Top Things to Do in Gran Canaria

Home , Aviary, Maspalomas Lighthouse

"Top Things To Do in Gran Canaria" Gran Canaria boasts of an amazing microcosm, characterized by warm temperatures year-round, gorgeous Atlantic beaches, volcanic landscapes

and an aboriginal legacy pre-dating Christ by several centuries. There is so much to discover in Gran Canaria!

Créé par: Cityseeker

10 Emplacements marqués

Playa del Inglés "Beachside Resort"

Possibly one of Gran Canaria's most popular seaside resorts, Playa del Inglés lies along the southern coast of the island between Maspalomas and San Agustín. A swathe of barren land until the 1960s, Playa del Inglés was purpose-built as a resort. By day, the resort's 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) strip of golden sand is the main draw, bathed in sunshine year round, with by Wouter Hagens nudist enclaves alongside more family-friendly corners. Besides water sports, there are also go-karts to steer down serpentine routes and mini golf courses to conquer. For shopping, weekly markets and souvenir stalls jostle for space alongside large malls and designer boutiques. There's a wide variety of restaurants to choose from as well, with fast food to fine dining and everything in between. Interspersed in between are towering, highrise hotels and luxury resorts. As the sun sets, Playa del Inglés sheds its laid-back attitude and embraces the night with ardor. There are nightclubs and bars aplenty, with parties around every corner, the convivial revelry extending well into the wee hours of the morning. For a break from the beach, stroll along the Paseo Costa Canaria along Playa de las Burras to the magnificent dunes of Maspalomas, often referred to as the "mini Sahara" of Gran Canaria.

Calle las Dunas, Playa del Inglés

Palmitos Park "Nature At Its Best"

Exotic, vibrant and wondrous, Palmitos Park is a subtropical paradise for close encounters with the wild. This botanical and ornithological park is set in a verdant valley of swaying palms, home to over 200 species of birds including the colorful macaws, toucans, hornbills, hummingbirds, flamingos and more. A zoo, aviary, dolphinarium, aquarium and botanical by Felix König garden rolled into one, Palmitos Park features several must-see attractions including Europe's largest Butterfly House. While eagles, falcons and owls swoop overhead at the Birds-of-Prey show, dolphins amaze with their gymnastic stunts, gibbons swing from trees, and vibrant coral fish teem at the aquarium. There's also a Cacti House, Orchid House, and animals like Wallabies, Meerkats and Komodo Dragons to visit. With a whole host of installations, attractions, educational programs and exhibits to explore, the park is a front-runner when it comes to describing nature in all its glory.

+34 928 79 70 70 www.palmitospark.es/ [email protected] Off GC-50, Barranco de los Palmitos, Maspalomas Church of San Juan Bautista "Spectacular Neo-Gothic Church"

This is one of the best examples of neo-Gothic architecture in the Canary Islands, designed by the Catalan architect, Manuel Vega March, in 1909. The use of blue stone and the fine work on the towers reflect the expertise and traditional command of the art of masonry, for which the craftsmen of this northern area were known. The whole village contributed towards its by Mataparda construction, and it was finally opened in 1917, although the towers did not go up until many years later, in 1977. Inside, there are various works by the local painter, Cristóbal Hernández de Quintano, the recumbent statue of Christ by Manuel Ramos from Arucas and other works by Flemmish and Italian artists. The church is known as the Catedral de Arucas.

Calle Párroco Cárdenes 3, Arucas

Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana "Famous For The Bronze Dogs"

This square is right in the center of Las Palmas. Surrounded by important religious, municipal and judicial buildings and of great ideological importance, its style was copied for similar squares all over Latin America. Its political significance reached its peak in the mid-19th century, when a number of demonstrations in favor of provincial division were held here. by Bengt Nyman Although its construction dates back to the beginning of the 16th century, it's now as it was in the 19th century, thanks to various improvements to restore paving stones, the four entrances, and the perimeter, with stone parapets and iron railings. The bronze dogs at the main entrance are famous.

+34 928 219 600 (Tourist Information) Plaza de Santa Ana, Ile de la Grande Canarie (Iles Canaries)

Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo

"A Botanical Paradise"

Perched on the slopes of the Guiniguada Ravine, the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden is a microcosm of the Canary Islands' diverse flora. The Swedish-Spanish botanist, Eric Ragnor Sventenius, is the founding father by El Coleccionista de of these botanical gardens commonly known as Jardín Canario. For years, Instantes he roamed the islands, exploring distant corners, scaling precipitous slopes and venturing down undiscovered paths in a quest to compose an exhaustive collection of the archipelago's endemic species. There are leafy laurel trees, parched xerofila, palms, aeonium, and giant cacti among many others, beautifully arranged in awe-inspiring, thematic gardens that encompass the vast breadth of the islands' exotic botanical reserves. A popular tourist attraction, the Jardin Canario is also internationally renown for its preservation programs. In 1983, a seed bank for the Canaries' endemic trees was established here, and there's also a library, a herbarium, and laboratories. Spread over 27 hectares (67 acres), this vast, verdant enclave is a journey across Macaronesia and its bountiful, natural landscapes, replete with plants that are entirely unique to the Canaries.

