Gran Canaria archivos - VOLARE MAGAZINE

From golden beaches and volcanic coves to a capital city open to the Atlantic, fishing villages, pine forests and mountains rising above 1,800 metres, Gran Canaria has it all. Travelling around the island means experiencing constantly changing scenery, sometimes even within just a few kilometres.

One day, you might be walking through dunes beside the ocean; the next, you might need to put on a jacket before heading up into the mountains. Or, after spending the morning exploring museums and historic streets, you could find yourself enjoying a seafood meal in a small northern harbour.

Gran Canaria boasts 236 kilometres of coastline, but the sea is only one part of its story. The island’s volcanic geography, carved by ravines and marked by dramatic changes in altitude, creates an astonishing variety of landscapes despite its size of just over 1,500 square kilometres. Rather than trying to tick off a list of must-sees, it is worth exploring Gran Canaria and noticing how the landscape changes throughout your journey. From the city to the dunes of Maspalomas and on to fishing villages, forests and mountain peaks, these are just some of the many facets of an island that seems to multiply the more you explore it.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: a city with its feet in the Atlantic

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a good place to start, as the first of these contrasts can be seen here. On one side lies Vegueta, the historic heart of the city, featuring cobbled streets, courtyards, squares, and heritage buildings. This is the ideal place to begin to understand the relationship of the Canary Islands with Europe, Africa and the Americas by spending a few hours exploring the museums and historic sites before taking a break on a terrace.

But cross the city and the setting changes completely: Las Canteras beach is a stretch of sand and promenade that is woven into the everyday life of the capital. Here, the beach is not somewhere outside the city; it is part of it.

The coexistence of history, urban culture and the ocean makes Las Palmas de Gran Canaria much more than just a gateway to the island. You can easily spend the morning wandering the historic streets, have lunch in the city centre, and end the day walking barefoot beside the Atlantic.

For a more traditional guide to the island’s main sights, check out the selection of must-sees already published on Volare: highlights of Gran Canaria: what to see on your holiday.

Maspalomas: when the landscape turns to sand

Heading south from the capital reveals a whole new landscape. Nowhere sums this up better than the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve. Here, a field of shifting dunes sits alongside a palm grove and the Maspalomas lagoon, a wetland of great ecological value, as well as a long beach open to the ocean. Spanning just over 400 hectares, the reserve is one of Gran Canaria’s most recognisable natural landscapes.

It is worth seeing at different times of day. Try going in the morning, before the sand has absorbed the day’s heat, or at sunset, when the shadows of the dunes start to emerge and you can walk all the way to the Maspalomas lighthouse. Remember that this is a protected natural area where designated trails allow visitors to enjoy the dunes without entering areas that are under restoration. This small but important precaution helps to preserve this fragile ecosystem.

The south-east coast reveals yet another side to the sea. Pozo Izquierdo, for example, is one of the island’s wind sports hotspots, revealing a sportier, more Atlantic side to Gran Canaria, exposed to the elements. Within just a few kilometres, the ocean can shift from calm waters beside a beach to the perfect windsurfing spot.

Puerto de Mogán: a change of pace

After the monumental scale of Maspalomas, Puerto de Mogán offers the exact opposite. Here, the journey becomes more intimate, with pedestrian streets lined with white houses and bougainvillea, and boats in the harbour alongside tables where you can sit down without much of a plan. The town’s fishing past now coexists with a marina and a small beach with calm waters, making it an ideal place to stop when travelling with family.

Instead of squeezing in more sights, Puerto de Mogán encourages you to slow down. The best way to experience it is to walk along the water, stop for a drink and linger over lunch. The pause is welcome because, as you continue north, the landscape changes once again.

Agaete: where the valley meets the ocean

The north-west has a character all of its own. The coast becomes more rugged, with great rock walls appearing, and the arid tones of the south gradually give way to a different landscape. Agaete captures this transition particularly well. Further inland, a fertile valley opens up where tropical fruits and coffee are cultivated, while by the sea, the fishing village of Puerto de las Nieves retains its maritime atmosphere amid blue-and-white houses and fish restaurants, with the outline of cliffs silhouetted against the Atlantic.

