Gran Canaria - Things To Do & Attractions

Top Things to do in Gran Canaria

Hit the Beach!

If it’s a beach holiday you’re looking for, you won’t have to look further than Gran Canaria! The island’s most popular strip of beach can be found in Maspalomas, and the beach in Playa del Ingles is renowned with both sun-worshippers and water-sports fanatics.

Explore the Island

Fancy a day away from the beach? A day trip to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria’s colourful and cosmopolitan capital, is a definite must-do. More intrepid explorers can see the island’s unspoilt areas on an exciting jeep safari.

Fun and Family Time

Water parks are the perfect place to have some fun as a family and it just so happens that the biggest water park in the Canary Islands, Aqualand Maspalomas, is located right here in Gran Canaria!

Fancy seeing more of the island, both above and below sea-level? A glass-bottom boat cruise is a great way for kids to see the amazing creatures that live beneath the ocean, while adults can relax and enjoy a drink on-deck as you sail past the Canarian coastline.

Nature Lovers

Head out into nature and discover the island’s Arabic influences on a camel ride through the island’s “desert”! Gran Canaria is also home to Palmitos Park, the largest zoological park in the Canary Islands, where you’ll see thousands of animals spanning hundreds of species.

Gran Canaria – Quick Facts

Language:

Spanish

Flight Time from UK:

Approx. 4 hours

Currency:

Euros

Airports:

Gran Canaria airport is located in Telde, 18 km from the capital Las Palmas

Main Resorts:

Playa Del Ingles, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, Puerto Mogan

Opening Times:

• Shops are usually open from 9.30am - 1.30pm and 4.30pm - 7.30 pm weekdays.
• At weekends most shops open 9.30am - 1.30pm on Saturday.
• Shops in the main resort areas usually open 7 days a week.

Temperatures:

• Temperatures in Gran Canaria range from an average of 17°C in January and February to an average of 24°C in August and September.
• The sea temperature ranges from an average of 13°C in February and 26°C in August.

Telephone:

• Country code: +34
• Area code: 0928
• Emergency Services Number: 112

Electricity

EU standard, 220 V

Getting Around in Gran Canaria

Bus

• Gran Canaria’s local bus network Global (www.globalsu.net) has blue, turquoise or green buses which serve most parts of the island.
• Las Palmas has yellow municipal buses which provide a service throughout the city.

Bike

• Bicycles can be hired by the day (www.happy-biking.com) and are a great way to explore the island!

Car

• Renting a car gives you more flexibility in exploring Gran Canaria, with roads being generally very good and well sign-posted.
• All the major international car rental companies can be found at the airport and there are also loads in the main resorts.
• Driving in Las Palmas can be confusing and stressful however, so public transport can be easier for getting around the centre of the capital.

Taxi

• Taxis are easy to find in the main resorts of Gran Canaria.
• They are generally inexpensive and there are often fixed rates for longer distances.