Where to stay in Gran Canaria
November 19, 2022
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Gran Canaria is one of the seven Canary Islands and the third largest island of the archipelago. As such, it is quite a large island with plenty to discover. You will find surprising highlights such as stunning landscapes, impressive nature and also an interesting local culture. Something you might not immediately expect to find on Gran Canaria. Because oOk although the cliché that Gran Canaria is a destination for the masses is certainly true, the island is so much more than this. Leave the crowded cities and beaches behind and discover what particularly beautiful sights you can discover in Gran Canaria.
1. Barranco de las Vacas
Barranco de las Vacas is not officially a sight on Gran Canaria. There is no parking, there are no facilities and there is no signage at all. This is a typical spot that has become hugely popular thanks to social media. Not surprisingly, because this impressive gorge between Agüimes and Santa Lucía is beautiful to see. Make sure you go there in the morning or late afternoon, then you are most likely to have this spot to yourself. Barranco de las Vacas is at its most beautiful when the sun's rays reach the gorge and the red-orange glow becomes even warmer in color.
How to get to Barranco de las Vacas? It is best to navigate to the following coordinates: 27°54'54.7 "N 15°28'33.6 "W. Along the road you will find some coves where you can park your car, just keep in mind not to block the road. To get to the canyon you climb over the guardrail and descend into the riverbed via a path. Once down you walk through the tunnel after which you continue for a short distance.
2. Agaeta Piscina Naturales
The north of Gran Canaria has a rough and raw character but is also incredibly green and unspoiled. This is because of the winds and forces of the sea. This part of Gran Canaria is therefore more often skipped by tourists. A pity because you will find beautiful sights here that are absolutely worth discovering.
Like the 500-year-old village of Agaeta. An authentic place virtually unknown to tourists. Therefore, here you can experience the real local culture of Gran Canaria. Nearby you will find Agaeta Piscina Naturales, three saltwater pools. It is a wonderful place to dive into the water. There is a small bar where you can get something to drink and food you can order, and there are restrooms you can use for free. Parking in nearby parking lots cost us €2 per car (in October 2022).
3. Los Azulejos
Every time we are surprised to see what nature is capable of. A special attraction in Gran Canaria, then, is Los Azulejos, the colored layers in the rocks about 10 kilometers from Mogán. The intensity of the colors depends on how the sun shines on them, but either way it is beautiful to see. The area around Los Azulejos is perfect for hiking. You can follow a 16-kilometer route through spectacular landscapes. If you are more interested in a shorter hike, you can follow a route of 2 kilometers and stop along the way at a natural pool. To do this, follow the sign Ruta 2 or use maps.me / Google Maps to navigate.
4. Mirador del Balcón
Surely the most breathtaking sight in Gran Canaria is Mirador del Balcón. As the name suggests, you can enjoy a stunning view from a glass plateau made in the rocks. Not only can you look endlessly across the Atlantic Ocean, in very clear weather you can also see Tenerife. But what really matters here, of course, are the insane cliffs and rock formations that, because of their shapes, are also called "dragon's tail.
Ruta GC-200 is the most beautiful along route along the west coast of the island. Driving here feels a bit like being in Hawaii, but nothing could be further from the truth. Along GC-200 you will find several places to stop, including Mirador del Balcón.
5. Puerto de Mogán
Puerto de Mogán is a cute little village in Gran Canaria that we fell in love with. Its cozy streets, colorful bougainvillea, atmospheric hotspots, idyllic harbor and ideal seaside location make it a place to love. You can therefore easily imagine that Puerto de Mogán is crowded, especially in high season. Plan a visit to Puerto de Mogán as a fun day trip or just go towards the end of the afternoon and dine here in the evening when most day visitors have left.
Restaurant tip - Puerto de Mogán
Along the harbor, also called "Little Venice," you will find several atmospheric restaurants. While enjoying a refreshing drink you can have a great time here, because the view of the many boats and colorful buildings does not bore you. As far as we are concerned, it is therefore the best spot for a nice lunch or dinner. Our restaurant tip for the port in Puerto de Mogán is Marina Dehenny's.