Very close by are Las Salinas de Agaete, former salt pans now transformed into three natural swimming pools. It is one of those places where the ocean is present without the need for a wide sandy beach. Agaete also has a less visible dimension. At the Maipés Archaeological Park, hundreds of funerary structures built on an ancient lava field offer a window onto Gran Canaria’s pre-Hispanic past.

Agriculture, archaeology, mountains and the sea all coexist within a very small area. It is difficult to find a place that better encapsulates the island’s ever-changing character.

Tamadaba and Doramas: discovering Gran Canaria’s greener side

From the coast of Agaete, the mountains offer a glimpse of the next change of scenery. Tamadaba Natural Park is home to one of the best-preserved natural pine forests in Gran Canaria. A landscape of ravines, cliffs and pine forests stretches from the highlands down towards the ocean, offering dramatic changes in altitude and stunning views of the west coast. After Maspalomas, you would hardly believe that you were still on the same island.

Something similar happens further north and east in the Doramas Rural Park landscape, where farmland coexists with ravines and remnants of the vegetation that once covered much of northern Gran Canaria. Azuaje, Barranco Oscuro and Los Tilos de Moya are home to pockets of laurel forest, among other natural assets. There is no need to tackle demanding routes to experience the wetter side of Gran Canaria. Secondary roads, small viewpoints and short walks enable you to experience the forests and mountains, even if your original plan was just to spend a few days by the sea.

Roque Nublo: climbing to the heart of the island

And then there is the summit. Standing at an altitude of 1,813 metres, the Roque Nublo rises above a landscape of ravines, pine forests, and impressive volcanic formations. This almost 90-metre-high monolith is one of Gran Canaria’s great geographical and cultural symbols. However, reaching the summit is about more than just photographing a rock. The climb reveals the island’s vertical scale and a geography that is difficult to imagine from the coast. When conditions are right, the landscape can be crossed by a characteristic sea of clouds, with Tenerife and Mount Teide visible in the distance.

The area is also close to one of Gran Canaria’s most culturally significant sites: the Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria Cultural Landscape. This site is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to the value of its settlements, ceremonial spaces, and cultural expressions linked to the island’s pre-Hispanic populations.

Before you go, please note that visiting Roque Nublo currently requires advance booking, with access organised through a system designed to limit pressure on one of the island’s most popular natural attractions. Check the latest conditions before setting out.

Gáldar and Cueva Pintada: another island right under our feet

After exploring coastlines, forests and mountains, there is one final layer still to discover. Gáldar, in the north of the island, was once the centre of one of Gran Canaria’s former indigenous kingdoms, and it is home to one of the most important archaeological sites for understanding the island’s pre-Hispanic past: the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park.

At its heart lies a cave, carved into volcanic rock and still bearing painted geometric motifs on its walls. Excavations around it have also uncovered the remains of an important settlement, offering a much clearer picture of how people lived in this part of the island before the Castilian conquest.

It is a particularly interesting stop at the end of the route, offering an additional historical contrast. Gran Canaria is not just a place where one landscape changes to another; each part of the island also has its own story to tell.

Gran Canaria is not just one journey

Perhaps that is why travelling around Gran Canaria feels like a journey within a journey. In a single day, you can leave the coast behind, cross a ravine, drive through pine forests, and reach a summit from which the ocean seems very far away. One day might begin in a historic neighbourhood and end on a beach. Or you could start among coffee plantations and finish the day by the sea enjoying some fresh fish.

Rather than trying to see everything, the focus is on letting the island reveal itself to you as you go along. Each road reveals a slightly different Gran Canaria. This is precisely one of the best reasons to return.

Discover more ideas for travelling to Gran Canaria on Volare

It’s no wonder that the Canary Islands are known as “Las Afortunadas”, meaning “the lucky ones”, as it has the best climate in the world. And not just because we say so; numerous studies have confirmed it too. There are so many reasons for coming to the Canary Islands in the winter. If it’s your dream to spend the winter on the beach or in 24°C, this post is for you!

