Gran Canaria Spain. Spain: Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). History of Gran Canaria

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Gran Canaria is the most popular tourist island in the Canary archipelago and the third largest after Tenerife and Fuerteventura.

Large tourist centers have a developed infrastructure, many hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and attractions, people come here for a beach holiday and vibrant nightlife. Small resorts specialize in water sports, where you can make boat trips, windsurf, fish in the open ocean, skydive - in general, have fun actively. The real pearl of the island is its famous Maspalomas Dunes (Dunas de Maspalomas), which tourists from all over the world come to see.

The most popular place in Gran Canaria - a huge 8-kilometer beach - is occupied by three resorts: San Agustin, Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. There are many tourists here all year round and the richest choice of entertainment, including camel rides on the dunes of Maspalomas. Smaller resorts are concentrated on the west coast, including the fishing port of Puerto de Mogan, where the best fish restaurants are, and the secluded Playa de Guigui.

Entertainment and attractions of Gran Canaria

The main attraction of Gran Canaria is its nature. First of all, the dunes of Maspalomas are must-see places. There are several versions about the origins of sand dunes in these parts - it is not completely known where the huge mass of white sand came from, but scientists are of the opinion that they were "blown" by winds from Africa, from the Sahara desert. The dunes are known for their beautiful sunsets and camel rides.

Another natural attraction of the island is the caldera of the ancient Bandama volcano. Several hiking trails have been laid to its crater, and its beauty can also be appreciated from above - from the Pico de Bandama observation deck. Near the volcano there is a village of potters where you can walk along the ancient streets and buy unusual handmade souvenirs.

25 km from Maspalomas is the Crocodile Park, which was opened by the Balzer family, first taking care of a couple of reptiles, and then the farm grew to a whole park. Today, not only crocodiles live here, but also pythons, parrots, monkeys, Siberian tigers and other animals. In the park, you can watch the crocodile lunch show or feed the predators yourself.

Architecture and museums

For beautiful architecture and culture, it is worth going to the capital - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This is the largest city on the island, the San Antonio Chapel, Santa Ana Square and the church of the same name, the Regental and Consistorial palaces, as well as one of the main attractions of Gran Canaria - the Columbus House Museum, have been preserved. This is one of the most beautiful buildings in Las Palmas, the former residence of the governor of the island, and today it houses the museum of geographical discoveries. This house is directly connected with the name of Columbus - he lived here in 1492, while his ship was being repaired.

The island has discos, concert halls, casinos, gyms, tennis courts, golf courses, etc. All trade, restaurants, bars, discos and other entertainment are concentrated in shopping centers or on the way to them.

In the neighborhood of Baia Feliz and Playa del Aguila, there is the largest karting track in the Canaries, 1650 m long. There is also an aeroclub (Aeroclub de Gran Canaria), where you can order a ten-minute or half-hour helicopter ride over the most beautiful places on the island, and if you wish - jump with a parachute.

Variety shows are open in San Agustin and the only casino in Maspalomas (Casino Gran Canaria) at the Melia Tamarindos hotel. Here is the largest thalassotherapy center in Europe (Talasoterapia Canarias).

The resort of Playa del Ingles attracts young tourists with the Kasbah center, where all the popular Chic and Joy pubs and discos are concentrated, as well as the Cita center with the Pasha disco.

In the Campo International area there is the Faro II entertainment center, a huge golf course, the Holiday World amusement park with roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and a bowling alley, and the Ocean Park water amusement park. Next door is another water park, no less ingeniously named Aqualand.

Discos do not open until 23:00.

Weather in Gran Canaria

Most of the island has a mild climate. Winter is warm (+19...+23 °C), summer is hot (+24...+30 °C). The average water temperature in summer is +20...+23 °C, in winter +17...+20 °C. A feature of the island is a sharp change in natural zones: from high, forested mountains, on the tops of which there is almost always snow, to sunny beaches. Mountain peaks make it difficult for cold northern winds to penetrate the southern part of the island, so a warm and dry climate prevails there. That is why the most popular beach resorts are located in the south, and windy weather is typical for the north, which is why surfers have chosen it.

