Gran Canaria

Continent in miniature

Welcome to Gran Canaria Island

Gran Canaria is a fantastic family destination with almost 60 kilometres of beaches and a Biosphere Reserve in the west. It's a miniature continent where you'll find things to do that make every day special. Sail out to watch whales, walk in the Canary pine forests, have fun at a water park, wander its shopping streets, visit museums, or... just relax on a beautiful beach.

60 km of beaches: Discover beaches as diverse as the landscapes of Gran Canaria. Almost 60 kilometres of beach on 236 kilometres of coastline, all bathed in gentle sunshine that fills you with energy.

World biosphere reserve: The volcanic landscapes, the unique Macaronesian flora and the extensive pine forests make Gran Canaria worthy of this great honour from UNESCO.

Wellness treatments: The first tourists came to Gran Canaria in search of the health-giving properties of the climate almost 150 years ago. Today this tradition has evolved into a wide range of spas and wellness centres.

Dunes the Maspalomas - A new landscape every day: This surprising mix of desert and oasis in south Gran Canaria is a unique and beautiful natural area with a huge range of ecosystems. The dunes, constantly moulded by the wind, change their appearance every day and are one of the main attractions in the area

Dunes the Maspalomas

Hotels in Gran Canaria

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Faro Vela 2

35106 Pasito Blanco, Las Palmas, Spain, Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) . ((* Sorry, this information is not available in the selected language and is shown in VI) >

IFA Faro Hotel

Av. Cristóbal Colón, 1, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Las Palmas, Spain, Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) Just a few meters away from a beach lies the hotel Faro Lopesan Collection Hotel. The city centre is around 5 km away. A supermarket is around 100 m away. In the vicinity a disco (approx. 500 m away)... >

Seven Hotel & Wellness - Gay only

Avenida Touroperador Tjaereboerg 3, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain, Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) Property LocationWith a stay at Seven Hotel & Wellness - Caters to Gay Men in San Bartolome de Tirajana (Campo Internacional Maspalomas), you'll be within a... >

Vital Suites Hotel and Spa

Av. de Gran Canaria, 80, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain, Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) The hotel Vital Suites Residencia, Salud & Spa is located approx. 600 m from the city centre. The hotel is equipped with Wi-Fi. In the outdoor area you will find a pool (open all year), where pool tow... >

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Getting into Gran Canaria

The Canary Islands are an autonomous region within Spain. This means the same regulations apply when it comes to entering Gran Canaria. You must hold a valid passport or visa depending on what country you live in, the duration of your visit and your reason for travelling, e.g. tourism, work or study.

If you are at all unsure, please contact your travel agent or the Embassy/Consulate of Spain based in your hometown before you travel.

Gran Canaria enjoys scheduled flight connections with all the other islands of the archipelago and with mainland Spain. Many European cities also provide charter flights to Gran Canaria.

There are regular ferries and hydrofoil services to and from Tenerife, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Passengers arriving from these destinations and also from mainland Spain (Cádiz), dock at Puerto de la Luz in Las Palmas, in the north of the island.

Transfer

If you have just got to the island and you need to get to your accommodation, you can get there easiest by private transfer. We make it easy for you!

Let our transfers take you straight from the airport to your hotel or sun-drenched resort. Forget about expensive taxi fares and infrequent bus services – simply book online before you go to ensure reliable and affordable transport to and from your accommodation. Just fill in your details, flight numbers and select from private transfer or mini bus to take you direct to your door.

Rent a car

If you are the kind of person who likes to travel around independently so that you can follow the routes that you fancy and stop whenever you see something you like, you can rent a car.

Excursions & Activities

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4x4 safari and camel ride Gran Canaria (Espana) >

Las Palmas shopping Gran Canaria (Espana) >

Markets in Gran Canaria Gran Canaria (Espana) >

Spirit of the Sea cruise with transfer Gran Canaria (Espana) >

What you have to see:

Nublo Rural Park

The 26,000 hectare natural park in west Gran Canaria contains 30 small villages and is the island's largest natural area and a Biosphere Reserve. Access is via several roads from up from the north and west of the island and these go past the parks viewpoints with fantastic views of the area.

Puerto de Mogán - A coastal village that oozes charm

This quiet and charming coastal village with its small beach is a refuge where you can recharge your batteries. It's iconic architecture, flower gardens and little bridges over the seawater canals make a visit to Mogán a cherished holiday memory.

The Painted Cave Echoes of an ancient Canarian people

This museum and archaeological park are the result of 24 years of excavation and conservation of an ancient Canarian settlement. They take visitors back to the early history of the island and, thanks to a glass bubble let you see the famous cave paintings from close up.

Agaete - A pretty refuge for relaxation

This is the ideal place to take a few days off. You can swim and sunbathe by the little harbour beach or in the natural pools, fish at sunset, savour local cuisine in a village restaurant, or just relax and take in the tranquil atmosphere.

