DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Top 10 Gran Canaria (Pocket Travel Guide)

Clockwise from top: Puerto de Mogn marina; windmill near Mogn; cactuses; Museo Nstor; tiled houses in Puerto de Mogn; Maspalomas sand dunes; Playa Amadores

Eternal sunshine, beautiful beaches, magnificent mountains, a cosmopolitan capital and a historic heart Gran Canaria has it all. Whether youre seeking a sub-tropical beach holiday, a city weekend getaway or a world-class hiking destination, with Eyewitness Top 10 Gran Canaria, its yours to explore.

Gran Canaria is an exciting amalgam of ancient and modern. Youll discover chic cafs in the cobbled streets of Vegueta, overlooked by the 15th-century cathedral. You can enjoy creative cuisine in the kitchens of top restaurants, then travel to the whitewashed mountain villages of Teror and Tejeda, where youll find menus featuring dishes that have changed little in centuries.

Gran Canaria is a hedonistic hotchpotch of cultures at the crossroads of Europe and the New World. You can walk through the sand dunes of Maspalomas at sunrise and imagine youre in the deserts of Africa. Alternatively, listen to Latin music spilling from the bars of Las Palmas and wonder if youre in South America, or immerse yourself in one of Europes liveliest nightspots, in Playa del Ingls.

Away from the beaches of its coastline, lies an ancient and mysterious land of sharp-toothed volcanoes, plunging ravines and heart-stirring panoramas. Clouds enshrine Roque Nublo, sapphire lakes glisten in the midst of Tamadabas pine forests, and families still find shelter in the ancient caves of Barranco de Guayadeque.

Whether youre visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the island has to offer. There are tips throughout, from seeking out whats free to avoiding the crowds, plus seven easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps and youve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Gran Canaria.

EXPLORING GRAN CANARIA

Gran Canaria may be small, but theres a lot to take in, and the winding roads of the mountainous interior make for slow progress. These suggested itineraries cover the best of what the island has to offer, and will save you spending precious holiday hours planning routes.

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Two Days in Las Palmas

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Day 1

Morning

Spend the morning in historic Vegueta, taking in the .

Catedral de Santa Ana is a masterpiece of Canarian architecture.

Afternoon

Head to .

Day 2

Morning

Begin in Parque Doramas, and then visit the .

Afternoon

Dedicate the afternoon to the beautiful sands of . End the day with tapas and watch the sun set at one of the restaurants behind the beach.

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Seven Days in Gran Canaria

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Day 1 and 2

Follow the two-day Las Palmas itinerary.

Day 3

Morning

Start your day in the and lunch in one of the cave restaurants located here.

Afternoon

Drive on to pretty .

Day 4

Morning

Drive to . Enjoy a leisurely lunch by the marina.

The sand dunes at Maspalomas are among Gran Canarias most unforgettable sights.

Afternoon

Take the road inland to Mogn and head to the before returning to the coast.

Day 5

Morning

Make an early start for . Explore the town and shop for food before heading to Roque Nublo. Park at Degollada de la Goleta and walk to the site for a picnic.

Afternoon

Detour to before ending the day back in Tejeda.

Day 6

Morning

Book tickets in advance to start your day at the for a seafood lunch.

Traditional fishing boats line the harbour at Puerto de las Nieves.

Afternoon

Backtrack to .

Day 7

Morning

Beginning in Teror, head straight to the .

Afternoon

Spend a couple of hours in the .

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Top 10 Gran Canaria Highlights

Colourful boats in the marina at Puerto de Mogn

Top 10 Gran Canaria Highlights

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CASA DE COLN, LAS PALMAS

One of the capitals most delightful buildings is a wonderful museum where the main focus is the discovery of America. In the 15th century, the governors home stood on this site, though the building has changed considerably since then. While not certain, its very likely that this is where Christopher Columbus stayed in 1492 before he set off in search of a shortcut to India and unwittingly stumbled across America instead.

NEED TO KNOW

C/Coln 1 928 31 23 73 www.casadecolon.com Open 10am6pm MonSat, 10am3pm Sun Adm: 4.00 Guided tours available

Google Map

• Restaurante Marsala on C/Mendizbal is a popular upmarket spot for lunch.
• Do visit the Ermita de San Antonio Abad, 50 m (164 ft) from the museum. Columbus is said to have prayed here before his journey across the Atlantic.