Gran Canaria is not the largest, but one of the most visited islands of the Canary archipelago. Having a rounded shape, it is located west of the southern coast of Morocco and is surrounded on all sides by the Atlantic Ocean. The island looks like a miniature continent due to the enormous number of picturesque landscapes, the diversity of flora and fauna, and the variety of climatic zones. Like each of the Canary Islands, it owes its birth to the volcanic activity of the ocean floor.

A few words about the climate

Gran Canaria, like Tenerife, and many other objects of the magnificent seven, many call the island of eternal spring. And for good reason: the local climate pleases all year round, because in winter the air temperature is around 22°C, and in summer - about 27°C. Water warms up to 20°C in winter, and often reaches 25°C in summer. This place has 350 sunny days a year. August is considered the hottest period, but the high temperature does not feel like hellish hell - it saves the ocean.

The island is also notable for the fact that at the same time it can be warm on the beach, and only ten kilometers away in the mountains there is snow.

Like a knife, the island is divided by a mountain range into northern and southern climatic zones. In the northern part, a more humid and cool climate prevails - this is the so-called trade wind area. It is not very sunny here, but there is a lot of greenery. Arid and warmer climate prevails in the south of the island. This division also affected the distribution of the tourist complexes of the island. All of them, of course, are in the south.

Focus on the main

• the beaches of the island are no doubt ready to receive guests from all over the world. Regardless of the time of the year and the conjuncture of the tourism business;
• rest on Gran Canaria unhurried and measured. However, there are activities for fans of extreme entertainment. And those excursions that will be offered to you will not take much time and effort, so necessary for lying on the warm sand caressing the body;
• diversity is the word that best describes this island in the Canary archipelago. The unique relief allows you to visit the sea coast in a short time, in a valley overgrown with dense greenery, walk through the subtropical forest. And if the eye suddenly gets tired of the beauties of southern nature - welcome to the mountains, where you will find the crunch of fresh snow and the silence of mountain peaks.

More than one and a half thousand species of subtropical and tropical plants grow in Gran Canaria, some of which (about a hundred) are unique. For example, the Canarian bell is one of the symbols of the archipelago.

The island of Gran Canaria has the status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve, and therefore some of its parts are closed to the public, there are more than three dozen protected areas in total.

How to get there

If you decide to visit the "island of eternal spring", you need to take into account that this will be associated with some difficulties. The airport is located on the east coast, two dozen kilometers from the capital of the island. You can fly here from almost all major European cities - Berlin, Madrid, London, Barcelona, ​​Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, etc. There is currently only one direct flight from Russia to the Canary Islands: Moscow - Tenerife. And you can get directly to Gran Canaria using local flights or by ferry. The price of the flight is about €100 for a round trip ticket. It is convenient to travel around the island by driving or by bus: the airport, all resorts and tourist centers are connected by a motorway.

Thanks to the developed ferry lines from Gran Canaria, it is easy to get to other Canary Islands. There are regular and express ferries, tickets for which are much more expensive, but the journey will take much less time. The port in Las Palmas is the main one on the island.

Beaches

Undoubtedly, one of the main values ​​of the island of Gran Canaria, which invariably attracts tourists, is its amazing beaches, with a total length of about sixty kilometers. Some of the beaches are reminiscent of the endless expanses of the desert. Others are cozy nests surrounded by cliffs rising into the sea.

The most remarkable beach - it is called Gigi - is located in the western part of the island. Golden-yellow, finely sandy, it curved for hundreds, and tens of meters wide. The water here is turquoise and crystal clear.

It must be remembered that all the beaches of the island are the property of the state, admission to them is free and free. Hotels do not have their own beaches, but you will have to pay for additional leisure accessories - an umbrella or a deck chair. They are rented for the whole day, so you need to keep a receipt if you plan to go somewhere for a short time.

Windsurfing

Gran Canaria attracts numerous windsurfers from all over the world. Due to the geographical location and stable trade winds, both experienced windsurfers and beginners can "ride the wind" here. For this, numerous schools operate, and the infrastructure for practicing this sport is well developed.

