The short answer is that the Global buses are the best choice for most people. Bus 60 runs to Las Palmas, bus 66 goes direct to Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, and bus 91 serves Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Mogán. Taxis run on the meter and get expensive the further south-west you go, while a hire car suits you if you’re planning to explore the island anyway. Below you’ll find every option with prices, journey times and where to get off.

Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés and Las Palmas at a glance

• Bus 60 to Las Palmas: €2.30 (around £2) to San Telmo and €2.95 (around £2.50) to Santa Catalina, about 20 minutes to San Telmo and 27 minutes to Santa Catalina, running every half hour from 6.15am to 9.15pm and then at 10.15pm and 11.15pm.
• Bus 66 to Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas: €3.50 (around £3) to Playa del Inglés and €4.05 (around £3.40) to Faro de Maspalomas, 25 to 30 minutes to Playa del Inglés and about 45 minutes to Faro, running once an hour from 7.30am to 8.30pm.
• Bus 91 to Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Mogán: €4.95 (around £4.15) to Arguineguín, €5.45 (around £4.55) to Puerto Rico and €6.80 (around £5.70) to Puerto de Mogán, about 35 minutes to Arguineguín, 45 minutes to Puerto Rico and an hour to Puerto de Mogán, running once or twice an hour from around 6.30am to around 9.30pm.
• Bus 90 heading south: same fares as buses 66 and 91, running roughly once an hour from early morning until late evening, and on weekdays during the daytime it continues to Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Playa del Cura.
• Night bus 5: €3.50 (around £3) to Playa del Inglés, just under 50 minutes, running roughly once an hour through the night.
• Taxi: metered, roughly €35 to €40 (around £30 to £35) to Las Palmas, €40 to €50 (around £35 to £40) to Playa del Inglés and €65 to €80 (around £55 to £65) to Puerto Rico.
• Hire car: the desks are in the arrivals hall, and the GC-1 motorway runs past the airport both north and south.

How to find your transport at the airport

You arrive on the ground floor, which Aena calls Planta 0. This is where the arrivals halls for international and domestic flights are, and it’s also where you’ll find the car hire desks. The taxi rank is outside on the same level, and you should always take a taxi from the signposted rank by the terminal.

The buses don’t stop at arrivals but up by the departures hall on the first floor, Planta 1. So head up to the departures level and follow the signs for the buses. Incidentally, in the Canary Islands a bus is called a guagua. All the Global routes serving the airport stop here. There’s a ticket machine at the stop, but you can just as easily pay the driver. See the overview on the airport’s bus page.

Buses heading south and buses heading to Las Palmas both stop by the departures hall, but they go in opposite directions. So check the route number and destination on the front of the bus before you get on. If it says Faro de Maspalomas or Puerto de Mogán, the bus is heading south, and if it says Las Palmas or Santa Catalina, it’s heading north.

1. Bus 60 to Las Palmas

Bus 60 is the direct route between the airport and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It runs along the coastal motorway and makes only a handful of stops in the city: San Cristóbal, Lady Harimaguada, Teatro Pérez Galdós, San Telmo bus station, Juan XXIII, Alcaravaneras and the final stop, Santa Catalina. According to Global’s journey planner, the trip takes around 20 minutes to San Telmo and 27 minutes to Santa Catalina.

The bus runs every day. The first departure from the airport is at 6.15am, and after that there’s a bus every half hour until 9.15pm. Then there are just two more departures, at 10.15pm and 11.15pm, so if you land late, keep an eye on the clock. You’ll find the timetable on Global’s page for route 60.

Bus 91 also runs from the airport to Las Palmas when it comes up from Mogán in the south. It makes the same stops in the city and takes roughly the same time, so just hop on whichever bus comes first. Bus 60 suits you if you’re staying in the city, by Las Canteras beach or in the Old Town in Vegueta.

Fares and tickets

The fare depends on the distance. A single ticket to San Telmo costs €2.30 (around £1.90), and to Santa Catalina it costs €2.95 (around £2.50). You can check the fares yourself with Global’s fare calculator.

Children under 4 travel free when they’re with an adult and don’t take up a seat. Large suitcases have to go in the luggage hold under the bus. According to Global’s rules, this applies to anything larger than 40 x 40 x 20 centimetres, while smaller bags can go under the seat or on your lap.

Where to buy your ticket

You buy your ticket from the driver when you board. Tell them where you’re going and they’ll work out the fare. You can pay in cash or by card, and all Global buses have a card reader that also accepts mobile payments. If you’re paying cash, it’s a good idea to have some change on you, as Global asks for the exact amount and doesn’t accept notes over €20 (around £17).

Keep your ticket until you get off. If you’re checked without a ticket, you’ll have to pay again or leave the bus. The rules are set out in Global’s passenger regulations.

Where should you get off?

Teatro Pérez Galdós and San Telmo: Get off here if you’re staying in Triana or in the Old Town in Vegueta, home to the cathedral and Casa de Colón. San Telmo is the city’s main bus station, and from here you can walk to both the Triana shopping street and Vegueta. You can read more about what to see in the city in my guide to things to see on Gran Canaria.

Alcaravaneras: This stop is by the beach of the same name, halfway between San Telmo and Santa Catalina.

Santa Catalina: The final stop is at Parque Santa Catalina in the north of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from Playa de Las Canteras. This is where most people who choose Las Palmas stay, and you can see hotels near Las Canteras here.

2. Bus 66 from Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas

Bus 66 is the airport bus to the south coast. It only runs between the airport and Faro de Maspalomas, and it goes straight down the motorway until it reaches the resort areas. Along the way it stops in Bahía Feliz, Playa del Águila and San Agustín, then at a long string of stops in Playa del Inglés, before carrying on past Campo Internacional to the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse at Meloneras.

According to Global’s journey planner, you’ll reach San Agustín after about 23 minutes, Yumbo Centrum in Playa del Inglés after about half an hour and Faro de Maspalomas after about 45 minutes. The bus runs once an hour every day, leaving the airport at half past every hour from 7.30am to 8.30pm. Check the timetable on Global’s page for line 66.