Our names are Guacimara and Pedro, and we’re both from Tenerife. Through our Tenerifelicidad project, we’ve embarked on an around-the-world trip in a campervan, with no end date planned and are just starting with a six-month tour of the Canary Islands.

The climate in the Canaries in winter

The islands perfectly located, where the trade winds play a key role in the enviable temperatures enjoyed all year round. The trade wind inversion, which prevents cloud formation, means that it hardly ever rains in the summer and it only rains around 3 days a month on average during the winter months.

The temperature in winter in the Canaries

This natural phenomenon enjoys very mild temperatures all year round; in winter, the average temperature in the Canary Islands is 20-21^oC and there is very little rainfall.

This ideal climate, along with the days of sunshine, the smell of the sea, their infinite natural resources and the diversity of their landscapes make the islands a paradise all year round, but especially in winter.

Can you go for a swim in the Canaries in winter?

Yes! Whilst in winter, and particularly between January and April, the sea is cooler, it never drops below a temperature of 19^oC. So if you like swimming at any time of year, in the Canary Islands you’ll find some amazing calm beaches to take a dip whenever you like. The beaches where the water tends to be warmer are on El Hierro and La Gomera.

4 reasons for visiting the Canaries in winter

In the Canaries, in winter, the sun takes centre stage

In fact, they are also known as “the islands of eternal spring”. There are very few places in the world where you can enjoy an average temperature of between 20 and 22°C in winter, with almost no chance of rain.

These conditions allow for a special kind of tourism, where you can enjoy the outdoors in the unique and wild environment of a volcanic landscape.

Travelling light

One of the main drawbacks of travelling in winter is the amount of luggage involved, but in the Canary Islands you can travel light, as you won’t need a scarf or winter coat.

So, is it never cold in the Canary Islands? Well, of course it is. Despite the extremely mild climate, some of the islands are very high, with significant differences in altitude, such as Tenerife, which also has the highest peak in the whole of Spain. This means that within just over half an hour you can go from wearing a swimsuit on the beach to a snow-capped landscape in Teide National Park.

Microclimates are a defining characteristic of the islands, so even though you can travel light in the winter, it’s never a bad idea to pop a coat in your backpack, especially if you’re planning on exploring the mountains.

A paradise for outdoor sport lovers

Thanks to the favourable climate, the Canary Islands are the perfect place for enjoying all kinds of outdoor sports, all year round: surfing, windsurfing, snorkelling, driving, trekking, cycling and so on.

If you love getting close to nature, this is the place for you. With the islands being volcanic, take advantage of the stunning places, landscapes, and environments to have an unforgettable experience pursuing your favourite outdoor sport in perfect temperatures.

Recharge your batteries with some good vibes

A vacation or short stay in the Canary Islands in the winter gives you a chance to unwind.

Part of the islands’ nature has been forged by the warmth of the ground. And if there’s one thing that defines us, it’s that here we live differently, at a slower pace. You’ll find this very easy to get used to!

A winter like no other, in the Canary Islands:

It’s time for some surfing in Fuerteventura

If you love surfing, you won’t need to wait until summer to enjoy the magic of catching a wave. In Fuerteventura, wintertime is surfing time!

Diving in El Hierro

The “meridian island” boasts one of the best seabeds in the world. A winter submerged in its waters is simply unforgettable.

Seeing snow-capped Mount Teide from the beach in Tenerife

This is one of winter’s most beautiful images, as it often snows on Mount Teide. You can even see Spain’s highest peak, situated in the centre of Tenerife, from some of the island’s beaches!

Seeing the world’s third largest active volcano covered in snow, from the beach in 24°C, is a truly unique experience.

From lava to the turquoise waters of Lanzarote’s beaches

Lanzarote is one of the lower islands, with fewer changes in temperature throughout the year. Kick back and relax, enjoying the contrast between its fiery, volcanic landscapes, and its idyllic beaches with their turquoise waters and white sands, for some wintertime magic.

La Palma, a Biosphere Reserve

This is one of the islands with the greatest difference in altitude in the world; this means that, whilst lacking Lanzarote’s idyllic, peaceful beaches (the beaches are much wilder), it does feature some fascinating places, such as El Roque de los Muchachos (“the Rock of the Boys”). It also boasts breathtaking natural phenomena, such as the sea of clouds, formed by the combination of the trade winds and the altitude of the island.

