{"id":7716,"date":"2022-01-20T19:39:38","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T18:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/?p=7716"},"modified":"2025-04-26T15:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-26T13:16:03","slug":"backpacking-gran-canaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/","title":{"rendered":"Gran Canaria Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gran Canaria is an island that is unbelievable because there really is everything: colonial-style villages, beaches, almost desert-like parts and, further inland, mountains and forest that create an alpine landscape in stark contrast to what is the coast, only a few kilometers down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I visited the island over the course of a two-month trip during which I explored <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all the major islands of the archipelago<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, except for El Hierro. Whether it&#8217;s a backpacking adventure, a road trip or an all-inclusive vacation, you&#8217;ll find plenty of useful tips and insights in this guide to help you plan your trip to the fullest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Quick menu<\/b><\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#when\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to visit Gran Canaria<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#doc\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Documents and vaccinations for going to Gran Canaria<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#what\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to do and see in Gran Canaria<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#iti\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suggested itineraries in Gran Canaria<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#how\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to get around Gran Canaria<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backpacking Gran Canaria: costs<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/destinations-en\/spagna-en\/backpacking-gran-canaria\/#safe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backpacking Gran Canaria: safety<\/span><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06888-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Roque Bentayga.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"when\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>When to visit Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands more generally have a good climate throughout the year and can therefore be enjoyed in all seasons. That said, much depends on what your expectations are during the trip.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Gran Canaria in springtime<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the spring months, temperatures can reach 22-23 degrees and even a few degrees higher toward the end of May when precipitation, which can occasionally occur in March and April, is instead virtually absent. This makes May particularly ideal for those who want to avoid the crowds and high prices that characterize the peak summer season.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Gran Canaria in summer<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Gran Canaria June, July and August are considered high season. The weather is great, rainfall is absent, and toward the end of July even the ocean water starts to warm up. Of course, this is also the busiest and most expensive time of the year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Gran Canaria in autumn<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September is probably the best month to visit the island. The beaches are less crowded (especially toward the end of the month), the weather is great, and the ocean is warmer than in summer. October is also a good month; the probability of precipitation increases but all in all it is still pleasant. In November, however, the likelihood of a few showers increases significantly and temperatures drop, marking the beginning of the winter period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Gran Canaria in winter<\/b><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although winter in Gran Canaria is quite different from that of mainland Europe and, not surprisingly, the Canaries are a popular destination during the Christmas season, December-data in hand-is the rainiest month of the year!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nevertheless, precipitation is still relatively low and during the day with the sun shining, temperatures can reach 20 degrees even in January and February. In short, don&#8217;t expect to bask in the sun or pleasantly swim without a wetsuit, but if all you&#8217;re looking for is simply some sunshine and mild temperatures, then you won&#8217;t be disappointed. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06716-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"doc\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Documents and vaccinations for going to Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Canary Islands are, for all intents and purposes, part of Spain, and therefore, like any other country within the European Union, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/home-affairs.ec.europa.eu\/policies\/schengen-borders-and-visa\/visa-policy_en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schengen Area visa policy applies<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"what\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>What to do and see in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For convenience I will list the places to visit counterclockwise starting from the capital Las Palmas and broadly following the coast before culminating with the center of the island.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GRAN-CANARIA.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1110\" height=\"720\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.b. Several times throughout the guide you will find links to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you want to use offline navigation directly from the Alltrails app you need to upgrade to the pro version. However, you can get around this by downloading the coordinates from the desktop version of the site in &#8220;Google Earth KML&#8221; format and then uploading them to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/organicmaps.app\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organic Maps<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is by far one of my <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/app-travelling\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">favorite travel apps<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Las Palmas<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is not only the largest city in the entire archipelago and the capital of the island, but it is also one of the most populous cities in Spain. While I personally preferred to spend my time elsewhere, the city certainly has a lot to offer, depending on what you are looking for.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The oldest part of the city, and consequently the most historically interesting, is developed around the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NQtq2UJdXfm1K2iZ8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Catedral de Santa Ana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here you can find the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/g.page\/casadecolon?share\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Museum Casa de Col\u00f3n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dedicated to the voyage of Christopher Columbus and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/sZ1VS2JdXA7ENa9dA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Museo Canario<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dedicated to the history of the islands before the arrival of the Spanish. The city&#8217;s most beautiful beach is located to the north, in the center of what is the newest part of the city: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/V2Q8NdCP8bZd3VxY9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa Las Canteras<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about 3 km long has a beautiful promenade full of bars and restaurants. