The best things to do in Gran Canaria

What is it? A booze cruise in a Turkish gulet.

Why go? Use your resort as a base to explore the rest of the island rather than a destination. One way of doing so is by sailing into the chartered waters off the southwest’s Puerto Rico. Canary Boat Trips offers leisurely voyages in which you can sample the traditional Canarian cuisine. Feast on the classic papas arrugadas y mojo (new potatoes wrinkled by being boiled in salty water with a piquant sauce) washed down with beer, cava, and wine.

Address: The Aphrodite sails from the Puerto Rico port, located at Torre de control, Cl. la Corriente, 29, Puerto de Mogán, 35138, Gran Canaria.

Hours: Open daily from 10am to 3pm

Price:  €67 per adult, and €35 for ages two to 12

What is it? A vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Gran Canaria’s highest village, Artenara.

Why go? The municipality of Artenara prides itself on being the ‘Cumbre de la Naturaleza,’ or nature’s summit. Everything served by owners, Neus and Sergio, at Biocrepería Risco Caido uses locally-sourced ingredients. Taste the freshness of the seasonal Spanish produce in their soups, crepes, and meat-free burgers. 

Address: Avenida Matías Vega, 13, Artenara, 35350, Gran Canaria

Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 4.30pm

What is it? The last remaining portion of the laurel forest that once covered a large swathe of the island.

Why go? Los Tilos de Moya is a ramble-friendly hikeable area within the greater Parque Natural de Doramas. Named in honour of the Canarii leader, Doramas, who suffered a treacherous death after winning a duel with a member of the invading Castilian armies (plot twist), this green and pleasant land was his manor. 

Address: Camino los Tiles, 15, Moya, 35421, Gran Canaria

Hours: The visitor centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm. Reserve is open 24 hours daily.

Price: Free entry

What is it? Gran Canaria’s only aquarium, and the island capital's greatest tourist attraction.

Why go? It's like watching a live recording of Blue Planet, especially as you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the Asian sheepshead wrasse, the gender-switching fish that appeared on the show. Poema del Mar takes its name from the series of paintings made by arch symbolist Néstor Martín-Fernandez de la Torre between 1913 and 1924 which you can view in their original form in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s Museo Néstor. There’s also a graffiti version in the street art which lines the Paseo de las Canteras, the promenade above the city’s major beach.

Address: Avenida de Los Consignatarios, s/n, 35008, Gran Canaria

Hours: Open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm

Price: €29 per adult, €19 for ages three to 11 

What is it? Stylish seafood restaurant in under-the-radar Arinaga.

Why go? Avoid the tourist traps of the southern resorts and head to local fave, Arinaga. You’ll find Restaurante Nelson easily enough in a stroll along the promenade. Order signature dish sama al horno al estilo Canario. It’s Canarian-style oven-baked red sea bream.

Address: Avenida Polizón, 47, Arinaga, 35118, Gran Canaria

Hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 1pm to 10.30pm, Sunday from 1pm to 5.30pm, closed Monday and Tuesday

Price: €2.30 to €34 for starters, €13.50 to €190 for mains, €3.40 to €9.50 for dessert

What is it? Scenic vineyard in the heart of the island.

Why go? Tejeda in the centre of Gran Canaria resembles one of Andalucia’s celebrated pueblos blancos. It’s rural Gran Canaria at its most Instagrammable. The views are unbeatable at Bodegas Bentayga, including the dramatic Caldera de Tejeda and Roque Bentayga. As are the wines, volcanic by nature meaning they offer an explosion for your taste buds to detonate.

Address: Bodegas Bentayga, Cuevas Caídas, 35360, Gran Canaria

Hours: Visits are available from Monday to Saturday by booking only. Took book, visit the official website here. 

Price: €25 per person

What is it? A Gáldar archaeological park and museum that transports you to pre-Spanish Gran Canaria.

Why go? Cueva Pintada’s very much a work in progress as archaeologists continue to dig around the Painted Cave. An interactive video introduces you to Arminda’s world, a Canarii princess, daughter of the island Támaran’s last king. The Canarii were goatskin-wearing Berber descendants, and Támaran was what they called Gran Canaria. After the fifteenth-century Castilian conquest, Arminda would be enslaved before being christened and reborn as noblewoman, Catalina de Guzman.

Address: C. Audiencia, 2, Gáldar, 35460, Gran Canaria

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, Sunday from 11am to 6pm, closed Sunday 

Price: €6 for adults, free for ages under 18

What is it? A guided tour of the island by helicopter.

Why go? Gran Canaria boasts some dramatic scenery. For a panoramic vista, it’s best viewed from above. Helidream Sky Experience offers a range of packages. Starting off with one flying over the south coast of the island and going up to one hovering above the iconic Roque Nublo (Clouded Rock) in the heart of Gran Canaria and beyond.

Address: Helipuerto, Adeje, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38679, Gran Canaria 

For more information, visit Helidream's official website here.

What is it? The fantastic Atlantic isn’t Gran Canaria’s only water feature, as you’ll discover at the island’s dramatic dams such as Presa de los Pérez

Why go? Part of Las Palmas Province’s drier islands such as Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, Gran Canaria doesn’t do lakes. But its artificial varieties are more than a match for the likes of Windermere in the UK or Lake Garda in Italy. Take a picnic to enjoy at a dam reached via driving through the northwest of the island’s San Isidro and Pinos de Gáldar. It’s a stunning pine forest whose elevated location offers a chance to see waterfalls of clouds above the sea.

Address: GC-217, 70, Artenara, 35350, Gran Canaria 

Hours: Open 24 hours daily 

Price: Free entry

What is it? An artisan cheesery in Gáldar run by Gran Canaria natives, Cristóbal Moreno Díaz and Benedicata Ojeda Almeida.

Why go? While queso de flor (flower cheese) is a speciality of the neighbouring municipality of Santa María de Guía, this Galdar pair of cheesemakers have perfected the process. They regularly win awards for their nine varieties. Flower cheese derives its appellation from the juice of an artichoke thistle replacing rennet as the curdler of goats’ milk.

Address: Calle Lomo la Mareta, 3, San José de Caideros, 35468, Gran Canaria 

Hours: Open daily from 9am to 5pm

What is it? A picturesque picnic area in Gran Canaria’s Cider Country.

Why go? Dry Valley doesn’t tend to get too wet. Making it a great place to eat out(side). In the unlikely event of rain stopping play, take cover under the chestnut trials. You need to book a place in advance at Laguna de Valleseco, which is also a lovely spot for a bike ride.

Address: Lugar la Hoya, 118, Teror, 35339, Gran Canaria

Hours: Open daily from 10am to 6.30 pm

Price: €1.50 per person

What is it? Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s take on the likes of London’s Borough Market.

Why go? This fruit, veg, meat, fish and seafood market dates back to the late nineteenth-century, with long-time stalls that have served locals through the years. Eat your way around the world at the likes of Mexico’s Ay Carmela LPA and Italy’s Cachúk, or sip on some creative cocktails at DO Mercado.

Address: Mercado del Puerto, C. Albareda, 76, 35008, Gran Canaria

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 7am to midnight, Sunday from noon to 5pm, and Monday from 7am to 5pm

Price: Cost varies by vendor