Las Canteras beach - Golden sand and calm waters

Regarded as one of the best urban beaches in Europe, Las Canteras is a long tongue of golden sand and calm water that stretches for several kilometres around the bay. Right in the heart of the city it allows you to enjoy all of its natural charm and have quality amenities of Las Palmas right at hand

Vegueta Old Town - Streets that tell stories

This enclave of traditional architecture, with cobbled streets and old houses with wooden balconies, is a great reason to leave the beach for a while. On a walk through the old town you'll come across a range of styles from late-Gothic to renaissance and also plenty of places for a break at one of its outdoor cafés.

Puerto de Mogán

More Excursions and Activities in Gran Canaria HERE... or use the search engine

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Useful Information

Banks and Currency

Spain – inclusive of the Canary Islands – introduced the Euro as legal tender in January 2002. The use of major credit cards is widespread among local shops, making shopping easier. This is also the easiest way of having money without having to carry large amounts of cash, which minimises the damages in case of loss or theft. Credit card holders, and indeed debit card holders too, will need to present a valid picture ID however when purchasing goods with a card, like a driving licence or passport.

You will always require your passport to change money and banks will, without fail, charge a commission fee. Most hotels, travel agents and exchange offices - cambios - will also change your money but at a higher rate than the bank. You can also withdraw cash from an ATM using your credit or debit card (some banks will charge their clients for this service).

Most banks usually open from Monday to Friday from 08.00 to 14.00. Some banks extend their opening hours one day in the week and some open on Saturday mornings too. Confusingly, there are also different opening hours during Christmas, Carnival times and in the summer.

Health

A wide selection of clinics and hospitals offer high-quality medical care, both private and national. The people from Gran Canaria are very health conscious indeed. The Canary Islands are not renowned (thankfully) for any particular diseases and the worst you can get is a hangover from too much partying. It’s very important to be aware of the risks from sunburn, dehydration or insect bites.

Medical insurance is strongly advised, even though EU citizens who hold an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) are entitled to basic national healthcare as received by local residents.

Vaccinations : You do not need vaccinations to visit the Canary Islands, unless you are travelling from an infected area. If you are in any doubt, check with your tour operator or local Spanish Embassy.

The local chemists (farmacias), recognisable by a green cross sign, will have just about anything you may require and there is always one open after hours in each area. The location of the duty chemist is indicated on every chemist’s door.

Electricity Information

The current used in Gran Canaria and throughout the Canary Islands is 220 Volts AC 50Hz and plugs have two round pins as found on the European continent.

Travellers from the USA will require a voltage converter, however the higher standard hotels do have provision for 110 Volt appliances like shavers.

Travellers from the UK will require a plug adapter and this is best bought in the UK as they are hard to find in the Canaries, although if you do forget – El Corte Inglés department store is probably your best bet. Main sockets require round-pin plugs.

Time & Water

The Canary Islands use the 24-hour clock, which can be quite confusing for those who are accustomed to 'am' & 'pm'.

Gran Canaria and its neighbouring islands maintain Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC, which makes it identical to the UK but one hour behind most European countries and mainland Spain.

In March, the clocks are put forward one hour for daylight saving time. Clocks are put back one hour on the last Sunday in October.

Shops

Shops in the Canary Islands keep different opening hours. The general rule is that larger shops, including department stores, fashion outlets and commercial centres, tend to open between 10.00 and 22.00 from Monday to Saturday.

Smaller shops, such as little supermarkets and convenience stores selling assorted items, either open at 9.00 or 10.00 and close at 13.00 for a lunch break, re-opening at 16.30 and closing at 20.30. However, stores in busy resorts can stay open until 22.00 or even later. Larger supermarkets open from 9.00 to 20.00.

Museum opening times also vary and churches are totally unpredictable. Theme parks and gardens are generally open seven days a week and some close on public holidays.

Usually restaurants serve lunch between 13.00 and 16.00 and dinner between 20.00 and 23.00. Of course, there are some restaurants that stay open all day.

Now, a word of advice if you fancy going clubbing. Bear in mind that nightclubs do not get busy until much later than in most of Europe. Many people do not even turn up before 01.00 and the party goes on all night!

Emergency Telephone Numbers

In case of an emergency, the local authorities can be contacted at the following numbers:

Emergencies – All islands – 112

Ambulance – Dial 112 and the operator will put you through

Police Station – 091

Hospital Doctor Negrín – 928 45 00 00

Hospital Insular – 928 44 40 00

Red Cross – 928 22 22 22

Fire Brigade – Dial 112 and the operator will put you through

Spanish

¿Hablas Español? Do you speak Spanish? Although the Canary Islanders speak Castellano, the accent you’ll hear has more in common with the Spanish of Latin America – in the South American countries of Cuba, Venezuela and Puerto Rico – as opposed to the peninsular Spanish of mainland Spain. And it’s not just an accent they share with South America but a rich vocabulary too - a living testament of the deep-lying associations formed by the various movements of people between the Canaries and the Latin American countries.

Gran Canaria

puerto_de_mogan_1343057_1920.jpg

Continent in miniature

Hotels in Gran Canaria

Excursions & Activities

Useful Information

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