Gran Canaria – what to know

Gran Canaria is one of the most varied islands in the Canary Islands archipelago – from sandy dunes to humid forests to sharp cliffs and mountains. The island’s tourist offer combines beautiful beaches, rich nature, culture, history, developed tourist infrastructure, and a very friendly climate all year round.

Where Gran Canaria is located – geographical location

Gran Canaria is a Spanish island, part of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean, within the Macaronesia macro-region. The island has an area of about 1,560 square kilometers, making it the third largest in the archipelago after Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Its shape resembles a circle, and at its widest point it has a diameter of about 50 km. The island’s capital is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is also one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands region (shared with Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Tenerife). The city of Las Palmas is located on the eastern side of the island, on the coast, and is a major cultural, administrative and transportation center.

Gran Canaria is located about 200 km northwest of the coast of Africa (Morocco). The highest peak on the island is Pico de las Nieves, which rises to 1,949 meters above sea level. The center of the island is a mountainous area – from here there are deep gorges (barrancos) heading toward the coast.

Thanks to this location and geological history, Gran Canaria presents a great diversity of landscapes – from dry and semi-desert areas in the south, to lush green areas in the north, to rugged mountainous areas in the middle of the island.

Gran Canaria – what it is famous for

Gran Canaria, like Tenerife, is called a “miniature continent” because of the variety of landscapes. During a vacation in Gran Canaria, you can feel as if you are visiting several completely different places. What can you see here?

• Sandy dunes and wide beaches (such as Maspalomas)
• cliffs and rocky coastlines
• natural pools (natural pools) formed by volcanic formations
• Gorges (barrancos), valleys and rocky canyons
• mountain trails, narrow paths, volcanic rocks
• Pine forests, overgrown areas, natural parks
  

As a result, whether you prefer quiet days at the beach or hiking, nature photography and contrasting landscapes, there is something for you in Gran Canaria.

Gran Canaria – a rich world of culture, history and heritage

The island has a rich history, even before the Spanish conquest. Gran Canaria is home to the remains of settlements of the ancient inhabitants – the Guanches, the original inhabitants of the Canarian archipelago. In many places there are preserved caves, dwelling caves, archaeological monuments.

In Gran Canaria you will also see colonial architecture. In Las Palmas in the Vegueta district you’ll find, among other things, the Santa Ana Cathedral or museums (such as the Museo Canario) and in the local towns you’ll taste local cuisine at every turn, see customs, handicrafts and traditions – the island strives to emphasize.

Gran Canaria’s heritage has been recognized around the world. The Risco Caído y montañas sagradas have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gran Canaria weather

One of Gran Canaria’s greatest assets is its climate – very conducive to tourism almost all year round. Thanks to its location between tropical and temperate latitudes and the influence of the ocean, the temperature is mild, with hot winters and cold winters virtually non-existent. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely reaching below 15 °C during the day. Summers are moderately warm, but extreme heat is rare thanks to the influence of the ocean.

In addition, the island’s terrain means that the local climate can vary significantly depending on the side (north, south) or altitude. Microclimatic differences – cooler in the mountains, lower temperatures at altitude; warmer on the coast, especially on the south side of the island. Precipitation is present, but rather moderate, with a tendency for precipitation to increase in the north during the winter months. The year in terms of temperatures is relatively even – the differences between months are moderate.

Gran Canaria is home to a climatic phenomenon with the graceful name calima – a dry wind that blows in from the Sahara. It causes an increase in temperature and a decrease in air clarity

Vacations in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Canary Islands, so the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, communications, services) is at a high level. You can easily find a wide range of restaurants and hotels, both all-inclusive vacations and private apartments. The cities are well connected, and it doesn’t take long to get around between different parts of the island.

The island offers many opportunities to explore and experience the island: water sports, dolphin-watching cruises, jeep tours, quad tours, parachute jumping as well as round trips, including in Polish.

Gran Canaria flights

If you are traveling to Gran Canaria from Poland – you have several options to choose from:

• Flights with low-cost airlines such as wizzair and ryanair from Krakow and Wroclaw seasonally also from other cities
• Charter flights – it is worth searching on the websites of Polish tour operators
• You can also combine a visit to two islands, such as Tenerife and Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria natural and extreme attractions

Gran Canaria is not just about relaxation – lovers of active recreation will find excellent conditions for:

• hiking (trekking), in the mountains and ravines
• rock climbing
• water sports (surfing, kitesurfing, diving, sailing, jetski)
• cycling, singletrack on mountain trails, as well as horseback riding
• exploring via ferrata or more difficult routes

All of these features make Gran Canaria attractive to both those seeking relaxation and those who want an active vacation.

Practical tips and advice for travelers

To enjoy your stay in Gran Canaria to the fullest, you should take into account some practical tips:

• Renting a car – this is a popular way to explore the island, especially places that are difficult to access by public transportation and inaccessible during tours. Remember, however, that the roads are often winding and steep – it’s better to choose cars with a more powerful engine and an automatic. The island is also quite crowded, often difficult to find parking spaces, especially in the most popular destinations. That’s why we always recommend the hybrid option – in the most popular places, we recommend going with an organized tour and enjoying the sights instead of stressing about driving. On the other hand, for the remaining days of your stay, we recommend renting a car and driving to the less popular, but equally beautiful places
  
• Insurance and safety – Gran Canaria is in the European Union, so you are bound by EHIC insurance, but we always recommend that you take out additional private insurance and choose tours and attractions that are covered (all attractions and tours available on our site have this insurance included in the price). In addition, remember to take the standard precautions: don’t leave valuables at sights, take good footwear and a supply of water into the mountains.
  
• Make reservations in advance – during the summer and holiday seasons, it’s a good idea to book accommodations, car rentals, some guided tours and attractions in advance.
  
• Flexibility to the weather – especially in the mountains and gorges – don’t assume that the weather will be identical to the coast. Remember that this is a miniature continent, and the weather can change significantly.
  
• Take layered clothing – it can be cooler in the mountains and evenings. Therefore, even in summer, we encourage you to dress “onion”
  
• Beware of the sun – UV radiation can be intense, especially at altitude or on beaches – wear sunscreen, sunglasses, headgear
  
• Nature conservation – don’t leave trash, respect the natural area
  

Summary

Gran Canaria is an extremely versatile island that combines elements of relaxation, adventure, contact with nature, culture and history. With a mild climate for most of the year, great infrastructure and a huge variety of landscapes, it is an ideal destination for both those looking for a lazy beach vacation and those who enjoy active recreation and exploration.

Gran Canaria – what to see:

• Maspalomas Dunes
• Roque Nublo and central mountain areas
• Gorges (Barranco de Guayadeque and others)
• Puerto de Mogán
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Las Canteras beach
• Viewpoints (miradores), natural pools
• Smaller, charming towns (Tejeda, Artenara, Fataga)