The catch is that the bus only runs once an hour. If you’ve just missed it, check whether bus 90 is due sooner, as it also goes to Playa del Inglés and Faro de Maspalomas. After the last departure at 8.30pm, you can take bus 90 if it’s still running, the slow line 1 or night bus 5, which also runs to Playa del Inglés in the evening. Otherwise, it’s a taxi.

Fares and tickets

A single ticket costs €2.75 (around £2.30) to Bahía Feliz, €3.50 (around £2.95) to Playa del Inglés and €4.05 (around £3.40) to Faro de Maspalomas. You pay the driver in cash or by card, just as on bus 60, and your suitcases go in the luggage hold.

Where should you get off?

San Agustín: Get off at Shopping Centre San Agustín if you’re staying in quiet San Agustín, east of Playa del Inglés.

Playa del Inglés: The bus stops at lots of places in Playa del Inglés, including Shopping Centre Plaza Maspalomas, Yumbo Centrum, CITA and on Avenida de Tirajana. Work out which stop is closest to your hotel before you board, and it’s a good idea to show the driver the address. You can see hotels in Playa del Inglés here.

Faro de Maspalomas: The last stop is by the lighthouse and the bus station at Meloneras. Get off here if you’re staying in Meloneras or the western part of Maspalomas. If you’re unsure which area suits you best, read my guide to where to stay in Gran Canaria.

3. Bus 91 to Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Mogán

Bus 91 is the direct route from Las Palmas via the airport to the south-west coast. It doesn’t go into Playa del Inglés, but carries on along the motorway to Arguineguín and then follows the coast via Patalavaca, Puerto Rico, Playa de Amadores, Tauro and Playa del Cura to Taurito and Puerto de Mogán.

According to Global’s journey planner, the trip from the airport takes around 34 minutes to Arguineguín, 43 minutes to Puerto Rico, 46 minutes to Playa de Amadores, 50 minutes to Playa del Cura and about an hour to Puerto de Mogán. It’s the quickest way to reach that part of the island.

The bus starts in Las Palmas, and according to Gran Canaria’s tourist board it reaches the airport about 35 minutes later. From the airport it runs from around 6.30am to around 9.30pm, usually once an hour and twice an hour from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Some services terminate in Taurito instead of Puerto de Mogán, so check the final destination. You’ll find the timetable on Global’s page for route 91.

Fares and tickets

The fare goes up the further you travel. A single ticket costs €4.95 (around £4.15) to Arguineguín, €5.25 (around £4.40) to Patalavaca, €5.45 (around £4.55) to Puerto Rico, €5.90 (around £4.95) to Playa de Amadores and Tauro, €6.35 (around £5.30) to Playa del Cura and €6.80 (around £5.70) to Puerto de Mogán. You pay the driver, just as on the other buses.

Where should you get off?

Arguineguín: The old fishing town is the first stop in the south-west and a good choice if you’d like somewhere a little quieter to stay.

Puerto Rico and Playa de Amadores: The bus stops in Puerto Rico and shortly afterwards at Playa de Amadores. The hotels sit on the slopes around the bay, so check which stop is closest to yours, as some of them are high up the hillside. You can see hotels in Puerto Rico here, and my guide to where to stay on Gran Canaria compares Puerto Rico and Arguineguín with Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés.

Puerto de Mogán: The final stop is at the bus station in Puerto de Mogán, and from there you walk down to the little harbour with its canals.

4. Bus 90, night bus 5 and the slower routes

Bus 90 runs from Telde via the airport to Playa del Inglés and Faro de Maspalomas. It’s semi-direct, which means it detours past the CC Atlántico shopping centre in Vecindario before continuing to the same stops as bus 66 in San Agustín and Playa del Inglés. That makes it slightly slower than bus 66, but it’s a good alternative when there’s a long wait for the next 66.

On weekdays during the daytime, many services continue from Faro de Maspalomas to Arguineguín, Puerto Rico, Playa de Amadores and Playa del Cura. On Saturdays and public holidays, bus 90 only runs as far as Faro de Maspalomas. The bus reaches the airport about a quarter of an hour after leaving Telde and runs roughly once an hour from early morning until late evening. Fares are the same as on buses 66 and 91. See the departures on Global’s page for route 90.

If you land at night, night bus 5 is a lifesaver. It runs between Las Palmas and Faro de Maspalomas via the airport and Playa del Inglés roughly once an hour for most of the night. The journey from the airport to Yumbo Centrum takes just under 50 minutes, and a ticket costs €3.50 (around £2.95), the same as during the day. At night, routes 1 and 5 also run from the airport to Las Palmas. If you’re heading to Puerto Rico or Mogán, route 1 is the last bus. Its final departure from Las Palmas at 11.30pm runs via the airport and Playa del Inglés all the way to Puerto de Mogán.

Routes 1 and 36 also pass through the airport during the day, but they go through the towns along the way and stop frequently. They’re useful if you’re going to one of the towns en route, but for the resorts, buses 66, 90 and 91 are much faster.

5. Taxi from Gran Canaria Airport

Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall on the ground floor. They run on the meter. According to the airport, the flag fall is €3.85 (around £3.20) during the day between 6am and 10pm and €4.25 (around £3.55) at night and on public holidays. Each kilometre costs €1.35 (around £1.15) during the day and €1.55 (around £1.30) at night and on public holidays, and there’s an airport supplement of €2.10 (around £1.75) on top. Over the Christmas period the flag fall is higher. You’ll find the fares on the airport’s taxi page.

That works out at roughly €35 to €40 (around £30 to £35) to Las Palmas, €40 to €50 (around £35 to £40) to Playa del Inglés, €45 to €55 (around £40 to £45) to Maspalomas and Meloneras, €55 to €70 (around £45 to £60) to Arguineguín, €65 to €80 (around £55 to £65) to Puerto Rico and €75 to €90 (around £65 to £75) to Puerto de Mogán. It costs more at night. These are approximate prices, as the final fare depends on the address and the traffic.

