Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria (Gran Canary)

Once a volcanic island, one of the 7 Canary Islands, just among three continents; Europe, Africa, and America in the Atlantic Ocean, Gran Canary is a unique island. 

The transparency and the color of the ocean, the forests, the caves, the mountains, and maybe the most important thing: "the temperature" is awesome. A unique island with a stable temperature. The yearly average is 25C. Thus, you can swim almost all around the year. On a cold November day in Europe, it can be a good place to get a sunbath and swim.

Gran Canaria is the central island with the most beautiful beaches. TherBesides the natural beauties,  get ready to be surprised with the very cheap tropical fruits (papaya mango avocado), gems, and aloe vera products. 

There is a big difference between the north and south in terms of beaches and their weather conditions. South is always sunny and warm almost all the time a while the north part is sometimes cloudy and cooler than the south. The inner parts of the island are more rainy and cloudy. The water temperature varies between 18C in winter and 22C-25C in the rest of the year. Also, the transparency of the water is a bit different between south and north, the quality of the sand, as well. In some parts as soon as you get into the ocean you see variates of fishes and plants. Because of this, there are so many underwater photo exhibitions and courses for a short period of days. Besides that, diving and snorkel diving courses are available.

The southern part is more popular among tourists while the north is more for native people. The distance between Palma de Gran Canaria (Palma de GC) which is at the north & also the capital city, and Maspalomas which is the most famous city in the south is 60 kilometers. The famous beach at the south is 10 km away from Maspalomas, called Playa de Ingles while the most famous beach at the north is called Playa de Canteras.

Right behind the Playas de Ingles, there is a wide area full of sand (dunes) called Las Dunas de Maspalomas.

There are even touristic camel trips in this area. Depending on your taste you may prefer to experience walking in that area or ride to a camel.

Life in Gran Canary follows a slow rhythm so as soon as you step into the city you feel the rhythm and feel an obligation for the adaptation :) Therefore it is a great place to relax.

Another interesting thing is the cultural mixture. You can see Arabs as much as Africans as well as the tourists which are mainly German and English, beside the native people.

The capital city of Las Palmas is also popular among tourists with the cathedral and the old town (El barrio de Vegueta) and shopping zones.

Shopping specially at the north part is pretty cheap (do not forget to bargain). Between north and south, the bus number 30 is functioning which takes an hour for a reasonable price. The same bus passes from the Airport of Gran Canary too.  Also in order to go to the Palma de GC from the airport take bus number 60.

Some main museums are,

Casa de Colon, Colon, 1, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tel: 928 312 373/312 384.

El Museo Canario, C/Dr. Verneau, 2 (Vegueta), 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Tel: 928 336800

CAAM, C/Los Balcones, 11. 35001 las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Tel: 902 31 18 24.

Cathedral De Santa Ana & Museo Diocesano, Calle Obispo Codina 13, Las Palmas. Tel: 928 33 14 30.

  

 Pueblo de Mogan, once a little fishing village, is a great place to watch the sundown. The village today is called Little Venice.

Enjoy living inside of nature. Enjoy Gran Canary!

Gran Canaria is also a heaven for trekking lovers; there are many hiking paths through nature. The highest point of the Island is Pozo de Las Nieves, a peak standing at 6431 feet above sea level.

PS: Renting car is a useful way of travelling, however if you prefer to the travel from city to city by bus, be careful about the bus hours, they have special timetables for each day.