Diving and fishing

Due to its volcanic origin, there are many wonderful places for diving in the waters of the island: breathtaking cliffs, impressive rocks, wrecks, as well as an indescribably diverse world of underwater inhabitants - sea breams, barracudas, moray eels and others. Due to the purity and transparency of the water, visibility reaches three tens of meters.

Fishing lovers will not be bored here either. In Gran Canaria, coastal fishing is especially popular, but there is an opportunity to try your luck in deep water. For those who decided to try themselves in this fishery for the first time, catching fish artificially grown in closed reservoirs is provided.

Before fishing, you need to find out in advance whether it is allowed to leave the catch at the end. Otherwise, problems may arise, because a license is required for recreational fishing in Gran Canaria.

Mountaineering

Rock climbing in Gran Canaria is available throughout the year and the number of routes is steadily increasing. In the center of the island is the highest peak - Pico de las Nieves - it is an extinct volcano with a height of about two thousand meters. From here you have a picturesque view of the Roque Bentayga rock and the Roque Nublo mountain. Roque Nublo is considered one of the symbols of Gran Canaria.

As in any type of activity associated with a risk to life and health, there are certain regulatory requirements - namely, insurance and a license are required. Regarding the purchase of these services, it is better to contact the Gran Canaria Mountaineering Federation.

shopping

In between trips to the beach and excursions, it's time to look into local shops. The Canary Islands have a special status within the European Union, that is, they are considered outside the European VAT area. Therefore, some goods there are cheaper than in other countries of the European Union. However, when exported outside the island, they will be taxed. Excluding 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.

…and not only

If all of the above seems not enough, then the island's guests are offered day trips, sea and helicopter trips, parachuting, numerous golf clubs, camel safaris and much more. Everything is possible here for money, or almost everything.

TOP 5 tourist sites

The dunes of Maspalomas are a piece of the desert, located on the ocean, a park of over four hundred hectares of unique beauty, divided into two zones that are absolutely different from each other: sand dunes that are in constant motion and the La Charca lagoon with sea water, separated from the ocean by a narrow strip of land.

You can move around the territory of this miraculous miracle on a camel or on foot. Driving by private transport is prohibited here. It will take about an hour to cross the desert zone, and behind it is a real oasis with tall palm trees and a salt water lake inhabited by various exotic living creatures.

Crocodile park. The easiest way to get there is by bus from Playa del Inglés. More than three hundred crocodiles are comfortably housed in the park. Along with toothy reptiles, iguanas, pythons, lizards, monkeys, tigers and parrots coexist here.

Maspalomas Aquatic Park is the largest water entertainment center in Gran Canaria: a large selection of attractions makes it the best place for family holidays. It is open all year round and only closes for a few days. The water park has cafes, restaurants, small shops.

Palmitos Park is an oasis, with a colorful variety of exotic butterflies, more than a thousand species of plants and the same number of birds, as well as animals not found in other areas of the island, such as monkeys and kangaroos.

Caldera de Bandama is a huge crater-like formation with a diameter of about a thousand meters and a depth of more than two hundred. Near the crater there is an observation deck, which offers a view of the central part and the capital of the island.

Asbolas Cave is the world's second oldest volcanic cave, over fourteen million years old. In its bowels, the remains of ancient rodents and giant lizards that once inhabited Gran Canaria were discovered.

Attractions of the island

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital, home to more than a third of the island's population. Noisy and crowded, it is the center of nightlife. Of the attractions we note:

• quarter Vegeta with the Cathedral of Santa Ana with half a century of history;
• Casa de Colon, which means "House of Columbus". According to legend, Columbus stayed here during his travels, but in reality the building was the residence of the first governors of the island;
• Museum of the Canary Islands, highlighting archeology and pre-Hispanic culture;
• Museum of Science and Technology with an impressive collection of aircraft models;
• Museum of Nestor, here are exhibited the works of the famous artist Nestor, a native of Gran Canaria

The first mention of the island took place about two thousand years ago. The ancient Canarians - "Guanches" - were farmers who migrated from the African continent. Traces of their culture have survived to this day: natural or carved caves in tuff and rock paintings.

Major cities on Gran Canaria

In addition to the capital city, there are a number of other cities, each of which can be a real discovery for curious travelers.