A taxi is a good option when there are four of you with lots of luggage heading to Playa del Inglés or Las Palmas, or when you land after the last buses have gone. For Puerto Rico and Mogán, on the other hand, the bus is considerably cheaper, even for a family. Ask the driver whether you can pay by card before you set off, and ask for a receipt.

6. Private transfer and package holiday transfer coach

If you’ve booked a package holiday, the transfer from the airport to your hotel is usually included in the price. The tour operator’s rep or sign will be waiting in the arrivals hall, and you’ll travel by coach with the other guests. It’s easy, but the journey can take longer than on the public bus, as the coach calls at several hotels before it reaches yours.

If you’ve only booked flights and a hotel, you can book a private transfer in advance. The driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign, and the price is agreed before you land. It’s especially handy if you’re landing late with young children, have lots of luggage or are heading far south-west to Puerto Rico or Mogán, where a taxi gets expensive.

Compare the price with the approximate taxi fares above before you book, so you can see whether the transfer is worth the money. It’s also worth asking your hotel whether it can arrange an airport pick-up and what it costs.

7. Car hire from the airport

If you want to explore the island, a hire car is the easiest option, and you can pick it up right at the airport. The desks are in the arrivals halls on the ground floor, where Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, OK Mobility, Sixt and TopCar, among others, have offices. Depending on the company, you collect the car from the P1 multi-storey car park or from the hire car park. See the list on the airport’s car hire page.

From the airport you drive straight onto the GC-1 motorway, which follows the east coast north to Las Palmas and south past Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico to Mogán. Allow around 20 to 25 minutes to Las Palmas and about half an hour to Playa del Inglés in normal traffic.

A car is best if you want to head up into the mountains to Tejeda and Roque Nublo or round to the towns in the north. If you’re staying in Las Palmas, though, parking is difficult, so there I’d only hire a car for the days you’re going on a trip. Read the contract carefully, especially the rules on insurance, excess and fuel, before you sign.

Onward to Tenerife and Fuerteventura

If you’re heading on to one of the other islands, you’ll go by plane or ferry. Domestic flights leave the airport for the other Canary Islands, so you can stay at the airport if you’re travelling on straight away.

The ferry to Tenerife sails from Agaete on the north-west coast to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the crossing takes around 80 minutes. You can get to Agaete by bus from Las Palmas, and you can buy your ferry ticket to Tenerife here. Ferries to Fuerteventura sail from the port in Las Palmas to Morro Jable.

If your trip continues, you can read my guides to where to stay in Tenerife and where to stay in Fuerteventura.

Getting back to the airport

From Las Palmas, bus 60 leaves Santa Catalina every half hour from 5.15am to 8.15pm, and then at 9.15pm and 10.15pm. It stops at San Telmo on the way, and from San Telmo the journey to the airport takes around 20 minutes. Bus 91 from Mogán also stops at the airport on its way to Las Palmas.

From Faro de Maspalomas, bus 66 runs once an hour from 6.30am to 7.30pm, stopping in Playa del Inglés and San Agustín along the way. From Yumbo Centrum the journey takes around half an hour. From Puerto de Mogán and Puerto Rico, bus 91 runs roughly once an hour from morning to evening, and from Puerto Rico the journey takes around 40 minutes. If you’re catching a very early flight, night bus 5 runs from Faro de Maspalomas via Playa del Inglés to the airport roughly once an hour during the night.

Timetables can change, so check your departure in Global’s timetables before you travel and allow plenty of time. If you have time to spare after security, you can book access to the Galdós VIP lounge at the airport here.

Which option should you choose?

Here’s my recommendation based on where you’re staying:

Las Palmas: Take bus 60 or bus 91 towards Las Palmas. Get off at San Telmo if you’re staying in Triana or Vegueta, and stay on to Santa Catalina if you’re staying near Las Canteras.

Playa del Inglés and San Agustín: Take bus 66, or bus 90 if it comes first. If there are four of you with lots of luggage, a taxi at around 40 to 50 euros (around £35 to £40) is a good alternative that takes you right to the door.

Maspalomas and Meloneras: Take bus 66 to the last stop, Faro de Maspalomas. If you’re staying a long way from the stop, a taxi can be worth it. If you’d like to stay by the beach in Meloneras, you can see hotels in Meloneras here.

Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Mogán: Take bus 91. It runs direct and is far cheaper than a taxi at 65 to 90 euros (around £55 to £75).

If you land at night: Night bus 5 runs roughly once an hour to Playa del Inglés and Faro de Maspalomas. If you’re heading to Puerto Rico or Mogán after the last departure on line 1, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the only direct option.

If you want to explore the island: Hire a car at the airport, and you’ll be free to drive to the mountains and the towns in the north.

Practical tips for getting from Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés and beyond

Go up to the departures hall. The buses stop at the departures level on the first floor, not at the arrivals hall where the taxis wait.

Say where you’re going. Fares on Global’s buses depend on distance, so tell the driver your stop when you get on, and pay by card or with small change.

Check the final destination. Buses heading south and towards Las Palmas both stop at the departures hall. Look for the route number and the final destination so you don’t go the wrong way.

Have your suitcase ready for the luggage hold. Large suitcases go under the bus, so stand by the hold when the bus pulls in, and remember to take your case out again when you get off.

Choose your hotel based on the connections. Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas have bus 66 once an hour plus bus 90, while Puerto Rico and Mogán have bus 91 once or twice an hour. If you’re unsure about the area, read my guide to where to stay in Gran Canaria.

The post Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés & Las Palmas – Transport Guide appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Here are my picks for the 17 best things to see and do on Gran Canaria, with prices, opening hours and tips on what to book before you go. Prices are in euros, and 1 euro is roughly £0.84. Roque Nublo requires a reservation during the daytime, and several museums are closed on Mondays, so read the sections before you plan your days. At the end, you’ll find a day trip on the ferry to Tenerife.

1. Maspalomas Dunes

The sand dunes at Maspalomas are Gran Canaria’s most famous sight, and the first time you stand among the tall, golden dunes with the sea behind them, it feels more than anything like a small desert. The dunes, the palm grove and the brackish lagoon, Charca de Maspalomas, are protected as a special nature reserve of around 400 hectares, and by the lagoon you can see both migratory and resident birds.

