G U I D E T O

INSIDER GUIDE TO GRAN CANARIA

Gran Canaria

Gran CanariaPicture Gran Canaria. Are you walking on the golden sands of the beach at Las Canteras? Sipping a glass of wine from the vineyards in Monte Lentiscal? Perhaps you’re playing a round of golf on a pristine course or scaling the dizzying heights of a mountain…Wherever your mind wanders to when you picture Gran Canaria, welcome to our mini destination guide to this sun-drenched island.

One of seven islands that form the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is a dramatic blend of sweeping sand dunes, golden beaches, and volcanic landscapes. Here, not only will you find spectacular 15th century architecture and pristine golf courses, but dazzling forests filled with flora and fauna, giving this intriguing island its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As often nicknamed, Gran Canaria is a ‘continent in miniature’, and there’s so much waiting for you to discover on this 30-mile long island.

Population: ca. 857, 000

Capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

National Anthem: Himno de Canarias (Anthem of the Canary Islands)

Currency: Euro

Official Language: Spanish

Average Monthly Temperature: Gran Canaria Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

21° 21°21° 23° 23° 23° 27° 27° 27° 26° 26° 26°

ClimateGran Canaria has a mild climate all year round, thanks to the Trade Winds, and has an annual average temperature of 24 degrees C (75 degrees F). The sea is around 18 degrees C (64 degrees F) in winter and 22 degrees C (72 degrees F), during the rest of the year. Between December and February the weather could be less stable.

Interesting facts...

The Canary Islands are named after the breed of dogs found on the islands, with Gran

Canaria named after the large dogs found there (canis is Latin for dog)

Coffee is grown on Gran Canaria! Agaete, in the north west, is the only place in Europe to grow coffee. The beans cultivated are Coffea arabica and it’s a tradition that dates back to

the 1800s

Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo is the largest botanical garden in Spain. There are more than 2,000 plant species to explore!

Almost half of the landscape of Gran Canaria is protected by UNESCO

as a Biosphere Reserve

Of the 87 species of whales and dolphins in existence, 29 can be found in Gran Canaria!

The Castle of La Luz, in Las Palmas, is the oldest defence fortress in the Canary Islands.

It was built at the end of the 15th Century

Maspalomas DunesPerhaps the most famous of Gran Canaria’s beaches, the dazzling white dunes of Maspalomas lie in the south of the island. Often called the best beach, Maspalomas is a stretch of almost 4 miles (6kms) of sparkling sand dunes sitting within a protected nature area with a natural lagoon and a thousand-year-old palm grove. A lighthouse marks the southernmost point of Gran Canaria.“Maspalomas is famous for its abundance of sand dunes and beautiful beach. The whole area of Maspalomas and neighbouring Meloneras have been built in recent years, which give the area a modern and upmarket feel with a number of excellent hotels and shopping areas. There is a 3km promenade which runs from the lighthouse in Maspalomas along past the hotels which is great for a stroll - or run if you are feeling energetic!” Travel Counsellor Mark

Coffee in Agaete Love coffee? Don’t miss a trip to the north to sample an aromatic cup of freshly brewed arabica. This famous coffee bean might be native to the tropical regions but coffee has been grown here since the 1800s.

“We visited the only coffee plantation in Europe, the family owned Finca La Laja in Agaete, which is close to the coast in the North West of the island. Stunning location, lovely friendly family, and well worth a visit to sample their wines and enjoy a cup of their wonderful coffee.” Travel Counsellor Graham

Las Palmas de Gran CanariaIn the capital of Gran Canaria, some of the spots you’ll find are a charming old town, beautiful plazas made for whiling away the hours, and a dazzling beach.

The historical centre, Vegueta, is home to spectacular buildings from the 16th century, museums, and the avant-garde art gallery, Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderna. And the city beach offers almost 2 miles of golden sandy shores, with a natural volcanic reef, which creates tranquil waters.“Steeped in history going back centuries to

Our 5 Favourite SightsWondering what there is to see and do on Gran Canaria? Mountains, golden sand dunes, and a coffee plantation await!

the days of Christopher Columbus, old quarter is built with cobbled streets and stunning colonial architecture, giving it a fascinating charm despite the more modern amenities also available for tourists, with a number of beautiful hotels, restaurants and countless shopping streets. On top of this, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has one of the most glorious beaches I have witnessed in a long time right on its doorstep, Las Canteras beach is a visual treat with golden sands and blue waters.” Travel Counsellor Ian