Roque de los Muchachos La Palma — Roque de los Muchachos

La Gomera, wild beaches and fairytale forests

The wild beaches, unspoiled by mass tourism, are one of the gems of La Gomera, which along with its laurel forests, looking as if they’ve stepped straight out of a fairytale, will treat you to a truly magical winter.

Gran Canaria, the island of contrasts

Gran Canaria has a little something from each of the islands: idyllic white sandy beaches, volcanic landscapes, altitude, desert and dunes, forests, wild beaches, and charming villages.

Each of the Canary Islands is unique and different from the rest. But if you can’t decide on one, then Gran Canaria has a bit of the magic of all the others.

Visiting the Canaries in winter: an unforgettable experience

There are so many reasons to visit, but as the song by Bizarrap and Quevedo goes, don’t think twice this winter, and “come to the Canary Islands, with no luggage or return ticket…”.

If you’re planning an unforgettable break in the paradise of the Canaries, you’ve come to the right place; here we’ll be showing you the hidden gems that make the island of Gran Canaria in particular a unique and exciting destination. From idyllic beaches to majestic mountains, this island has something for everyone.

We are Guacimara and Pedro, born in Tenerife, and through our Tenerifelicidad project we’ve embarked on a journey around the world in a campervan, with no return date, and starting with a six-month tour of the Canary Islands.

Are you ready to set off on an adventure around Gran Canaria? Let’s find out what you can see on your visit to this island!

What to do while on holiday on Gran Canaria

If you’re keen to explore this amazing island, there are loads of exciting options for you to consider. From the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, to the southernmost and northernmost points, every corner has its own unique history and beauty.

In and around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

There’s a lot to see in the city of Las Palmas, but if you’re tied for time, here are the must-sees:

Playa de las Canteras

Considered one of the best urban beaches in Europe, and without doubt the locals’ favourite.

Vegueta

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria sprang up in this small neighbourhood and it’s the ideal place if you’re looking for some culture and leisure. As you stroll through Vegueta, you may be interested in visiting the Casa de Colón (Columbus’s House) if you want to immerse yourself in the history and art of the Canaries and its connections with the Americas.

What to see in the north of Gran Canaria

Each of these towns in the north of Gran Canaria has its own identity and a unique charm. Whether you’re looking for some relaxation, a history trip or to just immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings, these are all worth a visit:

Teror

A town of deeply religious significance, Teror boasts the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino, a pilgrimage site for Catholics and home to the patron saint of Gran Canaria. But history is not the only thing of note in Teror; its old town unfolds with houses with wooden balconies and cobbled streets that take you on a journey through time.

Arucas

Lying on the slopes of a hill, Arucas is a charming town that you can’t afford to miss.

Its architectural jewel is the majestic Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture. The town is also renowned for producing fine-quality rum and for its stately houses, such as the Casa-Museo Manrique de Lara, a museum devoted to local history.

Simply strolling through its streets, past colonial-style buildings that recount its history through their architecture, is a special experience.

Firgas

Known as “The Balcony of the Atlantic”, Firgas boasts idyllic panoramic views from where it stands high on a hill. Not only amazing for its scenery, it’s also famous for its mineral water, a bottled treasure that’s distributed throughout the archipelago. It also has the Parque de La Constitución, a park embellished with a wonderful fountain, inviting you to relax and watch the world go by.

Agaete

Don’t miss out on one of the prettiest parts of the north of the island, crowned by a magnificent pine forest and lapped by the Atlantic. Here you’ll find one of the most important archaeological sites on Gran Canaria, the Maipés Necropolis.

And to finish off this visit, why not take a stroll at Puerto de las Nieves? This fishing village, with its white and blue houses, is a very popular spot on the island for enjoying some delicious fish.

What to see in the south of Gran Canaria

But if beautiful beaches and a warm climate throughout your stay are what you’re looking for, with the opportunity to enjoy the best water sports, then the south of Gran Canaria is your best option:

The Maspalomas Dunes

One of Gran Canaria’s most iconic spots, and a natural space that’s an absolute must when visiting the island. A special nature reserve that’s home to a huge variety of ecosystems, with a living dune field, a palm grove, a brackish lagoon and a beautiful beach.