Entry is free, but you have to stick to the marked paths, because the sand and the plants get damaged when people walk all over them. The easiest way in is from Playa del Inglés or from the beach by the lighthouse. The Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse is 55 metres high and was first lit in 1890, and the seafront promenade from there towards Meloneras is lovely for an evening stroll.

My tip is to head out into the dunes early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the sand isn’t scorching hot and the light is softer. Wear shoes and bring water, because there’s no shade out there. If you’d like to stay close to the dunes and the lighthouse, Maspalomas and Meloneras is the first area in my guide to where to stay in Gran Canaria, and you can see hotels in Meloneras here.

Book a camel ride in the Maspalomas dunes.

2. Puerto de Mogán

Puerto de Mogán lies right out in the south-west and is the most charming place for a stroll on the south coast. It used to be a fishing village, and today white houses with coloured trim and flowering bougainvillea run down to the marina, where little canals and bridges have earned the town the nickname Little Venice. Next to the harbour, there’s a small, sheltered sandy beach.

On Fridays, there’s a market in Puerto de Mogán from early morning until around 2pm, and the town fills up with stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, fruit and local specialities. It’s great fun, but it’s also very busy, and the car parks fill up quickly. Boats sail along the coast from the harbour, and you can go under the water in a small submarine that shows you the seabed and a couple of wrecks.

From Las Palmas, bus 1 runs all the way to Puerto de Mogán. My tip is to come on a day other than Friday if you’d like to have the town more or less to yourself, and stay until sunset, when the day-trippers have gone home. Puerto de Mogán is also a good place to stay if you prefer a small town to the big resorts, and you can see hotels in Puerto de Mogán here.

Book a submarine trip in Puerto de Mogán.

3. Roque Nublo

Roque Nublo is the island’s landmark, a rock pillar that rises 80 metres from its base at an altitude of around 1,800 metres in the middle of the island. The place was sacred to the ancient Canarians, and on clear days you can see out over the whole central part of the island from here and often all the way to Teide on Tenerife.

Access is regulated to protect the area. If you’d like to walk up the path from Degollada de La Goleta between 9am and 5pm, you have to reserve a time slot on reservasroquenublo.com, and the places fill up, so it’s a good idea to book several days ahead. Outside those hours, you can walk up without a reservation. Parking along the road by the path is no longer allowed, so you leave the car at the car park at Cruz de Los Llanos or in Tejeda and take the shuttle bus from there. Global’s bus 18 also runs from Faro de Maspalomas to Roque Nublo a couple of times a day.

The path is short, but it climbs steeply over stones and roots, so wear proper shoes. My tip is to come early in the morning, before the clouds settle over the peaks, and bring a jumper, because it’s noticeably colder than on the coast.

4. Pico de las Nieves

Pico de las Nieves, or Pico de los Pozos de las Nieves, is Gran Canaria’s highest point at 1,949 metres. The name comes from the old snow wells, where people once collected snow in winter and stored it as ice. The summit isn’t a tough climb, because a road goes almost all the way up, and from the car park it’s only a few steps to the viewpoint.

From here, you look down on Roque Nublo and out over the Tejeda caldera, and there’s often a blanket of cloud below you. On clear days, Teide on Tenerife stands out as a silhouette across the sea, and at sunset the view is really special. Entry is free, and the summit is only a short drive from Roque Nublo, so the two fit nicely together on the same day. The highest point itself is a military area with a radar station, so you can’t go all the way to the top, but the view from the platform is the same.

My tip is to check the weather forecast for the mountains and not just for the beach, because it can be sunny on the coast and thick with fog at the top. If you don’t have a car, you can go on an organised tour from Las Palmas that also stops at the Bandama crater and Teror.

Book a day trip to Pico de las Nieves and Roque Nublo from Las Palmas.

5. Tejeda

Tejeda is the mountain village in the middle of the island, and since 2015 it’s been a member of Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España, the association of Spain’s most beautiful villages. White houses sit on the slope down towards the Tejeda caldera, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the Canary Islands, and from the village you look straight across to both Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo.

The village is known for its almond trees, which blossom around the end of January, and for the sweet almond cakes you can buy in the bakeries on the main street. The almond blossom is celebrated with a festival that’s been held since 1970. The village also has a route with six viewpoints that you can follow on foot or by car, and it gives you the best views out over the caldera. Just above the village lies the mountain pass of Cruz de Tejeda, with stalls, restaurants and a parador.

My tip is to use Tejeda as a base for a day or two in the mountains instead of driving back and forth from the south every day. It’s quiet here in the evening, and the starry sky is far clearer than on the coast. It’s a good choice if you’d like to go hiking, and you can see hotels in and around Tejeda here.

6. Roque Bentayga and Risco Caído

Roque Bentayga is the other big rock in the Tejeda caldera, and it was one of the most important sacred places of the ancient Canarians. Together with Risco Caído near Artenara, it’s part of Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria, which was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2019. The area covers just over 9,400 hectares with caves, granaries, cisterns and temples, the so-called almogarenes, where ceremonies were held according to the seasons.

At the foot of the rock, you’ll find the Centro de Interpretación del Roque Bentayga, with a small exhibition about the site and the first inhabitants, and from there a path leads up towards the rock. The centre is closed on 1 and 6 January and on 25 and 31 December. The cave at Risco Caído itself is protected, but in Artenara there’s an interpretation centre that explains how the light falls into the cave at the equinoxes.

The road out to Bentayga is narrow and winding, and the car park at the centre is small. My tip is to combine Bentayga with Tejeda, which is only a few kilometres away, and to check the opening hours on the World Heritage site’s website before you drive out, because they change with the seasons.

7. Vegueta and Catedral de Santa Ana

Vegueta is the Old Town of Las Palmas and the place where the city was founded in 1478. Here, you walk on cobblestones between colonial houses with wooden balconies, small squares and churches, and the atmosphere is completely different from the holiday resorts in the south. The district is small and flat, so you can easily walk all of it in a morning.