Roque Nublo, Parque Rural del NubloNestled in the Nublo Rural Park (Parque Rural del Nublo) is the incredible landmark, Roque Nublo. Almost marking the geographical centre of the island, this towering volcanic rock lies 1,813 meters above sea level. Parque Rural del Nublo is part of the UNESCO World Reserve of the Gran Canaria Biosphere and it’s a breathtaking area of pine forests, cliffs, and wildlife. A hike to the base of Roque Nublo is well worth it, for the breathtaking views and dramatic, rugged landscape. “The mountain area is stunning, but the roads

are not for the faint hearted! If you like hiking it’s perfect; we explored the Roque Nublo and the Pico de Las Nieves and the lovely little village of La Atalaya with its cave homes.” Travel Counsellor Sue

Puerto de MogánA delightful, picture-perfect spot with a stylish marina, Puerto Mogán lies around 15 min via motoway from Maspalomas-Meloneras area. You’ll find colourful subtropical plants, pretty beaches and lots of bars and restaurants here, so it’s worth making the trip. And if you’re hoping to explore the beaches and charming port towns along the southern coast, hop onto the Blue Bird water taxi.

“[On a boat trip] we docked at the beautiful fishing village of Puerto de Mogán, which is called Little Venice due to the small arches and canals found around the port area. The fishing village has some lovely building draped with beautiful flowering bougainvillea.” Travel Counsellor Mark

Our 5 Favourite Sights

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Try something a little different...

Walk your way around the islandLace up those hiking boots, pack up your day pack and explore the dramatic landscapes of Gran Canaria on foot. From pine forests to palm trees, sand dunes to rugged cliffs, the terrain is spectacular. And there’s something for everyone, whether you’re used to the great outdoors or are hoping for more of an amble through the countryside. You can book onto hiking tours so there’s no need to worry about getting lost!

Marvel at the plants in Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo With over 2,000 species of plant, Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo is the largest botanical garden in Spain. The garden is the creation of Swede Eric Sventenius and it’s a collection of all of the plants across the Canary Islands, so you can discover the exotic flowers and plants that inhabit the archipelago.

Visit a perfectly formed volcanic crater The enormous crater of Bandama might be only 20 minutes away from vibrant Las Palmas de Gran Canaria but the scenery could not be more different. Caldera de Bandama is 1,000 metres in diameter and 200 metres deep and it’s a spectacular sight. Picture a huge, rocky crater dotted with clusters of eucalyptus, palm and orange trees, and incredible, sheer cliffs. You can head to the observation deck on the Pico de Bandama for views across the sweeping landscape or you can also hike down into the crater. Keep an eye out on your journey down for the rock carvings inside the caves. They were created by ancient inhabitants of Gran Canaria.

Venture under the sea to a marine reserveNamed as one of the best scuba diving spots in Gran Canaria and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the marine reserve of El Cabrón offers an exciting underwater world of caves, caverns, and fish. The volcanic landscape means you can dive past all sorts of intriguing rock formations, with a 23-metre drop-off creating the reef front that is home to red mullet, sea bream and many more species.

Prefer to snorkel? The glistening waters are protected by two rock headlands, so it’s perfect for anyone who loves to snorkel, too.

Taste

Sancocho This local specialty dish consists of salted fish, sweet potatoes and mojo (a sauce made with red peppers and herbs), and is usually accompanied by papas arrugadas, small, salted jacket potatoes.

What tasty morsels can you expect from a visit to Gran Canaria? From freshly caught seafood to mouthwatering tapas to the Canary Banana (a golden banana with brown spots on the skin), there are plenty of dishes to delight foodies.Here are a few specialties we think you should try...

CheeseFrom goat’s cheese to cheese made using sheep’s milk, the variety of cheeses on this little island will delight foodies. One of the most famous cheeses is Queso de Flor de Guía, which, at one time, was only available in Santa María de Guía, with the closely-guarded recipe passed down to family members by the artisans who made it. You can visit one of the production facilities of Guía Flower Cheese and even try your hand at cheesemaking!

Honey RumLess than a 30-minute drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is the rum capital of the island, Arucas. Sugar canes were planted here in the 1500s and the first rum factory was founded in 1884 (it’s now a museum dedicated to the drink), producing the famous ron de Arucas (Arucas rum).Honey was added to rum in bars and homes across Gran Canaria after the war and it’s now protected under the Protected Geographical Denomination label.