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/fJJqpjCdkrro7mhe7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa El Confital<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not suitable for swimming but is extremely popular with surfers as there are what are considered among the best &#8220;tube waves&#8221; in all of Europe. Other attractions to consider are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/KCsT3JubShdzJuad7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jard\u00edn Bot\u00e1nico Canario Viera y Clavijo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JY1tAt9Hkq9EvHJCA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poema del Mar aquarium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06515.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Playa Las Canteras.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Las Palmas?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/pura-vida-las-palmas.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pura Vida Las Palmas<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/aguita-house.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ag\u00fcita House<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if you are traveling alone and looking for something inexpensive are two great options in the center of town and a short walk from the beach. For private rooms check out <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/a-casa-mia-las-palmas-de-gran-canaria.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Casa Mia<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06517.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Las Palmas seen from Playa El Confital.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Caldera de Bandama<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The island definitely has much more interesting excursions to offer, but if you&#8217;re looking for a nice way to stretch your legs not too far from the capital I think Caldera de Bandama is a great option and also suitable for families with children.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The circuit, which basically runs along the crest of an ancient caldera, can be completed in an hour or so. Although I think it is impossible to get lost, you can find all the relevant information on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/monumento-natural-de-bandama?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you don&#8217;t feel like walking, or perhaps just want a better view, I recommend climbing to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FFN51Way9d756Vdg7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pico de Bandama<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which overlooks the caldera from above and can be easily reached by car. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case you are interested, you can reach the Caldera by taking <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guaguasglobal.com\/en\/lineas-horarios\/linea\/?id=311\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bus line 311<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Las Palmas. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06523.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caldera de Bandama.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06527.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>View from Pico de Bandama.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Arucas<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Located just over a dozen kilometers from Las Palmas, the town of Arucas\u2014with its iconic cathedral and numerous colonial-style buildings that define the historic center\u2014is definitely a destination worth exploring. If you&#8217;re planning a road trip along the north coast of the island, you&#8217;ll encounter several other charming little towns in colonial style that can be visited in a day.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As anticipated, the Church of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/r4HLqy4Jt7vcpf7V7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Juan Bautista<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is definitely the highlight in town. The narrow streets and numerous buildings surrounding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Tunf2j9orX8g1w5y8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plaza de San Juan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tA2qPtQXhuGGyBrx9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the historic center are certainly not to be outdone. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/YMJ1NVRfaDtUyN6ZA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parque Municipal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also known as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/bZQ9KAAG2uz4mC1X6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parque de Las Flores<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is a great place to relax.\u00a0 In case you are interested, you can visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/tjysZPEaT683nC4V7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Municipal Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and just outside the city center is a small botanical garden, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Z8o9Y58Np4bpYUei6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jard\u00edn de la Marquesa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/6us8mKYSSaTdtiLF6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rum distillery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Finally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/wALuchPbXJp6ofsh6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mirador de Arucas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers the best views of the city.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Iglesia_de_Arucas_desde_el_mirador.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Arucas.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Teror<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The small town is another colonial gem along the island&#8217;s north coast. The historic center is really compact so don&#8217;t expect to spend who knows how much time exploring it, but I think it is worth stopping by. Unfortunately, during my visit, the iconic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/U1Jfp9qxXLuUK2o6A\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basilica de Nuestra Senora<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was under renovation but the adjacent streets full of colorful houses and colonial architecture are still a feast for the eyes, especially <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/UciaTCYmjnqD7X3fA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calle Real de la Plaza<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that leads right up to the basilica. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06513.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Calle Real de la Plaza.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Firgas<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firgas is another really nice colonial-style town a short distance from Teror that is definitely worth a visit. Check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/zN2FNeXac3gmm1Do8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Paseo de Canarias<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a flight of stairs with scale models of all the islands in the archipelago; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/gUAqkrrpU42x9Ds37\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fuente Paseo de Canarias<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the small plaza in front of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/B4tQ29wQrLgBuA4KA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Iglesia De San Roque.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06511.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>El Paseo de Canarias.