Things to do in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: The Best Outdoor Activities

February 23, 2022 Vergie Nakamoto

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. Sardina Sub

Manuel de Falla, 1 Galdar, 35460, Gran Canaria Spain +34 928 89 54 89
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Sardina Sub

2. Playa de Las Canteras

Paseo de las Canteras Belén de arena, 35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo/Las-Canteras.22610.0.html
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,873 reviews

Playa de Las Canteras

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.

3. Palmitos Park

Barranco de Los Palmitos s/n, 35109, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Spain +34 928 79 70 70 http://www.palmitospark.es
Excellent
56%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,566 reviews

Palmitos Park

Palmitos Park is a botanical zoo-themed park located 10 km from the Faro de Maspalomas. A subtropical oasis nestled in a wonderful natural environment of the island. His collection includes species of animals and plants from 5 continents. Best of nature concentrated in one place. Visit the new dolphinarium, with its spectacular show, aquarium, butterfly house, the incredible show of birds of prey, the show of parrots, meerkats, crocodiles and much more ....Discover the best of nature in Palmitos Park!!

Reviewed By 161shazzah - Exeter, United Kingdom

My 3rd year returning to palmitos and I still can’t fault it! Visited today and had to write a review, perfect day, amazing shows, friendly and helpful staff, birds of prey guys at the top of the canyon very funny make you feel comfortable around the birds to take photos, very kind men! Dolphin trainers are amazing! Would love to have their job, appreciate all the work the staff put in there. Big variety of animals, very warm in August so just be careful make sure you drink plenty of water, wear hats and lots of sun cream but 1000% would recommend

4. Playa de Maspalomas

Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.grancanaria.com/turismo/pl/plaze/maspalomas/
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,363 reviews

Playa de Maspalomas

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.

5. Playa de Amadores

Urb. Sau Playa Amadores, Amadores, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.facebook.com/pages/Silver-Sand-Amadores-Beach-Gran-Canaria/184837918252824?pnref=story
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,705 reviews

Playa de Amadores

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

6. Beach Gui-Gui

Gran Canaria Spain http://reserva-biosfera.grancanaria.com/guigui-guguy-
Excellent
70%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 149 reviews

Beach Gui-Gui

Reviewed By anneW622YV

Very challenging hiking trail , amazing views and the ocean , my learning is that there is necessary to wear proper hiking boots, little stones might be very slippery, enough water to take with and snacks, also hat to cover head from sun also sholders the sun might be quite strong, take swimming suits for the beach and to have picnic on beach would be nice as well????

7. Playa del Confital

Calle Rodrigo de Manrique 8, 35009 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
61%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 275 reviews

Playa del Confital

location Spain, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran

Reviewed By Counting_Sheeps - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

The rock pools here were beautiful and so full of life; small crabs, lots of fish, sea urchins, anemones, shrimp and I even saw a sea cucumber. Definatly recommend if you even mildy interested in seeing life. You don't need to be an expert, or have any equipment, just a great place just to spend a few hours scouring and exploring the rocks and crevasse for little critters. Just make sure you get there near or at low tide and be aware the rocks are very very slippy. I fell in about 7 times and got a bit wet x) Also great place to take a water proof camera too. Will take a bit of practice and getting used to taking pictures of the critters P:

8. Playa de Mogan

Puerto de Mogan, Mogan, Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
59%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,284 reviews

Playa de Mogan

Reviewed By 200suem - Linton, United Kingdom

We just adored Mogán, a very pretty place! Lovely beach and a short walk to the lovely marina, restaurants galore, flower adorned walkways and quite a few shops. All in all a wonderful place to be!

9. Playa de Melenara

Telde, Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
45%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 96 reviews

Playa de Melenara

Reviewed By 567alexanderp - Cambridge, United Kingdom

Melanara beach is excellent – spacious, the dark sand warms up nicely and the sea floor is soft sand. There are nice seafood restaurants around and showers.

10. Las Salinas

Calle el Muelle, Agaete, Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
54%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 268 reviews

Las Salinas

Natural Pool

Reviewed By MPFin - Tampere, Finland

Our family of four (children 9 and 11) really enjoyed snorkeling at Las Salinas de Agaete. Water in the pools is clear and you can spot different kind of fish. We had short wetsuits as the water is quite chilly at this time of year. Also bought full facial snorkeling masks from Decathlon and have to say they funtioned excellently. You could see very well as they won't get steamed. There are toilets on the beach. Make sure to bring water and snacks with you and you'll have a beautiful snorkeling day. Would definitely recommend to all who enjoy swimming and/or snorkeling in sea water which is calm and protected from waves.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.