Top 5 Road Trips to Explore Gran Canaria

You’ve just arrived in Gran Canaria, you’ve settled into your accommodation, and the sun is gently warming your face. But spending your whole stay lazing on the beach? No way! This island is packed with treasures to discover!!

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It’s hard to know where to begin, so I’ve put together 5 routes to help you discover the island as a whole. In my opinion these are Gran Canaria’s must-sees – but it’s only a taster.

Feel free to share your own discoveries with me using the contact form.

And between sightseeing stops, you can treat yourself to some of the activities I offer, like dolphin trips, buggy tours, diving, jet skiing and much more… Click here to see everything you can do.

Allow a full day per route, especially if you like to take your time at each place listed below.

How to plan your days

1) The south-east: from the Sahara to Arizona

A first dive into Guanche and Canarian culture

MASPALOMAS DUNES / MUNDO ABORIGEN / INGENIO / AGÜIMES / BARRANCO DE LAS VACAS / BARRANCO DE GUAYADEQUE

Maspalomas Dunes: it’s simply amazing to see this here – in this one particular spot stands a huge field of dunes covering about 4 km². It looks so much like the Sahara that several films have been shot here. A geological curiosity not to be missed, and a great chance to experience an atmosphere unique in the Canary Islands.

https://goo.gl/maps/uZPNoCnpSgUNxn7z8

2. Mundo Aborigen: I’m always keen to learn more about the Guanches, so I loved discovering this life-size reconstructed village, which shows through scenes of everyday life how the first inhabitants of Gran Canaria – and the Canary Islands in general – used to live. The owners are really friendly and welcoming, too. Allow 1 to 2 hours for the visit.

https://goo.gl/maps/r7i7F4QT4V5vVDPFA

*Crazy Canary tip: 5 minutes’ drive further north, there’s a viewpoint overlooking a canyon that’ll make you think you’re in Arizona

https://goo.gl/maps/NW64XhP1cVmRSpYn8

Ingenio: the historic centre is pretty enough, though it didn’t win me over. On the other hand, there’s a lovely museum displaying Canarian crafts, from ceramics and knives to woodwork and weaving.

https://goo.gl/maps/KAK7M87YCUzLzemW9

*Crazy Canary tip: if you’re looking for original souvenirs, pop into the shop next to the tourist office – some things you’ll only find there.

https://goo.gl/maps/C2DNhSRDHes65yG59

4. Agüimes: if you haven’t noticed yet that Gran Canaria’s towns love dotting their streets with statues, you won’t miss it in Agüimes. Starting from the beautiful main square, wander the streets and discover the artworks along the way… There’s even a camel statue hidden somewhere – can you find it?

https://goo.gl/maps/6CsgstSZX8cAAVZS6

Barranco de las Vacas: a small geological curiosity – simple but striking – where you can take amazing photos in an extraordinary setting. The visit is very short, but the place looks straight out of a sci-fi film. There are only 2 small parking spaces right next to the site, but keep going a little past the ravine and you’ll find more. A short walk there, another to look around, and you’re done!

https://goo.gl/maps/6jU4SQYY6fdH3oQd8

6. Barranco de Guayadeque: hikers will be in heaven – the views in this ravine are absolutely stunning. And if you don’t fancy walking, the scenery and the architecture of the little traditional houses will convince even the biggest sceptic that Gran Canaria is a truly beautiful and varied island.

https://g.page/Guayadeque?share

2) Las Palmas, with a Latin American feel

A small capital with big-city charm!!

BOTANICAL GARDEN / VEGUETA MARKET / CASA DE COLÓN / MUSEO CANARIO / TRIANA

Botanical garden: to sum up the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria botanical garden in 3 words, I’d say: wow, wow, wow!!

I’m not especially into gardening, but I couldn’t help being blown away by all the species of plants, trees, cacti and more – some of them are surely centuries old. It’s lovely to stroll around in the peace and quiet, and you’ll be sheltered from the sun among all that greenery.

The park is huge – you could spend the whole day there – though after a while you’ll notice some areas are less well kept and less varied. Still, you can easily wander the paths for an hour or two without getting bored.