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Cenobio de Valer\u00f3n<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The caves of Valer\u00f3n are one of the most important archaeological sites on the island. It is a set of caves (about 300) dug into the rock between seven hundred and a thousand years ago. It is not known for sure what the use was, between those who say it was simply a granary with special spaces for the various families and those who claim it was a monastery, we will probably never know for sure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, during my visit the site was closed so I did not have a chance to visit it in person but I think it is undoubtedly something interesting to include in one&#8217;s itinerary. You can complete the visit on your own by paying \u20ac3 per person, but guided tours are also offered if you wish.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06509.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Cenobio de Valer\u00f3n.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>G\u00e0ldar<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another point of interest along the north coast is the town of G\u00e0ldar, which, although not as extremely compact as Firgas or Teror, can still be visited in a short time. Again, the colonial-style old town is undoubtedly a pleasant place to walk around and perhaps have a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants along <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ibn4kEbey39pJTUT6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calle Capitan Quesada<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and around <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Fn6kGiPU4Qz7CFwD6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plaza de Santiago<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the town&#8217;s main square.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Archaeology enthusiasts can also visit the &#8220;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/g.page\/CuevaPintada?share\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cueva Pintada<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,&#8221; an archaeological site located in the center of town where they can admire wall paintings dating back to pre-Hispanic times. Admission is allowed only by guided tour that lasts about an hour and a half and costs \u20ac3.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, I would like to point out that if you are on the island in December or May, a festival called G\u00e0ldar en Flor takes place every year. For the occasion, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ibn4kEbey39pJTUT6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calle Capitan Quesad<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the main street in the historic center, is filled with flowers and plants.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06507.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>G\u00e0ldar.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Sardina del Norte<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This small fishing village in the far northwest of the island is particularly popular as a diving site. The beach (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/MV9iYxYmjeRHh8M69\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Sardina del Norte<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is not bad either. The beach tends to be much sunnier than other options in the north of the island and in line with what the south coast offers from a weather perspective, but with the advantage of being less crowded than the southern beaches.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Agaete<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The town is the most convenient departure port for ferries to Tenerife and vice versa. The oldest part of the town, or what was once a fishing village, is known as Puerto de Las Nieves. The oldest and most distinctive buildings stand here and there is a wide selection of bars and restaurants. The town&#8217;s two main beaches, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/AXvLNdvvWV8T2zTE6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de las Nieves<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/VxVBg6Njf3MgXHFH8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beach beside the old pier<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are also exactly on the Puerto de Las Nieves waterfront. They are pebble beaches but still nice and suitable for swimming.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another perfect place for swimming, because it is protected from ocean waves, are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/F8G7VKvF7nrRa1e17\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">natural swimming pools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> located in the north.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are looking for a sandy beach that is uncrowded but still close to Agaete, check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/4N8BeVJS1N9Jk9BE7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa Guayedra<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Positioned in a valley full of palm trees, it is a really nice beach and not very busy because the road is not in good condition.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The town center of Agaete is situated further inland, centered around the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/op1v9gmXz1Gq8z9h6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Iglesia Matriz de Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Concepci\u00f3n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The small center with its classic white buildings and balconies is pleasant, though in my opinion, there are better options elsewhere on the island. Nevertheless, Agaete can serve as a good base for exploring the northwest of the island.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Agaete?\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/casa-calma-yoga-guesthouse.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Casa Calma Yoga Guesthouse<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great solution for both solo travelers willing to sleep in dormitories and those who want a private room without spending a fortune. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Puerto_de_Las_Nieves.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Playa de las Nieves.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Parque natural de Tamadaba<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A short distance from Agaete, heading down the coast to the south, we find the Tamadaba Nature Park, which stretches from the ocean to the mountains and offers several options for those wishing to explore it on foot or by car.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driving along the old GC-200 coastal road is indeed a treat for the eyes without making the slightest effort. Unfortunately, the road is interrupted by a landslide at the height of Montana blanca (at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/FFZSLYmFXXbkTRDt5\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). At the moment due to the presence of the new road that runs parallel to it, the local authorities have no intention of clearing it . So you have two options: walk the road to the point where it is interrupted and then do the same on the other side or head directly to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hyN5GFURyY4Z7oVw7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mirador del Balc\u00f3n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, skipping the &#8220;north side&#8221; of the road. The latter is a beautiful viewpoint with a platform that juts out over the cliff, really scenic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talking about hikes, here are a few that I recommend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06577.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Mirador del Balc\u00f3n.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Charco Azul<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/V1azeuPo6zFfT8x19\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Charco Azul<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a small waterfall that can be reached on foot by following the trail described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/charco-azul?