Things to Do in Gran Canaria: Our 22 Top Highlights

Our Gran Canaria Attractions Map

Before we dive into our top 22 things to do in Gran Canaria, here’s a quick overview to help you plan your trip. Below you’ll find a map of all the highlights covered in this article.

Buying Tickets for Gran Canaria Attractions in Advance

Some of Gran Canaria’s most popular spots get seriously busy, which means long lines can form fast. Buying your ticket online ahead of time is the easiest way to skip the queue and just walk straight in.

These are the Gran Canaria highlights where buying your ticket in advance is worthwhile:

Mountains and Gorges in Gran Canaria

Roque Nublo

Let’s kick things off with one of Gran Canaria’s most iconic landmarks: Roque Nublo. This massive rock formation rises nearly 65 meters straight up from the mountain of the same name in the center of the island.

In total, you’re standing at 1,813 meters above sea level — the third-highest peak on Gran Canaria. On a clear day, you can even see the Teide volcano from up here, one of the coolest attractions on Tenerife.

Roque Nublo is also great for a relatively easy hike. The trails from the parking lot to the rock are well-maintained and take about 45 minutes.

Pico de las Nieves

At 1,949 meters, Pico de las Nieves (“Snow Peak”) is one of the highest points on Gran Canaria. The Morro de la Agujereada, which stands right next to it, is technically the highest peak on the island — but only by 7 meters.

There are several viewpoints up here, the most well-known being the Mirador del Pico de las Nieves, which you can reach by car.

Because the peak sits right in the center of the island, you get a truly unique panorama over the surrounding mountains, the pine forest, and the sea.

You can drive all the way up to the viewpoint, or leave your car at the La Goleta parking lot and hike to the summit — you’ll pass by Roque Nublo along the way.

Our tip: No car? You can visit the Mirador del Pico de las Nieves as part of a guided island tour departing from Las Palmas.

Book the guided day tour to Pico de las Nieves and other highlights

Barranco de Guayadeque

The Barranco de Guayadeque gorge is one of the most impressive places to visit on Gran Canaria — especially for nature lovers.

But it’s culturally fascinating too. The gorge was once densely populated, and you’ll still find many of the typical Guanche caves along the path. Some are even still inhabited today.

At the entrance, there’s a visitor center — the Centro de Interpretación — where you can get background on the gorge and its history. At the far end of the Barranco, there are several cave restaurants where you can have a great meal in a genuinely one-of-a-kind setting.

The Most Beautiful Beaches on Gran Canaria

Maspalomas Dunes

Besides Roque Nublo, Gran Canaria has a second truly iconic landmark: the Maspalomas dune landscape at the southern tip of the island.

This vast stretch of dunes runs for 6 kilometers between the Maspalomas lighthouse and Playa del Inglés.

Just like the stunning dunes of Corralejo on Fuerteventura, the whole area is a protected nature reserve.

There’s so much to do here. You can swim in the shallow lagoons, stargaze at night, hunt for incredible photo angles, or slide down the sand hills. On a guided tour, you can even ride a camel through the desert landscape.

E-Bike Tour and Camel Ride through the Maspalomas Dunes

Playa del Confital

Just a stone’s throw from the capital Las Palmas lies one of the most beautiful beaches on Gran Canaria: Playa Confital.

It’s a peaceful, unspoiled beach with golden sand and rocky plateaus that are perfect for lounging in the sun.

Playa del Confital is especially popular with families at low tide, when shallow pools form where kids can safely splash around, snorkel, and spot fish.

Surfers love it here too — it’s no coincidence that numerous surf contests have been held on this beach.

One word of caution though: if you’re visiting Gran Canaria as a winter destination, keep in mind that the waves here are seriously powerful. Tubes can even form at times. If you’re not very experienced, you’re better off at a more beginner-friendly beach.

Playa del Inglés

Without a doubt, the most famous beach on Gran Canaria is Playa del Inglés in the south of the island near Maspalomas.

