Gran Canaria’s capital city of Las Palmas is a delightful juxtaposition of surf culture and historic architecture. Beachgoers flock to the sandy shores of Las Canteras Beach while cultural enthusiasts roam the winding cobbled streets of the antique Vegueta neighborhood.
While this city in Spain’s Canary Islands boasts its fair share of attractions, from the Gothic towers of the Santa Ana Cathedral and Guanche artifacts in Museo Canario to waterfront tapas bars and ample waves for adrenaline-seeking surfers, you’d be missing out if you didn’t venture outside the city limits. After spending three months in Las Palmas, I’ve scoped out some of the best spots for a day away from the urban hustle and bustle. These are my favorite places for a day trip from Las Palmas to explore the diverse landscape of Gran Canaria, and they’re all accessible by car and bus.
Explore the rugged north
Visit the beautiful northern villages
The northern half of the island is home to a collection of stunning villages that make for a day trip from Las Palmas. One of my favorites is Puerto de las Nieves, a small fishing village on the northwestern coast with volcanic beaches, natural pools, and epic views of Tenerife (read the full article on Puerto de las Nieves here).
Other highlights include Teror, a mountainous village said to be one of the most beautiful on the island, with stunning architecture and a lively Sunday market. Nearby is Arucas, home to a striking cathedral and the historic Arehucas rum distillery. All three are easily reached by bus or car.
For a guide to all of my favorite villages in Gran Canaria, check out this article:
Hike the Caldera de Bandama
The Caldera de Bandama is a massive crater just outside of Las Palmas. To get here, you can catch the Global L311 bus from San Telmo Station, which takes about 30 minutes, or drive from the city in less than 20 minutes.
This crater was formed by a volcanic eruption several thousand years ago. The island’s original Indigenous inhabitants, the Guanche, stored food in caves along the cliff walls and even grew crops in the basin thanks to the rich volcanic soil. In the 16th century, the crater was used for wine production, with vines planted by a Dutch merchant called Van Damme — the caldera’s namesake — and the surrounding area now has a handful of wineries.
The caldera is nearly 4,000 feet wide and over 600 feet deep, with a trail that crawls along the ridgeline. This is a popular hiking spot, and it takes about an hour to walk the 2-mile perimeter. Afterward, you can hike up the adjacent hill — Pico de Bandama —to the viewpoint for sweeping views of Las Palmas. There are a couple of restaurants near the bus stop to relax with a caña or a glass of one of the local wines after your hike.
*AllTrails lists this as an out-and-back, but you can do it as a loop — the trail connects to the road at Pico de Bandama.
Unwind in the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden
Not far from the Caldera de Bandama is the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden. It’s only a 15-minute drive from the city center, or you can take Global buses L302, L311, or L335 from San Telmo and walk the final 15 minutes from the nearby village of Tarifa Alta (which is what I did).
The Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden spans over 60 acres, making it one of the largest of its kind in Spain. The complex is filled with over 500 native species like Canary Island juniper, Canary palm trees, and the famed dragon trees, along with international favorites like orchids, ginkgo trees, and cacti. The garden is free to enter, and it’s easy to spend an afternoon wandering the winding paths up into the hillside. These weren’t as perfectly manicured as other botanical gardens I’ve been to, but the wild landscape gives the sense that you’re out in nature.
Afterward, I highly recommend having some small plates or a meal in Tarifa Alta at Enoteca El Zarcillo. Despite being in a tiny town, the atmosphere is elegant with a local vibe, and it’s truly some of the best food and drink I’ve had on the island. They have an excellent wine selection, and the desserts are out of this world.
Road trip to the mountainous interior
The mountainous interior of Gran Canaria feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Las Palmas, and getting out to see the island’s most iconic landmark — Roque Nublo — is a must. While you can get here by bus, it’s best to go by car, as it often takes several transfers (and several hours) to make it to the mountainous highlights by bus.
Car rentals
If you’re not renting a vehicle for your whole trip, you can easily pick up a rental car at the airport and spend a day cruising the interior.
If you can drive a manual, I recommend Goldcar. Their prices were very affordable for sedans and smaller vehicles (I only paid €11-12 for the day), and the cars were in perfect condition.
Cueva de Cuarto Puertas
From the airport, there are a few must-see stops on the way to Roque Nublo. I recommend making a small detour to Cueva de Cuatro Puertas, a historic Guanche cave with four large “doors” (thus the name).
Make sure to check out the back side also; most visitors stop at the main cave, but climbing over to the opposite side reveals epic caverns overlooking the coast.
Pico de las Nieves
Near Roque Nublo is another famous rock formation, Pico de las Nieves. This overlook is much more accessible, as the road leads right up to the viewpoint without any hiking. It’s also the highest observation point in Gran Canaria at an elevation of nearly 6,400 feet.
From here you can see Roque Nublo and Roque de la Rana and venture out on the rocky outcropping for panoramic views of the valley and Gran Canaria’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Roque Nublo
Roque Nublo (Rock in the Clouds) is, of course, the main event when it comes to the mountains of Gran Canaria.
From the small parking lot off GC-600, follow the trail through the pine forest for about a mile until reaching the stunning rocky plateau punctuated by the formidable monolith that was once a sacred site for the Guanche. Climbing around the boulders on either side offers sweeping views of the valley and coast.
Roque Nublo is a popular place to catch the sunrise and sunset, when the golden rays paint the valley in vivid shades of orange.
Tejeda
After your hike, treat yourself to traditional sweets in the whitewashed village of Tejeda, famous for its almonds. Enjoy crispy palmeras (palmiers) or decadent fruit tarts at Dulcería Nublo while soaking in the views of the chocolate-brown mountains in one of the most beautiful towns in Gran Canaria.
Visit the sun-soaked southern coast
The southern coast is one of the most popular areas for Europeans seeking a little vitamin D during winter. The mountains block clouds from the north, meaning the sun is almost always shining in southern Gran Canaria, and this certainly isn’t a secret given the throngs of tourists vacationing here.
The southern coast is easy to reach via bus and car from Las Palmas. By car, follow the main highway GC-1 the whole way down the east coast. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to drive to most of the resort towns. There are several buses with direct stops along the southern coast, like the L1 and L91, which can take 1-2 hours.
Experience "Little Venice" in Puerto de Mogán
One of my favorite beach towns in the south is Puerto de Mogán, nicknamed “Little Venice” for the canals and footbridges that snake across the village. Puerto de Mogán has a stunning marina filled with sailboats and yachts, surrounded by bustling waterfront restaurants.
Behind the marina is an enchanting neighborhood of white buildings with pastel trim, dripping in vibrant bougainvillea that’s a popular photo-op. Just beside the harbor is a crescent of golden beach with calm water for swimming.
For a full rundown on Puerto de Mogán, I wrote an article about it here:
Climb the dunes at Maspalomas
Another highlight on the southern coast is the resort town of Maspalomas. Home to the infamous Playa del Inglés and iconic sand dunes, Maspalomas is a heavy hitter with foreign crowds. I had a great time visiting the dunes; climbing the golden peaks was a marvel, especially at sunset when the dunes are awash in golden light.
Just in front of the dunes is Playa de Maspalomas, a popular naturist and LGBTQ-friendly beach with beautiful views of the historic lighthouse, Faro de Maspalomas.
Lounge on stunning beaches
The south is home to several beautiful beaches, including Playa de Amadores — a secluded lagoon flanked by a beach club. Amadores is connected to the nearby resort town of Puerto Rico via a stunning coastal walkway with views over the Atlantic. The white sands of Anfi del Mar are also popular.
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