In the middle of the district, the Catedral de Santa Ana stands on the large Plaza de Santa Ana. Construction began in 1497 and has continued in several stages since then, so inside the church is Gothic and Renaissance, while the facade is neoclassical. The cathedral is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, and on Sundays only the tower is open, from 10am to 2pm. A lift and a short staircase take you up the south tower, and a ticket only costs a couple of euros (about £2).

My tip is to take the lift up the tower, because the view over the rooftops of Vegueta and Triana and out over the harbour is one of the best in the city. Afterwards, you can walk over to Triana, the district with the city’s shopping street, Calle Mayor de Triana, or sit down in a tapas bar in Vegueta. If you’re hungry for more, you can go on a guided tapas tour of the district.

Book a guided tapas tour of Vegueta.

8. Casa de Colón and Museo Canario

A few minutes from the cathedral is Casa de Colón, a beautiful old governor’s palace with wooden balconies and a green courtyard. Christopher Columbus stopped on Gran Canaria on his first voyage to the Americas, and the museum tells the story of his voyages, the islands’ links with the Americas, the history of Las Palmas and pre-Columbian art from the Americas. A ticket costs €4 (about £3.50), and the museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 3pm. It’s closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December.

If you’re interested in the island’s history before the Spanish arrived, also visit El Museo Canario a couple of streets away. Here, you’ll see a large collection of objects from the ancient Canarians, including mummies, skulls, pottery and the small stamps they called pintaderas. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm and at weekends and on public holidays from 10am to 2pm. A ticket costs €5 (about £4), or €3 (about £2.50) for students and pensioners, and children aged 12 and under get in for free.

My tip is to do Museo Canario first, so you know the history before you drive up to Cueva Pintada or Roque Bentayga. You can manage both museums in a couple of hours, so they fit nicely into a day in Las Palmas.

9. Playa de Las Canteras

Playa de Las Canteras is the city beach of Las Palmas, and I think it’s one of the best city beaches in Europe. The beach and the promenade stretch for about three kilometres along the bay. Out in the water lies La Barra, a natural limestone reef that’s more than 100,000 years old and acts as a breakwater along more than half of the beach, so the water is calm and nice for swimming.

Along the promenade, you’ll find cafés, ice cream parlours and seafood restaurants, and this is where locals go running, take a walk and meet up after work. At the south-western end, by the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus concert hall, is the area called La Cícer, where the waves are bigger and the surfers hang out. At low tide, you can snorkel by the reef and see fish right off the beach.

My tip is to stay by Las Canteras if you’d like to combine a beach holiday with city life and sightseeing. The weather is often a bit cloudier in Las Palmas than in the south, but in return you get a real Spanish city with local restaurants and prices. You can see hotels by Las Canteras here, and bus 60 runs from the airport into the city.

10. Teror

Teror is a small town in the green north, about half an hour’s drive from Las Palmas, and it’s one of the best-preserved old towns on the island. The main street is lined with colourful houses and the typical Canarian wooden balconies, and at the end of it stands the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino. Construction of the present basilica began in 1767, and it houses the statue of Our Lady of the Pine, the patron saint of the islands’ diocese.

Every Sunday from 8am to 2pm, there’s a market around the basilica, where you can buy local vegetables, cakes, black pudding and the soft, spicy chorizo de Teror, which is spread on bread. Around 8 September, the Virgin is celebrated with a big festival, and people make the pilgrimage to the town from all over the island.

My tip is to go to Teror on a Sunday morning while the market is on and have lunch in town afterwards. Come early, because the car parks fill up quickly. Teror is easy to combine with Arucas and the Bandama crater, and then you’ve got a good day in the northern part of the island.

11. Arucas

Arucas lies among the banana plantations a little west of Las Palmas, and the town is dominated by the big church, the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. It’s built in neo-Gothic style from the dark local Arucas stone, and construction began in 1909. It’s often called the cathedral, even though it’s never been one, and inside there are beautiful stained glass windows.

The town is also known for rum. At the Destilerías Arehucas rum distillery, you can see how the rum is made, walk through the cellar with hundreds of barrels and have a tasting afterwards. The distillery is open to visitors Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm. Just outside the centre lies the Jardín de la Marquesa, a romantic garden around a mansion from 1880, which is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm.

My tip is to drive up Montaña de Arucas, the small volcanic hill just above the town, where you’ve got a view out over the town, the banana fields and the coast. Arucas takes a couple of hours, and you can easily combine the town with Teror on the same day.

Book a guided tour of the Arehucas rum distillery with a tasting.

12. Agaete and Puerto de las Nieves

Agaete lies on the north-west coast, where the steep cliffs drop straight into the sea. The small harbour town of Puerto de las Nieves has a 17th-century hermitage with a Flemish altarpiece, and along the waterfront there are restaurants serving the catch of the day. Out in the water, the rock needle Dedo de Dios, God’s Finger, used to stand, but the top broke off in a storm in 2005, so today you only see the lower part.

Right by the town, there are natural rock pools in the lava, where you can swim in seawater without being knocked over by the waves. Inland lies the Valle de Agaete, with fruit plantations, terraces and one of the only places in Europe where coffee is grown. At the fincas in the valley, you can see the plantation and taste the coffee.

The ferries to Tenerife sail from the harbour in Agaete, so this is also where you need to go if you’d like to take a day trip to the neighbouring island. My tip is to go to Agaete in the afternoon, swim in the pools and stay for the sunset behind the cliffs while you eat fish by the harbour.

Book a coffee tour with a tasting in the Agaete Valley.

13. Caldera de Bandama

Caldera de Bandama is an almost perfectly round volcanic crater a quarter of an hour’s drive from Las Palmas. It’s about 1,100 metres across and 216 metres deep, and down at the bottom there’s still an old farmhouse and small fields.

The easiest way to see the crater is to drive up to the viewpoint on Pico de Bandama next to it. From here, you look down into the crater and out over Las Palmas and the coast, and entry is free. If you’d like to go down into the crater, the hiking trail starts at the houses of Casas de la Caldera, and a walk round and down takes about two and a half hours. The path is steep, so wear good shoes and make sure you bring water, because there’s nowhere to buy anything along the way.