These are the roads that connect the tiny towns of the island. Each oncoming car or bus is perceived with caution - you have to snuggle up to the side of the road, and sometimes stop.

P.S.

Yes... and don't forget to bring a coin with you. Trust me, you will need it. Although it seems to us, even without it, you will definitely return to this heavenly place. See you in Gran Canaria?;)

A continent in miniature is the name given to the Canarian island of Gran Canaria. Here you will find a lot of entertainment: excellent beaches with golden sand, stunning natural scenery and many theme parks for a fun-filled family holiday. The hallmark of Gran Canaria is the mini Maspalomas Desert, located in the south of the island.

Gran Canaria (photo: Ghis-URbqho)

Gran Canaria is the third largest island, with an area of ​​1560.1 km². Round in shape, the island reaches a diameter of about 50 km. All the islands of the Canary archipelago were formed as a result of volcanic activity, and Gran Canaria is no exception.

The extinct volcano Pico de las Nieves, located in the central part of the island, is the highest point - 1949 m. The capital of the island is the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (it is also the second capital of the Canary Islands).

Gran Canaria is distinguished by such a rich flora and fauna, a variety of geographical and climatic zones, that it has been called "a continent in miniature". The mountainous landscape of the central part of the island is crossed by arid gorges leading to the coast. Since strong water currents form in the gorges during heavy rains, the inhabited parts of the valley are usually well fortified.

Gran Canaria (photo: Kyle Smith)

Gran Canaria's competitor in the fight for the title of the most popular island of the Canary archipelago is. Although the number of tourists visiting these islands annually is approximately the same, the island of Gran Canaria, well known to Europeans, is almost unknown to tourists from Russia.

The climate of Gran Canaria

The climatic features of the island include a sharp change in natural zones: high, forested mountains with snowy peaks are replaced by sunny beaches. Cold northern winds do not penetrate the southern part of the island due to the mountain peaks, so the climate of the southern part of Gran Canaria is dry and warm. It is warm in the main part of the island in winter (+19…+23 °C), and hot in summer (+24…+30 °C). The water temperature throughout the year is suitable for swimming (17 - 23 °C).

Sightseeing map of Gran Canaria

City of Telde

Museum of the Canary Islands

Vegeta Market

Museum of Nestor

Las Canteras beach

City of Arucas

City of Telde

Vegeta quarter (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

Museum of the Canary Islands

Vegeta Market

Triana Street (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

Museum of Nestor

Capital of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Canteras beach

City of Arucas

Los Charcones Natural Pool

San Lorenzo Natural Pool

Cheese factory "Cortijo de Caideros"

Museum and viewpoint of the Senobio de Valeron

Natural pools of Roque Prieto

Natural pools of Las Salinas de Agaete

Port of Las Nives

Agaete village

Guayedra beach

Maypes de Agaete Archaeological Park

Los Berrazales Winery

Farenoke beach

Tamadaba - Faneke Slope

Tamadaba Natural Park

Viewpoint Del Balcony

Las Niñas Dam

Cactualdea Park

Gui Gui beach

Mogan Beach

Aquapark Oasis Lago Taurito

Amadores beach

resort of puerto rico

Puerto Rico beach

Angry Birds Activity Park

Anfi del Mar beach

Port of Pasito Blanco

Amusement park World of entertainment

Maspalomas Resort

Playa del Inglés Resort

Ingles Beach

San Agustin Beach

Wild West Theme Park

Waterpark "Aqualand"

Mundo Aboriginal Park

Viewpoint Degollada de las Yeguas

Palmitos Park

Themisas village

Guayadeque Gorge

Route Ruta de la Plata

Winery "Las Tirajanas"

Peak Nieves Lookout

Viewpoint La Silla

Cheese factory "Cortijo de Pavón"

The beaches of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria (photo: JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA)

The coastline of Gran Canaria is 236 km, but the length of equipped beaches, located mainly in the southern part of the island, is only 15 km. Absolutely all the beaches on the island are municipal property and therefore free. Payment is charged only for the rental of sun loungers and parasols. The colors of Gran Canaria's beaches are impressive - the golden sands of Playa Del Inglés and the white sands of Anfi del Mar and Amadores alternate with the dark sands of the volcanic coast.

