04 GRAN CANARIA

The third-largest Canary Island, often called a “miniature continent” due to its diverse landscapes and microclimates. On clear days, its silhouette can be seen from Lanzarote. It lies about 178 km southwest (243°) in a straight line.

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GEOLOGY AND RELIEF

The highest point on the island is Pico de las Nieves (1,949 m), from which you can see Tenerife on clear days. In the interior lies the Caldera de Tejeda, a vast volcanic crater that now forms a striking and mountainous central landscape.

DUNES AND CLIMATE

In the south lies Maspalomas, home to a sprawling dune field reminiscent of the Sahara. Gran Canaria has more than 14 different microclimates, ranging from subtropical valleys to arid mountain zones, which is why it’s nicknamed the “miniature continent.”

FLORA AND ENDEMICS

The island is home to the Canary pine (Pinus canariensis), a tree that can survive forest fires. Gran Canaria also shelters more than one hundred endemic species of plants and animals, such as the Gran Canaria giant lizard, found nowhere else on Earth.

CITY AND BEACHES

Las Palmas, the island’s capital, features Las Canteras Beach, often ranked among the best urban beaches in the world. A wide stretch of golden sand is protected by a natural reef, creating calm waters that are perfect for year-round swimming.

WILDLIFE AND STARGAZING

Gran Canaria is home to the Barbary falcon (Falco pelegrinoides), which nests in cliffs and ravines. The island’s high elevation and clear skies make it one of the best spots in Europe for stargazing, with impressively low light pollution levels.

ISLAND SYMBOLS

Roque Nublo is an 80-metre basalt monolith formed during an ancient eruption. It is one of the most iconic symbols of Gran Canaria and a popular hiking destination. It stands in the island’s center at an elevation of more than 1,800 meters above sea level.

NATURAL POOLS AND COASTLINE

In Agaete, a natural seawater pool surrounded by lava rock offers safe swimming even during rough seas. The island’s west coast is marked by towering cliffs that reach up to 600 meters in height, dropping straight into the Atlantic Ocean.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORY

In Gáldar, you’ll find the Cueva Pintada archaeological site, home to cave paintings created by the island’s original inhabitants, the Guanches. The geometric patterns and remains of homes offer insight into life before European colonization.

WINEMAKING AND WATER

Grapevines have been cultivated on Gran Canaria’s volcanic slopes since the 16th century. The local wines have a distinctive mineral taste. The island also preserves old water systems, including stone channels and cisterns that collect seasonal rainfall.

CULTURE AND SPIRITUALITY

Every year, Las Palmas hosts a vibrant carnival full of music, colour, and dance—one of the largest in Spain. In contrast, the town of Teror is the island’s spiritual center, home to a baroque basilica dedicated to Our Lady of the Pine, the island’s patron.