Museums, theatre, music, fun, sports and a richly
varied cuisine make up the many pleasures of Gran Canaria.
The wide range of cultural and leisure activities
and a well established tourist service make the Island of Gran Canaria
the obvious choice. Located between Tenerife and Fuerteventura in
the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, Gran Canaria covers
an almost circular area of 1,560 square kilometres.
The centre of the Island is a mountainous massif
crowned by Las Nieves peak (1,949 metres). The southern part is
made up of sandy coastal flats like Maspalomas. The north is rugged
with cliffs like Farroque and Anden Verde that rise up to 1,000
metres. The climate is sub-tropical oceanic with an average annual
temperature of 20º C.
Magnificent enclaves that are characteristic of a continent
in miniature.
The Santa Ana Square, Las Palmas
The Castillian Captain General, Juan Rejón,
founded the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in 1478. This is
a big city where life is intense by day or night. Museums, theatre,
music, fun, sports and richly varied cuisine make up its many pleasures,
complemented by the chance to relax on Las Canteras beach in the
very heart of the city. The Canary Island Music Festival and the
Opera Festival, both classical music events of international acclaim,
also broaden its cultural life..
Its privileged location on the northeast tip of
the Island has made it a crossroads and stopover for people from
all over the world. It is the seventh largest city in Spain in population
and the largest city in the Canary Island archipelago. Apart from
its administrative, cultural and educational functions (with its
own university), it is also the largest commercial centre both locally
and for international trade. There's also much to be seen: the old
quarter of Vegueta (where Santa Ana Cathedral is situated), the
Casa de Colón, the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, the CAAM (The
Atlantic Modern Art Centre), and the Science and Technology Museum.
The Islanders have made the most of the potential
of Gran Canaria. In the tourist resorts of the south, the extensive
Maspalomas coast has many leisure facilities: water parks, woodlands
with exotic birds flying free, underwater spectacles, yacht marinas,
golf courses, etc. A few kilometres away, is the other face of Gran
Canaria - small towns and villages that have conserved their history.
Some of the most beautiful of these towns are Arucas with its popular
cathedral that lifts its Gothic spires to the sky; Telde with its
labyrinth of steep alley ways; Mogan with its white buildings amidst
the bright coloured flowers; and Teror, a pilgrimage town with its
beautiful cathedral.
In the countryside, you must try walking the 'caminos
reales' used in centuries gone by to travel by foot or on horseback.
They also allow visitors the chance to discover some lesser known
spots on the Island.
Mother Nature has been generous to Gran Canaria, giving
her a great diversity of landscape from the interior down to the
coast.
Maspalomas Dunes
Apart from its magnificent beaches, constant sunshine
and varied scenery, Gran Canaria gives you the chance to try outdoor
sports at any time of year: golf, tennis, swimming, volleyball and
of course, water sports like diving, surfing, windsurfing. Poza
Izquierdo is considered one of the best places for surfers. As well,
a growing number of international regattas choose our marinas every
year as the starting point for their competitions.
Special thanks to The Consejería de Turismo y Transportes del Gobierno de Canarias