Since Maspalomas probably has the highest concentration of hotels on Gran Canaria, there are always plenty of tourists around — but the beach stretches for three kilometers, so it never feels too crowded.

Playa del Inglés is also ideal for families with young children. Thanks to the lateral breakwater, the water here is very calm with hardly any currents.

The beach is well-equipped too: restrooms, plenty of beach bars, parking, and surf schools are all on hand.

And if you’re just starting out with surfing, this is honestly one of the best spots to learn.

Book a surf lesson at Playa del Inglés

Costa de Bañaderos

Looking for a change of pace from the regular sandy beach?

At Costa de Bañaderos, you’ll find three natural swimming pools. Some formed naturally, while others were created by building up walls.

It’s a really cool setup — you’re swimming in the ocean with a direct view of the crashing surf, but at the same time you’re protected from the waves.

Unlike the touristy beaches around Maspalomas in the south, these natural pools are still a genuine local favorite on Gran Canaria. Especially on weekends or after work, you’ll find plenty of locals here.

Into the Green of Gran Canaria

Jardín Canario

At 27 hectares, Jardín Canario is the largest botanical garden in Spain — and one of the most beautiful, too.

The garden’s main mission is to protect the plant diversity of the Canary Islands.

You’ll find a laurel forest, an area with various types of palm trees, and colorful, exotic plants that grow wild throughout the archipelago.

Entry is free and it’s perfect for a relaxed stroll in nature.

Bandama Nature Park

On a volcanic island like Gran Canaria, hiking to a volcanic crater is an absolute must — and Bandama Nature Park is one we can’t recommend highly enough.

At the center of the park lies a massive crater formed thousands of years ago by a powerful volcanic eruption. It measures 1,100 meters in diameter and 200 meters deep.

The best vantage point is from the Pico de Bandama at 575 meters. On a clear day, you can look down into the crater, across Gran Canaria, and even make out the outlines of the neighboring islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Several trails run along the crater rim and down into the crater itself, so there are great hikes for all levels.

Bodega los Berrazales

We tend to associate coffee plantations with South America. In Europe, there is exactly one — and that’s Bodega los Berrazales in the Canary Islands.

Coffee is actually only a small part of the operation; the focus here is mainly on wine and fruits like mangoes, oranges, and avocados.

On a small-group tour, you’ll learn all about the different crops, and there are tastings at the end to look forward to.

Parque Natural de Pilancones

The south of Gran Canaria is typically known for its sparse desert landscape. Pilancones Nature Park is the exception.

Here you’ll find rugged mountains and lush greenery, crisscrossed by deep gorges and blue bodies of water. The park is also home to many native plants and the island’s largest pine forest.

Not in the mood for hiking? Viewpoints branching off from the road offer stunning vistas over the landscape without breaking a sweat.

Beautiful Towns and Villages on Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

A visit to the capital Las Palmas is a must on any Gran Canaria trip.

The absolute standout in Las Palmas is Vegueta, the historic quarter. It’s full of winding alleyways, impressive churches, and elegant manor houses.

Some of the top points of interest in Las Palmas are also here in Vegueta, including the Museo Canario and the Casa de Colón.

The Triana neighborhood was once a merchant district, and even today life revolves around the shopping street Calle Mayor de Triana. It’s lined with all kinds of stores, making it the best spot in the city for a shopping spree.

And then there’s Jardín Ciudad: the beautiful Dorama Park is the heart of this area. It’s also the villa district, so a leisurely stroll through the streets to admire the gorgeous houses is absolutely worth your time.

Book the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus in Las Palmas

Book the private guided tour of the Las Palmas old town

Around Las Palmas you’ll also find several beaches — the most well-known is probably Playa de las Canteras, considered one of the most beautiful urban beaches in Europe.

