What to do in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is the island of three landscapes: beaches and springs in the south, mountains and pine trees in the center, and towns with history in the north. In this guide we organize the plans by area and by type of trip: beach, nature, towns, families and parties. The perfect base to plan your vacation in Gran Canaria.
In this guide
The best beaches of the south
The south of Gran Canaria is the king of the sun: golden sand in Maspalomas and Amadores, natural dunes, black volcanic coves and calm waters along the entire coast of Mogán. These are some of the beaches in the municipality of Mogán, each one in its own file:
Playa del Cura
Beach in the municipality of Mogán. Consult the official file to find out about access, services and bathing conditions
Playa de Los Frailes
Isolated natural beach of about 260 m, with dark sand and gravel and access only by sea. Check the conditions before goi…
Playa de Los Secos
Secluded natural beach of about 370 m; The type of shore varies with the tide and access is by unpaved track. Check acce…
Playa de Medio Almud
Isolated beach of about 170 m, with dark sand and bowls and access only by sea. Check the access and sea conditions befo…
Playa de Mogán
Urban beach of about 209 m, with golden sand and calm waters, with services. Consult Mogán Tourism to find out the stat…
Playa del Perchel de Mogán
Isolated beach of about 170 m, with dark sand and bowls and access only by sea. Check the access and sea conditions befo…
Playa de Puerto Rico
284 m urban beach, with calm waters, with restaurants and water sports. It has services; consult Mogán Tourism for the…
Playa de Taurito
Beach of about 160 m of dark sand. The tourist portal warns of waves and currents: always pay attention to local signs a…
Playa de Tauro
Beach of about 440 m with sand, gravel and bowls. Consult Mogán Tourism about access and state of the sea before going.
Playa de Tiritaña
Isolated beach of about 86 m of dark sand and intermediate access. Check access and sea conditions before visiting.
Maspalomas Dunes
Nature reserve of wind-carved sand dunes next to the lighthouse. Perfect for a walk at dusk and watching the sun set over the Atlantic.
See south guide →Amadores Beach
Bay of white sand and green waters, the most postcard-perfect in the southwest along with Puerto de Mogán. Beach bars and loungers facing the sea.
Mogán beaches →Puerto de Mogan
The "Canary Venice": beach in the marina of a town of low houses with flowers, canals and a fishing port. Hundreds of restaurants by the water.
Leisure in Mogán →⛰️ Nature and hiking
Roque Nublo (1,813 m)
The symbol of the island: a volcanic mass on the summit, visible from the south. The round trip trail is easy (about 40 minutes) and the views are incredible.
Snow Peak (1,949 m)
The highest point in Gran Canaria. Final stretch by car and viewpoint at sunrise or sunset. On clear days you can see Tenerife and Mount Teide.
Guayadeque and Tamadaba ravine
Ravines with small troglodyte villages, viewpoints and pine forests. Trails of all levels less than an hour from the south.
🏘️ Charming villages
Terror
With its Basilica of the Virgen del Pino, houses with Canarian balconies and the September Pilgrimage. It is the most beautiful town in the north.
Arucas
Neo-Gothic church that looks like a cathedral, gardens and the rum museum of the best-known distillery on the island. 25 minutes from Las Palmas.
Agüimes
Recovered historic center with artisans, wineries and squares; next to the Guayadeque ravine. A trip to the interior typical of the south-east.
Arguineguin
The most authentic fishing village in the south: fishing port, urban beach and the best fresh fish on the island. The foundation we recommend on this site.
Arguineguín guide →🎡 Plans for families and adventure
Dolphins and whale watching
Boat trips from Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán to see dolphins and whales in the wild. The plans most in demand by families.
See events and plans →Islands parks
Aqualand and Palmitos Park in the south, Sioux City and adventure parks. There is an offer for a couple of days of the trip, especially with children.
Water sports
Kayak, paddle surf, diving and snorkeling along the entire coast of Mogán. The southwestern sea is usually calm almost all year round.
