Gran Canaria Map |
|
Spain Map |
 |
|
|
 Puerto Morgan © canaryforum.com The third largest but most developed of the seven islands in the
Spanish-administered Canary archipelago, Gran Canaria has been
billed as a 'miniature continent' because of the variety of
climates and landscapes that it offers, from the big city bustle of
the capital, Las Palmas, to the serenity of its lush woodlands.
The Canaries lie in the Atlantic Ocean, about 125 miles (200km)
from the African coast and almost 800 miles (1,250km) from the
closest European port of Cadiz. Gran Canaria is almost circular,
with a diameter of about 32 miles (50km), and is characterised by
deep ravines that radiate out from the centre down to the coast.
The north of the island is humid, boasting green valleys and
volcanic craters, while the south is arid and desert-like with vast
stretches of beach.
The capital, Las Palmas, lies on the northeast tip of the
island, between two long beaches, Las Caletas and Alcaravaneras.
The interior of Gran Canaria has steep highlands dotted with small
villages, sporting white houses with red roofs, banana plantations
and orchards bursting with tropical fruits. Tourists generally
favour the southern coastline, flocking to the well-known beaches
of Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas, where the sea washes soft
sands and empty dunes stretch for miles.
Resorts See our separate guides to the following Gran Canaria holiday resorts: Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Puerto Morgan, Puerto Rico, Playa del Cura and Las Palmas Attractions  Aqualand Maspalomas © www.aqualand.es Aqualand Gran Canaria
Aqualand is a must for all families visiting Gran Canaria,
especially those with children. A range of slides, pools and rides
will keep the kids busy all day long and older children will love
the Kamikaze and tornado, while younger tots can paddle in the
shallower waters of the Mini Park and Polynesia.
Address: Ctra. Palmitos Park, Km 3;
Website: www.aqualand.es;
Telephone: 928 140 525;
Opening time: Open daily from 10m 6pm;
Admission: 25 (adults); 17.50 (children)
 Casa de Colon © pano_pilou Casa de Colon
Christopher Columbus is believed to have stayed for different
periods in the Casa de Colon in the historical quarter of Vegueta
in Las Palmas on his way to the Americas. The house now serves as a
museum displaying relics of early transatlantic voyages and
pre-Columbian cultures, as well as acting as a cultural centre for
the study of the Canaries' relationship with the Americas.
E-mail: casacolon@granca.step.es;
Telephone: 928 312 373;
Opening time: Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, weekends 9am to 3pm;
Admission: Free
 Go-Karting track © grancanaria.grankarting.com Go-Karting Club
Young children will love nothing more than a spot of go-karting
and racing their family round the track. Children under five years
old can enjoy the Tiny Tots small pitch where they can enjoy
battery operated Mini Formulas and Mini-Motos, younger kids can
enjoy the junior track and over 16s can feel the thrill of racing
at speed of up to 50mph (780kmph).
Address: Ctra. Gral. del Sur Km 46;
E-mail: grancanaria@grankarting.com;
Website: grancanaria.grankarting.com;
Telephone: 928 157 190;
Opening time: Open daily. Winter: 10am 9pm; Summer: 11am 10pm;
Admission: 18 Adults); 12 (children)
 Holiday World © www.holidayworld-maspalomas.com Holiday World
Featuring a wide variety of activities, Holiday World is a
funpark which caters specifically to children on holiday in Gran
Canaria. They can enjoy rides such as bumper cars, a Ferris-wheel,
Roller coaster and Pirate ship as well as games such as ten pin
bowling. A range of restaurants and fast-food outlets are also
available.
Address: Avda. Touroperador Tui, Maspalomas;
E-mail: marketing@holidayworld-maspalomas.es;
Website: www.holidayworld-maspalomas.com;
Telephone: 928 73 04 98;
Admission: Prices start at 5 for 10 credits in the funfair
 Museo Canario skull © Xos้ Castro Museo Canario
The main museum in Las Palmas is well worth a visit, boasting
the world’s largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls and a few
mummies. The museum also gives a comprehensive overview of the life
and times of Gran Canaria’s original inhabitants, the
fair-haired light-skinned Guanche people, who were conquered by the
Spanish in the 15th century.
