What to See in Gran Canaria: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Gran Canaria is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa. It’s known for its varied microclimates, volcanic scenery, and golden beaches. About 850,000 people live here, with half in the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which has a charming old town called Vegueta. The island was founded by Castilian forces in 1478 and became an important Atlantic stop between Europe, Africa, and the Americas, leading to a mix of Canarian, Spanish, and colonial cultures. Today, you can stroll through Vegueta’s cobbled streets, see the Maspalomas sand dunes, and visit towns like Arucas with its neo-Gothic church, parks, and rum distillery. Inland, you’ll find rugged peaks and viewpoints such as Roque Nublo and Tejeda, while the coast offers resorts and urban beaches like Las Canteras for swimming, surfing, and sunset walks. Free walking tours in Vegueta and Arucas are a great way to learn about the island’s history, architecture, and daily life from local guides.
Vegueta is the oldest part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and was the first area settled by Castilian conquerors in the late 1400s. Its cobbled streets, wooden balconies, and stone buildings make it one of the best-preserved historic centers in the Canary Islands. The area is compact and perfect for exploring on foot.
Highlights include Plaza de Santa Ana with its cathedral, stone 'cathedral dogs' sculptures, noble houses, and city hall. Close by, Casa de Colón tells the story of Gran Canaria’s part in transatlantic voyages and Christopher Columbus’s visits. The Museo Canario focuses on the island’s pre-Hispanic Guanche culture.
The Discover Vegueta: The Essentials Tour covers the main sights, like Plaza de Santa Ana, Calle de los Balcones, Casa de Colón, and hidden squares such as Espíritu Santo. In about 1.5 hours, a local guide shares the area’s history, legends, and architecture, making it a great introduction to Las Palmas.
Arucas, just north of Las Palmas, is famous for its impressive neo-Gothic San Juan Bautista church, built from dark local stone and standing out on the skyline. The town center has tidy plazas, traditional Canarian houses, and viewpoints overlooking banana plantations and Mount Arucas.
Municipal Park (also called Parque de las Flores) offers lush gardens, dragon trees and playful tree sculptures by Antonio Benítez Jiménez, creating a green oasis beside the town hall. Water heritage is evident in features such as the Fuente del Pilar and the historic Heredad de Aguas building, reflecting centuries of local water management.
The Free Tour in Arucas of Gran Canaria begins at the church in Plaza de San Juan and takes you through the old town, Constitution Park, Flowers Park, and ends at the Arehucas rum distillery. Over 1.5 hours, you’ll hear stories, fun facts, and legends, and you can join an optional distillery visit to see how one of Spain’s most famous Canarian rums is made.
The Maspalomas Dunes on the south coast are a protected nature reserve with rolling golden sand, bordered by the sea, a lagoon, and palm trees. This desert-like landscape is one of Gran Canaria’s most famous sights, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset when the light highlights the shapes.
From the Maspalomas lighthouse, you can walk along the beach and follow marked paths into the dunes, making it easy to mix a beach day with short walks in the reserve. Nearby, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras have resort facilities, nightlife, family-friendly options, and easy public transport to the capital and airport.
Las Canteras, in Las Palmas, is often called one of Europe’s best city beaches because of its long golden sand, sheltered reef, and city views. The promenade has many cafés and restaurants, and the offshore 'barra' reef keeps the water calm in many areas, making it great for swimming and snorkeling.
Surfers go to La Cícer at the western end, where the waves and surf schools create a lively scene. With beach life, the nearby Poema del Mar aquarium, and easy access to Vegueta and Triana, this area is perfect if you want both culture and the sea in one place.
The island’s mountainous center is very different from the coast, with ravines, pine forests, and volcanic rocks like Roque Nublo. Traditional villages such as Tejeda are set in stunning locations and are popular stops on driving routes or guided day trips.
Viewpoints near Mount Arucas and other northern hills give you wide views of the coast, banana plantations, and Las Palmas in the distance. Archaeological sites such as Cueva Pintada, Cenobio de Valerón, and Maipés show traces of the island’s indigenous culture and can be visited on day trips by car or tour.
Free Tour in Arucas of Gran Canaria: 1.5-hour tip‑based tour in English and Spanish, starting at Plaza San Juan in front of the church of Arucas. Route includes the old town streets, Constitution Park, Municipal/Flowers Park and views of the Arehucas distillery, with accessibility for reduced mobility, families and pets.
Discover Vegueta: The Essentials Tour: 1.5‑hour tip‑based tour in English starting at Plaza Santa Ana in front of the cathedral, northwest corner. It covers Plaza de Santa Ana, Calle de los Balcones, Casa de Colón, hidden squares and local legends on a relaxed walk.