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/charco-azul-los-llanitos?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> other trail if you prefer a longer circuit. In both cases you start from the village of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/hzNsZ6ba9UEiX1uU8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Risco<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. At the base of the waterfall it is also possible to swim but be aware that in the middle of summer when it is not raining the water may be stagnant and therefore not suitable for bathing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Charco_Azul.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Charco Azul.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Roque Faneque<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a beautiful trail that is not too strenuous\u2014there are no major elevation gains\u2014that leads to a stunning vantage point offering fantastic views of both the northern and southern coast. The trail is described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/roque-faneque?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and leads to the base of Roque Fanque. For a shorter and more accessible option with similar views, I recommend walking to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/SXdkhv5gxhGeA5Fn7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; the starting point remains the same, whether you choose the longer or shorter route.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06583.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>View from Roque Fanque.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Camino de San Pedro<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, if the distance and elevation gain don&#8217;t scare you, I recommend checking out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/el-hornillo-pico-de-la-casa-montana-de-las-presas-era-de-berbique?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this circuit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which has very good reviews and I think is broadly what some guidebooks mention as the Camino de San Pedro. Unfortunately due to time constraints I was not able to complete it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep at the Parque natural de Tamadaba?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Within the park it is possible to camp in the designated areas of the Llanos de la Mimbre campground, which can be booked through <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/cabildo.grancanaria.com\/uso-publico\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the appropriate portal<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Alternatively, Agaete is probably the best base to use.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Los azulejos\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heading south towards Maspalomas, Los Azulejos is an intriguing stop that requires no detour. These are bare mountain ridges with unique colors resulting from the minerals in the rock. During the rainy months, natural pools form where you can swim. I personally enjoyed the view from the road, but if you plan to swim or explore further, there&#8217;s a path up the mountain from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/eTFTkjjVy3i3dM5T9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Fuente_de_los_Azulejos.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Los azulejos.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Maspalomas<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maspalomas, along with nearby <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa del Ingl\u00e9s, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Augustin, and San Fernando, form an agglomeration that we can describe as a large resort full of tourist facilities on every side.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nothing exciting as far as I am concerned, but if all you are looking for is a destination where you can spend your vacation in peace and quiet with all the amenities, then you can definitely consider Maspalomas and the surrounding area. My traveling companion for example decided to take a surf lesson with one of the many surf schools in town and was delighted. From what I was told the nightlife is also probably among the best the island has to offer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What excited me instead, if for no other reason than to take some photos, was to explore the Reserva Natural Especial de Las Dunas de Maspalomas. These dunes that reach all the way to the sea offer fascinating panorama. I recommend visiting at sunset or even better at sunrise. There is a viewpoint <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JQBAnws59G81QeYRA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that also gives easy access to the dunes where you can enjoy going up and down or just admire the sunset. If you arrive by car, I recommend <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/ChBX4rRF72rSE5fZ7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this parking lot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: it may have been the time of year but it was surprisingly half-empty and very close to the dunes. In case you are interested, on the west side of the dunes, at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GL4JUzsiL1QLoHVcA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this location<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there is the possibility of arranging a camel ride.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Maspalomas dunes.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/h2hDpYQgvSj1kv1q9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Maspalomas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/1dM71ks6dzAQyAry8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa del Ingl\u00e9s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which are located west and east of the dunes respectively, are beautiful sandy beaches suitable for swimming that together form a long stretch of uninterrupted beach of more than 6 km. Even in high season if you are willing to walk a bit you can find your own corner of peace.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in Maspalomas?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city does not offer many options for low-cost travelers. I recommend checking out <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/inez-amp-flor-nice-room-in-maspalomas.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inez &amp; Flor Nice Rooms<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/casa-victoria-maspalomas.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Casa Victoria<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06542.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Playa del Ingl\u00e9s.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Beaches along the south coast<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Along the south coast near Maspalomas, there are numerous popular beaches. I haven&#8217;t visited them all for obvious reasons, but if you enjoy beaches, I recommend making a note of them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the region west of Maspalomas, known as Mog\u00e1n, there are several beaches specifically designed to cater to tourists. These man-made beaches are particularly pleasant, featuring golden sand and amenities perfect for swimming.