What to do and see in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: The Best Things to do

March 9, 2022 Stefan Strunk

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. Cocodrilo Park Gran Canaria

Carretera General Los Corralillos, Km 5, 35118, Gran Canaria Spain +34 928 78 47 25 [email protected] http://www.cocodriloparkzoo.com
Excellent
57%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,045 reviews

Cocodrilo Park Gran Canaria

The only animal recue centre in the Canaries. COCODRILE PARK is home to many animals brought by individuals or seized governmments. Many have terrible stories of abuse and neglect before coming here.

Reviewed By paulawat50 - Cardiff, United Kingdom

Very nice well kept rescued animals including tigers snakes chimps birds and lots of crocodiles including babies. Make sure you go at interactive times (11am - 1pm ish). Not expensive

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. Roque Nublo

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
72%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,979 reviews

Roque Nublo

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.

6. Vegueta

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Spain https://www.grancanaria.com/turismo/es/multimedia/audioguias/contenidos-audio-guias/las-palmas-de-gran-canaria/ruta-vegueta/
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,587 reviews

Vegueta

Reviewed By xqwiszianne

Across the road from the commercial shopping area of Las Palmas, this compact town is full of historical buildings with beautiful architectures - Casa de Colon mansion, Santa Ana cathedral, town hall, museums and galleries. Meander around the cobbles streets then take a moment to absorb and enjoy the atmosphere in one of the plenty outdoor terraces.

7. Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas

35100 Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.maspalomas.com/index.php/ma-parques-y-espacios-naturales/81-medio-ambiente/medioambienteparquesjardines/284-reserva-natural-especial-de-las-dunas-de-maspalomas
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,488 reviews

Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas

Reviewed By D7644WZwilliamc - Port Glasgow, United Kingdom

Beautiful beach lovely walk along the dunes lovely eating places great shop beautiful scenery very relaxing sitting down at the lighthouse looking out across the sea will be back this year

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. Pico de las Nieves

Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 402 reviews

Pico de las Nieves

Reviewed By Rafalkinsale - Kinsale, Ireland

Beautiful place to stop and take the walk. The roads are fun to drive. If you do love the mountains this is a must on your list. Picnic tables and fire pits are available in case you wish to pack a lunch.

10. Playa Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria Spain
Excellent
39%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,291 reviews

Playa Puerto Rico

Reviewed By 832markk - Croydon, United Kingdom

my wife and i went to the beach every day and went swimming we love it, the beach is nice and sandy with plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas which you have to pay for, the sea was lovley to swim in and is very clean, their is plenty of places to eat and drink which are very close, the beach is very clean and has a life gaurd and staff who are always there to help, there is lots of space if you just want to sit on the sand, their are toilets and showers close by for a small fee

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