Palmas de Gran Canaria Historical Center: Official Guide: Around 2 hours 15 minutes, tip‑based, with official guide coverage of Las Palmas’ historic core and multiple daily departures. The tour runs in English and Spanish and usually departs from central points in the old town.
You can find more tours to explore across Gran Canaria.
Getting there: Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), near the east coast, handles frequent flights from mainland Spain and European cities. Public buses connect the airport to Las Palmas, Maspalomas and other resorts, while car hire is popular for exploring inland areas and smaller towns.
Getting around: Global and Guaguas Municipales buses link Las Palmas with key island towns, beaches and tourist areas at reasonable prices. For places like mountain viewpoints or multiple rural villages in one day, renting a car offers more flexibility and time efficiency.
Accommodation: Las Palmas offers city hotels and apartments near Las Canteras and Vegueta, while the south coast focuses on beach resorts in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras. Rural houses and boutique hotels in villages like Tejeda or Arucas appeal to travellers seeking quieter stays and easy access to hiking.
Visit duration: Short city break (2–3 days): focus on Las Palmas (Vegueta, Las Canteras, Poema del Mar) plus a half‑day in Arucas and a free walking tour. One week: combine the north (Las Palmas, Arucas, inland villages) with the south (Maspalomas dunes, beaches), plus one or two hiking or archaeological excursions.
Gran Canaria has a mild subtropical climate with small seasonal temperature variations, making it a year‑round destination. Average coastal temperatures range roughly from 18–22°C in winter to 24–28°C in summer, with the south generally sunnier and drier than the north.
Spring and autumn often offer the best balance of warmth and moderate crowds, ideal for combining hiking, city walks and beach time. In summer, stronger sun and higher temperatures favour beach holidays and water activities, while winter attracts visitors seeking milder weather than mainland Europe.
Best visiting periods:
Before the Castilian conquest, Gran Canaria was inhabited by the Guanches (Canarii), an indigenous people with distinct settlement patterns, burial sites, and cave art, all still visible at several archaeological sites. In 1478, Captain Juan Rejón founded the Real de Las Palmas encampment in what is now Vegueta, starting the island’s integration into the Crown of Castile.
Las Palmas developed into a fortified Atlantic port, later known as Puerto de la Luz, serving as a provisioning stop for ships on routes to the Americas and Africa. Over time, sugar, wine, cochineal, bananas and later tourism shaped the economy, while coastal defences repelled pirate and corsair attacks.
In the 20th century, port expansion and tourism transformed Gran Canaria into a major holiday destination, especially from the 1960s onward, with the development of southern resorts. Recent decades have seen renewed focus on cultural heritage in districts like Vegueta and on nature‑based tourism in the island’s interior and protected areas.
What is Gran Canaria famous for?
Gran Canaria is known for its Maspalomas sand dunes, year‑round mild climate, Las Canteras urban beach, Vegueta historic quarter and varied volcanic landscapes. It also has a strong reputation for outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, and cycling, as well as for rum and banana production in towns like Arucas.
Where is Vegueta, and why visit it?
Vegueta is the historic quarter of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, near the island’s northeast coast. Visitors come for its cathedral, narrow cobbled streets, colonial houses, museums and lively squares that show the city’s 15th‑century origins.
What can you see in Arucas?
Highlights include the neo‑Gothic San Juan Bautista church, Municipal/Flowers Park with dragon trees, historic fountains and the Arehucas rum distillery. The town also offers viewpoints from Mount Arucas and a pleasant, walkable centre with traditional Canarian architecture.
What are the Maspalomas dunes like?
The Maspalomas dunes form a coastal nature reserve of shifting golden sand, bordered by the Atlantic, a lagoon, and a palm grove in southern Gran Canaria. Visitors can walk designated paths, enjoy beach access and photograph the desert‑like scenery, especially around sunrise or sunset.
Are free walking tours really free?
Free walking tours on Gran Canaria, such as those in Vegueta and Arucas, operate on a tip‑based model, so there is no fixed price. You reserve without an upfront cost, then tip the guide at the end based on your satisfaction and budget.
Is Gran Canaria suitable for a car‑free trip?
Yes, especially if staying in Las Palmas or major southern resorts, thanks to frequent buses and walkable areas. Renting a car, however, makes it much easier to visit mountain villages, viewpoints and multiple rural attractions in a single day.
What is the best base: Las Palmas or the south?
Las Palmas is ideal for travellers prioritising culture, local life and an urban beach at Las Canteras. The south (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras) suits visitors focused on guaranteed sun, resort facilities and easy access to the dunes and coastal activities.
Quick Takeaway
- Must-see: Vegueta historic quarter in Las Palmas, Santa Ana Cathedral and Plaza de Santa Ana, Casa de Colón, Las Canteras Beach, Maspalomas Dunes, town of Arucas (San Juan church, Municipal/Flowers Park, Arehucas rum distillery), island viewpoints such as Roque Nublo and Tejeda.
