Top Things to do in Gran Canaria
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Welcoming, tolerant Gran Canaria offers a little something for everyone. Families flock to the water parks and beaches of Puerto Rico. Those seeking peaceful escape scamper to Mogan's quiet fishing villages. Gay visitors crowd the bars, restaurants and beaches of Playa del Ingles. Urban attractions are on offer in Las Palmas. Three highways open up the island for those with a rental car or a bus schedule. Prime sites to visit include Iglesia de San Juan Bautista de Arucas and Palmalitos zoo park.
Restaurants in Gran Canaria
1. Barranco de Guayadeque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
Reviewed By 7edg - London, United Kingdom
This baranco is very long. To get the most out of it I'd recommend heading to Montana de las tierras and starting out from there. We drove but saw taxis which you could pick up from aguimes. There was also evidence of a bus service, although I'd want to check the timetable before relying on them, not sure how frequent the service is. Once you've parked up you can follow the track up for as long as you like. It gives some great views of the area you've driven through. The trail also continues on through the baranco. We only had an hour of daylight so didn't go far. But looks like you could quite happily walk carry on for plenty a mile (although obviously check a map for trails). Also on the road from aguimes to the mountain you'll see the interpretation centre for the valley. Sadly it was closed for technical reasons when were there (mid December 2019).
2. Caldera de Bandama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,091 reviews
Reviewed By Roadboy - London, United Kingdom
A highlight of our stay in Gran Canaria (where much of the landscape closer to the coast is, to be honest, ugly and ravaged); the 3.5km walk worked very well going clockwise, so ignore the sign to the Caldera itself (see warning in previous review) and follow the road toward Pico Bandama. Great views, and good exercise on the ups and downs. Important WARNING if coming by hourly bus 311 from Las Palmas: we (and a dozen or so other tourists) should have ignored the driver mischievously calling out 'Bandama'; unfortunately, we all got out at the village of Bandama, rather than the Caldera, and had 2km of road walk uphill to get to the start of the ridge walk. I suspect the local passengers on board have a good laugh about tourists' stupidity once the bus carries on to the Caldera without us.
3. Pinar de Tamadaba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By dalinda_sanchez - Gothenburg, Sweden
This place is magical! If you are a nature lover, you should definitely go to this place. How to get there I could not find the place to start the hike from Puerto de las Nieves to Tamadaban. There was not much information online and there were no signs on the road. So I opted to go by taxi to the Area recreativa at the top of the mountain and then go back to puerto de las nieves by foot. Then I checked the exact location at puerto de las nieves to start the hike for the next time. I also thought of renting a car and go to the area regreativa, but I was happy I didn't do it. First, there are no many signs along the road that can indicate whether you are on the right direction or not. Also, you will not see many people or cars along the way in case you get lost. At times you would not know which direction to take. The taxi ride cost 50 euro from Puerto de las nieves to the Area recreative (top of the mountain where you can start the hike down or take any other hike in the neighborhood). Just in front of the church of Puerto de las Nieves, by the harbour where the restaurant starts, you will find a Taxi sign with the phone number to order a taxi. It took 2 min to get a taxi very early in the morning (around 7am). The taxi ride takes about 1h but you can just relax and enjoy the view and listen to the stories that the taxi driver will share. The driver showed me the Roque Nublo, the symbol of Gran Canaria and told me what happened with the big fired that occurred in August 2019. The taxi ride was worth every penny for enjoying the beautiful scenery and all the information provided by the taxi driver. Where to hike! Once you are in Area recreativa, go to the camping area! The taxi driver recommended this area. Most hikers go directly to the hike and miss this breathtaking spot. The scenery at the camping area is jaw-dropping. You could take some food with you and sit on the rocks amazed by the beauty of the place while enjoying the food. It is about 800m-1km from the Parking Area at the area recreativa. Then, you can go back to the Area recreativa and start the hike down to Puerto de las Nieves. There are some other routes available. I followed the route to Puerto de las Nieves. Although people said that the hike was well-marked, there were some parts with fallen signs or no signs at all. I got a bit lost once. So these are the tips not to get lost. The hiking trial is a very good road, there are some small roads along the main hiking trial but not as good as the main one. So, if you end up hiking in a very narrow, not well defined path, go back to the main road, you might have taken the wrong direction. To go to Puerto de las Nieves, you need to follow the signs for Agaete. There is a shared road that also goes to San Pedro. San Pedro is closer than Puerto de las Nieves, so follow the signs that say San Pedro or Agaete if you do not see the one to Puerto de las Nieves (the first couple of km 1or 2 only mention San Pedro or Agaete), and you will have to turn left if you go further to Puerto de las Nieves later on. There was one pole on the way that has no sign but only written with pencil the distance and direction to go to Puerto de las Nieves and San Pedro (at that stage they where still on the same shared direction), so be vigilant for that sign. I hope the signs get better maintained in the future. Anyway, I also recommend you to ask any hiker you see whether you are on the right direction, just to confirm! But Puerto de las Nieves is to the left! The hike up seems very challenging but extremely worth it! The hike down is also challenging, be careful as the road is slippery at times. The hike down took me about 3 hours because I was going slow, enjoying the view and taking lots of pics. The best is to go to the Area recreativa early so that you can enjoy the hike down during the day, I would not recommend to go there around noon or later as you might get caught in the dark if getting a bit lost on the way down.