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The beaches are: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/svY1DFoV4TRqspnU7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Amadores<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/45DgxVTHHKhofksA9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anfi del Mar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/chdurB5ifVtH9f94A\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Mog\u00e1n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/x17v1T9RLMiyRE9f7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Puerto Rico<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other beaches, not as pretty but definitely less crowded, are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/NfHqNhKJKzcRbubA7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Pasito Blanco<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/yQXEh5bLTiiSupVT8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Patalavaca<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/8X9rhmicV6JwoiFB9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de San Agust\u00edn<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Although not exactly along the south coast of the island, I strongly recommend <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Pur6fXTv6Mqmzrcj9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Tufia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This small beach, frequented mostly by locals, has an authentic atmosphere and the small wind-protected bay is suitable not only for swimming but also perfect for snorkeling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, if artificial or crowded beaches are not your thing, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/U1Z59cBk9CqFbBoi7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de G\u00fcig\u00fc\u00ed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-which can only be reached by boat or on foot at the end of a not-exactly-easy path described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/tasartico-montana-de-aguas-sabinas-playa-lioguicha?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">page-can certainly be an interesting option for spending a day. Some people even spend the night there, but besides being technically illegal you have to watch out for the tide.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06541.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Playa de San Agust\u00edn.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06953-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Playa de Tufia.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Barranco de las vacas<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although I haven&#8217;t personally visited, it&#8217;s worth considering a brief stop at Barranco de las Vacas as you travel up or down to the center of the island. This small canyon bears some resemblance to Antelope Canyon in Arizona. The short trail begins here, and parking seems limited along the road. Reviews provide useful information on parking and locating the trailhead. I recommend checking it out if you decide to visit.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have not personally been there but as you go up or down to the center of the island it is definitely worth considering making a brief stop at Barranco de las Vacas. This is a small canyon that is distantly reminiscent of Antelope canyon in Arizona. The short trail starts <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/j46gvSkb6bxfji9z6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you have to leave your car along the road, and apparently there is not much parking. Among the various reviews there is useful info on where to park and find the trailhead. I recommend checking it out if you decide to visit.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Barranco_Las_Vacas.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Barranco de las Vacas.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Tejeda<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nestled in the mountains in the center of the island not far from the Nublo Rural Park, Tejeda is not only an ideal base for exploring the park but is also an extremely pleasant little town where you can spend a few hours relaxing in its streets or perhaps cooling off inside the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/nqapCbKqYjvHDhLs7\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">municipal swimming pool<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (admission costs 4\u20ac). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">T<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here is ample free parking at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/JaYzb9ukCoUCq15Z8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this spot.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06772.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Tejeda.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Parque rural del Nublo<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Nublo Rural Park is situated in the heart of the island and showcases unique alpine landscapes. If hiking isn&#8217;t your primary interest, I believe spending a day within the park is sufficient. However, if you enjoy hiking or seek to immerse yourself in nature for a few days, staying longer in the park can be a rewarding experience.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of trails and hikes to choose from. Below, I&#8217;ll list the ones I personally completed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Roque Nublo<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roque Nublo, the island&#8217;s iconic rock from which the park takes its name, is undoubtedly something not to be missed. If you only have time for one long hike, I strongly recommend the circuit you find described in detail on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/roque-nublo-la-rana-mirador-presa-de-los-hornos?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Be careful, however, because this is a fairly challenging trail. In fact, even walking at a brisk pace, it took me about three and a half hours to complete.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A much shorter alternative for anyone who wants to visit the iconic Roque Nublo while making minimal effort is the one described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/roque-nublo?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is just over 3 km and is by far the shortest path to the base of the monolith. There is a fairly large parking lot along the road at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/GBjQzEgBavX6pHxg9\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">trailhead<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but given the popularity of the place, it can quickly fill up especially in high season. If you plan to do the circuit mentioned above, although it is suggested to start from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/988XWc9QdtVtKmEg6\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mirador de Degollada Becerra<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (I strongly recommend visiting it at sunset by car!) basically any point is good, I for one started directly from the Llanos de la Pez campground. <\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06879.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Roque Nublo.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Pico de la Nieve<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At 1949 meters above sea level, Pico de la Nieve is the highest point on the island and offers incredible views all the way to the ocean, with Tenerife and Mount Teide in the distance. The summit can be easily reached by car but for the willing I recommend following the short trail described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/pico-de-las-nieves-y-degollada-de-los-hornos?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Starting from the Bailico campground and thus avoiding the section along the road, the circuit can easily be completed in about two hours with the satisfaction of hiking to the highest point on the island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideally, go up for sunset and descend with a flashlight, or alternatively, as I did, hike up during the day and drive back in the evening for sunset. I recommend arriving early because the parking lot is quite small and the location is very popular, especially at sunset. Even during the off-season, it tends to be crowded.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06818-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>View from Pico de la Nieve.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Barranco de Guayadeque<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The circuit, described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/barranco-de-guayadeque?