Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is nicknamed “a miniature continent,” and it’s easy to see why, with its diverse terrains and climates, from fertile land in the north to desert land in the south and rugged terrain in between. The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria can be found off the African Coast. It is between Fuerteventura and Tenerife in the Atlantic Ocean. Gran Canaria is considered a great holiday tourist destination because of the resorts and the busy, modern appeal of its capital Las Palmas. You can find gorgeous beaches on the south coast to swim, sunbathe or play water sports, and there’s plenty of nightlife after that. You can visit the island any time because of its consistently mild climate, and On The Beach can help you find great deals for flights and lodging so your Canary Island trip can be wonderful.

Weather

Gran Canaria’s climate is pleasant, remaining at a mild temperature all year, so no matter when you come, it’ll always seem like a nice summer day on the beach. The mountains and the trade winds give Gran Canaria the many microclimates that have earned it the nickname “a miniature continent.” The climate of the mountain ranges from continental or tropical to snow capped peaks.

Gran Canaria reaches temperatures of 26° Celsius to 30° Celsius on average during the summer and 22° Celsius to 24° Celsius in the winter. There is warm sun at any given time, and if you’re heading to the mountains in the winter, you might want to bring along a jacket.

Attractions

Gran Canaria is full of wonderful attractions to visit — museums, architectural sites, shopping markets, even water parks. When you visit Las Palmas, be sure to go to Vegueta. Here you will find a home that Christopher Columbus may have stayed in during his transatlantic voyages. It is called Casa de Colon and contains many fascinating relics of the Columbian times. The Museo Canario is the main museum in Las Palmas. Here one can find the largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls in the world. It also describes the lives of the first inhabitants of Gran Canaria, the Guanche people.

The botanical garden, Jardin Botanico Canario Viera y Clavijo, is located southwest of the capital city. Spain’s largest botanical garden, it boasts a diverse array of plants. The three large water parks on the south side of the island provide great fun activities for families.  They are:  Aquasur and Ocean Park both near Maspalomas, and Aqua park near Puerto Rico. In Vega de San Mateo, Teror, Arguineguin, San Fernando, and Puerto de Mogan, you will find fascinating markets that sell both local produce and tourist items.