Book the snorkeling tour at Playa de las Canteras

Puerto de Mogán

Mogán is a small town very close to Maspalomas and makes for a great day trip on Gran Canaria.

It’s nicknamed Little Venice — the canal winding through town, the tiny alleyways, and the lively atmosphere are strongly reminiscent of the lagoon city in Italy.

In the harbor, you can stroll past impressive yachts and small fishing boats.

But the most beautiful thing about Puerto de Mogán is the flower-lined alleyways. They’re decorated from top to bottom with colorful blooms hanging from arches above the lanes or cascading from the windows of the houses.

Mogán also has a beach, and its calm waters make it perfect for a relaxing swim day.

You can also visit Mogán as part of a guided Gran Canaria day tour from Las Palmas:

Book the guided day tour to Mogán and other highlights

Fataga

When a place is called the Valley of 1,000 Palms, you know it’s going to be special. That’s exactly where you’ll find the mountain village of Fataga, about 15 kilometers from Maspalomas in the south of the island.

Life here moves at a different pace, and mass tourism is nowhere to be found. Instead, you’ll discover cobblestone alleys and traditional Canarian stone houses.

A number of artists have settled in Fataga, so as you wander through the village, you’ll come across the occasional artwork displayed in front of the houses. There’s also a small shop selling Canarian pottery.

As a local insider tip: don’t miss the bakery, which still uses a traditional oven and makes absolutely delicious pastries.

Teror

Teror is another charming village on Gran Canaria. With around 12,000 inhabitants, it’s considerably larger than Fataga and sits in the north of the island.

The town is particularly well-known for the Basilica Nuestra Señora del Pino — Teror’s iconic landmark.

This gives Teror a special cultural and religious significance on the island, and you’ll find a genuinely authentic side of Gran Canaria here that’s increasingly rare.

Otherwise, we simply recommend a stroll among the colorful building facades. Every Sunday there’s also a weekly market selling food and handcrafted goods — well worth timing your visit around.

Cool Theme Parks and Animal Parks on Gran Canaria

Sioux City Park

Western movies were all the rage in the 1970s. And since it was too costly for European film crews to travel to the deserts of the USA to shoot their cowboy films, they simply built an authentic 19th-century Western town in the south of Gran Canaria.

Filming still takes place here from time to time, but today Sioux City is primarily a theme park.

There are Wild West shows, horses, cattle, actors, duels, lasso shows, bank robberies, a saloon, and everything else you’d expect from a Western town. There’s even a small reptile zoo.

The sets aren’t just facades either — they’re real, furnished buildings you can actually walk inside.

Sioux City Park isn’t just for Western fans — the whole family will have a great time here.

Cocodrilo Park

Cocodrilo Park is a reptile park in the mountains in the southeast of Gran Canaria.

This isn’t a zoo — it’s a rescue center for abandoned tropical animals dedicated to the conservation of endangered species.

Every euro from admission fees goes directly toward the care of the animals.

And it shows: the enclosures are very well-maintained and spacious.

Cocodrilo Park also holds the largest collection of alligators in Europe, and feeding shows take place daily. You can also see tigers, parrots, snakes, turtles, and other species.

Tickets cost around 9 euros.

Get your Cocodrilo Park ticket here

Poema del Mar

Poema del Mar translates to Poem of the Sea — and that’s exactly what this aquarium sets out to be.

This is the second-largest aquarium in the world. You can see around 350 different animal species and 2,000 plant species here.

The park is divided into three sections: the Jungle with exotic ecosystems, the Reef with coral reefs and sea creatures like seahorses, turtles, and jellyfish, and the Deep Sea with sharks and rays.

Admission costs 25 euros per person; children under four enter for free. Set aside plenty of time — the aquarium is seriously enormous!

Get your Poema del Mar ticket here

Fascinating Museums on Gran Canaria

Museo Canario

The Museo Canario is a small archaeological museum in Las Palmas focused primarily on artifacts from the time of Gran Canaria’s indigenous people.

