It may be, for the most part, about pristine beaches, countless hours of sunshine and a rich culture, but Gran Canaria is so much more than just ‘another’ Spanish island holiday destination. Probably the most historically rich of the Canary Islands and believed to have been inhabited as early as 500BC, the historical vibe contributes to the popularity of Gran Canaria holidays. The Canary Island’s sand dunes, forests and mountains make it a great place for the adventurous and naturally-intrigued tourist, while sun-seekers will be in paradise with a plethora of beaches close to the resorts. The island’s geographically African location means that no matter what time of year you visit, cheap Gran Canaria holidays will be sun-filled affairs.
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The Sand Dunes of Maspalomas
The Maspalomas Sand Dunes are one of the Canary Island’s most popular natural attractions. You can trek for 5km across the beach-fronted dunes from the resort of Maspalomas to Playa del Ingles or vice-versa. Make sure you wear appropriate footwear; Gran Canaria holidays offer sunshine in abundance so you can imagine just how hot the sand gets. The sights are beautiful and vast, though you may want to keep your eyes up at times as the dunes are popular with sunbathing nudists.
Gran Canaria’s first conqueror Juan Rejon constructed the Fort of Las Palmas in 1478, making the museum the first piece of Christian architecture on the island. The fort contained, amongst other things, the Governor’s House which is now part of the popular Casa de Colón. An excellent example of Canarian architecture, the building’s façade is a work of art in itself and the exterior features patios, fountains and palm trees. It also happens to be the location where Christopher Columbus stayed before setting sail for the New World in 1492. Much of the museum is dedicated to the voyager and his journey to the Americas, with the building’s history and an art gallery also focused on.
At two miles long and boasting a barrier reef known simply as La Barra, Playa de las Canteras is one of the most popular beaches in Gran Canaria. The coral sandstone reef breaks the waves, making it much calmer at the beach and also provides you with broken bits of souvenirs. There are many bars, restaurants and souvenir shops near the beach, as well as the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium; a landmark in its own right, dedicated to the Las Palmas-born tenor of the same name.
Cocodrilo Park in Agüimes is home to the biggest collection of crocodiles in Europe. The Balser family, who own the park, were initially asked to take care of a few crocs have expanded somewhat since 1988 and now own over 300! The park is also home to tropical fish, Bengal tigers, parrots a variety of monkeys and much more. The crocodiles are the main attraction however and you can be rest assured that they – like all the animals – are taken care of extremely well; the environmental protection police have handed numerous animals into the Balser family’s capable hands. This isn’t just a zoo; it’s a family-friendly, family-feeling home for animals and one of the most popular Canary Island attractions on cheap Gran Canaria holidays.
From the vast Sahara-like sandscapes to the dense, verdant slopes of Pinar de Tamadaba, Gran Canaria’s landscape diversity is perfectly showcased by the varying dynamic of its popular natural attractions. The forest has the largest collection of Canarian pine on the island and it’s this and the areas collection of rare flowers and plant life that have seen it designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. There are plenty of trails that are of varying degrees of difficulty, so all visitors can still experience wondrous green walks and magnificent scenery regardless of their desired level of activity.
Essential info
Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
Visa: N/A
Vaccinations: N/A
Dress code: N/A
Important numbers: Embassy: 020 7235 5555
Other info: N/A