My tip is to do the walk early in the morning, before the sun is high, and finish at the viewpoint. Bandama is on the road from Las Palmas up towards the mountains, so it’s easy to fit in on your way to Tejeda or Teror.

14. Cueva Pintada in Gáldar

Cueva Pintada in Gáldar is the island’s most important archaeological site and one of the most interesting museums in the Canary Islands. The painted cave was discovered in 1862, and since 1987 the excavations have uncovered an entire village with more than 50 houses and artificial caves. The town was called Agáldar and was one of the island’s most important towns before Gran Canaria came under Castile in 1483.

You walk around on a walkway above the excavations and see the cave itself, with its geometric patterns in red, white and black, behind glass. From October to May, the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 11am to 6pm, with slightly longer hours in summer, and it’s closed every Monday. A ticket costs €6 (about £5), or €3 (about £2.50) for students under 23 and over-65s, and under-18s go free. On the first weekend of every month, entry is free for everyone.

Visits are guided at fixed times, so call or email the museum and book a time before you drive there. My tip is to combine Gáldar with Agaete, which is only a few kilometres away, and have lunch by the harbour afterwards.

15. Barranco de Guayadeque

Barranco de Guayadeque is a deep ravine in the south-east of the island, about half an hour’s drive from Maspalomas. The ravine is around 15 kilometres long and lies between the municipalities of Ingenio and Agüimes, and there are more archaeological finds here than anywhere else on the island. The ancient Canarians lived in caves in the rock faces, and many of the caves are still in use as homes, a chapel and restaurants.

At the bottom of the ravine lies the Barranco de Guayadeque visitor centre, which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm and closed on Mondays. Here, you learn about the first inhabitants and their life in the caves. The road continues up through the ravine to the village of Cuevas Bermejas and on to the end of the road, where there are restaurants carved into the rock.

My tip is to have lunch in one of the cave restaurants at the end of the road, where you’ll get Canarian food such as grilled meat, papas arrugadas with mojo and gofio. Try to come on a weekday, because at weekends lots of local families come up here, and then it’s hard to find both a table and a parking space.

16. Dolphin Watching and Boat Trips from Puerto Rico

The waters off Gran Canaria’s south coast are a good place to see dolphins, and with a bit of luck you’ll see pilot whales too. Most trips sail from the harbours in Puerto Rico and Arguineguín, and you can choose between big catamarans with glass bottoms and a bar, smaller boats and trips with stops where you can snorkel and swim.

A trip of a couple of hours typically costs around €35 to €40 (about £30 to £35), and many of the companies can pick you up at your hotel. Dolphins are wild animals, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, but some companies give you another trip for free if you don’t see any. Choose a company that keeps its distance from the animals and doesn’t chase them with the boat.

My tip is to take a morning trip, when the sea is often calmer, and to take seasickness tablets if you’re the least bit prone to seasickness. Puerto Rico and Arguineguín are also good places to stay if you’re travelling with children, and both towns have their own section in my guide to where to stay in Gran Canaria.

Book a dolphin-watching catamaran trip with snorkelling from Puerto Rico.

17. Day Trip to Tenerife

Tenerife lies just west of Gran Canaria, and on clear days you can see Teide from the mountains. Fred. Olsen sails from Agaete to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the crossing takes about 80 minutes, so you can easily fit in a day on the island and be back in the evening. From Santa Cruz, it’s not far to La Laguna, Tenerife’s old capital, which is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

With a hire car on Tenerife, you can make it up to Teide, Spain’s highest mountain, but then it becomes a long day. It’s easier to stick to Santa Cruz, La Laguna and the Anaga forests in the north-east of the island. Buy your ferry tickets in advance on the Fred. Olsen website, and check the last departures back before you plan your day.

If you’d rather spend more time on Tenerife, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Tenerife. Ferries also sail from Las Palmas to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and if you fancy island hopping further, you can read where to stay in Fuerteventura and what I recommend if you’d like to stay in Lanzarote.

Practical Travel Tips for Gran Canaria

If you’d like to see more than the beach, a hire car is the easiest way to get around, especially in the mountains, where the buses don’t run very often. The roads up towards Tejeda and Roque Nublo are narrow and winding, so expect it to take longer than the map says. The island’s buses are called guaguas, and Global runs services all over the island. From the airport, bus 60 runs to Las Palmas and bus 66 to Playa del Inglés and Faro de Maspalomas, and bus 91 goes to Puerto Rico.

Plan your week around the days of the week. Cueva Pintada and the visitor centre in Guayadeque are closed on Mondays, the market in Puerto de Mogán is on Fridays, and the market in Teror is on Sundays. On the first weekend of the month, Cueva Pintada is free. Roque Nublo has to be reserved if you’d like to walk up between 9am and 5pm, and the guided tour at Cueva Pintada also needs to be booked in advance.

The weather is sunny in the south for most of the year, while the north coast and Las Palmas are more often under cloud. In the mountains, it can be cold and windy, even when it’s warm enough to swim on the coast, so always bring a jumper. The almond trees in Tejeda blossom around the end of January, and it’s one of the most beautiful times to drive around the mountains.

If you’d like to see the full range, you can see all hotels in Gran Canaria on Booking.com. If you’re not sure which part of the island to stay in, read my guide to where to stay in Gran Canaria before you book.

The post 17 Best Things to Do in Gran Canaria: Sights, Prices & Tips appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Here are the best areas in Gran Canaria

If you’re in a rush, here are the best areas in Gran Canaria and a brief summary of what they offer:

• Maspalomas – best area in Gran Canaria
• Playa del Ingles – best area for nightlife
• Puerto Rico – lovely beach & resort town in a cosy bay
• Arguineguin – best area for families & a calm atmosphere

Click the link above and see the best hotels in each area.

Gran Canaria has been a regular travel destination for many tourists for decades.

In the wintertime, many tourists travel here due to the excellent weather conditions, where you can typically experience a lot of sun and up to 20-25 degrees. 

This is similar to the surrounding islands, such as Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

Most of the holiday areas are located in the southern part of the island, as the weather is simply the best there.

