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Gran Canaria Tourist Information and Gran Canaria Tourism
(Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain)



Famously known as Spain's 'miniature continent', due to its diverse landscape and micro-climates, Gran Canaria is the third-biggest of the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria contains a mixture of towns, villages and seaside resorts, with the island's capital being Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a bustling city on the northeastern coast, known for its historic old quarter district and its endless selection of restaurants and bars.

Combined with the superb year-round sunny weather and mild climate, Gran Canaria's beaches are one of its major draw cards for tourists, with the many beaches around Maspalomas, on the southern side of Gran Canaria, being amongst the most popular, often featuring perfect surfing conditions. In general, the south side of Gran Canaria is where the main resorts can be found, with the centre of the island being home to a more peaceful and somewhat arid landscape.




Much of Gran Canaria is gearing up for tourism and visitors, with two main tourism centres being the Las Palmas Tourist Information Office along the Calle León y Castillo, and the Telde Tourist Information Office along the Plaza de San Juan. Both are home to helpful staff and provide a range of travel tips and tourist information. Further tourism kiosks and leaflets can be found around the island, offering a range of information about the island's main resorts, tourist attractions, beaches, towns and villages. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and is a vast city, with a busy port, historic centre and plenty of traditional Spanish character.

Other notable locations worth visiting around Gran Canaria include the town of Arucas - which features breathtaking views of the island's northern shoreline; Gáladar - best known for it ancient Cueva Pintada or 'Painted Cave; Telde - the second-biggest city on Gran Canaria; and the Maspalomas area - full of restaurants, nightclubs and spectacular and beaches, such as the Playa del Inglés.

Gran Canaria offers an enormous selection of hotels, self-catering apartments and other popular accommodation options, many of which are never far away from the stretches of inviting gold sand. Beachfront hotels are particularly desirable on Gran Canaria and some of the island's best hotels feature stunning coastal views and their own private swimming pools. Rural accommodation (casa rural) and holiday bungalows are also worth noting and are becoming increasingly popular. More information on Gran Canaria Hotels.

Gran Canaria's main tourist attractions include Cocodrilo Parque - much more than just a crocodile park, with hundreds of crocodiles, together with many other zoo favorites, such as zebras and monkeys; Mundo Aborigen - an authentic recreation of early island village life by the Guanches, Gran Canaria's first residents; Cenobio de Valerón - with many important pre-Hispanic remains and a series of caves; Holiday World - a major Gran Canaria theme park, with plenty of roller coasters and fast rides to choose from, together with side shows and restaurants; Puerto de Mogán - a spectacular marina, with boat hire, cruises, waterfront promenades and nearby hotels; and Presa de Chira - a reservoir standing in Gran Canaria's stunning countryside, known for its walking trails and picnic spots.

Further popular tourist attractions on the island include the Catedral de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - the magnificent Las Palmas Cathedral, built almost 600 years ago, with an imposing Neo-classical façade; Casas Consistoriales - Gran Canaria City Hall, a historic 16th-century building, home to the local government; Llano de las Brujas - a famous archaeological settlement more commonly known as the Witches' Plain; Palacio Episcopal - a major landmark on Gran Canaria, the 16th-century Bishop's House features magnificent architecture; Plaza de Santa Ana - a spacious public square with 16th-century origins, situated in the centre of Las Palmas, capital of Gran Canaria; Roque Nublo - a huge stone monolith which has become one Gran Canaria's most spectacular natural sights; and the Tara y Cendro - ancient caves where the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Gran Canaria one lived. Gran Canaria is also home to a plethora of parks, which include Cactualdea Park, Jardin Canario, Palmitos Park Maspalomas, Parque Urbano de San Juan, Parque de San Telmo, and Parque de Santa Catalina. More information on Gran Canaria Tourist Attractions and Gran Canaria Landmarks.

Some of Gran Canaria's main museums and art galleries include the Museo Canari - celebrating to the rich heritage of all of the Canary Islands, including many archaeological treasures from all over Gran Canaria; Museo Elder - the island's impressive 'Museum of Science and Technology', which includes a cinema, many family related interactive displays, educational information and regular demonstrations; Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM) - a superb art gallery, full of contemporary paintings and sculptures from around the world; and Gran Canaria's Diocesan Museum of Religious Art - located in the in the southern wing at Las Palmas Cathedral, with many historical religious paintings. More information on Gran Canaria Museums and Gran Canaria Art Galleries.

Tourist attractions located nearby Gran Canaria include all of the other Canary Islands, which can be reached by regular ferries and flights, such as Fuerteventura - with Trasmediterránea ferries travelling to the Morro Jable and Puerto del Rosario harbours; Tenerife - to the east of Gran Canaria, with speedy jetfoils connecting the two islands, and home to a vast array of beaches and lively resorts, exciting theme parks and one of the biggest dolphinariums in the whole of Europe; and the island of Lanzarote - featuring many impressive natural attractions, a beautiful coastline and a particularly volcanic landscape. More information on Gran Canaria Attractions Nearby.

Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) Guide - useful Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) travel information.

More Gran Canaria Information / Fast Facts and Orientation - Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

• Country: Spain
• Location: Las Palmas, Canary Islands
• Status: island / resort
• Area: approximately 602 square miles / 1,560 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 803,000
• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Time zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Country dialing code: +34
• Telephone area code: 928
• Religion: various religions
• Average daily Gran Canaria January temperature: 22ºC / 72ºF
• Average daily Gran Canaria July temperature: 27ºC / 81ºF

 
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