Searching for how to make the most of your time in Gran Canaria? We’ve rounded up all the best activities on the island, whether you’ve got a few hours or a few days spare. Get stuck into watersports or work up a sweat by trekking to volcanic craters. If you prefer a slower pace you’ll find wine and rum tastings, cultural and historic walking tours of the capital city Las Palmas, as well as quirky volcanic cave experiences. Got little ones? Tire them out with a trip to the biggest water park in the Canary Islands or get pulses racing with a trip to the Wild West via a quirky interactive theme park.
Venture inside a volcanic crater
Gran Canaria is 9-14 million years old and was formed by huge volcanic eruptions that have defined the landscape of the island. One of the most stark examples of volcanic activity is the Caldera de Bandama — now a nature reserve, it’s an enormous crater that measures 216 metres deep, 574 metres high and around 1,000 metres wide. Book a guided hike to learn all about the geology and plant and animal species that thrive here.
Climb the dunes of Maspalomas
The dunas de Maspalomas provide one of the most striking sights in Gran Canaria and there’s nothing quite like standing atop a giant sand dune to marvel at their shadows. The entire 900 acres is a protected nature reserve, although most areas are open to the public. A guide can take you through the best routes across the sand and reveal the natural oasis where migratory birds stop on their way south, while teaching you all about the dunes and the neighbouring resorts of Playa del Ingles and Meloneras.
The Canaries provide great opportunities for whale-watching (Alamy)
Take a whale-watching trip
Thanks to their location in the Atlantic Ocean, the Canary Islands are a great place to spot sea life. Jump onboard a whale-watching boat trip and catch a glimpse of finbacks, pilots, and sperm whales — keep an eye out for dolphins swimming in the boat’s wake. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a loggerhead turtle or two.
Perfect your surfing skills
Take to the water in one of the world’s best surfing spots and try your hand at riding the waves. Because of the trade winds around Gran Canaria, there are usually always good swells off most of the island’s beaches, but head north to Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas or south to Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles for the most established surf schools. Try Surf Canaries Surf School at the foot of the sand dunes. Instructors will teach you all you need to know before you take to the sea with your surfboard and wetsuit; complete beginners are welcome.
The Caves of Valeron (Getty Images)
Explore the Caves of Valeron
Before the Spanish came, the island’s inhabitants were the Guanches, native people who lived off the land and made their homes in the natural volcanic tubes and caves. The Cenobio de Valeron (Monastery of Valeron) is a series of caves set on a high escarpment at Montaña del Gallego. Originally thought to be convent rooms (hence the name), the caves were actually an ancient grain store for cereals and food. You can visit from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
Experience the Wild West
Step into the saloon or sidle down the dirt roads and watch cowboys and outlaws ride through town at Sioux City. This immersive theme park — originally created as a film set back in the 1970s — has live-action shows where gunslingers attempt to rob the local bank, and cowboys ride horse stampedes. Sioux City is open 11am until 3pm, Tuesday to Friday, and from 10am until 4pm on weekends.
Admiring the view over Roque Nublo (Getty Images)
Hike to the Roque Nublo
An icon of the island and a place of worship for the native Guanche people, the Roque Nublo is a volcanic monolith. It stands at 80 metres and is 1,813 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest points on the island (only outdone by Pico de las Nieves). Although you can see it from many parts of Gran Canaria, the best way to experience it is up close and personal. Book a two-hour guided hike to learn more and see other sights along the way — and have someone to hold the camera for those all-important photos.
The rum tasting area at Arehucas distillery (Alamy)
Go rum tasting
The town of Arucas is pretty spectacular, with impressive views from the top of its mountain, an ornate neogothic cathedral, and the island’s famous Arehucas rum distillery. They have been making rum — or “ron” as they call it here — for centuries and it’s rumoured that Christopher Columbus took sugar cane from here to the Caribbean. The factory runs guided tours from Monday to Friday, 9am until 2pm, where you’ll find out more about the history, the rum-making process and most importantly, get to sample the famous honey rum.
Follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus
The Canary Islands were the last place Christopher Columbus stopped before voyaging across the Atlantic and you can visit the places from where he set sail in the old town of the island’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Try a guided tour of Vegueta’s cobbled streets to experience stepping back into the Canary Islands of the past. You’ll discover the main sights of the old town, including the Casa de Colon (Columbus Museum) as well as the majestic Santa Ana Cathedral and the Mercado de Vegueta, where fresh produce has been sold daily since 1858.
The golf course at Maspalomas (Alamy)
Practise your swing
Thanks to the temperate climate and year-round sunshine, Gran Canaria is a golfer’s dream. There are eight official courses on the island as well as regular golf competitions. One of the most famous is the Real Club de Golf Las Palmas, which is the oldest golf club in Spain having been founded in 1891 — greens are located next to a volcanic crater and there’s also a driving range. Further south, you’ll find the courses of Salobre, Anfi and Maspalomas, which bring completely different terrain and views.
Party at the carnival
Home to some of the world’s biggest carnivals outside of Rio de Janeiro, the Canary Islands know how to throw a party. Las Palmas plays host to the island’s main celebrations each February, when the whole city is awash with parades, parties and costumes. Santa Catalina Park is where most of the major events happen, including the four carnival queen competitions — don’t miss the OTT drag queen competition. Santa Catalina Park also hosts the international music and arts festival, Womad Gran Canaria, each year.
The Snake Falls at Aqualand (Aqualand Maspalomas)
Slip and slide at Aqualand
It would be remiss not to cool off in the water when temperatures are consistently high in Gran Canaria. Add a splash of fun to proceedings with a visit to Aqualand in Maspalomas where you can swoop down more than 40 water slides where you’ll find dedicated children’s slides as well as a slower-paced lazy river. Adrenaline junkies should try the Snake Falls and Anaconda slides. The park is open daily from 10am until 5pm and there’s enough here to spend a full day with the family.
Text taken from: https://www.thetimes.com