In the summertime (July), there is an average of 24 degrees and 30 rain-free days in the Maspalomas area, which we will get to in the guide below. So Gran Canaria is pretty weather-safe regardless of the season! 

But where to stay in Gran Canaria? I will tell you that in the guide below, where I describe the best places for all the different needs.

1. Maspalomas – best area in Gran Canaria

Yes, I just voted Maspalomas the best area in Gran Canaria.

Maspalomas is also one of the most popular holiday areas in Gran Canaria, so I’m not alone on this. 

Maspalomas is also mentioned on all lists when you read about sights and experiences in Gran Canaria – primarily because of the beautiful sand dunes you find in the extension of the city.

When I was in Gran Canaria for the first time as a child, I was highly fascinated by the sand dunes in Maspalomas. There we were, suddenly standing in a desert with sand from the iconic Sahara desert.

Maspalomas is also a popular holiday area for families with children and couples. There are quiet surroundings, many child-friendly hotels and a very relaxed atmosphere.

See the best hotels in Maspalomas here.

As a side note, Maspalomas is also extremely popular with LGBT+ people, so there are many rainbow colours in the cityscape.

The dunes mentioned above are located down to the water, with several kilometres of sandy beaches nearby. 

Maspalomas is also a relatively large area. For example, you can also easily look for hotels in Meloneras, which is immediately adjacent to Maspalomas.

Places to stay in Maspalomas & Meloneras

Maspalomas town is slightly “uphill” from the sea, while the Meloneras area is next to the ocean. Let me share some of my favourite hotels in both Maspalomas and Meloneras.

I’ve taken quite a liking to this hotel.

Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa is in a class by itself, situated in Meloneras, close to the beach and the famous dunes of Maspalomas.

Besides its impressive spa and wellness centre, the resort offers a fitness centre equipped with modern machines to stay fit during your vacation.

For those who love to swim, there are four large outdoor pools, including a lagoon pool and a massive infinity pool.

Additionally, the hotel has tennis courts, a mini-golf course and offers a wide range of activities and entertainment for both children and adults.

And it’s located just a spit away from the beautiful sandy beach that characterizes the area.

Previous guests particularly highlight the hotel’s facilities as one of the primary reasons to return.

With such a range of first-class facilities, Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa is an obvious choice for those looking for a diverse and luxurious holiday experience.

See more photos and book online.

Hotel Faro is a true gem of luxury, ideally located right by the beach and specially designed for older clientele – it’s an adults-only hotel.

This hotel is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a quiet, romantic, and luxurious experience without the noise and play of children.

The facilities here are really something out of the ordinary. You can expect a high-end spa and wellness area where you can pamper yourself with everything from massages to beauty treatments.

Outside, there is a beautiful pool that almost blends into the sea’s horizon, giving you a sense that you’re close to the ocean even when you’re in the pool.

Previous guests are particularly enthusiastic about the hotel’s exclusive atmosphere, excellent facilities, and close proximity to the beach.

Hotel Faro delivers abundantly if you’re looking for an exquisite adult vacation focused on relaxation and luxury.

See more photos and book here.

Let’s also look at a slightly cheaper hotel in the area.

Caybeach Princess offers a different experience than some of the more luxurious resorts in the area, making it a favourite for many travellers.

Located a bit “up” in the town, this hotel is perfect for exploring local restaurants, bars, and city life.

Here, you’ll find a large outdoor pool, surrounded by sun loungers and umbrellas, and a separate children’s pool—a good match for families or couples looking for relaxation and the option for activity.

There is also a mini-golf course and a small fitness centre for more active guests.

Previous guests often highlight the good value for money and the hotel’s excellent location.

It’s especially popular among travellers who want a base for exploring the surrounding area without sacrificing comfort and necessary facilities.

See more photos and book here.

2. Playa del Ingles – best area for nightlife

In continuation of Maspalomas to the east, we find the area simply named after the beach: Playa del Ingles.

Where Maspalomas is 100% child-friendly and very quiet, there is more activity in the streets of Playa del Ingles. The area is often referred to as the best place to go to on Gran Canaria if you want to party.

But like Ayia Napa in Cyprus and many other destinations also touted as party destinations, these cities are often overlooked for other elements, which make them great.

And the same goes for Playa del Ingles.

See the best hotels in Playa del Ingles here.

I mention the holiday area especially because you can easily travel here, stay in a great hotel and enjoy one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful beaches.

At the same time, you have many restaurants and shopping opportunities, and you can also swing past a bar (or two) in the evening.

However, there will be better areas in Gran Canaria for families with children.

Places to stay in Playa del Ingles

Therefore, my first recommendation for a nice place to stay in Playa del Ingles is one that is adults-only: the extremely luxurious Riu Palace Hotel.

I stayed at one of these adult-only hotels (in Crete) recently with my girlfriend, and it was nice that we could just lie by the pool with a book in silence, whereas a family-friendly hotel might have been more hectic. 

As the picture above shows, this hotel is located right next to the famous sand dunes in the Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles area.

See more photos and book online here.

Corallium Dunamar by Lopesan Hotels is another incredibly luxurious and adults-only hotel.

With a prime location in the heart of Playa del Ingles, just a short walk from the beach, this hotel combines convenience with luxury to capture the essence of Gran Canaria.

The hotel has a unique pyramidal structure, which is aesthetically pleasing and ensures that many rooms have a fantastic sea view.

The hotel also has several pools, one of which is an infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Close to shopping, dining, and nightlife, this hotel is the perfect launchpad for exploring everything that Playa del Ingles offers while still being able to retreat to luxurious comfort.

In short, if you’re after an all-around luxury experience in Playa del Ingles, Corallium Dunamar by Lopesan Hotels is the place for you.

See more photos and book here.

And let’s also look at a more budget-friendly hotel in Playa del Ingles.

Servatur Waikiki is a great place to stay in Gran Canaria for travellers who want to balance price with quality.

The hotel is located in Playa del Ingles, although it’s a bit farther away from the beach than the previously mentioned hotels.