- Daily budget: €45–70 (excluding accommodation), assuming public transport or shared car hire, casual meals and one paid attraction or experience per day.
- Best time: October–June for milder temperatures and easier hiking; July–September for guaranteed beach weather but hotter conditions, especially in the south.
- Famous for: Diverse microclimates, Maspalomas dunes nature reserve, surf‑friendly beaches, historic Vegueta, banana and rum production, and dramatic volcanic interior landscapes.
- Top tours: Free Tour in Arucas of Gran Canaria, Discover Vegueta: The Essentials Tour, Palmas de Gran Canaria Historical Center: Official Guide.
Vegueta Old Town, Las Palmas
Vegueta is the oldest part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and was the first area settled by Castilian conquerors in the late 1400s. Its cobbled streets, wooden balconies, and stone buildings make it one of the best-preserved historic centers in the Canary Islands. The area is compact and perfect for exploring on foot.
Highlights include Plaza de Santa Ana with its cathedral, stone 'cathedral dogs' sculptures, noble houses, and city hall. Close by, Casa de Colón tells the story of Gran Canaria’s part in transatlantic voyages and Christopher Columbus’s visits. The Museo Canario focuses on the island’s pre-Hispanic Guanche culture.
The Discover Vegueta: The Essentials Tour covers the main sights, like Plaza de Santa Ana, Calle de los Balcones, Casa de Colón, and hidden squares such as Espíritu Santo. In about 1.5 hours, a local guide shares the area’s history, legends, and architecture, making it a great introduction to Las Palmas.
Arucas: Stone Church, Parks & Rum
Arucas, just north of Las Palmas, is famous for its impressive neo-Gothic San Juan Bautista church, built from dark local stone and standing out on the skyline. The town center has tidy plazas, traditional Canarian houses, and viewpoints overlooking banana plantations and Mount Arucas.
Municipal Park (also called Parque de las Flores) offers lush gardens, dragon trees and playful tree sculptures by Antonio Benítez Jiménez, creating a green oasis beside the town hall. Water heritage is evident in features such as the Fuente del Pilar and the historic Heredad de Aguas building, reflecting centuries of local water management.
The Free Tour in Arucas of Gran Canaria begins at the church in Plaza de San Juan and takes you through the old town, Constitution Park, Flowers Park, and ends at the Arehucas rum distillery. Over 1.5 hours, you’ll hear stories, fun facts, and legends, and you can join an optional distillery visit to see how one of Spain’s most famous Canarian rums is made.
Maspalomas Dunes & Southern Beaches
The Maspalomas Dunes on the south coast are a protected nature reserve with rolling golden sand, bordered by the sea, a lagoon, and palm trees. This desert-like landscape is one of Gran Canaria’s most famous sights, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset when the light highlights the shapes.
From the Maspalomas lighthouse, you can walk along the beach and follow marked paths into the dunes, making it easy to mix a beach day with short walks in the reserve. Nearby, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras have resort facilities, nightlife, family-friendly options, and easy public transport to the capital and airport.
Las Canteras Beach & Urban Coast
Las Canteras, in Las Palmas, is often called one of Europe’s best city beaches because of its long golden sand, sheltered reef, and city views. The promenade has many cafés and restaurants, and the offshore 'barra' reef keeps the water calm in many areas, making it great for swimming and snorkeling.
Surfers go to La Cícer at the western end, where the waves and surf schools create a lively scene. With beach life, the nearby Poema del Mar aquarium, and easy access to Vegueta and Triana, this area is perfect if you want both culture and the sea in one place.
Mountains, Villages & Viewpoints
The island’s mountainous center is very different from the coast, with ravines, pine forests, and volcanic rocks like Roque Nublo. Traditional villages such as Tejeda are set in stunning locations and are popular stops on driving routes or guided day trips.
Viewpoints near Mount Arucas and other northern hills give you wide views of the coast, banana plantations, and Las Palmas in the distance. Archaeological sites such as Cueva Pintada, Cenobio de Valerón, and Maipés show traces of the island’s indigenous culture and can be visited on day trips by car or tour.
Free Walking Tours in Gran Canaria
Free Tour in Arucas of Gran Canaria: 1.5-hour tip‑based tour in English and Spanish, starting at Plaza San Juan in front of the church of Arucas. Route includes the old town streets, Constitution Park, Municipal/Flowers Park and views of the Arehucas distillery, with accessibility for reduced mobility, families and pets.
Discover Vegueta: The Essentials Tour: 1.5‑hour tip‑based tour in English starting at Plaza Santa Ana in front of the cathedral, northwest corner. It covers Plaza de Santa Ana, Calle de los Balcones, Casa de Colón, hidden squares and local legends on a relaxed walk.
