the mountain scenery from one of the viewpoints, visit the old church and fountain, or check out its top attraction, the Paseo de Canarias.

This intricately designed street has been decorated with murals, sculptures and placards to tell a story of each of the canary islands. Each station is dedicated to a Canary Island, from La Gomera to Lanzarote. It’s colourful, interesting and the waterfall features make it a great photo spot.

Whilst in Firgas, we recommend checking out the local bakeries. There are some excellent, affordable places to grab a coffee and a sweat treat.

Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden

We visited many botanical gardens during our time in the canary islands. Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden proved to be one of our favourites, and best of all, it’s completely free to visit. The staff at the garden have worked hard to create a place of peace and tranquillity. Lush, tropical plants, wooden bridges, a scenic lake and a manmade waterfall make it a great place to wander around for a couple of hours.

We were impressed by the variety of cacti, flowers and other plants that make the Canary Islands their home. Although there are a few botanical gardens spread throughout Gran Canaria, Viera y Clavijo is regarded as the best. It’s well-worth the visit.

Bandama Caldero Volcanic Crater

Perfectly paired with a visit to the botanical garden we’ve just mentioned, Bandama Caldero is a dormant volcanic crater that was formed over 2,000 years ago. This enormous land formation is 216 metres deep, 574 metres high and 1,000 metres wide (https://www.hellocanaryislands.com/hiking/gran-canaria/caldera-de-bandama/ ), forming an amazing landscape to look at from a distance.

There are two ways to see Bandama Caldero Volcanic Crater. The first option is to drive to the top of a viewpoint, which gives you panoramic views of the crater from above, as well as the nearby towns. The second option is to hike around the caldera and down into the crater. Getting so close to a dormant volcano is a very cool experience.

Los Charcones De Bañaderos natural rock pools

The Canary Islands are known for their many natural rock pools. These small, volcanic pools have formed near the coastline of Gran Canaria over thousands of years. Many of them have sheltered rock barricades from the crashing sea, forming a pool with the seawater. The Los Charcones De Bañaderos pools on the north coast are regarded as some of the best.

Visit the area for a wander down the promenade and cool down in these free-to-visit pools. Just be sure to pack swimwear and a towel.

Banana World

Banana World is a unique place to visit in Gran Canaria. It proved to be one of our favourite attractions in our 2-week trip! This active banana plantation is a chance to get up close with the world’s most consumed fruit, the banana. You’ll get to walk amongst over 7,000 banana plants, learn about the cultivation process and try a series of delicious banana products.

The only way to see Banana World is by booking onto their guided tour, which takes around half an hour. We found the guide to be very interesting and knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring the gardens and grounds of the farm. At the end of our tour, we tasted banana wines, jams, and of course, the fruit itself. Be sure to book your visit in advance on Get Your Guide.

Las Palmas

Gran Canaria’s colourful capital city of Las Palmas is a must-see during your time in Tenerife. It feels much more local than the tourist resorts of the south, with a rich history, beautiful early-20^th-century architecture and several museums and attractions. The neighbourhood of Vegueta is the oldest area of Las Palmas. It has charming cobblestone streets, several iconic buildings, including Santa Ana Cathedral, and 15^th-century architecture that feels very different to other parts of the city.

We recommend allocating half a day or a full day for sightseeing in the capital. You can see the sites of the Vegueta neighbourhood on foot, including the tropical fruit market. If you’re keen to see other areas of Las Palmas, the modern north is the place to go. It has some excellent, cafes, bars and restaurants, scenic parks, and endless shopping options.

Las Canteras Beach

Las Canteras Beach is Las Palmas’ main beach area. Stretching for 3 kilometres, this gorgeous stretch of golden sand has often been named one of the best city beaches in the world. It’s a nice place to relax after a day of sightseeing in Las Palmas. Alternatively, you can do what we did and go for a scenic walk down the promenade and stop in a café for a drink with a view. The lively atmosphere and colourful buildings of Las Canteras make it one of the top beaches to visit in Gran Canaria.

Maspalomas Sand Dunes

Next on our list is one of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria for those that appreciate mother nature’s incredible landscapes. The Maspalomas Sand Dunes are a vast collection of protected dunes, stretching for over 400-hectares. They’re located right next to the sea, with no man-made development in sight, creating beautiful scenery for a walk or a visit to the beach.

Many areas of the Maspalomas Sand Dunes are restricted and protected. However, the dunes have designated trails that you can walk across, giving you an up-close view of the rolling hills. Visit Maspalomas Sand Dunes during the day for a walk along the beach, or stop by at sunset to capture photos of the dunes with a vibrant orange glow.

Meloneras

For those that enjoy luxury hotels, fine dining and shopping, Meloneras is a top place to stay. It’s also a great place to visit in Gran Canaria. This seaside town feels modern, classy and clean. Visit at any time of the day for a scenic walk by its magnificent lighthouse, a browse around the shops and for a meal with a view.

Our favourite time of the day in Meloneras is at sunset. Its beachfront comes alive with buzzing cocktail bars as the warm glow of the sun touches the sand. The restaurant selection is very good, though prices are a little more expensive than other Gran Canaria towns.