You’ll find everything from tennis courts to a well-equipped fitness centre, making it an ideal choice for the active traveller.

Rooms are modern, clean, and spacious, and the staff is always helpful and welcoming – something you can see if you read reviews from previous guests.

See more photos and book here.

3. Puerto Rico – stay here for the beach & a city in a cosy bay

Puerto Rico is, in many ways, the obvious choice of area when travelling to Gran Canaria – whether as a single person, on a couple’s holiday or travelling with children.

It is a very classic holiday area that is particularly family-friendly.

See the best hotels in Puerto Rico here.

If you have tried travelling to places like Protaras/Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus, Platanias and Agia Marina in Crete and Alcudia in Mallorca, then you also know the atmosphere that also exists in Puerto Rico.

In other words, it may not be in this area that you get the completely authentic Canarian experience, where you only mingle with locals – but that is also otherwise difficult to find anywhere in Gran Canaria.

In Puerto Rico, we have an excellent sandy beach, many restaurants, a shopping centre and many hotels to choose from.

It is a good area for you looking for a holiday town where you only need to think about your commute between the hotel swimming pool, the beach and one of the many restaurants.

Places to stay in Puerto Rico

If I had to choose a hotel in Puerto Rico, I would go for this one.

It is located between Puerto Rico itself and the neighbouring Playa de Amadores, so you have 2 good sandy beaches to choose from

See more photos and book online here.

Continuing, let’s delve into some more hotels in Puerto Rico’s heart.

Marina Suites in Puerto Rico is the epitome of luxury and comfort.

The hotel sits right next to the charming harbour, offering a fabulous view of the bay and the beach. 

Each suite is designed with a sense of elegance and comfort, many featuring balconies with breathtaking ocean views.

The facilities are also top-notch, from the elegant infinity pool to the well-equipped fitness centre and spa area.

See more photos and book here.

Switching gears to a more budget-friendly option in Puerto Rico, Grupotel Revoli is a wonderful place to stay for those looking for quality without breaking the bank. 

Centrally located in the heart of Puerto Rico, the hotel is just a short walk from the beach and downtown. 

One of the hotel’s most popular facilities is its large swimming pool, surrounded by sun loungers and parasols – a perfect place to unwind and swim.

If you’re travelling with kids, Grupotel Revoli is also a hit.

It offers rooms designed to accommodate up to two children, making it an extremely family-friendly lodging option. 

While Grupotel Revoli may not have the luxurious feel that some of the pricier hotels in the area offer, it doesn’t compromise comfort or service. 

The rooms are clean well-furnished, and include basic amenities to ensure a pleasant stay.

See more photos and book here.

4. Arguineguin – best area for families looking for a calm atmosphere

If you are looking for a town on Gran Canaria that is smaller and with a slightly more relaxed pace, then Arguineguin is an excellent choice.

Here we are talking about an old fishing village, which has also experienced a boom in tourism, but in a different way than, for example, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico, which for many decades have lived 100% from tourism.

In Arguineguin, it is quieter, but still plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops.

Se the best hotels in Arguineguin here.

Get an impression of the city here:

So it’s not because you won’t meet other tourists here, but it’s a good choice for those of you who might just want to stay at the hotel, go for a few walks in the city or rent a car and drive to the other areas on day trips.

We stayed here as a family when I was a child one winter, and it was an excellent experience.

Places to stay in Arguineguin

Let’s explore some of the best places to stay in Arguineguin. I’ll start with a resort perfect for those who want to fully relax on their trip to Gran Canaria.

Bull Dorado Beach & Spa in Arguineguin is the obvious choice for those looking to kick back and enjoy their vacation without hassle. 

This all-inclusive hotel ensures you have everything you need from the moment you check-in. All you have to do is relax and enjoy your stay.

The hotel is renowned for its high level of service, comfortable rooms, and top-notch facilities.

And with the all-inclusive concept, you won’t have to worry about daily meals or activities; everything is included in the price.

Bull Dorado Beach & Spa is an effortless and convenient place to stay in Arguineguin, especially for those who desire a hassle-free vacation.

Another vital advantage is the hotel’s spa facilities, where you can indulge in various treatments that make you feel like a new person.

And for those who wish to stay active, there are plenty of options, from the fitness centre to various water sports activities.

See more photos and book here.

Arguineguin Park by Servatur is an excellent choice for families and those wanting comfort and space during their stay. 

The hotel stands out with its large rooms, many of which have their own kitchens. This gives a sense of homey comfort and is incredibly practical, especially if you’re travelling with children.

But fear not if you’d rather skip cooking; the hotel also has restaurants.

The hotel offers a range of activities and facilities that appeal to both adults and children. 

There are swimming pools, playgrounds, and entertainment options to ensure that the younger family members always have something to do, while the adults can enjoy a drink by the pool bar or relax in the hotel’s well-maintained garden areas.

See more photos and book here.

Servatur Green Beach is an excellent place to stay for those looking for a budget-friendly hotel without compromising on location or comfort.

The hotel is beautifully located by the sea, allowing you to enjoy the sound of the waves and the fresh sea breeze from your balcony. 

However, you’ll need to walk a short distance to get to the nearest beach.

Even though the hotel is budget-friendly, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to forego good facilities. 

There is a large swimming pool, a snack bar (and restaurant), and even a small gym if you want to stay active during your vacation.

So, this is a good choice for those who want to be close to the sea and don’t require the luxury that pricier hotels offer but still want a comfortable and pleasant stay in Arguineguin.

See more photos and book here.

I hope you can use this guide to find the best areas of Gran Canaria for you to stay.

I have tried to mention places that could be something for all types of travellers and include my personal experiences.

If you’re looking for classic sightseeing and perhaps don’t want to lie by the pool as much, consider also staying in Las Palmas, the island’s “capital”.

If you are looking for nature experiences, Tejeda in the middle of the island up in the mountains is recommended. For the island’s best sights, from Roque Nublo to Vegueta in Las Palmas, have a look at my guide to the best things to do in Gran Canaria.

Feel free to comment below if you are looking for tips on a specific area that suits your needs.

FAQ:

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