Address: 2 Verneau Dr.;
E-mail: info@elmuseocanario.com;
Website: www.elmuseocanario.com;
Telephone: 928 336 800;
Opening time: Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, weekends 10am to 2pm. Guided tours are available;
Admission: 3, concessions available
 Pueblo Canario Museo Nestor © Mataparda Pueblo Canario
The whitewashed Pueblo Canario was the pet project of Canarian
artist Nestor Martin-Fernandez de la Torre, who conceived and
oversaw the creation of this idealised representation of a typical
island village in Dorames Park, Las Palmas. Buildings surround a
square where performances of traditional folk music and dance take
place every Sunday morning. The village also contains the Museo
Nestor, in which is housed a collection of the artist’s
modernist paintings. The village also contains a Bodegon (wine bar)
serving local dishes.
Opening time: Tuesday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Sundays 10.30am to 2.30pm
Excursions Arucas
The delightful town of Arucas sits beneath a dormant volcano on
the northern coast of Gran Canaria, and is one of the most popular
places for tourists to visit. The neat town is dominated by the
majestic Church of San Juan Bautista, carved in stone by local
workers. The town is also the centre of sugar and rum production on
the island and visitors are welcome at the Fabrica y Museo del Ron
to witness how sugar cane is turned into rum. It is possible to
take a short walk out of the town to the Montana de Arucas
viewpoint for a panoramic look at the northern coastline.
Palmitos Park
A colourful and entertaining look at nature is presented at
Palmitos Park, situated four miles (6km) inland from Arguineguin on
the south coast. The park is a subtropical oasis containing
thousands of birds, fish, trees, plants and particularly orchids.
The orchid house is the largest in the Canary Islands and the range
is astonishing. There is a cactus garden too, a huge butterfly
house and an aquarium featuring a recreated riverbed. Parrots
complete the picture among the lush Canarian flora which fills the
park. Due to the devastating fires that swept through Gran Canaria
at the end of July 2007, Palmitos Park is closed until further
notice.
Website: www.palmitospark.es;
Telephone: 928 140 276;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 6pm;
Admission: 16 (adults), 11 (children)
Parque de los Cocodrilo
This Crocodile Park is home to more than 300 crocodiles and
alligators from all over the world. Visitors shouldn't miss the
crocodiles' feeding time - at 12pm, 2pm and 4.15pm. The other half
of the park is a zoo, which has sections on monkeys and
chimpanzees, tigers, jaguars, camels and much more. There is a
restaurant in the centre of the park where visitors can see a show
where parrots perform various tricks, including doing a jigsaw
puzzle and roller skating! The park is near the town of
Aguímes, a few miles southwest of the airport.
Address: Villa de Aguํmes;
E-mail: cocodril@arrakis.es;
Telephone: 928 784 725;
Transport: Hourly bus between 9am and 3pm from near the fun fair in Maspalomas. Alternatively the park operates a service from Puerto Rico, picking up outside the Jamaica Supermarket, at 10.30am on Thursdays and Sundays;
Opening time: Sunday to Friday 10am to 6pm
Reptilandia
Those with a soft spot for reptiles should visit Reptilandia,
situated a little off the beaten tack, near Agaete in the northwest
of the island. It includes a collection of snakes, tortoises,
turtles and lizards – the Komodo Dragon here is believed to
be the largest lizard in the world. There are also sections on
spiders and monkeys.
Address: Parque Rural de Amagro;
Telephone: 928 551 269;
Opening time: Daily 11am to 5.30pm
Sioux City
One of the most popular days out in Gran Canaria, Sioux City was
built originally as a stage set for an American western film in
1972, but developed into a Wild West theme park complete with
cowboys, Indians, Mexicans and of course a sheriff. There are shows
throughout the day featuring bank robberies, saloon fights, cattle
stampedes, rodeos and gunfights at the OK Corral. Between shows
visitors can enjoy a barbeque or taste the culinary delights of the
Three Star Saloon. Every Friday evening there are barbecue evenings
complete with country dancing.
Address: San Agustํn;
Telephone: 928 762 573;
Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; closed Mondays
Waterparks
There are three water parks on Gran Canaria: Aqua Park in Puerto
Rico, and Ocean Park and Aqualand Aquasur, the largest on Gran
Canaria, in Maspalomas. All offer enough attractions to keep
children and adults amused all day, including dozens of slides and
swimming pools. Aqualand also has a wave machine and a 'lazy river'
where visitors can float around the complex on an inflatable
tyre.
Opening time: Ocean Park and Aqualand Aquasur: 10am to 5pm, Aqua Park: 10am to 6.30pm, closing at 5.30pm in winter;
Admission: Aqualand: 22.50 (adults), 16 (children 3-12 years). Aqua Park: 21,50(adults), 15,50 (children) ; sunbed 2 extra. Ocean Park: 10 (adults), 5 (children)
|
