One of the larger Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is a popular destination but offers many peaceful, rural areas perfect for walking.
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By bus, it is possible to visit different places of interest such as the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Mogán, Tejeda, etc. Similarly, the bus network covers the entire island through its connections published on the official pages of these transport companies.
Getting around Gran CanariaBus: Buses are a comfortable way of getting around the island, especially between the capital of Las Palmas and the touristic towns in the south. The inter-urban bus network on Gran Canaria (blue buses) is extensive with over 100 routes that connect almost every main point on the island.
Walking along the paths of the Canary Islands is one of the best ways to enjoy the landscape, which is full of contrasts: luxuriant forests, volcanic plains, steep cliffs or crags, sand dunes and areas like rain forests.
The GC-60 road traverses the mountainous interior. Due to the mountains and rugged west coast (much of which constitutes the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve), I don't advise driving around Gran Canaria in a day. Rather, I recommend spending at least 2 days to do this.
Buses (Guaguas)If you decide to travel around Gran Canaria on public transport, you can catch the buses supplied by the company Global, which operate all over the island. In the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you can catch the local buses. Also, again in the capital, you can take a tour in the tourist bus.
Also known as the 'miniature continent', Gran Canaria is renowned for its marked contrasts. On a single day, we can enjoy marvellous beaches surrounded by dunes and climb peaks covered in Canary Island pine forests, with their greenery standing out starkly against the dark volcanic earth.
The smallest of the main Canary Islands, El Hierro is also the least touristy. If you want a chilled-out holiday in a small fishing village, with wild empty beaches that harbour some superb diving, then this is the place.
The best ways to get around the Canary Islands are by car and by plane. Although there are bus systems available on all the islands, most don't run frequently enough to be useful to tourists. And the islands' attractions are far too spread out to see completely on foot.
7 days road trip itinerary around Gran Canaria will provide enough time to incorporate in your itinerary a few outdoor activities (including one of the hikes either to a famous rock Roque Nublo or to Caldera de Bandama volcano crater) and time spent on the beach.
Although Santa Cruz de Tenerife is also big, if you are looking for a vacation with lots of events or a cosmopolitan city full of life, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the place for you. However, for people looking for tranquility and small but very authentic towns, Tenerife is the best option.
The number of visitors in Gran Canaria, Spain jumped to nearly 3.8 million in 2022, after having dropped below two million in the previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Spanish island received more than four million tourists per year in the late 2010s.
Gran Canaria does not have an App system like Uber for example, but there are an abundance of Taxi's that are very easy to flag down. Taxi's are extremely affordable compared to other European countries and all taxi's take contactless payment so you can pay by card or your mobile phone.
The easiest way to island hop in the Canaries, and almost certainly the most pleasant, is by inter island ferry. All seven of the main islands are connected in this way, with Tenerife and Gran Canaria acting as hubs.
The best areas to stay when visiting Gran Canaria are: Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles, Puerto Rico, Puerto Mogan, Meloneras, San Agustin and of course Las Palmas. What is the nicest part of Gran Canaria? The south of Gran Canaria is the most popular for tourism and gets the best weather.
With a plethora of beautiful walks and breathtaking scenery, La Palma is certainly the prettiest Canary Island. Although less known for its beaches, the dramatic black sand beaches are a joy to uncover. The island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve protecting its natural heritage.
The island of Tenerife receives about 5 million tourists each year, making it the most popular island for tourists. Tourist attractions here include nightlife, walking, and whale-and bird-watching. Loro Parque (meaning Parrot Park) on Tenerife has a collection of 3,000 parrots.
if you prefer a relaxing holiday in quiet resorts, some of the places to avoid in Gran Canaria include areas where mass tourism is prevalent, such as the resorts of Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas. The island offers so much more than this, with diverse landscapes to explore, and a myriad of activities to enjoy.
Island hopping and ferry travel in the Canary Islands. Traveling by ferry in the Canary Islands is easy. There are frequent ferry connections between all the islands.
Sun, sand and sea aside, the Canary Islands are famous for their rugged natural landscapes, historical significance and diverse cultures. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are the largest Canary Islands, but nature-lovers should visit La Palma and observe breathtaking views from the iconic Tilos Bridge.
The official language spoken in Gran Canaria is Spanish. Other languages such as English, French and German are common in the island, for its big touristic activity.
The best times to visit the Canary Islands are between March and May and from September to November. Winter and summer bring loads of tourists, which make accommodations more expensive and more difficult to find.
Incredible natural wonders. Gran Canaria's spectacular natural beauty is a good enough reason why you should visit Las Palmas. An outdoor adventure is never too far away, and just on the doorstep of the city is Caldera de Bandama or the Cauldron of Bandama.