Watch out for the opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 9am–2pm

Weekends and public holidays: 10am–5pm

https://goo.gl/maps/euRGtaBQ7rv58Da97

Vegueta Market: set in one of the capital’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, Vegueta Market is a covered market selling all kinds of fruit and veg, meat and fish. Don’t go there for your weekly shop – sadly some stallholders take advantage and charge fairly high prices – but do take a look at how beautifully everything is displayed. It’s bursting with colour, and you can tell straight away that it all grew under the glorious Canarian sun.

https://goo.gl/maps/M3JsB7DkT8WzCAmc8

After the market, take a stroll through the streets of Vegueta to reach the next must-see in Gran Canaria, which is just around the corner, and it’s called…

Casa de Colón: another lovely surprise. Make sure you visit this very large house with its magnificent architecture: each room has been designed to draw you further into the great voyages to the Indies of that era. As someone who loves old sea charts, with all their inaccuracies and quirky designs, I was in my element. You’ll also find old objects, statues and more from the pre-Columbian era – perfect for getting into the spirit of things.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the gift shop is full of lovely things.

https://g.page/casadecolon?share

4. Museo Canario: another great way to learn more about the Guanches, who remain a mystery in many ways. You’ll find out about their homes and way of life, discover lots of fascinating little objects found during excavations at Gran Canaria’s archaeological sites, and finish in the creepiest room of all, which holds a collection of human skulls and mummies of this vanished people.

https://goo.gl/maps/kKvrRotPosCWJcS88

Triana: Las Palmas’ second historic quarter was once very upmarket. Now that its main street is pedestrianised, it’s a popular shopping area with all kinds of shops. You’ll find the usual big brands you see everywhere, but also more traditional, artisan boutiques.

https://goo.gl/maps/SbLekBChntJypFWS9

*Crazy Canary tip: feeling peckish? La Coki Triana serves excellent, original dishes with unusual flavour combinations, including vegetarian and vegan options, and the chef has been living here for over 15 years.

https://goo.gl/maps/cYRA4PCB26V11fKC9

3) The North: lush greenery

A trip through culture, greenery and altitude!

CUEVA PINTADA / CENOBIO DE VALERÓN / FIRGAS / ARUCAS / TEROR

Cueva Pintada: another preserved treasure that helps us understand who the Guanches were. A sort of Canarian Lascaux, it’s right in the centre of the town of Gáldar, which is very pretty and worth a quick look. As well as the painted cave, you’ll discover the remains of a village of more than 50 houses and caves around it. Don’t arrive too late, so you can join a guided tour – it’s really interesting. If you love jewellery, the gift shop has a great selection. Try to park as close to the museum as possible, otherwise you’ll have quite a climb on foot to get there.

https://g.page/CuevaPintada?share

Cenobio de Valerón: a real Swiss cheese carved into the rock using nothing but stone tools – metal arrived late in the Canary Islands. But the Guanches weren’t short of ingenuity when they created this huge communal granary, strategically placed so it couldn’t be seen from outside.

The car park doesn’t have many spaces, but visits are fairly quick, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a spot.

The view from the Cenobio is magnificent.

https://goo.gl/maps/GpWPBQ3rEkgosY8c9

3. Firgas: a little village it would be a shame to miss when visiting Gran Canaria. Set slightly uphill, the church square offers a magnificent view over the Atlantic – and above all, just nearby, you can admire the beautiful 30-metre artificial waterfall and the gorgeous tiles that line it.

https://goo.gl/maps/WUtF1zM82ZFHqP7y7

Arucas: a town centre of historic and artistic interest, with a parish church built from local Arucas stone that is, let’s be honest, stunning (people often call it a cathedral because of its size, but it’s actually a church).

And don’t forget the distillery, founded in 1884, which produces the Canary Islands’ most popular rum and has one of the most beautiful and oldest rum cellars in Europe. You can visit Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm.

https://goo.gl/maps/9bLxGDtRRUEnHNDs5

5. Teror: one of the oldest towns in the Canary Islands, and one of my favourites, as it has a truly unique atmosphere. You start to feel you’re gaining altitude: the temperature drops and the vegetation begins to change.

Its houses have an architecture typical of Gran Canaria, and the town is known for its traditional pastries – and above all for its basilica surrounded by century-old trees.

https://goo.gl/maps/UBKJiRP98HnipCYU9

4) The centre: a taste of the high mountains

Get your head in the clouds…

ARTENARA / TEJEDA / PICO DE LAS NIEVES / ROQUE NUBLO / PRESA DE LAS NIÑAS

*Crazy Canary tips:

– Bring warm clothes: there can be a big temperature difference between the coast and the mountains.

– Don’t go if it’s very cloudy – not only will it be cold, you’ll miss out on the amazing scenery this route has to offer.

Artenara: let’s dive straight in with Gran Canaria’s highest village, which naturally offers stunning views over the surrounding pine forests, Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga, and all those steep slopes. The bravest can also climb up to the statue of Jesus overlooking the village… You’d almost think you were in Rio de Janeiro.

