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In the Northern Atlantic Ocean, Gran Canaria is a Spanish island. This place is well-known for its white-sand beaches and black lava cliffs. There are more than 80 golden beaches in Gran Canaria for visitors who want to enjoy a sun-soaked vacation in Spain. As one of the most popular Canary Islands attractions, you'll still find pristine landscapes and unique fauna in the area. Protected areas cover over half of the island and include six nature reserves, two national parks, and 10 wildlife sites.

Playa del Ingles | Click by Jose A. from Flickr

Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico, as well as the more tranquil Puerto de Mogán and San Agustn, are among the island's busier southern beaches. It is a popular port of call for cruise ships and duty-free shoppers alike in the north, where the capital city of Las Palmas sits. The core of the island is primarily agricultural and rugged in nature. Las Palmas becomes truly vibrant with its annual carnival in February when the streets are packed with live music and dance by performers in flamboyant costumes.

Puerto de Mogan | Click by Jose A. from Flickr

BEST TIME TO VISIT GRAN CANARIA

Gran Canaria is most enjoyable in the summer when temperatures soar and the skies are clear and blue. Located approximately 150 kilometers off North Africa's west coast, the island has a year-round environment of extreme heat and dryness. Gran Canaria's center is dominated by high mountains, which shield the south of the island from strong northeasterly winds. At the foothills of the mountains, the weather is somewhat warmer, but as you ascend the slopes, it becomes cooler and wetter. The hottest months of the year are from June to September, when the temperature reaches 28°C. Winter is the greatest season to visit Gran Canaria because of the milder temperatures. Warm winds from over the Sahara Desert bring temperatures in the mid-twenties for December. The Canary Current aids in maintaining a comfortable and warm environment without being oppressively hot. The water seldom gets colder than 22 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the middle of winter.

Click by Juan Emilio from Flickr

Las Canteras

The beach in Las Canteras merits its own mention because it's one of those classic locations that you see in a lot of images. Spend the day here with the numerous capital inhabitants that come here, especially during the summer months. Playa Las Canteras is often regarded as the greatest urban beach in Spain, and it is one of the favorite spots in Madrid.

Click by Magic K from Pexels

Roque Nublo

Roque Nublo is a favorite Instagram location because of the stunning 360-degree vistas it offers. There's an 80-meter high rock in the middle of Gran Canaria, which isn't the highest point on the island but isn't too far away either. While the UNESCO-protected rock trek is relatively short and well-marked, visitors are advised to carry lots of water with them. It's possible to see a lot of constellations if you're ready to make the trip after hours of darkness.

Click by El Coleccionista de Instante from Flickr

Pozo Izquierdo

Gran Canaria's east coast is a water sports enthusiast's dream come true because of the island's ideal mix of wind and waves. During the month of July, Pozo Izquierdo is the ideal location to practice the most popular water activity of windsurfing: Surfing, scuba diving, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding are just a few of the activities available in the region. People of all skill levels are welcome, so why not give it a try?

Click by Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz from Pexels

Vegueta

Vegueta is an ancient town at the southern end of Las Palmas and a fantastic place to explore Gran Canaria’s past. The cobbled streets are lined with beautiful buildings from a mix of different time periods. The Cathedral of Santa Ana is the area’s focal point and has a striking neo-Gothic design. Meanwhile, the Casa de Colón – where Christopher Columbus is said to have stayed in 1492 – clearly dates from the Renaissance era. This old part of town is also home to some excellent traditional tapas restaurants, as well as a recommendable hotel offering.

Click by Zemedia from Flickr

Pueblo Canario

The Gran Canarian culture may be found in Pueblo Canario, which is like a theme park. Doramas Park in Las Palmas has a historic district at the southern end where you may hear and smell local music and delicacies. The city's main square is flanked by some of the city's best restaurants and a few museums, where you may buy unique gifts. On Thursdays and Sundays at 11.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., you'll watch people in traditional clothing performing traditional dances. The village is open every day except Mondays.

Click by Jose Mesa from Flickr

Calle Triana

Calle Triana and the streets around it are the best places to go shopping in Gran Canaria. High street brands like H&M, Zara, and the United Colors of Benetton may be found in the pedestrianized section of Vegueta's historic neighborhood. In addition, there are a number of Spanish brands and stores to peruse. Every month's first Sunday is a unique "shopping party," complete with street booths and entertainment. If you're in town for a shopping binge, make sure to check out the hotels around Calle Triana beforehand.

Click by Victor R Ruiz from Flickr

Cenobio de Valeron

Cenobio de Valeron is a fascinating attraction that depicts how Gaunches, Gran Canaria's ancient inhabitants, used to live. It is made up of around 350 caverns that were used to store food such as grains and seeds. Every week, it is open from Tuesday - Sunday.

Click by dmytrok from Flickr

Arguineguin

Arguineguin is a small village with great beaches, a port, and delicious seafood restaurants. Further west is Puerto Rico, a huge holiday resort with a nice sandy beach although it's not big enough to accommodate all of the tourists, and Puerto de Mogan, called “Venice of the Canaries”, another overcrowded tourist destination with a fishing port and yacht harbor.

Click by Media Lens King from Pexels

Maspalomas

Maspalomas is the largest town on Gran Canaria's southern shore, yet much of it is arid. The dynamic dune system protects 400 hectares of land, stretching from the well-known Playa de Maspalomas in the west to the even more well-known Playa del Inglés in the east. There are some of the top hotels on the island located in and around Maspalomas. You must appreciate the delicate ecology of the dunes by only going on the paths that have been properly marked. Adding a camel ride to your itinerary will amp up the adventure factor.

Click by Claudia Almeida from Flickr

Teror

Teror is a little town with a lovely church and a lot of colorful traditional residences. Itis also famous for its sausage, Chorizo de Teror, which we highly recommend you try while you're there.