Gran Canaria
Sand dunes, rugged mountains, and colorful villages — your travel guide to Gran Canaria.
Our Gran Canaria Island Check
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Flair
Think of it as a mini-continent — dramatic volcanic highlands, lush valleys, and golden dunes all on one island.
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Travel Season
The climate is seriously mild year-round, so there's no bad time to visit.
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Travel Duration
One week is a good start — ten days gives you enough time for both the beaches and the highlands.
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Price Level
Costs are moderate overall — you can travel here on a tight budget or splash out, depending on your style.
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Food
Don't leave without trying papas arrugadas with mojo sauce — the wrinkly potatoes with spicy or herby dipping sauce are a local staple. Local goat cheese is great too.
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Transport
Renting a car is really the way to go — the winding mountain roads in the interior are half the experience.
FAQ
What's the best way to get around Gran Canaria?
Distances on Gran Canaria are short — but how you get around makes a real difference. Here’s a quick breakdown.
By Rental Car
Renting a car is absolutely worth it if you want to explore beyond the resort strips and reach the island’s more remote corners on your own schedule.
Heads up: prices have risen significantly since COVID. In summer, expect to pay from around 30 euros per day; in winter, from around 20 euros. There are a lot of providers out there, so use a comparison site to cut through the noise.
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By Public Bus
Gran Canaria has a solid bus network connecting towns across the island. You can check schedules and routes on the Global bus company website. Tickets are easy to buy in cash directly from the driver.
In larger towns like Las Palmas or Maspalomas, there are also local city buses. Seriously, leave your rental car at the hotel when you head into the city — the one-way streets and parking situation are a real headache.
By Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus
If you’re spending time in Las Palmas, the hop-on/hop-off bus is a great way to hit all the main sights without having to plan every move in advance.
What's the best way to fly to Gran Canaria?
There are direct flights to Gran Canaria from most major cities in Europe. Depending on where you’re flying from, the flight takes roughly four to five hours.
The airport sits on the eastern side of the island — it’s about 20 minutes by car to Las Palmas in the north or Maspalomas in the south. You can get there by public bus or just pick up your rental car right at the airport.
What is the best time to visit Gran Canaria?
The Canary Islands are called the “Islands of Eternal Spring” for a reason — it’s pleasantly warm year-round on Gran Canaria. That said, the best time to go really depends on what you want to do.
- Beach vacation: Summer, between May and August, brings up to nine hours of sunshine a day and temperatures around 86°F (30°C). That’s why Gran Canaria is one of our top picks as a travel destination in July.
- City trips and hiking: Spring and fall are ideal — still warm, but you won’t overheat while sightseeing or out on the trails. Rainy days are rare anyway.
- Surfing: The biggest swells roll in between October and March, which is when surfers from all over descend on the island.
What language do they speak on Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria is part of Spain — even though geographically you’re already closer to Africa. So the main language is Spanish.
In tourist areas and bigger cities like Las Palmas and Maspalomas, you’ll get along just fine with English too.
Is Gran Canaria expensive?
Gran Canaria is one of the more affordable destinations in Europe.
A double room in a decent hotel starts at around 70 euros per night, and a proper dinner out will typically run you about 15 euros per person.
How long should you stay in Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria has great cities, beaches, and nature all in one place. If you want a real taste of all three, plan for at least one week.