4. Playa de Las Canteras
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,873 reviews
Reviewed By deltaman0_0 - Plymouth, United Kingdom
Our second visit in December 2018 and now in January 2020, We have had wonderful weather on both visits, Great walk along the wonderful 3.5 km promenade a great clean beach with facilities for the disabled to enjoy the beach, excellent restaurants and cafés Don't miss out on this amazing place.
5. Jardin Botanico Viera & Clavijo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,585 reviews
This unique garden erected on the side of a ravine has examples of every kind of vegetation found on the Canaries.
Reviewed By Joel43_12 - Christchurch, United Kingdom
Short bus ride from Las Palmas, the driver told us where to get off. We entered via the upper (free) entrance and made our way down steep paths towards the lower entrance. there is an amazing variety of plants, trees (including numerous Dragon trees) and cacti (over a third of the world's known cacti). The gardens are well maintained with clean toilets, a restaurant near the upper entrance and were peaceful, not many visitors in February. We would certainly go back if we visited Gran Canaria again.
6. Calle Triana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,704 reviews
Street with upscale shopping
Reviewed By 154rox - Stamford, United States
Anything you want is probably here, there are many restaurants along the way and no cars so walking is easy and leisurely. Lots of local shops. Try cafe SOL for coffee. Nice service and presentation and a good energy boost along the way. Very fair prices.
7. Playa de Maspalomas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,363 reviews
Reviewed By SebP_AnnaB - Brussels, Belgium
The Dunes and Beach of Maspalomas are a surprising sight and something not seen every day. Get lost in the dramatic sweeping dunes, walking along their crest of in the valleys between only to find before you a beautiful beach with inviting waters, even in December I was able to spend 45 minutes in the water! Key Points: 1) Bring Sunblock and Water. Not a lot of shade in the area and you don't want to wait for hours in lines a the drink shacks. 2) Dunes are gorgeous and fun. Have fun, try running down the dunes and jumping by the edge! 3) Be careful of the rip-tide. Maspalomas beach is a place where currents intersect. On some days the riptide is enough to carry you away even if you're in knee-high water. 4) Not a nude beach, specifically. But plenty of nude people. However, people are comfortable is how they do the beach there.
8. Paseo Costa Canaria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 836 reviews
Reviewed By Tamandmarion - Ardrossan, United Kingdom
We love walking and this is a lovely walk right along to the sand dunes and back take plenty water lovely views all the way along
9. Playa de Amadores
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,705 reviews
Reviewed By Anthony653 - Pontyclun, United Kingdom
Great beach hidden around the short coastal path from Puerto Rico harbour. Plenty of restaurants and bars on this beach. Lovely white sand and plenty of room if you don’t want to purchase sunbeds. Great shallow water for children
10. Roque Nublo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,979 reviews
Reviewed By cmariearo - Venice, Italy
We came here as part of a tour, so did not have to drive and park ourselves which was a bonus. We also benefitted from their expert knowledge to take warm clothes (but layer!), good shoes, water and we were given hiking sticks too, which really helped in some places. It was good to go early too, before it heated up, though it's often windy and therefore cool at the top. It's a pretty full on climb up - we definitely needed water stops - but so worth it up there.
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