Have you heard of Gran Canaria? If not, here is what you need to know about it, and some reasons to visit this special Spanish island

Where/What Is It?

Gran Canaria is one of Spain’s Canary Islands on the Atlantic Ocean and only about 93 miles away from the coast of Northwestern Africa. While it is called Gran (Grand) Canaria it is actually the third largest and second most populous of the Canary Islands. It has a total area of approximately 602 square miles.

Why Visit?

The Beauty

Gran Canaria is a mountainous island with many beautiful mountain ranges. Among them is the Morro de la Agujereada which has remarkably grown in the last 5 years to now be the tallest mountain on the island. Because of its mountains, it is popular with hikers. The best hiking is between October to March when it is not too hot. Gran Canaria offers far more than mountains, however. Its landscapes are lovely and varied with valleys, gorges,  forests, and beaches with sand dunes as well as mountains. Grand Canaria is a great location for sunsets as well and the sunsets are impressive as you will see below.

The Cave Dwellings

Cave dwellings were discovered on Gran Canaria in the 15th century. Some of these cave dwellings are believed to date back to as far as 2,500 years ago. You can visit the remains of cave dwellings here including the impressive Valeron Monastery that has 8 levels.

The History

Christopher Columbus stopped in Gran Canaria en route during his first visit to the Americas. There are some historic churches and monuments that are worth visiting including the Cathedral de Santa Ana de Canarias built in the 16th century and considered one of the most important examples of religious architecture on the Canary Islands.

It is LGBT Friendly

Like the rest of Spain such as Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza and Sitges, Gran Canaria doesn’t care whom you love. The Canary Islands being far from Spain’s mainland were long considered a destination of greater tolerance. It is no wonder that they have long been a popular destination for the LGBT community.

The Beaches

Gran Canaria is known for its beaches some of which are black lava and other of which are white sand.  Two of the most popular beaches are Maspalomas (with its stunning sand dunes) and Playa Des Ingles both of which are destinations for LGBT beachgoers. Others include Mogan and Puerto Rico. There are other quieter but equally attractive beaches such as Pacito Bea and San Agustin. There are many water sport options at its beaches also. These options include jet skiing, windsurfing, sailing and parasailing. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular options.

The Weather

Whereas other portions of Spain not to mention the rest of Europe are not warm beach destinations during the winter, Gran Canaria makes a great year-round beach destination. It his warm to hot throughout the year. the average daily temperature during the winter is 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit.  It  boasts 320 days of sunshine

It’s Charming Capital

Las Palmas, the island’s Capital  on the northern part of the island was founded on June 24, 1478. It was at Las Palmas’ port that Columbus anchored (and spent some time on the island) while he was making his first trip to the Americas in 1492. You can learn more about Columbus, his era, and his discoveries at the City’s Casa de Colon Museum.  Las Palmas is a charming city with cafes, pleasant streets and duty-free shopping as well as sandy beaches. It is a major cruise port.

The Nightlife

At night, the island  does not shut down early and offers many options for partying the night away. The Yumbo Center in Playa Des Ingles which opened in 1982 and bills itself as the world’s first LGBT shopping center is a hub for nightlife particularly LGBT but mainstream as well (not to mention shopping). There are at least 25 different bars/clubs there to satisfy all tastes including Mykonos, Sparkles Showcase, Spartacus and the Mantrix Disco for the LGBT community. The Eiffel Bar and a few others at Yumbo attract a more mainstream crowd. Other top mainstream nightlife options include the nearby Tipsy Hammock, and Aqua Ocean Club in Las Palmas.

The Range of Accommodations

It  offers a wide range of hotel/resort options and vacation rentals to satisfy the tastes and budgets of most.

Like to learn more about Gran Canaria or book a trip there? Let us know.

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