A continent in miniature: golden dunes, mountains and lively Las Palmas.
Gran Canaria packs desert-like dunes, pine forests, deep ravines and white-sand resorts into one round island. Las Palmas gives it a proper city side, with a good old town and an urban beach.
Gran Canaria is an island with a sunny south coast, a city in the north-east and mountain villages inland, so places can be 1 to 2 hours apart by road.
Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.
Maspalomas
A protected field of golden Saharan-style dunes that runs down to a long beach and a lighthouse.
Open all day; best in the morning or late afternoon
Las Palmas
The historic quarter of Las Palmas, with a cathedral, colonial houses and small museums around quiet squares.
Streets open all day; sights vary
Vegueta, Las Palmas
A museum in a beautiful Canarian-style mansion about the islands’ links with Christopher Columbus and the voyages to the Americas.
Daily; closed some Sundays
Las Palmas
A long urban beach, protected by a natural reef, with a lively promenade of cafés and surf schools.
Open-air; lifeguards in season
Mogán
A pretty fishing harbour of low whitewashed houses draped in bougainvillea, often called Little Venice for its canals.
Open-air; the Friday market is popular
Teror
A hill town of carved wooden balconies around a basilica, with a lively Sunday market and local chorizo.
Open all day; market on Sundays
Central mountains
Mountain villages with cave houses, almond-blossom views and old-fashioned bakeries, among the island’s most scenic drives.
Open all day
Santa María de Guía
A cliff-face complex of hundreds of caves used by the island’s pre-Hispanic people as a communal granary.
Tuesday–Sunday; closed some days
Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Gran Canaria, in a central location.
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Rated 8.6/10, priced in line with similar 4★ hotels in Gran Canaria, with a pool.
Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria
Rated 8.8/10, priced above typical 4★ hotels in Gran Canaria, for a higher-end stay, right by the beach.
A neo-classical market hall in the old town with stalls selling local cheese, fish and fruit.
Known for: Local cheeses, fresh produce
Under about £14 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
A lively iron-and-glass market with food counters serving grilled fish and tapas.
Known for: Grilled fish, tapas
Under about £14 per person
Local favourite Good for Families · Groups
A smart restaurant in a historic Vegueta townhouse with a leafy courtyard, serving modern Canarian dishes.
Known for: Canarian dishes with a modern twist
About £30–50 per person
Good for Couples · Groups
Gran Canaria · Highlights
A balanced first-visit plan built from our Gran Canaria picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.
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