Playa del Ingles

Playa del Ingles is the famous tourist hotspot on the other side of the Maspalomas Sand Dunes. For decades, sun seekers, particularly English, German and Dutch tourists, have made Playa del Ingles one of the most popular resort towns on the island. The beach front is where you’ll find a long stretch of sand and countless bars and restaurants.

Set back from the beach is a long street of restaurants and shops, and bars that are open until the early hours. Playa del Ingles is one of the nightlife hotspots of Gran Canaria, and even though it has its fair share of underwhelming places to eat, there are some hidden dining options.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is another major tourist town on the south coast. Perfectly located for some of the island’s top beaches, Puerto Rico is a popular place to stay. It offers hotel options for every budget and there’s always a lot going on in town, especially on an evening. Most of Puerto Rico quiet during the day, with everyone relaxing on the beach. Return as the sun starts to set and it starts to come alive.

We recommend visiting Puerto Rico in the late afternoon. Go for a walk along the beach, see the local parks and admire the cliffside view. The bay of Puerto Rico is known for its many white-washed buildings on the hillside. Puerto Rico ‘Centro Commercial’ and the nearby shopping malls are the best places to visit in the evening.

Mogan Mall

Mogan Mall is one of Puerto Rico’s newest and most modern shopping areas. Located in the centre of Puerto Rico, it’s one of Gran Canaria’s best places to shop, eat and drink on an evening. It features brands such as Rituals, Mango, Levi and all the other high-street stores you’d expect, plus some good restaurant options.

Even if you don’t want to shop, Mogan Mall is worth visiting on an evening for its colourful fountain show. The water displays light up and seemingly dance to the sound of the music. We loved the lively atmosphere of the complex and recommend visiting after an afternoon in Puerto Rico.

Playa Amadores

Playa Amadores is just around the cove from Puerto Rico. The long, sandy beach is a crescent shape, stretching for almost 500m. Unknown to many, the beach is manmade. Its secluded bay location gives it shelter from the waves, making it a great place to swim and relax.

Playa Amadores is one of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria for those that want a beach day. Hire a lounger on the sand and spend your day dipping in and out of the turquoise sea. We visited many beaches during our trip and Playa Amadores was one of our favourites.

Sioux City

The next recommendation in our guide is something completely unique to Gran Canaria! Sioux City is an amusement park themed on the late 1800’s Wild West. A salon, bank, hotel, cemetery and countless other buildings have been set up to resemble a scene from your favourite western film. It’s essentially one big open-air wild west museum. Alongside the immersive set, Sioux City has several shows, characters and interactive experiences.

We found the production value at Sioux City to be excellent and we loved our day here. It’s a full day experience, so be sure to arrive early to make the most of your visit. The realism of the character costumes and acting skills make it well worth the entrance fee.

Nublo National Park

Roque Nublo National Park is Gran Canaria’s breath-taking mountain range in the centre of the island. A UNESCO protected World Heritage Site, it boasts some of the best scenery on offer. Winding mountain roads, vast forests and some iconic rock formations make it a great place for anyone that loves getting up close to nature. You can visit areas of the national park on a bus or guided tour. However, the best way to explore is by hire car. We spent a day exploring the trails, viewpoints and villages of Roque Nublo National Park. There was a lot of driving, but it proved to be one of our favourite day trips.

Roque Nublo is the top site to see in the park. It’s a unique volcanic rock that’s perched on top of a mountain, providing panoramic views of the valley below. Parking near the trail is very limited and you’ll need to reserve a time slot online a few days before embarking on the mini hike.

Pico de las Nieves

Nublo National Park is also home to Pico de las Nieves, the highest peak on the island. It’s one of the top places to visit in Gran Canaria to capture 360-degree views of the mountain range. Visibility can be low due to the high altitude. However, visit on a clear day and you’ll be amazed by the views from the mountain peak.

There are several trails that start from Pico de las Nieves and a small snack stall. Order a coffee and enjoy the view from 2,000 metres above sea level.

Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas Viewpoint

Another excellent place to capture the beauty of Gran Canaria’s volcanic landscapes is the Astronómico de la Degollada viewpoint. This lookout spot is a popular stop-off point for cyclists heading into Nublo National Park. It’s also a nice place for star gazing. Visit during the day for a nice view of the valley. Return late into the evening on a clear day and you’ll get some great views of the night sky.

Tejeda

The final recommendation in our Gran Canaria travel guide is the small mountain village of Tejeda, which is located in Nublo National Park. The town has been built on the edges of the mountain-side, creating a scene that resembles the likes of Machu Pichu in Peru. The traditional Canarian architecture of white-washed houses with terracotta rooves, a peaceful village atmosphere and sites of the old town make it a must-see.

Spend a few hours in Tejeda checking out the mountain views, seeing the old churches, squares and architecture, and enjoying lunch in one of the ‘assador’ grill restaurants. The island is famous for them. If you’d prefer a sweat treat, stop by Dulceria Nublo bakery It has some delicious almond pastries.

Thanks for reading our guide on the best places to visit in Gran Canaria. Although the island looks small on a map, it’s full of excellent activities, beaches and day-trip options. The wide variety of things to do makes it a great holiday destination for all interests. If you have any questions about the places we’ve featured or have your own suggestions, be sure to post a comment.