Gran Canaria Travel Guide

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Airport, on the east coast of the island, is 25 kilometres from one of the main tourist centres of the Canary Islands - the southern area of Gran Canaria - and 18 kilometres from the island's capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Getting there:

By car: access to the airport from the south of the island and from the capital, via the GC-1 motorway.

By bus: Line 60: Airport - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Line 66: Airport - Faro de Maspalomas. Line 5: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Faro de Maspalomas. Bus stop: at terminal exterior (departures floor, desks 40-91).

By taxi: taxi rank in Zone A, Zone B and Zone C (arrivals, floor 0). Average fares: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (€27), Playa del Inglés (€35), Maspalomas (€42), Puerto de Mogán (€75).

Places to see

Attractions

Casa de Colón - Columbus House

This museum houses a large collection of maps of the Canary Islands, facsimiles of maps associated with the conquest and colonisation of America, and a varied collection of objects from several cultures and corners of the world. Christopher Columbus stopped in the Canary Islands on his journey to discover America.

Location: Calle Colón, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Tel: +34 928 312 373
www.casadecolon.com/portal/home.cmc

Atlantic Centre of Modern Art (CAAM)

The CAAM is a museum of contemporary art with a permanent collection of around 2,600 works. Many items in the collection come from America, Africa and Europe. Its Library and Documentation Centre has almost 57,000 specialist art books and publications, as well as an extensive collection exclusively about art and African and Latin American artists.

Address: Calle de Los Balcones, 11. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Tel: +34 928 311800
www.caam.net/index.htm

Elder Science and Technology Museum

The exhibitions at this innovative museum are designed with both locals and visitors in mind. The focus is on scientific and technological culture based on intelligible communication and hands-on participation. Its 4,500 square metres of facilities include science and technology exhibit rooms full of interactive displays and modules.

Location: Parque de Santa Catalina, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Tel: +34 828 011 828
www.museoelder.org/microsite/index.php

Cueva Pintada - Painted Cave

Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park is the result of more than 24 years of digging and conservation work at an enormous archaeological complex. The museum was built around the remains of a settlement of the original Canary Islanders and is a remarkable testimony to their culture.

Address: Calle Audiencia No 2, Gáldar
Tel: +34 928 89 57 46
portal.grancanaria.com/portal/home.cuev

Basilica of Our Lady of the Pine, in Teror

The municipality of Teror combines history, monuments and nature, and is also a showcase for the traditions and the religious history of the Canary Islands. The basilica, dedicated to Our Lady of the Pine, has numerous sculptures, wonderful stained-glass windows and a large collection of objects used in the liturgy.

Location: Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pino (Church square), Teror
Tel: +34 928 630 118 www.basilicadelpino.es

Guayadeque Ravine and Museum

Guayadeque Ravine is one of the most important settlements of the island’s early inhabitants. It includes hundreds of caves dug into the ravine, as well as numerous archaeological finds and cave drawings. The Guayadeque museum showcases the natural and archaeological heritage of this location.

Location: Guayadeque Ravine. Agüimes
Tel: +34 928 172 026
www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo/Museo-de-Guayadeque

Top 5 Things to Do

Maspalomas

Visit the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve, made up of three ecosystems: El Palmeral (the palm grove), La Charca (the lagoon) and the Dunes, which start just a few metres from the sea. The softly curving dunes change shape constantly as they’re moulded by the wind from the sea. The entire area is one immense natural space of outstanding value. It’s the perfect place to take a dive into the water, go out for dinner, have a drink on the long stretch of the seaboard or simply stroll along the shore or the walkway.

Pico de Bandama (Bandama Peak)

Enjoy the immense view over several kilometres from Caldera de Bandama, an enormous volcanic crater with rugged sloping sides. The peak and the crater are unique natural areas of major scientific interest. Another highlight of the landscape is the cone, a well defined structure visible from a long way off. The panorama is a scenic treat stretching right down to the sea. Inside the crater are cave drawings by the earliest inhabitants of the island.

Puerto Mogán

Mogán is set in a beautiful valley that slopes down from the ravine to the coast. Its historic fishing port was once the only means of communicating with the rest of the island. The special charm of this picturesque fishing harbour captivates all those who visit it. The pedestrian area has brightly coloured buildings no more than three storeys high amid narrow streets decorated with flowers and dotted with saltwater canals. Mogán also has a yacht-filled marina and a wide range of restaurants and leisure activities. Another way to enjoy yourself is sunbathing or swimming in the marvellous sandy bay.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The island’s capital city has a large number of places to visit. One of its must-sees is the old town, Vegueta, where you’ll find the cathedral, in Plaza Santa Ana, as well as Casa de Colón (Columbus House) and the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art. You can go shopping in the city’s commercial areas, such as Triana and Avenida Mesa y López, the best known places. Another spot not to be missed is the beach at Playa de Las Canteras, considered one of the best city beaches in the world. Sprawling several kilometres along the city bay, Las Canteras has a large rocky shelf in the bay that protects most of the beach from large waves, making it a peaceful spot, particularly at low tide. It also has good weather nearly all year and a broad seaside walkway.

Agaete

This is a municipality of contrasting scenery: in just a few kilometres you can enjoy the beaches between the cliffs, the nautical atmosphere of the harbour in Puerto de Las Nieves, the heritage of the town and the spectacular views provided by the valley and the ravine. Beaches to suit all tastes can be found around the sea port of Puerto de Las Nieves. Some of them are along the seaside walkway, where you’ll also find terrace bars and restaurants with freshly caught fish on the menu. In the town of Puerto de Las Nieves you can visit the 17th century chapel, home to a Flemish triptych of great historic value.