Bienmesabe Sweet tooth? Don’t leave Gran Canaria without trying this delicious dessert - the name, bienmesabe, translates as ‘it tastes good to me’ and it’s definitely worth finding out why! Made with almonds, sugar, egg yolk, cinnamon, and lemon rind, this scrumptious, sticky honey-like sauce is often served with cat’s tongue biscuits (flat, thin biscuits) or with ice cream.

Spending moneyWondering how much spending money you’ll need for your travels? To help you plan your trip, here’s a rough guide to the cost of some of the things you might be buying whilst you’re there!

€50 Two-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant

€1.70Domestic beer

€100Full day scuba diving with two

divers

€15Blue Bird water taxi round trip ride from Puerto de Mogán to

Anfi del Mar

€6Cocktail

€2Cappuccino

Chatter with the localsCan’t speak Spanish? Never fear! We’ve collated some useful phrases for you to practise before you go. You might not pronounce the words like a local but you’ll be able to feel like one when you order a glass of wine and some tapas in Spanish!

HELLO THERE!

HELLO THERE!

Hello! Hola! Good morning! Good day! ¡Buenos días! Good evening! ¡Buenas noches!See you soon! ¡Hasta pronto!Goodbye. Adiós.Please. Por favor. Thank you. Gracias. Thank you very much. Muchas gracias.Pardon me. PerdónI don't speak Spanish. No hablo españolDo you speak English? ¿Hablas inglés?

LET'S EXPLORE

A map of the city, please. Un mapa de la ciudad, por favor.

Excuse me, where is…?¿Disculpa, dónde está…?

Can you show me on the map?¿Me puedes mostrar en el mapa?

Take me to this address, please.¿Me puedes llevar a esta dirección, por favor?

May I take photos? ¿Puedo tomar fotos?

No flash. Sin flash.

I’m lost. Estoy perdido.

How much does it cost? ¿Cuánto cuesta?

I would like to book a guided tour of… Quisiera reservar una visita guiada de

Two tickets please.Dos entradas, por favor

When does the… open?¿Cuándo se abre…?

When does the… close?¿Cuándo se cierra…?

LET’S GET A BITE TO EAT

Two coffees, please. Dos cafés, por favor.

I’d like … please. Me gustaría…, por favor.

It's delicious! ¡Qué rico! (¡Qué rica! if the food starts with ‘la’)

A table for two, please. Una mesa para dos, por favor.

Do you have vegetarian dishes? ¿Cuál es la opción vegetariana?

What are your specialities?¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?

Where is the toilet? ¿Dónde está el baño?

The bill, please. La cuenta, por favor.

Where to Stay...We asked some of our Travel Counsellor's for their recommendations and here’s what they had to say!

BOHEMIA SUITES & SPA

Nestled in Playa del Ingles, this five-star, adults-only hotel is a luxury oasis in a beautiful, secluded setting. Blending sleek, contemporary décor with sumptuous

health and wellness facilities and 360º rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar with stunning panoramic

views, Bohemia Suites & Spa offers a stylish retreat only 10 minutes’ walk from the iconic Maspalomas sand

dunes.

SEASIDE GRAND HOTEL RESIDENCIA

The only member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Gran Canaria, this five-star Grand Luxury 94 rooms luxury boutique hotel lies in the heart of Maspalomas

Dunes Natural Reserve, surrounded by the palm grove and gardens by the lagoon and the golden

sand beach. Here luxury and comfort combine with tasteful design, a private atmosphere and first-class service. Exclusive Spa and Wellness centre perfectly complements your luxury experience. And foodies

will love the prize-winning restaurant, renowned for its selection of exquisite dishes.

GLORIA PALACE AMADORES THALASSO & HOTEL

Located in Amadores, on the south of the island, this four-star hotel is built on a cliff, with panoramic lift down

to the ocean front promenade above the sparkling water which lied to the beautiful beach. Specialising in health and wellbeing, the hotel features one of the most complete thalassotherapy centres in Europe.

Expect numerous swimming pools, hydrotherapy, and a range of invigorating beauty and health treatments to

help you feel relaxed and restored.

Here, we’ve chosen a few of the things we think you should see, do and eat while you’re in Gran Canaria. We hope it inspires you to journey to Gran Canaria time and

time again and taste a little of Canarian life.

Get in touch to build a bespoke itinerary, tailor-made just for you. We’d also love to see your photos and stories on social media so please share your memories using

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