Palmas de Gran Canaria Historical Center: Official Guide: Around 2 hours 15 minutes, tip‑based, with official guide coverage of Las Palmas’ historic core and multiple daily departures. The tour runs in English and Spanish and usually departs from central points in the old town.
You can find more tours to explore across Gran Canaria.
Practical Tips
Getting there: Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), near the east coast, handles frequent flights from mainland Spain and European cities. Public buses connect the airport to Las Palmas, Maspalomas and other resorts, while car hire is popular for exploring inland areas and smaller towns.
Getting around: Global and Guaguas Municipales buses link Las Palmas with key island towns, beaches and tourist areas at reasonable prices. For places like mountain viewpoints or multiple rural villages in one day, renting a car offers more flexibility and time efficiency.
Accommodation: Las Palmas offers city hotels and apartments near Las Canteras and Vegueta, while the south coast focuses on beach resorts in Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras. Rural houses and boutique hotels in villages like Tejeda or Arucas appeal to travellers seeking quieter stays and easy access to hiking.
Visit duration: Short city break (2–3 days): focus on Las Palmas (Vegueta, Las Canteras, Poema del Mar) plus a half‑day in Arucas and a free walking tour. One week: combine the north (Las Palmas, Arucas, inland villages) with the south (Maspalomas dunes, beaches), plus one or two hiking or archaeological excursions.
Weather in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has a mild subtropical climate with small seasonal temperature variations, making it a year‑round destination. Average coastal temperatures range roughly from 18–22°C in winter to 24–28°C in summer, with the south generally sunnier and drier than the north.
Spring and autumn often offer the best balance of warmth and moderate crowds, ideal for combining hiking, city walks and beach time. In summer, stronger sun and higher temperatures favour beach holidays and water activities, while winter attracts visitors seeking milder weather than mainland Europe.
Best visiting periods:
- October–June for comfortable walking and touring, especially in Vegueta, Arucas and the interior.
- July–September for classic beach stays in Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, with early‑morning or late‑afternoon sightseeing in hotter areas.
Short History
Before the Castilian conquest, Gran Canaria was inhabited by the Guanches (Canarii), an indigenous people with distinct settlement patterns, burial sites, and cave art, all still visible at several archaeological sites. In 1478, Captain Juan Rejón founded the Real de Las Palmas encampment in what is now Vegueta, starting the island’s integration into the Crown of Castile.
Las Palmas developed into a fortified Atlantic port, later known as Puerto de la Luz, serving as a provisioning stop for ships on routes to the Americas and Africa. Over time, sugar, wine, cochineal, bananas and later tourism shaped the economy, while coastal defences repelled pirate and corsair attacks.
In the 20th century, port expansion and tourism transformed Gran Canaria into a major holiday destination, especially from the 1960s onward, with the development of southern resorts. Recent decades have seen renewed focus on cultural heritage in districts like Vegueta and on nature‑based tourism in the island’s interior and protected areas.
FAQ about Gran Canaria
What is Gran Canaria famous for?
Gran Canaria is known for its Maspalomas sand dunes, year‑round mild climate, Las Canteras urban beach, Vegueta historic quarter and varied volcanic landscapes. It also has a strong reputation for outdoor activities such as hiking, surfing, and cycling, as well as for rum and banana production in towns like Arucas.
Where is Vegueta, and why visit it?
Vegueta is the historic quarter of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, near the island’s northeast coast. Visitors come for its cathedral, narrow cobbled streets, colonial houses, museums and lively squares that show the city’s 15th‑century origins.
What can you see in Arucas?
Highlights include the neo‑Gothic San Juan Bautista church, Municipal/Flowers Park with dragon trees, historic fountains and the Arehucas rum distillery. The town also offers viewpoints from Mount Arucas and a pleasant, walkable centre with traditional Canarian architecture.
What are the Maspalomas dunes like?
The Maspalomas dunes form a coastal nature reserve of shifting golden sand, bordered by the Atlantic, a lagoon, and a palm grove in southern Gran Canaria. Visitors can walk designated paths, enjoy beach access and photograph the desert‑like scenery, especially around sunrise or sunset.
Are free walking tours really free?
Free walking tours on Gran Canaria, such as those in Vegueta and Arucas, operate on a tip‑based model, so there is no fixed price. You reserve without an upfront cost, then tip the guide at the end based on your satisfaction and budget.
Is Gran Canaria suitable for a car‑free trip?
Yes, especially if staying in Las Palmas or major southern resorts, thanks to frequent buses and walkable areas. Renting a car, however, makes it much easier to visit mountain villages, viewpoints and multiple rural attractions in a single day.
What is the best base: Las Palmas or the south?
Las Palmas is ideal for travellers prioritising culture, local life and an urban beach at Las Canteras. The south (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras) suits visitors focused on guaranteed sun, resort facilities and easy access to the dunes and coastal activities.