Spread across eleven exhibition rooms, you’ll discover a lot about early life and the traditions of the Canary Islands.

The museum’s main draw is the collection of Guanche skeletons and mummies discovered at excavation sites across the island.

Museum and Archaeological Park Cueva Pintada

Between packed beaches and streams of tourists in Las Palmas, it’s easy to forget that Gran Canaria also has a genuinely rich culture and history.

A glimpse of that authentic Gran Canaria can be found at Cueva Pintada.

Before the conquest of Gran Canaria, the island was inhabited by the Guanches, the indigenous people of the island. Much like in the Italian city of Matera, people here lived in hand-carved caves.

One of those caves is Cueva Pintada, discovered in the mid-19th century. It wasn’t until 1987 that archaeologists realized the cave was part of an entire settlement of around 50 dwellings.

Its name — painted cave — comes from the paintings on the walls, which date back to the 6th century AD.

The cave is part of the archaeological site of the same name, which also showcases further remains of a Guanche settlement.

Cool Activities on Gran Canaria

Mercadillo Artesanal Arguineguin

On Gran Canaria, almost every town has a weekly market. One of the nicest is in Arguineguin, about a ten-minute drive from Maspalomas.

The market takes place on the so-called Plaza Negra, which means it’s practically right on the beach. One big advantage of the location: the fishermen sell their catch almost directly off the boat — you can’t get fish any fresher than that.

Beyond that, the market has a little of everything, from jewelry and clothing to handicrafts and local produce.

A stroll through the market is the perfect way to start a Tuesday morning.

Whale Watching

The Canary Islands aren’t just home to an incredible variety of fish. Every year, whales and dolphins pass by the islands, and some species can be spotted here year-round.

A whale watching tour is one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria and one of our favorite activities on the island.

You depart from Puerto Rico, about a 15-minute drive from Maspalomas, and race across the open ocean on a speedboat. With experienced guides on board, it’s very unlikely you’ll come back without spotting any animals.

Along the way, your guide will also make a stop at a beautiful beach, giving you a chance to cool off in the water.

Book the Whale Watching Tour from Puerto Rico

General Tips for Your Gran Canaria Vacation

To wrap things up, here are a few travel tips to help you plan your Gran Canaria trip and hit the ground running once you’re there.

Our Hotel Tips for Gran Canaria

The accommodation options on Gran Canaria are vast, which can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together hotel recommendations for every budget, so you can make your choice more easily.

If you’re staying in the capital, be sure to check out our article Where to Stay in Las Palmas.

Getting Around Gran Canaria

By Rental Car

For getting around locally, we have one clear favorite: a rental car. You’re most flexible with a car and can easily reach more remote areas that public transport simply doesn’t cover.

In summer, prices start at around 30 euros per day, and in winter from around 20 euros. We also recommend booking as early as possible!

Since there are so many rental car providers on Gran Canaria, it’s worth comparing prices in advance — you can find the best deals on Discovercars.

Compare rental car deals on Discovercars
By Public Transportation

Gran Canaria also has a well-developed bus network that lets you travel between towns quite easily. The two providers are Guaguas and Global; you can find an overview of the bus routes here.

The easiest option is to simply buy your ticket from the bus driver in cash, as ticket sales points are fairly sparse.

In Las Palmas, there are of course also hop-on hop-off buses. If you want to explore the city at your own pace, this is a great way to quickly discover all the top sights in Las Palmas.

Ticket for the Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Las Palmas

Island Hopping from Gran Canaria

Since you’re already on Gran Canaria, it makes total sense to visit one of the other Canary Islands while you’re at it.

Tenerife is the only other island you can reach relatively quickly from Gran Canaria by ferry. For the others, flying is the better option.

Smaller planes operate between the islands, and check-in is usually much faster than on an international flight. You can search for flights on Skyscanner:

Find flights on Skyscanner