Plans in Arguineguín →Nights and leisure
Meloneras and Playa del Inglés
Walks with views of the lighthouse, beach bars and the area with the most nightlife on the island. About 30 minutes from Arguineguín.
Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán
Marinas with terraces, live music and waterside dining. The quiet alternative to the Maspalomas march.
🏛️ Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The capital is 35-40 minutes from the south. Vegueta, the historic neighborhood, the Cathedral of Santa Ana, the Casa de Colón, the market and the Las Canteras promenade (the best urban beach on the island) are worth a full day. Combine it with a return trip through Teror and Arucas.
How to organize your vacation
Choose a base in the south: Arguineguín (town and fishing), Puerto Rico (hotels and beach), Maspalomas (dunes and walking). Hotel guide in Arguineguín and Mogán →
Rental car is best; otherwise, buses from the south (lines 50, 66, 91). GC-1 connects south and capital in 45 minutes.
Fresh fish in Arguineguín, beach bars and menu of the day between €10-15. Restaurant guide →
4-5 days: beaches and south. 7-10 days: add center, north and Las Palmas. There are always plans: check the agenda.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in the south of Gran Canaria?
The south concentrates the best beaches on the island: Maspalomas dunes, Playa del Inglés, Amadores, Puerto de Mogán, Anfi del Mar and the urban beach of Arguineguín. There are also dolphin excursions, marinas and a wide range of beach bars and nightlife.
What is the best beach in the south of Gran Canaria for families?
The dunes of Maspalomas and the beaches of the municipality of Mogán (Anfi del Mar, Amadores and Puerto de Mogán) have sand and calm waters, lifeguards in summer and services nearby. Arguineguín and Patalavaca are the quietest for bathing without crowds.
How many days do I need to see Gran Canaria?
With 4-5 days you can combine southern beaches with a route through the center (Roque Nublo, Pico de las Nieves) and Las Palmas. With 7-10 days you have time to visit the north (Teror, Arucas) and the inland towns without stress.
What is the best time to visit Gran Canaria?
The climate is mild all year round (20-28 °C on the coast). Spring and autumn are ideal for uncrowded beaches and hiking. Summer is the high season with the most atmosphere; Winter is perfect to escape the cold of northern Europe.
How do I get to the Maspalomas dunes from Arguineguín?
The Maspalomas dunes are about 25-30 minutes by car along the GC-1 heading south. By bus (lines 50 and 66) from Arguineguín you arrive in about 35-45 minutes.
What to see in the north of Gran Canaria?
Teror, with its basilica and the September Pilgrimage; Arucas, with its neo-Gothic church and rum museum; and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria itself with the historic neighborhood of Vegueta, the Cathedral and the Botanical Garden.
What popular hiking trails are in Gran Canaria?
The path to Roque Nublo (1,813 m), Pico de las Nieves (1,949 m, the highest point on the island), the Guayadeque ravine and the routes of the Tamadaba massif. All are accessible by car to nearby points.
Is it a good idea to rent a car in Gran Canaria?
Yes: the island can be visited in 1-2 hours from end to end and car rental is the most comfortable way to combine beach, mountains and towns. The southern highways (GC-1) are well signposted and the capitals are 35-45 minutes away.
What to do with children in Gran Canaria?
Amadores and Anfi for quiet beach, Palmitos Park and Aqualand in the south, and boat ride to see dolphins. Las Palmas has the Poema del Mar and Vegueta aquarium for culture.
Where to stay in Gran Canaria for the first time?
South (Arguineguín/Maspalomas) for beach and sun; Las Palmas for city and culture. Many combine 3 nights in the south and 2 in Las Palmas.
Is Gran Canaria safe for tourists?
Yes, it is one of the safest destinations in Europe. Normal city precautions: take care of your cell phone in crowded areas and do not leave objects in the car in plain sight.
Can you go hiking without a car?
For Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves you need a car or excursion. In the south there are buses to the beaches and markets. For the center, the ideal is a car or guided tour.
This Gran Canaria guide is updated with the plans, events and places published by the Arguineguín.com community. Is something missing? Publish it for free.