Tejeda: considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, it’s a world away from the stress and noise of the coast. The village specialises in almond-based treats, so you’ll find plenty to delight your taste buds along the main street – with a breathtaking view, of course. And if you’re lucky enough to be there in February, the almond trees will be in bloom: the contrast between the white, the pink and the green is incredible.

https://goo.gl/maps/nv6RRGsBcDNrazzQ8

Pico de las Nieves: Gran Canaria’s highest point, at 1,950 m – and you can drive up, for those who don’t feel like mountaineering! Needless to say, the views are magnificent! And on a clear day, you’ll even see Tenerife and Mount Teide, 3,718 m high and sometimes capped with snow.

https://goo.gl/maps/xT3JzAR6mB7aodsX7

Roque Nublo: once a place of worship for the island’s native people, it’s considered one of the largest natural rocks in the world. It’s about a 30-minute walk to get there, with some climbing, but if you have time, go – you’d be missing an incredible view from Gran Canaria’s most iconic spot. IMPORTANT: there’s now a shuttle system and booking is compulsory for visits – click here to go to the official website and book.

https://goo.gl/maps/N877MMW8pdTQVKyM9

Presa de las Niñas: if anyone thought Gran Canaria was all beaches and hotels… they were completely wrong, because you can also find peace and quiet by a lake surrounded by forest.

There are plenty of facilities (barbecues, picnic tables, toilets) for a pleasant, relaxing time, and it’s a little cooler than by the sea, which can be very welcome on really hot days.

https://goo.gl/maps/Z4vMkJSwd3u4UWLp8

5) The West: Gran Canaria's forgotten coast

Fishing villages and banana plantations…

PUERTO DE MOGÁN / MIRADOR DE VENEGUERA / FUENTE DE LOS AZULEJOS / LOS CASERONES / MIRADOR DEL BALCÓN / PUERTO DE LAS NIEVES

Puerto de Mogán: 50 years ago it was a small, isolated village that lived solely from fishing; today it’s one of the most visited places on Gran Canaria. Just wander the streets around the marina: the traditional façades are beautifully kept and there are flowers everywhere. The view of the valley behind is magnificent – and that’s exactly where we’re heading next.

*Crazy Canary tip: the Friday morning market in Mogán draws big crowds, so if you arrive late you may struggle to park. Personally, I don’t think the market is a must… There are no traditional crafts or fruit and veg – in short, nothing that really stood out.

https://goo.gl/maps/epGHzAz6cL9ZCiz56

2. Mirador de Veneguera: now it’s time to eat up the miles of mountain road along the west of the island. And what better than the odd break to stretch your legs and enjoy the view? That’s exactly what the Veneguera viewpoint is for!

https://goo.gl/maps/MdNJrJ7V7H2TCGi48

Fuente de Los Azulejos: erosion and oxidation have left this cliff with layers of different colours, creating a geological curiosity unique on Gran Canaria. You can admire it from below, and the bravest can tackle a 45-minute hike to the top of the cliffs for a magnificent view.

*Crazy Canary tip: a photo taken at the end of this hike has been shared a lot on social media, showing a girl bathing in a sort of natural pool at the top, with stunning scenery. Just so you know, the pool only fills up enough to swim in after heavy rain… and it can stay dry for years, given how little rain this part of the island gets.

https://goo.gl/maps/4eFVUDbAVLg3Gh2DA

*Crazy Canary tip: hungry? Stop at La Gañanía, right on the way… It’s a one-of-a-kind restaurant with a cactus garden you can visit, free-roaming goats – and let’s not forget the pig!! https://goo.gl/maps/eNGJmCKTAGE6hR5X6

4. Los Caserones: a quiet little fishing village, perfect for a stop to listen to the waves and enjoy beaches far from the resorts of the south.

https://goo.gl/maps/CgrF8nGjRhwatGSG7

5. Mirador del Balcón: another lovely little viewpoint for a breather after all those mountain roads.

https://goo.gl/maps/Ni4kyUHFHRu7DDtc8

6. Puerto de las Nieves: the harbour of Las Nieves, with its little beaches and its church, is the last stop on this route around the west of the island. The area has seen little tourist development, but it offers authentic landscapes typical of this part of Gran Canaria. Once here, you can also visit the natural pools of Agaete, or the Agaete valley – the only place in Europe where coffee is grown.

https://goo.gl/maps/qXB2jroAibkkU4cU8

To wrap up:

These routes are designed to help you plan your sightseeing on Gran Canaria, but there are plenty more treasures to discover – this is just a sample… If something catches your eye on the road, don’t hesitate to stop, explore for yourself, and share it with me via the contact form if you like – I may not have discovered everything about this little corner of paradise yet!
Sightseeing like this is great, but don’t hesitate to experience Gran Canaria in other ways too – by boat, underwater or on hiking trails. I offer a whole range of activities run by my partners, and together we try to steer clear of low-quality mass tourism. Take a look at my activity catalogue and the rest of my travel blog here.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy your stay in Gran Canaria.