The visiting card of the island is located in the southern part of the island, the most spectacular and largest beach of Maspalomas. The capital of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is distinguished by a good beach 4 km long. On the southwest coast, tourists will be pleased with the light sands of Puerto Rico and Puerto Mogan, brought from the Sahara. In the picturesque and often hard-to-reach places of the island, you can find many small "wild" beaches with gray volcanic sand.

Resorts of Gran Canaria

The tourist business on the island began its development from the capital, but now the crowded and noisy Las Palmas has lost its appeal as a resort, although the famous beaches of Las Alcaravaneras and Las Canteras are located near the city. Residents of the capital prefer to spend their weekends in the south of the island, where the tourist centers of Maspalomas, Puerto de Mogan and Puerto Rico are located.

Maspalomas

Maspalomas with its developed infrastructure differs significantly from other resorts in the Canary archipelago and is therefore considered the main resort of Gran Canaria. This tourist city has local and foreign educational institutions (English, Spanish and Swedish schools), a Summer University which focuses mainly on tourism, shopping malls, 2 hospitals and private clinics. It offers guests 2 casinos, theme parks, sports centers and golf courses, as well as hotels of different levels (3 *, 4 *, 5 *).

Maspalomas, uniting 5 resorts (San Agustin, Campo International, Bahia Feliz, Playa del Inglés and Meloneras), is located on the coast 17 km long. Here everyone can choose a resort that suits their personal taste.

Playa del Inglés

Playa del Ingles (photo: Randi J.)

The heart of Maspalomas is the democratic and constantly bustling Playa del Ingles, consisting of a triangle of hotel complexes, discos, bars, restaurants and shops - an ideal place for people who crave fun.

Campo International

Campo Internacional (photo: stefanis)

Solid, calm and teeming with greenery, Campo Internacional is located west of Playa del Inglés. This resort is one of the most respectable resorts of Maspalomas - next to the ocean in a natural palm oasis are the most expensive hotels in Gran Canaria.

Meloneras

The new resort of Meloneras, located next to the Pasito Blanco lighthouse, does not have its own sandy beach, as it is designed to open a port for pleasure boats in the future. However, that won't stop you from soaking up the sun as Playa de Maspalomas is nearby.

Bahia Feliz

Bahia Feliz (photo: johannes)

Bahia Feliz is a favorite place for windsurfers. There are 2 surf centers here, and one of these centers is run by a multiple world champion Bjorn Dankenberk. This resort is located very close to the airport, but it is not suitable for sunbathers, as strong winds blow on this stretch of coast.

San Agustin

San Agustin (photo: JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA)

San Agustin is a place that locals love for its front-line hotels, quietness and a nice dark sandy beach. The beach is protected from the winds by small mountains. This resort is preferred by a respectable public, as this resort is famous for the best private medical clinics in the Canary Islands and one of the largest thalassotherapy centers in Europe. The prices of San Agustin are more democratic than the resorts of Campo International and Playa del Inglés.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico (photo: riosolhotel)

Puerto Rico is the second most important resort on the island. A couple of decades ago, this resort was a small fishing port, and today it is a favorite vacation spot for tourists with children. Currently, the port is divided by the beach into two parts, and on the rocky slopes there are several dozen hotels and apartments that look similar to each other. In the port you can see a lot of catamarans, yachts and boats, but large ships do not enter the port.

This resort is the southern center of Gran Canaria's water activities, so here you can rent a yacht, go diving or windsurfing, take a boat trip on a ship with a "transparent bottom", go water skiing and even fish.

Puerto de Mogan

Puerto de Mogan (photo: Anne Roberts)

Puerto de Mogan is a small Andalusian-style resort that allows you to plunge into the romantic setting of southern Spain. To the west of Puerto de Mogan are impregnable mountains that can be admired from the observation deck. Since the resort has a yacht port, the coast can also be viewed during a boat trip.