+34 928 35 46 13 www.jardincanario.org/ jardincanario@grancanaria. Carretera del Dragonal, com Tafira Alta Roque Nublo "Natural Icon"

Roque Nublo, or the Cloud Rock, is one of the world's largest free- standing rocks and Gran Canaria's most striking natural icon. Formed over 4.5 million years ago, this volcanic rock has been shaped by the elements over millennia into an 80-meter (262-foot) tall monolith at a height of 1,813 meters (5,948 feet) above sea level. Outdone by only the Pico de las by Roquenublogc Nieves, Roque Nublo is the island's second highest peak. Sweeping views of the surrounding countryside lay sprawled at its feet, like a patchwork quilt of pine forests and farmland arranged in deep, plunging folds. Often shrouded by a bank of clouds or icy mist, the enigmatic Roque Nublo is surprisingly accessible, and it is possible to walk right up to its base. Scaling its sheer face is another matter altogether, a feat braved only by experienced climbers with the right kind of equipment. Described by the Spanish writer, Miguel de Unamuno, as a storm turned to stone, Roque Nublo is a sight of striking beauty, rising from the ground like a defiant behemoth frozen in the guise of a jagged pinnacle.

Off GC-600, Tejeda

Bandama Caldera "The Depths of Wonder"

Formed thousands of years ago, the Bandama Caldera is a giant bowl of wonder and a reminder of the volcanic origins of the Canary Islands. The volcanic crater shelters a diverse collection of native flora and fauna, several of which are unique to the Canary Islands. 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) wide and over 200-meters (656-feet) deep, the caldera is a natural by Martin Falbisoner wonder that is easily accessible from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Bandama Caldera lies at the heart of one of the Gran Canaria's oldest wine regions, its bodegas and wineries havens of epicurean delights, while challenging hiking trails lead past scenes of natural splendor. Along the way are caves once inhabited by the island's natives, abandoned farmhouses and a secret bunker in the guise of a visitor's center. Hikers will find that there are several avenues to explore, the most popular beginning at the Pico de Bandama Viewpoint, leading down into the depths of the caldera. Other interesting sites include the pond of El Culatón and the cross of the Tres Piedras.

Carretera Caldera de Bandama, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park "Back to the Past"

Cueva Pintada or the Painted Cave in Gran Canaria is a key to the lost history of the Guanche, the original inhabitants of the island before the Spanish. Discovered in 1873, the caves contain a series of geometric color paintings by natives. When the museum was established, the entire by Wolfgang Sauber archaeological complex was opened again to the public after several years. A thick glass wall separates visitors from the caves, through which they can glimpse the painted caves. The museum exhibits pottery and artifacts that were discovered during excavations. Remains of a historic country house that were excavated near the caves have been reproduced to depict native village life. History buffs would appreciate the scientific methods used to preserve this important piece of heritage.

+34 928 89 54 89 www.cuevapintada.com/ cuevapintada@grancanaria Calle Audiencia 2, Gáldar .com Elder Museum of Science and Technology "Science for Everybody"

The Museum of Science and Technology is one of the latest attractions which Las Palmas has to offer its citizens and visitors. The building consists of four floors, each of them representing a theme. Even though there are panels with explanations all over the museum, there are also by hh oldman guides who will help you with any question or doubt you may have. Special consideration is given to children in this museum. There is the Pirindola hall, and Robot Eldi, who sings, dances and organizes games. Two other attractions, popular with the public in general, are Cinema 70, a non-stop documentary show, and Foucault's Pendulum. There is also a souvenir shop.

+34 828 01 18 28 www.museoelder.org/ museo.elder@museoelder. Calle Luis Morote, Parque de canariastelecom.com Santa Catalina, Ile de la Grande Canarie (Iles Canaries)

Maspalomas Lighthouse "19th-century Lighthouse"

A centuries-old relic of the naval heritage of Gran Canaria, the Maspalomas Lighthouse on the southern coast of the island is an important piece of history. Also known as Faro de Maspalomas, it first shone out to the ships of yesteryear in 1890. Over the years, it has been witness to the conversion of the island from a relatively inconspicuous spit by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) of land into a premier holiday destination. Standing tall at 55 meters, it is the third tallest lighthouse in Spain. A climb up to the lamp of the lighthouse is worth all the effort, for the fantastic views of the sea and nearby Playa del Inglés.

+34 928 219 600 (Tourist Information) Plaza del Faro 15, Maspalomas

REJOIGNEZ-NOUS A: cityseeker.com