Gran Canaria has an international airport (LPA) and flights from the UK take around four hours.
Nature & Outdoors
Caves, conquests and the original Canarians
Nature & Outdoors
Highlights
Natural strength in a sacred place
There are three rocks in Gran Canaria standing in a spot shrouded by magic, among the island’s highest mountains.
Together, they represent the perfect combination of the natural and cultural landscape surrounding El Roque Bentayga, the spiritual axis of the island’s aboriginal world.
These three pillars mark out a landscape among the highest mountains that is tailor-made to gaze at the sky.
You’ll find that Roque Bentayga is hiding countless secrets. Tales of astral cycles, aboriginal rituals, and equinoxes, where the sun is reflected on the base of this impressive natural monument every year as it reaches the highest point in the sky.
The town of Gáldar
A total of 27 kilometres separate Gáldar from the capital. The highest part of the municipality is situated at some 1,700 metres above sea-level. In the high areas of this northern municipality we find well differentiated morphologies which originated from the volcanic eruptions of “El Montañón Negro”, “La Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar” and the “Hondo de Fagagesto”
The town of Gáldar, capital of one of the ancient kingdoms of the island before the Spanish conquest of Gran Canaria, shows part of its ancestral past in the Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave) Archaeological Park in the centre of town. Here we have one of the main findings of rock drawings in the Atlantic area.
Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains
The complex made up by Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria cultural landscape was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2019.
It was chosen unanimously by all the member states and thereby acknowledges the particular importance of this archaeological, human and scenic environment on a worldwide scale.
One of the most outstanding elements of the space is what is known as Risco Caido cave 6, a marker or astronomical lunisolar temple located on the left-hand side of the Barranco Hondo ravine, in the town of Artenara.
The cavity nestles among a total of 21 caves excavated out of the volcanic limestone in this settlement, located at the top of a steep cliff, more than 1,200 metres above sea level.
Ancient Secrets of Maipés de Agaete
This spacious funeral mound of aboriginal culture is located on the way to the stunning valley of Agaete, and along with Arteara, in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, constitutes one of the most spectacular burial mounds on volcanic material in the whole of the Canaries, with over a square kilometre of surface area.
The Maipés is a badlands, an arid, rocky area of volcanic lava flow in which a cemetery is preserved, with nearly 700 Ancient Canarian tombs, some of which were made over 1.300 years ago.
These burial mounds were made out of volcanic stones, and are usually truncated cone-shaped, in some cases reaching up to 8m. in diametre and 3m. in height. The dead body was placed inside, in a kind of stone drawer made to the body’s size.
Ancient Secrets of Maipés de Agaete
This is a superb aboriginal grain collection store, in a settlement located up on a high escarpment at Montaña del Gallego. It was built by the ancient Canarians over 800 years ago, making full use of the geological conditions at the volcanic cone. With the help of flint stones they opened up over 350 cavities laid out on several levels, which were used for the storage of cereals and other foodstuffs.
The vision itself of the grain caverns and the awe-inspiring ravines that surround them will leave a long lasting picture in the memory of all who visit them. Visitors can learn all about the Ancient Canarians during their guided tour around the information boards, scale models and life-size recreations all along the route.
Food & Culinary
Getting creative with Canarian cuisine
Food & Culinary
Highlights
Cities and Towns
The original holiday haven
#SoMuchToLiveFor
Flavours Adventure Culture for you.
Best time to go
There’s really never a bad time to visit, as the island’s microclimate means that you can always find warmth and you’re pretty much guaranteed sunshine. Winter and summer are busier, as is carnival time in February.
Where to stay
To get a real sense of the agricultural heritage and see where many products come from, book a stay at farmhouse La Hacienda del Buen Suceso.
Paradisus by Meliá Gran Canaria is home to the exciting Peseta by Germán Ortega and offers island experiences such as wine tasting and visiting a plantation.
Must-pack item
Besides a healthy appetite, an open mind and palate, it’s wise to bring plenty of suncream and maybe some room in your suitcase to take back some foodie souvenirs such as mojo and wine.
How to do it
You can experience a little taste of nuevo Canario cuisine on any trip to the island. Most people come for a week or 10 days and in that time it’s easy to fit in a few restaurants.
While bus services to all parts of the island are frequent and inexpensive, you may find it easier to hire a car. Opt for a local company such as Cicar or Tirma.
Anything else
Cheese has long been made in Gran Canaria and there are many artisan producers. The most famous is Queso Flor de Guía – a creamy cheese made using thistle flowers.
Rum has been made on the island for more than 100 years and it’s worth tasting some local ron miel (honey rum) or visiting the Arehucas rum distillery to learn more.