Sights of Gran Canaria

Garden Botanico Viera and Clavijo

Caldera de Bandama (photo: David Kaiser)

Crocodile Park (Cocodrilo Park) (photo: Miodrag Radosavljevic)

Columbus House (Casa de Colón) (photo: Rolf Bach)

Canaries Cathedral (Catedral de Canarias) (photo: EJC01)

Gran Canaria (photo: Jerome Daly)

The bus is the main public transport of the island. The issue of laying a railway on the island is still under discussion. Global buses run throughout the island, which the locals call "guagua". And in the capital of the island, in addition to municipal buses, you can use the tourist bus. You can also travel around Gran Canaria by taxi. Payment is made according to the meter, and the rates are set by the Autonomous Government of the Canary Islands. The Canary Islands are connected to each other by air and sea.

How to get to Gran Canaria?

The island has international airport – Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria, however, there are no direct flights from Russia to Gran Canaria, and you have to get there with transfers. Here are the main flight routes:

1. Moscow→Tenerife→Gran Canaria.
   Tenerife is so far the only island of the Canary archipelago, to which direct flights from Russia are carried out.
2. Moscow → Tenerife, and then by sea ferry Tenerife → Gran Canaria.
3. Moscow→ →Gran Canaria.
   Making a transplant in Madrid, you can stay there for a couple of days, thereby getting to know the capital of Spain;

Ferry Tenerife→Gran Canaria

The ferry sails from the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to the port of Agaete, in the northwest of Gran Canaria. Travel time 70 minutes. From the port of Agaete there is a free bus to Las Palmas.

• Ferry
• Ferry

My selection of hotels in Gran Canaria

• Gran Canaria is located in the center of the Canary archipelago and belongs to the Kingdom of Spain.
• Gran Canaria is located in the area of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, known as Macaronesia, which includes the Canary Islands, as well as the Madeira archipelago, the Azores and the Cape Verde Islands.
• The nearest point on the coast of Africa is approximately 180 km from Gran Canaria, and mainland Spain 1,250 km.
• The third largest island of the Canary archipelago and covers an area of ​​1560 km 2.
• The highest point of Pico de las Nieves (1970 meters above sea level) is located in the very center of the island.
• Gran Canaria is proud of its 236 km of coastline, of which 60 km are natural beaches with sand of different colors…