If I had to describe it in a few words, it’s a kind of desert combined with an oasis that will forever be etched in your memory.

Puerto de Mogán

This fishing village continues its traditional industry, and its white houses strike a charming contrast with the colourful flowers in the gardens.

Puerto de Mogán has a small beach lapped by very calm and turquoise waters, which are extremely inviting. So this is an ideal place for relaxing, especially for families.

The best natural parks on Gran Canaria

Roque Nublo

The Roque Nublo is undoubtedly the most iconic sight on Gran Canaria. It’s a natural monument situated in the centre of the island and is considered one of the largest rocks in the world, rising 80 metres from its base.

But to the islanders it is much more than this: it was a place of worship for the indigenous population, a magical place.

In 1987, it was declared a Protected Natural Space. It is so impressive that, even from the road, you’ll feel as if you’re on a film set.

Tamadaba Natural Park

Also declared a Biosphere Reserve, this is one of the most unspoiled and magical places on Gran Canaria, stretching from the highest parts of the island down to the coast.

Your tour of the park will include majestic Canary Island pine forests, a wonderful imposing formation of sea cliffs known as the ‘dragon’s tail’, and pristine beaches.

It’s hard to describe the beauty of Tamadaba; you just have to see it for yourself.

Where to go for the best sunsets on Gran Canaria

Here are four recommendations for enjoying the best sunsets on Gran Canaria:

Playa de Amadores

This beach on the southwest coast offers clear views of the ocean, making it a perfect spot for watching the sun go down over the horizon. The colours of the sky are reflected in the water at sunset, creating a stunning visual spectacle.

Mirador de las Coloradas

This viewpoint in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers a beautiful view westwards, where the sun sinks into the ocean. The combination of the city lights and the sky painted in sunset colours is truly breathtaking.

Agaete Cliffs

On the northwest coast, the Agaete cliffs provide stunning sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean. The contrast between the rock formations and the colours at dusk creates a captivating scene.

Paseo de San Cristóbal

As the sun disappears into the sea, a stroll along this seafront promenade in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will treat you to the serenity of the waves and the warm hues of the sky.

Has this article given you an appetite to find out more about the Canary Islands? If so, take a look at our articles on Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote!

Are you looking for somewhere with wonderful beaches, mountains to explore, museums and charming towns with gourmet restaurants, all just a few kilometres apart? Well, Gran Canaria, the third largest island in the Canary archipelago, is the ideal destination for you. An enchanting, luxuriant island with a pleasant climate all year round, offering such a varied and impressive landscape that you feel as if you’ve landed in another hemisphere.

Whilst the 230 kilometres of coast on Gran Canaria offer beaches for all tastes, from the spectacular golden dunes of Maspalomas to the wild, unspoiled Veneguera beach, dropping into coves of black sand such as Taurito beach, perfect for snorkelling, or the popular surfing spots such as the beaches of Puerto Rico and Pozo Izquierdo, the excitement continues in the island’s volcanic mountains. Inland, you’ll find magical scenery for photo opportunities at every step, trails with varying levels of accessibility for hikers to enjoy, and charming towns where you can stop for something to eat, as you take in the stunning natural surroundings.

You can start your adventure on Gran Canaria in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the largest city in the Canary Islands, and specifically in the colonial district of Vegueta, the historical and cultural heart of the capital. The beautiful beach of Las Canteras, the museums, the monuments, the delicious food, the shops and the nightlife will make it difficult for you to move on, but the other tourist destinations on the island await you. As well as Maspalomas, a world apart with its natural park and vast beach, you won’t want to miss a stop in Agaete, the natural parks of Tamadaba and Doramas, the lovely little fishing village of Puerto de Mogán, known as the Venice of Gran Canaria because of its canals, the Nublo Rural Park and the Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park. Of course, the story doesn’t end here, but there are so many reasons to visit Gran Canaria that you’ll enjoy coming back a second, third or fourth time.