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> runs on both sides of the Barranco de Guayadeque (a gorge) and briefly crosses the pine forest toward the center of the island. Again, since it is a circuit, you can decide to start from any point. If you come from the center of the island you can park at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Egw9HeKKhsnPyhSp8\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this point<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as I did without going further down the valley.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of the trails I completed within the park, this one was my least favorite. Don&#8217;t get me wrong, it&#8217;s still an enjoyable hike, but if you don\u2019t have much time, the Roque Nublo long circuit and Pico de la Nieve are better options.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, the Cascada Bonita circuit that you find described on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/spain\/gran-canaria\/cascada-bonita-montana-de-las-monjas-morro-de-pinarete?u=m\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It was supposed to be my last hike on the island but unfortunately the road leading to the beginning of the trail was cut off due to a landslide. In any case, the reviews are great and if I were looking for some other ideas to spend a day on the island I would definitely consider it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Barranco de Guayadeque.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b><i>Where to sleep in the Nublo rural park?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are willing to sleep in a tent, I strongly recommend the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/cabildo.grancanaria.com\/uso-publico\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Llanos de la Pez Campground area<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. I spent three nights there, and in addition to being conveniently located in the center of the park, it has all the amenities. Otherwise, Tejeda and the surrounding area is probably the best option. <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/finca-la-isa-lounge-hostel.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mountain Hostel Finca La Isa<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.booking.com\/hotel\/es\/casa-cueva-ecoartejeda.en.html?aid=1680713&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_adults=2\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ecoturismo Casa Cueva<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer both dorm beds and private rooms at good prices.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Diving in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To conclude this section on what to do and see in Gran Canaria, it&#8217;s worth mentioning its reputation as one of the world&#8217;s best diving destinations. For instance, Sardina del Norte is renowned for mantas in the fall, Las Palmas boasts the largest wreck among the Canary Islands, Arinaga offers the &#8216;El Cabron&#8217; site to the east, and generally, the southern part of the island near Mogan is excellent. You can find more information <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gran-canaria-diving.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on this website<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In any case, there&#8217;s no shortage of opportunities, and you shouldn&#8217;t have trouble finding dive shops.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06652-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Mirador de Degollada Becerra.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"iti\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Suggested itineraries in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the following itineraries are designed for a road trip around the island, given the fairly small distances involved, they can still be used by those who decide to opt for a different type of travel and use a &#8220;base&#8221; on the island or at least not change where you sleep every second day. In any case, take what follows as a starting point for constructing an itinerary based on your interests and in light of what has been described so far.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>3-day itinerary in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three days is a short time to visit the island but if you are coming from nearby Tenerife for a short visit it makes &#8220;perfect&#8221; sense and you can still enjoy what Gran Canaria has to offer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Agaete (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you arrive at the airport, the pier in Agaete or the pier in Las Palmas changes little except where you decide to spend the night. In any case I recommend spending the first day exploring the north coast: Arucas, Teror, Firgas,Cenobio de Valer\u00f3n and G\u00e0ldar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Tejeda (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hike to Roque Nublo, choose between the short and long versions. Explore Tejeda and climb to Pico de la Nieve for sunset.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Maspalomas (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I write Maspalomas but really you could spend the day at any of the beaches along the south coast. Watch the sunset at the dunes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>5-day itinerary in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With two more days to spare, one can certainly include a few more destinations.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Agaete (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you arrive at the airport, the pier in Agaete or the pier in Las Palmas changes little except where you decide to spend the night. In any case I recommend spending the first day exploring the north coast: Arucas, Teror, Firgas,Cenobio de Valer\u00f3n and G\u00e0ldar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Tejeda (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive along the old GC-200 coastal road, visit the Mirador del Balc\u00f3n and then go up to the Parque natural de Tamadaba where you can complete the hike to Roque Faneque or just the Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre, another option the hike to Charco Azul. Reach Tejeda and its surroundings for the night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hike to Roque Nublo, choose between the short and long versions. Explore Tejeda and climb to Pico de la Nieve for sunset.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Maspalomas (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I write Maspalomas but really you could spend the day at any of the beaches along the south coast. Watch the sunset at the dunes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day that you could simply spend at the beach or perhaps doing some activity that interests you such as surfing or scuba diving.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06687-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>7-day itinerary in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In my opinion, one week is the ideal length of time if you want to discover the island&#8217;s main attractions without having to make too many compromises.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Las Palmas (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 1:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the historic center of Las Palmas and the rest that the city has to offer. Spend the afternoon at the beach or visit the nearby Caldera de Bandama.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Agaete (1 night)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 2:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore the north coast: Arucas, Teror, Firgas,Cenobio de Valer\u00f3n and G\u00e0ldar.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Tejeda (3 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 3:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive along the old GC-200 coastal road, visit the Mirador del Balc\u00f3n and then go up to the Parque natural de Tamadaba where you can complete the hike to Roque Faneque or just the Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre, another option the hike to Charco Azul. Reach Tejeda and its surroundings for the night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hike to Roque Nublo, choose between the short and long versions. Explore Tejeda and climb to Pico de la Nieve for sunset.