• Maspalomas Beach, with amazing sand dunes that look like a mini-desert, is included in the list of the 100 best beaches in the world.
• The island is called a “continent in miniature”, which is quite justified - the beach, mountains, desert, pine and laurel forests, many microclimates and all this diversity on a small piece of land.
• The archipelago is located in the zone of Western European time, there is a transition to summer time.
• According to a study by scientists from Syracuse University (USA), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has the best climate in the world.
• 4,800 hours of light per year puts Gran Canaria in first place in this indicator in Europe.
• The city of Mogan, located on the south coast, is the place with the highest number of sunny days in the entire European Union.
• The average temperature on the island is about +22°C, making it possible to swim in the ocean and sunbathe even in winter.
• The Canary Islands are part of the European Union and the Eurozone and are under the protection of the Spanish military forces and national structures.
• Gran Canaria is the most populous island of the Canary archipelago, with a population of approximately 880,000 (January 2015), representing 40.2% of the total population of the Canary Islands.
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, together with nearby settlements, form an urban agglomeration with a population of 680,000 inhabitants - the largest in the Canaries and the ninth in Spain.
• The locals are cultured, friendly and sociable.
• The measured and unhurried way of life of the locals helps to relax, feel calm and enjoy the rest.
• The absence of national conflicts, political and religious extremism makes this territory one of the safest in the world.
• Low crime rate, no crimes against the person.
• In 1492, heading towards America before the discovery of the New World, Christopher Columbus himself with his entire fleet made a stop on the island. House of Columbus - the most visited museum of the archipelago is located in the capital of the island.
• The birthplace of Benito Pérez Galdós, the great Spanish novelist of the 19th century, who created such works as Doña Perfecta and National Episodes.
• In February, Gran Canaria hosts the second largest and most colorful carnival after the Brazilian one. The celebration takes place not only in the capital, but also in other cities of the island. The carnival attracts thousands of participants and even more spectators from all over the world.
• The nightlife in Playa del Inglés is the most active in the Canaries, and disco lovers will also find something to their liking in Las Palmas and Meloneras.
• Las Palmas regularly hosts the Dance Festival and one of the International Film Festivals.
• It is in Las Palmas that the famous annual Transatlantic Regatta starts.
• The number of shopping centers and department stores on a relatively small island, where you can buy national and world famous brands, is amazing.
• On the island you will find dozens of gardens, national and theme parks.
• Sioux City is an amusement park built in 1971 as a film set. The only city in Europe in which everything is an exact copy of the American Wild West - a bank, a smithy, a church, a sheriff's office, a cemetery, etc. Sioux City hosts daily shows and evening barbecues.
• Palmitospark is a themed zoo with a botanical garden located 10 km from Faro de Maspalomas. There is a dolphinarium, a butterfly house, an aquarium, an exhibition of amazing birds of prey, alligators and much more ... And the show of dolphins and sea lions will not leave anyone indifferent.
• Cocodrilopark is a theme park with the largest exhibition of crocodiles in Europe (more than 500 individuals). Shows of crocodiles and birds are held here. It is also a center for the rescue and protection of exotic animals.
• Camel rides through the oasis in Arteara - Barranda, along the picturesque canyon.
• The cultural program on the island is very diverse, local concert halls are often visited by world famous orchestras, choirs and world stars.
• The Pérez Galdós theater hosts international ballet and opera companies, while the other three theaters offer a varied repertoire throughout the year.
• Canary Cathedral or St. Anne's Cathedral is the largest religious building in the archipelago and is considered the most important monument of Canarian architecture.
• Excellent gastronomy. The freshest seafood, fish, vegetables and fruits. Delicious wines and cheeses. And the prices will pleasantly surprise you.
• You can play sports all year round. Many professional athletes from European countries often choose Gran Canaria as their winter training destination.
• All conditions for sports such as swimming, sailing and golf are well developed here. For many world-class athletes, this is the starting point.
• Gran Canaria is the first place in Spain to officially start golfing, and the island is home to the oldest golf course in all of Europe, the Royal Las Palmas Golf Club.
• There are 8 golf clubs on the island.
• The island offers a well-developed tourist infrastructure, especially for sailing and yachting, a wide range of water activities - surfing, windsurfing, diving.
• Diving enthusiasts in Gran Canaria are waiting for a million offers and opportunities. This island of volcanic origin surprises divers with both the richness of the sea depths and the diversity and beauty of underwater landscapes.
• Surfers believe that here you can catch the best waves in Europe.
• Cycling is very popular, in the largest cities there are bike paths.
• Sea and air communications are well developed. Daily direct flights to mainland Spain and major European capitals.
• Gran Canaria Airport is located 18 km from the capital and is the largest in terms of passenger traffic in the Canary Islands, and the fifth in Spain (10,500,000 people in 2014).
• Flights between the islands are carried out several times a day, and the flight time is from 30 to 50 minutes.
• One of the most important ports in Spain and Europe, Puerto de Las Palmas, is located in the capital of the island.
• In 2011, the prestigious international magazine "Dream World Cruise Destinations" awarded Puerto de Las Palmas an award for the best sea connections, transport offer, hotels, luggage handling and level of tourism in the Best Turnaround Port Operations 2010 category.
