Where is Gran Canaria located?

20 October 2020

Gran Canaria is the third largest and most visited island in the Canary archipelago. Despite the volcanic origin of all the Canary Islands, they are strikingly different from each other with an unusual landscape. Gran Canaria is not an exception, more than three million tourists come here every year for a paradise climate and amazing nature.

Holidays in Gran Canaria will leave only positive emotions: it is clean, beautiful, well-groomed and safe here. At the same time, the island has a large selection of hotels, shops, restaurants and recreational facilities from theme parks to entertainment attractions. Infrastructure and transport are also well-developed.

Puerto Rico's beach

How to get to Gran Canaria?

Air traffic

Gran Canaria has a modern international airport that receives flights from different countries. There are also daily flights of local airlines between Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Gran Canaria airport of the same name (LPA) is located in the east of the island, near the island's capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The airport is larger than that of Tenerife and is the fifth in terms of passenger traffic in Spain. The modern airport is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable trip. You can get from the airport by public transport, taxi or rented car. Follow the information signs so as not to get lost.

Ferry service

Ferries run between the Canary Islands. Together with your rented car you can take to the neighboring island with the help of a ferry.  In Tenerife, a ferry leaves from the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the port of Agaete in Gran Canaria. The trip takes just over an hour. Free buses run from the port to the capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas.

Ferry services are provided by two companies:

  • Fred Olsen Express Ferry
  • Ferry Naviera Armas

Rent a car

As with all Canary Islands, the best way to explore the island is to rent a car. The island has a huge number of rental companies - both well-known European brands and local car rental companies. You can rent a car right at the Gran Canaria airport: there is the largest selection here. However, if you don't want to rush, you can rent a car, scooter or bicycle in every tourist town on the island. Car rental prices in Gran Canaria are quite reasonable and the choice is large.

Transport in Gran Canaria

Are you planning to rent a car in Gran Canaria? Use public transport, which is well developed here. The buses of the company Global run around the island - locals call them “guagua”. You can get acquainted with the schedule and route of buses on the company's official website. In Las Palmas, in addition to municipal buses, there are special tourist buses  which are convenient for getting acquainted with the capital. You can pay for the fare when boarding or in advance at the ticket machine.

TEJEDA, GRAN CANARIA, SPAIN-MAY 17, 2016: Main street in Tejeda village on May 17, 2016. at Gran Canaria, Spain.

Weather in Gran Canaria

The warm current of the Gulf Stream and the island's favorable geographical location created all the conditions for an excellent vacation in Gran Canaria. After all, it is warm here even in winter, the moderate warm climate of the island attracts travelers from all over the world. Separately, it is worth noting about the unique microclimates that are completely different from each other in Gran Canaria: you can spend the morning on the hot coast, go in the afternoon on an excursion inland, and find yourself on a snowy peak in the evening.

In summer, the air temperature is stable within the range of 26-28 ºC, while in winter it is about 22-24 ºC. Due to rare rainfall and warm climate, the season in Gran Canaria lasts all year round. The mountain range has divided the island into two main climatic zones: dry and warm south and cool north. The main tourist resorts are located in the south of Gran Canaria, this is where you should go for a beach holiday.

Things to do in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is ideal not only for a beach relaxation, but also for an active pastime. All conditions for water sports are created here: diving, surfing, sup boarding, and, of course, sailing. Gran Canaria has all the necessary infrastructure for yachting. There is a large seaport in the capital of the island. You can rent a yacht or catamaran in Gran Canaria at any time of the year, both for a week trip and for a daily sailing trip around the island. A yacht charter is possible with or without a skipper if you have the necessary skills and a skipper's license.

During the season, it is better to take care of renting a yacht in the Canary Islands in advance, since services are in great demand, and good offers are grabbed out quickly. In addition to fishing while yachting in Gran Canaria, you can go to the Arguineguin village, where  you can rent fishing equipment for a reasonable fee and the most fishing spots will be prompted to you.

If you like an extreme form of recreation, the Aeroclub de Gran Canaria is at your service. Try a helicopter ride, paragliding, or even a parachute jump. And not far from Bahia Feliz there is an excellent karting club with a track length of 1650 meters. There are many theme parks for families on the island, so hiking is the most popular activity in Gran Canaria.

Where to go on vacation in Gran Canaria?

Palmitos Park

A subtropical oasis nestled in a gorge, surrounded by palm trees and numerous cactus species, Palmitos Park is one of the most popular theme parks on the island, attracting both adults and children. Palmitos Park is home to over 200 species of unique birds, and during the day there are 3 types of shows: parrot show, dolphin show and exotic bird show. Each show is not inferior to another in entertainment and colorfulness. The park is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00

Cocodrilo Park Gran Canaria

If you want a thrill, then be sure to visit the crocodile farm in the town of Aguimes. Cocodrilo Park is home to over 300 species of crocodiles! It is also home to unique reptiles, colorful tropical fishes, monkeys and parrots. Animals live in natural conditions and feel very comfortable. Cocodrilo Park hosts daily crocodile and parrot shows.

Cactualdea Cactus Park

Fans of unusual plants and cacti should go to the Tocodoman village where the unique botanical garden Cactualdea Park is located. Dozens of different types of cacti are collected from different parts of the Canary Islands.

Doramas park

And one more small but pretty park, laid out by the British in the 19th century - Doramas Park. It stands out with dragon and laurel trees.

Columbus House Museum

It is noteworthy that the house-museum of Columbus in Gran Canaria never belonged to the great traveler, but exactly there he stayed on one of his first travels. The beautiful colonial-style three-story building is now a Museum of the Age of Discovery. The Columbus Museum is dedicated to sea voyages and discoveries from different periods. Exhibitions with authentic maritime exhibits tell the story of Columbus's travels, the development of navigation and the history of the islands. The museum also displays a three-dimensional model of the island of Gran Canaria. The Columbus Museum is open Monday through Saturday.

Dunes of Maspalomas 

The visiting card of Gran Canaria, the Maspalomas dunes, is not only a national reserve, but also a stunning sandy beach. The size of the tourist complex is more than 1000 hectares, there are shops and restaurants, hotels and bungalows, and, of course, the Maspalomas sand dunes, which are more than 3 kilometers long.

Nearby there is an imposing old building - the darkened Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse, the symbol of the city and the island of Gran Canaria. This is a working lighthouse built back in 1890. Be sure to visit the observation deck at the lighthouse - from a height of 60 meters you can enjoy stunning views of the Maspalomas dunes and the endless ocean, as well as the surrounding area.

St. Anne's Cathedral (Canary Cathedral)

Another significant architectural monument of the island, which is the seat of the Catholic Diocese, is the Canary Cathedral (Catedral de Canarias) or the Cathedral of St. Anne (Santa Iglesia Catedral Basílica de Canarias). Long construction, which was stopped and resumed again, led to an unusual mixture of styles. Elements from late Gothic to neoclassicism can be found in the architecture of the building.

Cueva Pintada Park Museum

You can learn more about the history of the island in the historical and archaeological complex of Cueva Pintada (Museo y Parque Arqueológico Cueva Pintada). Archaeologists are still actively working here and you can become participants in new discoveries and unusual finds, go down to the underground park in a cave with a unique rock painting or get acquainted with household items in the traditional exhibition. In the museum, you can watch educational videos, listen to thematic lectures and visit the library.

Join the sailing trips to the Canary Islands with SAILME!

We will open and show you Gran Canaria from a new perspective, as this is a unique place that surprises many travelers. As part of our Canary Islands yacht cruises, we travel from Tenerife and visit the island of Gran Canaria. You can check the current sailing schedule in the Canary Islands here.