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 5:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose another excursion to complete within the park.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Maspalomas (2 nights)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 6:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I write Maspalomas but really you could spend the day at any of the beaches along the south coast. Watch the sunset at the dunes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Day 7:<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Day that you could simply spend at the beach or perhaps doing some activity that interests you such as surfing or scuba diving.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>10-day itinerary in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With ten days or even two weeks available, you have the flexibility to explore extensively and also spend several days relaxing on the beach without feeling the need to be &#8220;active&#8221; every day. You can follow the one-week itinerary described earlier and intersperse it with days of relaxation or engaging in activities that interest you, such as surfing lessons, shopping, or anything else that catches your fancy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"how\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>How to get around Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned several times in this guide, unless you plan to spend a beach vacation without moving around too much, having a car on one&#8217;s trip to Gran Canaria or at least renting it for part of the stay I think is extremely advisable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Rent a car in Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During my trip to the Canary Islands, I almost always rented my car with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cicar.com\/it\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cicar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the prices are competitive, you can easily pay without a credit card, no deposit is required, insurance is included and there are no deductibles, but most importantly, they have offices at all the ports and airports on the islands, which is really practical for those who are planning a touring trip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many other companies, on the other hand, have offices only at the airport, which is really inconvenient if instead of getting on a plane you want to drop your car off at the port and get on a ferry to another island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In short, if you have an inter-island road trip on your mind or for whatever reason you don&#8217;t want to drop your car off at the airport, Cicar is probably the best option. In all other cases, it&#8217;s definitely worth considering other car rentals by checking out sites like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovercars.com\/?a_aid=ilbackpacker\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discover Cars<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In any case, whether it&#8217;s Cicar or any other company, if you have specific dates, I recommend booking the car a few weeks in advance; doing so can really save you a lot compared to last-minute bookings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It should be noted that virtually all rental companies technically do not permit driving on dirt roads. Despite this, we have driven on dirt roads several times, but you might get in trouble if something happens.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, some companies technically allow you to take your rental car to another island via ferry, provided you return it to the original island. Many rental agreements explicitly prohibit leaving the island altogether. My advice, if needed, is to consider renting a separate car for each island you visit or at the very least inquire about the specific rental policies regarding inter-island travel.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06878.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"619\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Roque Nublo.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Buses in <\/b><b>Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are traveling alone and want to save money over the cost of renting a car, don&#8217;t feel like driving, or for any other reason don&#8217;t want to rent a car, public transportation is not bad at all, and with a little planning you can get to virtually any destination on the island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two companies that operate public transportation buses: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guaguasglobal.com\/en\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Global<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (find the various routes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guaguasglobal.com\/en\/lineas-horarios\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) connects all the major cities on the island while <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.guaguas.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guaguas Municipales<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> operates mainly in the capital city of Las Palmas.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Domestic Flights<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only two airlines operating domestic flights between the islands are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canaryfly.es\/eng\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CanaryFly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bintercanarias.com\/eng\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BinterCanarias<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Prices tend to be very similar but in general Binter seems to be slightly cheaper and has special fares for those under 29. In any case, look at both and if possible book at least a few weeks in advance for the best deals.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Ferries to <\/b><b>Gran Canaria<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cheapest alternative to flights and above all more practical for moving between islands are ferries. It is clear that if you have to get to La Palma from Gran Canaria it is definitely better to fly but to go to Fuerteventura and especially neighboring Tenerife, not only do you save money by taking the ferry but it is much more convenient as you don&#8217;t have to show up at the airport two hours before but can simply go to the port an hour before or even less, buy your ticket and board without necessarily booking your trip in advance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basically, if you don&#8217;t have a well-established itinerary, moving from island to island by ferry gives you much more flexibility. Anyway, there are several companies that operate between the islands. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/clkuk.tradedoubler.com\/click?p=313887&amp;a=3031236&amp;g=24950684\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct Ferris<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a site that aggregates all the companies and you can book your own tickets if you wish.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specifically, Gran Canaria has several daily departures from Agaete and Las Palmas to Santa Cruz de Tenerife with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredolsen.es\/en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fred Olsen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navieraarmas.com\/en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naviera Armas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trasmediterranea.es\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trasmediterranea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While departures to Morro Jable in Fuerteventura are from Las Palmas again with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fredolsen.es\/en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fred Olsen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Naviera <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navieraarmas.com\/en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Armas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trasmediterranea.es\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trasmediterranea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06853-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Roque Nublo with Tenerife and Teide in the background.