• Passenger traffic in Puerto de Las Palmas was 1,705,531 in 2014, of which 475,267 were passengers on tourist cruise ships.
• Puerto de las Nieves, the second passenger port, is located in the northwest of the island in Agaete, 30 kilometers from the capital. Connects Gran Canaria with Tenerife.
• There is a project for the construction of a railway (TGC) on the route Agaete - Las Palmas - Maspalomas.
• Global is a transport company that provides intercity passenger transportation (more than 32 million passengers per year). It has more than 305 buses and 120 routes that cover the entire island.
• Guaguas Municipales is a public transport company in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The city bus fleet includes 230 vehicles adapted for people with disabilities.
• Excellent internal communication, the road from the south of the island to the capital takes only 40 minutes.
• Right hand traffic.
• There is no need to do any vaccinations before traveling to the island.
• Thanks to the mild climate, acclimatization is easy here.
• Here, as in all of Spain, medical services are free for residents and tourists from member countries of the European Union.
• Citizens of other countries with health insurance have no problems obtaining medical care.
• There are 2 large public hospitals on the island, and there are polyclinics in each district. The healthcare system is perfectly complemented by a very developed sector of private medicine.
• Many beauty salons, spa centers, aesthetic medicine clinics, hairdressing salons.
• The largest thalassotherapy center in Europe is located in San Augustine.
• Unique ecology - clean ocean, clean air and volcanic sand with healing properties.
• Gran Canaria is one of the most biodiverse corners of our planet.
• Thanks to the climate, over 100 plant species are endemic, and another 500 are found only in the Canary Islands.
• In recognition of the biological diversity of Gran Canaria and in order to actively support the conservation of the island, in 2005 UNESCO awarded it the status of a biosphere reserve, which occupies 46% of the island's area (69,000 hectares).
• It has developed and implemented solutions to harness the abundance of solar, wind and sea energy available in Gran Canaria.
• Desalination plants powered by solar energy also turn sea water into clean fresh water suitable for domestic and agricultural needs.
• Spain's largest wind farm is located in Arinaga, on the east coast of Gran Canaria, and construction of such plants continues.
• To reduce household waste, collection points for recyclable materials have been set up throughout the island.
• Gran Canaria is excellent for the exploration and rational use of the sea, natural and energy resources, water and food, biodiversity, and the prevention of climate change and its consequences.
• Luxury hotels and resorts are beginning to develop responsible environmental policies, and special grant programs are in place to support sustainable building, industry and transportation.
• It is one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain, in 2014 more than 4,000,000 tourists and citizens of Spain visited Gran Canaria.
• The level of hotels is higher than in other Canary Islands, and at the same time there is a huge selection of apartments for every budget.
• In total, the hospitality sector offers more than 150,000 beds, 29,000 of them in 4-5 star hotels.
• Great for outdoor events
• Gran Canaria is not only a world-famous holiday destination, but also a very attractive place to live, more than 51,000 tourists own real estate here, and 90,000 annually rent housing for various periods.
• The cost of gasoline from 0.93 € / l (January 2015) cannot but please.
• Prices for groceries and consumer goods are not high compared to European prices.
• Thanks to the mild climate, there is no need for heating, which reduces utility bills.
• The average property price is about 1,355 €/m 2 , while on the Spanish mainland the price is 1,588 €/m 2 .
• Affordable prices for car rental, from 28 €/day (if renting for a longer period, offers from 12 €/day are possible).
• Restaurants are of high quality, excellent service and not high prices. Dinner for two can cost from 25€.
• It is a world market destination favored by tourists, its attractive environment and excellent living conditions offer many opportunities for business development in this sector.
• Research centers, qualified human resources, logistics have a positive effect on the development of innovative and technological activities.
• It is an attractive location for the film industry due to its excellent climate, natural diversity and special tax incentives.
• As one of the remote regions of the European Union, by 2020 Gran Canaria will become an excellent platform for business and for the introduction of new technologies for human development, health and environmental sustainability.
• Part of the Canary Islands Special Economic Zone (ZEC) is a zone with a low tax rate for industrial, commercial and service activities.
• ZEC zone objects are subject to tax rates reduced to 4%, provided that it is a new company that has invested at least 100,000€ and created 5 jobs.
• Benefits in the production of tangible assets, which implies a 50% tax reduction on profits from production and industrial activities.
• The General Indirect Tax of the Canary Islands (IGIC) replaces VAT and amounts to 7%.
• Taxes on alcoholic beverages, fuel, tobacco products and some vehicles are significantly lower than in the European Union area.
• A free trade zone is a duty-free zone where the storage, transformation and distribution of goods is allowed for an unlimited period.
• Gran Canaria, like the entire archipelago, has investment tax incentives.
• The island has the same educational system as in all of Spain.
• More than 500 public and private educational institutions providing primary and secondary education.
• There are prestigious international and bilingual (bilingual) schools for those who wish to study in English, German, French and other languages.
• Higher education is available at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), which offers 63 different courses and currently has 22,500 students.
• The State University of Distance Education (UNED) has a representative office on the island. There are also other private universities and business schools.