6. Degallado de las Yeguas
Would you like to see more of Gran Canaria? Then the best tip we can give you is to rent a car with which you can discover the island and its sights. With a rental car you will have the opportunity to drive into the mountains where you will be amazed by the beautiful nature and the interesting villages you drive through.
The first stop on your route into the mountains is Degallado de las Yeguas. A viewpoint with breathtaking views of the mountains and canyons. The ravine was created by lava flows some 12 million years ago. The soil in the canyons is very fertile which is why you see several palm groves. For example, you can find many different types of palm trees, but really typical is Canarian palm the Phoenix Canariensis. This date palm grows only on Gran Canaria.
Tip: Do you love stargazing? Then this viewpoint, among others, is a good place in Gran Canaria!
7. Fataga
One of the most beautiful mountain villages to visit is Fataga. Be sure to park your car here to stroll through the picturesque streets. The white houses, cobblestone streets and once again colorful bougainvillea create a stunning picture with the gigantic mountains in the background.
8. Artenera
Another unusually located village in the mountains is Artenera. The village is known for its unique cave houses in which the locals live with a lot of love. Because of its location at about 1,260 meters above sea level, you can experience different weather conditions here in one day. For example, in the mountains it can be 10 degrees, while in the south of the island it is warm and sunny. When in Artenera, be sure to enjoy the view at Mirador de Unamuno from where you can walk on to Ermita de La Cuevita, a small chapel in a cave. Along the way you will already spot several cave dwellings.
9. Dunas de Maspalomas
That you can find dunes along Gran Canaria's coastline just proves how diverse this Spanish island is. The nature reserve is 400 hectares in size, but was once much larger. Years ago, much of the dunes were sacrificed for the construction of massive resorts. Since then, Dunas de Maspalomas has been recognized as a unique and protected nature reserve because of its variety of ecosystems. It is therefore forbidden to enter the dunes. If you want to explore the area, you can follow a hiking trail that traverses the sand dunes.
To get a glimpse of Dunas de Maspalomas, it is best to park at or catch a cab to Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas. The ideal time to visit dunes is during golden hour. This is just before the sun sets. The warm rays of the sun create and beautiful orange glow over the dunes. Ideal for taking pictures.
10. Las Palmas
Of course, a vacation to Gran Canaria is not complete without visiting the capital city of Las Palmas. Las Palmas is a large, cozy city where you can store, visit sights and, of course, eat out. But where to start? Our two favorite neighborhoods are Vegueta and Triana.
Vegueta is the oldest and, in our opinion, the most atmospheric neighborhood of Las Palmas. It is one big open-air museum here, but the real eye-catcher is the Santa Ana Cathedral. Are you interested in the history of Gran Canaria and specifically Las Palmas? Then we can definitely recommend a visit to 'House museum of Christopher Columbus'.
The Triana neighborhood used to be the poorest area of Las Palmas but is now the commercial heart of the city. Consequently, you will find beautiful buildings with fashionable architectural styles. This is also the best district for those who love shopping.
Restaurant tip - Las Palmas
Tucked away on a side street in the Triana neighborhood you will find restaurant El Canaia de Cano. The perfect place to end a day of Las Palmas in style. It is a fairly new restaurant in Las Palmas and here you taste authentic Canarian cuisine in tapas form. It doesn't get any better than this!
Plan your trip to Gran Canaria
The easiest and also most economical way to travel to Gran Canaria is to book a complete package trip with Corendon. Corendon's offer consists of several hotels scattered around the island. Our recommendation for a luxurious and comfortable stay in Gran Canaria is Lopesan Baobab Resort in Meloneras. Looking for a family stay? Then Suites & Villas by Dunas highly recommended.
Would you rather book your flights separately? From the Dutch airports Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven flies Skycanner with a direct flight to Gran Canaria.
Now that we have shared with you the most beautiful sights in Gran Canaria, you no doubt agree that you need a rental car during your vacation. This is best arranged through Sunny Cars.
Our trip to Gran Canaria was made possible in part by the Spanish Tourist Office. Of course, the above information is written entirely based on personal experience and perception.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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