Tourists staying at the clubs in Gran Canaria have no idea of the breathtaking beauty of the third largest island in the Canaries, which is surprisingly rarely visited by the French. Occupying a central position in the archipelago, the island of Gran Canaria (or Gran Canaria) boasts a wide variety of landscapes that have often led to it being compared to a miniature continent. To the west of Playa del Inglés, the island's most important seaside resort, lie the sand dunes of Maspalomas, a veritable stretch of Sahara! To the north, the Agaete region is surrounded by fertile valleys where bananas are grown. A little further on is the Cenobio de Valeron, a cliff with over 300 caves. In the centre stands Roque Nublo, an impressive 80-metre peak at 1800 metres, a sacred site for the Guanches. In all, 40% of Gran Canaria is classified as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO!
Maspalomas is Gran Canaria's main seaside resort. The dunes of the same name, some 10 metres high, stretch for four kilometres (400 hectares) in a Lawrence of Arabia-style setting. The Sahara is not far away! These shifting hills border 17 kilometres of beaches where you can enjoy a wide range of maritime activities.
The Maspalomas dunes on Gran Canaria.
- © Rimgaudas Budrys / ShutterstockThis miniature desert is truly astonishing, although when you step back you notice that it is framed by the seaside resorts of Playa Meloneras and Playa del Inglés, which are home to numerous hotels that don't really blend in with the scenery...
Classified as a special nature reserve, the Maspalomas dunes nature park is one of the must-sees on any Gran Canaria holiday. What a pleasure it is to run barefoot down these high dunes of fine, warm sand, with the added bonus of a view of the Atlantic Ocean!
Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the largest city on the island, and is the co-capital of the Canary Islands with the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. With a population of 380,000, Las Palmas is the eighth largest city inSpain. Modern and pleasant, it enjoys the "eternal spring" of the Canary Islands.
However, tourist activity is more concentrated in the south of the island, which enjoys a sunnier climate, so visitors to Las Palmas will have the pleasure of discovering a city that is a little less crowded than the island's other seaside resorts. Las Palmas has the advantage of having two centres, one in the Vegueta district, the old town, and the other in Puerto de la Luz, where most of the tourist attractions are to be found.
The old town of Las Palmas on Gran Canaria.
- © fujilovers / ShutterstockThe house where Christopher Columbus is said to have stayed before his departure for the New World, the Casa de Colon, still exists today. The Gothic and neoclassical Santa Anna cathedral is one of the city's jewels. There are also two museums in the cathedral district: the Museo Canario and the Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderna. The Castillo de la Luz fort is another important monument, built in the 16th century to protect the city from pirates. The town is also famous for its carnival, the biggest annual event on the island of Gran Canaria, which takes place in February.
Gran Canaria
In the centre of Gran Canaria stands Roque Nublo, the island's symbol along with the dunes of Maspalomas. This 80-metre-high peak, culminating at 1,813 metres, was a sacred site for the Guanches, who inhabited the island before the arrival of the Spanish. It's easy to understand why when you arrive, after a good hour's walk in spectacular surroundings reminiscent of Monument Valley in the American West or Machu Picchu in Peru.
Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo in the background.
- © Balate Dorin / ShutterstockIts ascent is the perfect opportunity for a superb hike through some of the Canaries' most spectacular scenery, in an area classified as a World Biosphere Reserve. A taste of adventure awaits you in these wide open spaces! The road leading to it is particularly folkloric, and you're sure to come across some goats!
Gran Canaria
Teror: what a scary name! But don't panic, there are no zombies in Teror, just a charming church on a pretty little shady square and narrow streets with colourful facades and houses with wooden balconies, sometimes surrounded by vegetation.
The village of Teror on Gran Canaria.
- © Karol Kozlowski / ShutterstockTeror is also an important place of pilgrimage for the inhabitants of Gran Canaria, as its basilica, the Virgen del Pino, is the patron saint of the diocese of Canarias. In short, a charming village tucked away in the mountains of central Gran Canaria, light years away from the concrete coastline of Playa del Inglés!
Gran Canaria
In the north-west of the island, the Tamadaba Natural Park covers more than 7,000 hectares! The GC-200 road runs through it, taking visitors to some of the most beautiful landscapes on Gran Canaria. Here, pine-covered mountains tumble into the sea in impressive cliffs. You can get a good look at them from the Balcón viewpoint.
Tamadaba Nature Park in Gran Canaria.
- © mehdi33300 / ShutterstockHiking trails criss-cross the Tamadaba park to the delight of lovers of the great outdoors. And don't miss Agaete, a charming fishing village nestled at the foot of the cliffs.
Gran Canaria
In the south-west of the island, Puerto de Mogán is a seaside resort reminiscent of a traditional fishing village, with its small white houses and fishing port transformed into a marina. It's a far cry from the concrete world of Maspalomas.
Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria.
- © Zdenek Matyas Photography / ShutterstockThe cliffs of Puerto de Mogán are home to a pretty little beach, often crowded in summer when Gran Canaria's finest yachts stand in the harbour.
Gran Canaria
As well as Maspalomas and Puerto de Mogán, which we've already mentioned, Gran Canaria boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the Canary Islands. Playa del Inglés, with its two-and-a-half kilometres of sand, is one of the island's main seaside resorts. Las Canteras beach, in Las Palmas, is popular with locals who relax on its golden sands.
Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria.
- © Valery Bareta / ShutterstockThose looking for wilder stretches can head for the beaches around Agaete or Gui Gui beach, probably the most beautiful on the island. Last but not least, scuba diving enthusiasts will set their sights on the beach at Sardina del Norte.
Gran Canaria is around 2,700 kilometres from Paris. While it is theoretically possible to get there by boat, the easiest way to travel is by plane. Several times a week, there are direct flights from major French cities to Las Palmas airport. From Paris, allow 4 hours 15 minutes for the flight.
Although there are a few buses criss-crossing the island of Gran Canaria, it's still fairly complicated to get around by public transport. The easiest way to get around Gran Canaria is to hire a car (check a car hire comparator to find the best prices) or book excursions.
The island's climate is mild all year round, with temperatures hovering between 20 and 30 degrees and sunny weather guaranteed. The ideal time to visit is in summer, but be sure to protect yourself from the sun, which can be very strong. Of course, the weather remains very mild in winter.
The village of Tejeda in Gran Canaria.
- © Alex Polo / Shutterstock
