Las Palmas (Vegueta and Triana)
For three days, Las Palmas is the most convenient base: it has buses to everywhere, a city beach and plenty of restaurants.
Itinerary · Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria in 7 days: day-by-day itinerary
A 7-day itinerary for Gran Canaria with Vegueta, Las Canteras, Maspalomas, Puerto de Mogán, Roque Nublo, Tejeda, Teror and Agaete.
- 7days
- 17stops
- 10Areas
This 7-day itinerary is for anyone who wants to get to know Gran Canaria at an unhurried pace. It devotes two days to Las Palmas, one to the green interior of the north, two to the south, one to the summit area and finishes with an excursion to the north-west. It works best with a hire car.
Gran Canaria airport has a single terminal. The Global 60 bus goes direct to Las Palmas (San Telmo and Santa Catalina), with two departures an hour during the day, and the taxi takes about 20-25 minutes to the city. If you are staying in the south, the Global 1, 5 and 36 buses leave from the departures level for Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Puerto de Mogán.
Tips
- A hire car gives you plenty of freedom on the inland routes; otherwise, combine buses with organised excursions for the summit area.
- Mountain roads are narrow and winding: allow more time than the map suggests and set off early.
- The weather changes quickly at the summit and it is cooler than on the coast; take a warm layer and water.
- There is little shade on the dunes and the southern beaches: sun protection, a hat and comfortable shoes.
- Book the Casa de Colón, boat trips and summit activities in advance in high season.
- The north coast tends to have more cloud and wind than the south; if the day starts overcast, swap the order of the days.
Day 1
Vegueta, the cathedral and Triana
Vegueta
Las Palmas
The founding district of Las Palmas, with Santa Ana cathedral, the Casa de Colón and cobbled streets. Stroll unhurried around Plaza de Santa Ana and the lanes nearby, and go into the cathedral if you fancy climbing the tower.
Catedral de Santa Ana
Vegueta
The cathedral dominates Plaza de Santa Ana. If you are interested, set aside time for the interior and the views from the tower.
Calle Triana y Parque San Telmo
Triana
Pedestrianised and full of shops, this is the city's main shopping street, lined with Modernista buildings. At the end you reach San Telmo park, with its Modernista kiosk and café terraces, a good place for a drink.
Day 2
Las Canteras and Santa Catalina
Playa de Las Canteras
Las Canteras
A city beach of over 3 km, sheltered by a natural rock barrier that keeps the water calm. Walk the promenade, have a swim and stay until sunset.
Parque de Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina
A park on the harbour side, with terraces and a lively atmosphere. It is close to the isthmus, between the bay and the beach.
Paseo de Las Canteras
Las Canteras
The long promenade runs the full length of the beach. It has terraces for eating and is a comfortable walk for the end of the day.
Day 3
Teror and the Jardín Canario
Teror
Teror
A village in the inland north with houses with wooden balconies and a basilica dedicated to the Virgen del Pino. It is a quiet place to stroll and eat.
Jardín Canario Viera y Clavijo
Tafira
A botanical garden with plants of the Canary Islands, in a ravine south of the city. It is a good place for a quiet walk.
Day 4
Maspalomas Dunes
Dunas de Maspalomas
Maspalomas
A nature reserve of sand dunes beside the sea, between Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas lighthouse. Walk on the sand early or late in the afternoon, with comfortable shoes, water and sun protection, because there is almost no shade.
Faro de Maspalomas y Charca
Maspalomas
At the end of the dunes, the lighthouse marks the start of the promenade, with shops and restaurants. Next to it is the Charca de Maspalomas, a small lagoon with birds, and it is a convenient place to eat.
Playa de Maspalomas
Maspalomas
A long beach of golden sand next to the dunes. It is a good spot for a day by the sea, with sun loungers and beach bars.
Day 5
Puerto de Mogán and the south-west coast
Puerto de Mogán
Mogán
A fishing village in the south-west with canals, white houses with flowers and a marina. Wander the little streets, watch the boats and eat fresh fish by the harbour.
Puerto Rico
Mogán
A tourist bay with a beach and harbour, halfway between Maspalomas and Mogán. It works for a swimming stop.
Day 6
Roque Nublo, Tejeda and Artenara
Roque Nublo
Summit area
A volcanic monolith at the top of the island and the symbol of Gran Canaria. It is reached by a short walking route, with some ascent; set off early, take water and a warm layer, because it is cool at the top and there may be cloud.
Tejeda
Summit area
A village of white houses surrounded by mountain scenery, with wide views of the ravines. It is a good place for lunch and to try the local almond sweets.
Artenara
Summit area
A mountain village known for its cave houses and its viewpoints over the interior of the island. It is one of the highest points from which to see the island on a clear day.
Day 7 · Day trip
Agaete and the north
Agaete and the north
The north-west is a little over an hour by car from Las Palmas along the north coast dual carriageway. The usual plan is to combine Gáldar and the port of Agaete: in Gáldar is the Cueva Pintada archaeological site, and in Puerto de las Nieves you can stroll by the sea and eat fish. By car the journey is easy; by bus there are services from Las Palmas, but check the timetables.
Gran Canaria
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
Las Canteras
A beach area with a promenade, restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere. Ideal if you want to swim every day without leaving the city.
Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas
If you prefer sun and beaches in the south, this is the island's tourist area, with hotels of every kind. The historic centre is far away, an hour by bus.
Itinerary · Gran Canaria
More Gran Canaria itineraries
3 days
Gran Canaria in 3 days
- Day 1 Vegueta, Triana and Las Canteras
- Day 2 Maspalomas dunes and Puerto de Mogán
- Day 3 Roque Nublo, Tejeda and Artenara
5 days
Gran Canaria in 5 days
- Day 1 Vegueta and Triana
- Day 2 Las Canteras and the beach city
- Day 3 Maspalomas dunes and Puerto de Mogán
- Day 4 Roque Nublo, Tejeda and Artenara
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a hire car in Gran Canaria?
It is strongly recommended for the interior and the west. Buses serve Las Palmas and the tourist south well, but the summit area and the mountain villages are much better seen by car or on an organised excursion.
How should I split 7 days between north and south?
Two or three days in Las Palmas and around, two in the south and two in the interior and the north-west. That way each day stays in one area and there are no long journeys.
Are there quiet beaches apart from Las Canteras and Maspalomas?
Yes, but it depends on the coast. Always check the sea conditions before swimming and respect the flags.
Photo credits
- Vegueta: Bengt Nyman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Playa de Las Canteras: Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Dunas de Maspalomas: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Puerto de Mogán: Bengt Nyman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Roque Nublo: El Coleccionista de Instantes (https://www.flickr.com/photos/azuaje/), CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons