We are gonna Explore Gran Canaria and show you the island in a complete new way…
This famous botanical garden, also called Jardin Canario, was built from 1952 to become the largest in Gran Canaria. The goal was to bring all Canarian plants and trees back to one place. More than 500 plant species provide this garden with a colorful decoration of 27 hectares.
This barranco separates the municipalities of Firgas and Moya. It is a versatile nature reserve. Built in 1868 is the Spa – Hotel Azuaje which was closed in 1938. Most of the building still exists. A large part has been taken back by nature. It has become a fairytale construction. Various hiking routes can be found in Barranco de Azuaje. The barranco is set amidst mountain walls with a height of between 400 and 500 meters.
Near Ayagaurus in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana you will find the Gambruesa dam. With a height of about 330 meters, this dam offers an incredible view on both sides. On one side you can see the lake and the mountains, on the other you can see the valley. The dam was built in 1971 and has a height of 54 meters with a length of 152 meters. There are many walking routes around the lake.
In the municipality of Moya, the town of El Roque can be found on a rock formation on the coast. It is a small village of white houses that goes into the ocean like a pier. In this village there are only narrow streets and alleys. It is forbidden to enter the village with a vehicle, it is a complete pedestrian zone.
This village is built around the main pleasure boating port in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. It is actually one large holiday resort with an entrance and a reception. The harbor can accommodate nearly 400 pleasure boats and yachts. Puerto Deportivo Pasito Blanco is a definite place for a luxurious relaxing holiday.
Embalse de Montaña Blanca in Barranco del Negro is a small reservoir located on the road towards Salobre Golf. There are 69 dams on Gran Canaria, all built before 1980. The embalse de Montaña Blanca dam is the lowest in Gran Canaria at an altitude of 44 meters above sea level. This dam was specially built to supply the farmers in the south with water.
The Arco Coronadero can be found at the top of the Barranco Hondo. Two arches that form a natural rocky bridge with about ten meters length. This natural bridge or arch is the largest on the island. This spot offers a breathtaking view of the Barranco up to the Atlantic Ocean.
Farms can also be found in the warm south of Gran Canaria. Many animals can be found on these, such as goats, sheep, dogs and even a donkey. This farm is specialized in producing cheese and other dairy products.
Vecindario is known as a nice town with an extensive shopping area. The city is decorated with brightly colored and creative graffiti. It is a colorful spectacle. The locals value their history very much, this is reflected in various works of art. Statues of grandfather with child, justice, dignity adorn the streets.
The cement factory is located next to the GC-1 highway between Vecindario and the tourist resort of Maspalomas. This is the beginning of this barranco. This versatile valley leads between the ever-higher-growing mountain walls. There is a lot of nature to be found. Many caves and tunnels can be seen in the mountain walls. You can see a lot with your imagination in this spectacular scenery, there are many faces to see in the walls depending on the position of the sun. The rainwater forms small streams and rivers. There is a tunnel that leads right through the mountain to the neighboring Barranco del Hornillo. It can be quite windy in this valley, creating a ghostly environment at dusk.
At the beginning of Playa del Ingles at the top of the stairs of El Veril is the viewpoint of Plaza de Suiza. With a breathtaking view over the Atlantic Ocean from San Agustin to the tip of the Playa del Ingles beach, with the Maspalomas dunes at the background. There are benches where people meet or to take a break from climbing the stairs.
Las Palmas is the capital of the island of Gran Canaria. From this vantage point you have a great view of the main part of the city. From the left the mountains of La Isleta, Puerto de la Luz the largest port of the Canary Islands, Doramas, Vegueta and beyond San José and San Cristóbal. It is an impressive city with a maze of roads and streets between a great diversity of old and modern buildings.
The Soria dam is one of the largest in Gran Canaria. The nature reserve of the Barranco de Embalse de Soria is to be found behind the dam. The high dam of 120 meters offers a breathtaking view of the large nature area surrounded by the mountains. The construction of the dam started in 1962. It is a great area for endless walking and enjoying what nature has to offer.
La Charca, together with the dunes, is an exclusively protected natural area. The growing number of tourists and resorts have a major impact on this area. As a result, a number of bird species can no longer be found on the island. Every effort has been made to restore the area to its old values since 1993. Throughout the year, about 40 different bird species can be found in this area.
The place of the holy spirit can be found in the old town of Vegueta. Together with the 17th century hermitage, it forms a picturesque scene. In the center of the square is a fountain created by Manuel Ponce de León from 1869. The chapel “Ermita del Espíritu Santo” dates back to 1615.
This is perhaps the most important cemetery in the Canary Islands. It is known for being the resting place of many of the great names from Gran Canaria’s last 200 years of history. The building and enclosure dates back to 1811. At the beginning you can find a number of tombs dating from the beginning of the 19th century. A number of family graves are built like a chapel. The oldest graves can be found right next to the entrance.
The well-known coastal road GC-500 is a tourist attraction in itself. This road leads right through the town of Arguineguin. The most famous roundabout features a whale’s tail. It is a black-tiled fountain. This sculpture is a work by Miguel A. Ruano and Emilio Morsquera and has graced the street since 2001.
From coast to mountains, this valley offers a variety of rocks and plants. At the beginning of the year, this place is provided with a colorful mix of colors. Playa de Los Frailes with a length of about 75 meters is worth a visit. There are no bars, shops or other tourist activities. You can fully enjoy a little sun and tranquility.
The Roque Almeida is an area that is also called Alto del Caracol. It is a nature reserve that is located on top of a rocky mountain. It is located at an altitude of the town of Artenara and can be reached from the Degollada de las Yeguas viewpoint. A path leads to this area past the watchtower. This area is in full bloom around the month of February.
The Cabra Majorena or the Majorera goat is common on the island. This goat is known for its high milk production. Many types of cheese are made in Gran Canaria with or in combination with goat’s milk. They are recognizable by their large head with long ears and the males have a goatee.
This park is an excellent place to get away from the tourist environment. A landscaped park with many plants and trees in the middle of the various hotels. Just relax and enjoy the varied environment on a bench.
For those who like a varied of nature, this is one of the most fascinating environments of more than 207 hectares. From farmland with animals such as cattle, chickens and sheep to hiking trails through dense wooded areas. There is a botanical garden near the stylish 19th century mansion. In this garden are various plants from the five continents. In this environment one can enjoy for days with all that the mountains and valleys have to offer.
From this point halfway up the mountain of Arucas you already have a nice view of the surroundings. To the left the church of Juan de Bautista, recognizable by its black lava stone towers. To the right the large chimney of the rum factory Arehucas. The city has a rich history. There are many historic buildings dating back to before the 19th century. In this area you will find a lot of green up to the mountains of plantations and forests.
The last stop. Many buses that are out of use are often resold. Most of these are sold and exported to Africa and Asia. Still, a few buses remain behind. These will eventually rust away in the Canarian sun.
The Maspalomas lighthouse is located at the southernmost spot of Gran Canaria. With the construction of this tower was started in 1884. Since 1890, the light from this lighthouse guided ships along the south coast of the island. Responsible for this famous landmark is the architect Juan Castillo Leon. The El Faro lighthouse is almost 60 meters high and is the oldest still active in the Canary Islands.
Yacimiento Punta Mujeres on the boulevard of Meloneras are finds of a surviving women’s settlement. The remains of this place date back to the 7th century. This archaeological settlement consists of six domestic structures. While the men were hunting or fishing, the women provided food and laundry here at this place on the sunny coast.
Christopher Columbus was a regular on the island of Gran Canaria, due to its central location. On the roundabout of Avenida Cristóbal Colón in Maspalomas there is a monument in memory of his last journey towards “The Indias”. On May 24th 1502, he was here for the last time to replenish his supplies, for the journey to “The Oriental Land of Asia”.
Just want to relax or exercise? Alone or with the family, viewpoint Plaza de Canada in Playa del Ingles is the ideal place to be. There are several benches on the square to enjoy the view of the Maspalomas Golf Course, the Dunes and the mountains of Gran Canaria. There are also devices for exercise and a playground for the little ones.
Las Salinas, or the salt fields, can be found in various places on the coast of Gran Canaria. The east coast in particular offers a particularly good environment for the extraction of salt, also in San Bartolome de Tirajana, Playa de la Taibaba. Here you can still find a part of a building where the salt used to be stored. The construction of the salt fields had started in the mid-17th century and was in operation until 1957.
On the GC-200 between Mogán and La Aldea de San Nicolas, we find a natural rock formation with various colors. The greenish-turquoise colors have given this place the name Fuente de Los Azulejos. Literally translated to “the fountain of tiles”. These colors were created by an erosion of different types of stone, minerals and metals. The greenish-turquoise is created by iron hydrate and the reddish color by iron oxide. Purple was created by basalt and yellow by sulfur. The sun plays a big part in this glittering spectacular natural phenomenon.
The Barranco Real de Telde valley runs at the northern side of the city of Telde. In the center of this valley, the water runs through a channel along the mountain wall. Here is also a washing place where women used to do their laundry. It is a versatile environment with on the right-hand side leading a path between the mountain walls. Here are several cave entrances and a lot of wild growth of flowers, plants and trees against the rough rock walls. On the left, the path leads under viaducts and aqueducts. Above the valley are several houses and the sugar factory Azucarera de San Juan. Ahead is a colorful area with a lot of graffiti and a tunnel where you can climb the walls. Through the path on the right lead the valley to San Juan, the old town of Telde.
The deserted estates on the island are very mysterious. Several can be found in the municipality of Ingenio. Many have been abandoned for so long that nature is taking it back. The combination of crumbling walls and wild growth nature creates ghostly scenes.
The Museo de Piedras y Artesanía Canaria, unfortunately closed in 2018, is a special building. Many have fond memories of this museum which has hosted many tourists and locals since 1964. The museum was divided into 4 parts. The first part was a souvenir shop with many handmade products which were made here. The stone museum with botanical garden had over five thousand different stones from the continent of the Canary Islands. There were also a number of tools that the farmers used to work with. There was a church section with a great wealth of props. Ultimately, perhaps the biggest loss, the Belen Navidad, was the largest nativity scene in Spain. Every year people could visit the Belen and find themselves in different worlds of miniatures.
Not far from the tourist resort of Maspalomas is the Barranco de Chamoriscán. It is a beautiful area with a lot of nature. There are also many cacti with yellow but especially many red fruits on it. The fruits are called Tuno Indio. The Tuno Indio Canario or Higo Tinto, is a fruit that grows on the leaves of the Nopales cactus. It can be eaten raw, cooked or grilled. It is mainly used to make juices and jams. Being a cactus, the prickly pear plant can survive in dry weather conditions. The prickly pear is rich in many nutrients, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Please note, the fruit cannot be picked with bare hands, use special pliers and gloves.
In Castillo del Romeral, the community, together with the municipality, has created a public park along the seacoast. The beginning of the park is characterized by a sailing boat. In the park there are many colorful works of art painted on lava stones. What is very striking are the tree trunks with colored bird house. In the center of the park is a wishing tree. On the leaves is a wealth of dreams, memories, spells and poems. Don’t forget to walk around this tree three times to make your wish come true.
As soon as you approaches the tourist resort of Maspalomas, an old DC-7 stands along the road. Douglas Aircraft Company produced this aircraft from 1953 to 1958. It was the last propeller driven aircraft made by this company. This plane stood at the beginning of the tourist-boom in the beginning of the 1960s that brought tourists to Gando Gran Canaria airport. In the late 1970s, the plane was donated by Spantax to AeroClub Gran Canaria. Spantax S.A. operated from 1959 to 1988.
The plane was regularly repainted, often with advertisements from various companies and often covered with graffiti. In 2015 the plane was repainted in the colors of Binter Canarias. Binter Canarias is a local airline company that connects the Canary Islands.
The interior of Gran Canaria continues to surprise you all year round. Especially in the humid period of the winter months. The clouds make their way through the mountains and create fairytale like scenery.
Every year around the month of February it is one big sea of flowers in the heart of Gran Canaria. In the mountain landscape it colors up with white and pink flowers. The almond tree is in bloom. Many tourists and locals go into the mountains to see this spectacular nature event, especially in the weekends.
For those who want to enjoy a part of pure nature in the south of Gran Canaria, away from the tourist area.
A dirt road leads to Pressa Soria. This road goes straight through the ravine of Fataga. For most of the year there is no water in the river and invites you for a nice natural walk between the mountain walls and palm trees.