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"cost\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking Gran Canaria: costs<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does a trip to Gran Canaria cost? Obviously it depends; those who read my blog know that I travel extremely frugally, and my trip to the Canary Islands was no exception. I managed to maintain a budget of \u20ac1,000 per month, or just over \u20ac30 per day all inclusive.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I fully realize that not everyone is willing or interested in the backpacker&#8217;s life, but the good news is that the Canary Islands are still a relatively inexpensive destination by European standards. Prices in general are lower than in mainland Spain itself because the islands are a kind of special region where VAT is only 7 percent and on many consumer goods you don&#8217;t pay at all. To give two examples, the cost of gasoline is about 1\u20ac per liter, a dinner at a restaurant if you don&#8217;t have high demands costs about 10\u20ac or so. In short, they may not be the prices of SouthEast Asia, but by European standards you certainly cannot complain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since we are talking about costs I think it is good to say a few words about what is definitely a great way to contain them: camping. Wild camping in Gran Canaria is technically illegal, but in reality it is widely tolerated so much so that even the locals don&#8217;t make too much of a fuss, and I spent a night in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/Pm2RmkZ3z95xNkpLA\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playa de Aguadulce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> within walking distance of two local guys sleeping in tents. If you set up away from prying eyes you shouldn&#8217;t have any kind of problem, even better if, given the very low rainfall in the summertime, you don&#8217;t pitch your tent at all.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During my stay in Gran Canaria, I spent a few nights &#8220;camping&#8221; on the beach during which I merely inflated my camping mat when it was bedtime. Again, though, it is technically illegal; the choice is yours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to stay within the law, the island government provides some equipped areas where you can camp legally and for free. I have mentioned some of them throughout this guide and at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cabildo.grancanaria.com\/zonas-de-acampada\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this link<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you will find the complete list. I strongly recommend booking early and especially creating the account <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">needed for booking purposes as this step alone can take a few days since once created it will have to be verified by sending an ID to the email address given.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, to find places to camp in the Canary Islands I recommend the app <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/park4night.com\/?langage=it\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">park4night<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, designed especially for those who want to spend the night in an RV, minivan or car. It is also a fantastic resource for those who simply want to find a secluded place to pitch their tent or put down a mat, as we often did.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/DSC06622-Edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1109\" height=\"624\" \/>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Mirador de Degollada Becerra.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"safe\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/div>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Backpacking Gran Canaria: safety<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands in general is an absolutely safe destination, with really low crime rates. It is also recommended for families with children. That said, as with any destination, <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/backpacking-safety\/\">common sense should be used<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only two notes I would make are to be extremely careful where you swim, as you may have noticed, throughout this guide, several times I have pointed out that some beaches are suitable for swimming. Since this is ocean, the currents can be extremely dangerous, especially the rip currents can take you out to sea quickly with potentially fatal consequences. I got to know a gentleman who was taken offshore with his children and he told me how he had already seen the end of it, not exactly a good experience.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, many of the more isolated beaches do not have lifeguards, and especially in the off-season you may be the only person there. In short, if you are not an experienced swimmer, be careful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, if you decide to rent a car make sure not to leave any valuables inside when unattended. Unfortunately, seeing broken glass in parking lots and signs urging people not to leave anything in the car are all too common.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Are you planning a trip to Gran Canaria? Check out these posts:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/best-travel-cards\/\">The best cards for traveling<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/gear\/packing-list\/\">What to bring on your trip<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Do you have any questions? Updated information? Feel free to leave a comment or message me on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ilbackpacker\/\">Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Since I no longer run ads, if you found this article helpful, please consider purchasing your <a href=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/start-here\/safety\/travel-insurance\/\">travel insurance<\/a> through one of the links on this site. Doing so supports my work at no additional cost to you. For EU and UK residents, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.truetraveller.com\/?tag=4486\">True Traveller<\/a>. For everyone else, I recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/heymondo.com\/?utm_medium=Afiliado&amp;utm_source=ILBACKPACKER&amp;utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&amp;cod_descuento=ILBACKPACKER&amp;ag_campaign=INPUT&amp;agencia=3e3e0e90cc3ad100e738962ea2e0b0be8d69\">HeyMondo<\/a>, which offers a 5% discount. Thank you for your support!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?hosted_button_id=QTBBEQQCE37GA\">For donations\/pizzas and virtual beers<\/a> \ud83d\ude42\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Did you like the post? Pin it!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-7577\" src=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_gran_canaria.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"330\" height=\"495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_gran_canaria.png 330w, https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/backpacking_gran_canaria-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gran Canaria is an island that is unbelievable because there really is everything: colonial-style villages, beaches, almost desert-like parts and, further inland, mountains and forest that create an alpine landscape in stark contrast to what is the coast, only a few kilometers down.\u00a0<\/span>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spagna-en"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7716"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7716\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ilbackpacker.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}