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Last updated on October 5th, 2024 at 01:04 pm
With pleasantly warm weather all year long, Gran Canaria is one of the best European destinations to visit any time of the year and a Gran Canaria road trip is the optimal way to explore this island of rare natural beauty and unique culture.
In this guide, you’ll find out what driving in Gran Canaria is like, what to do in Gran Canaria in ten days and all the practical information you need to plan the perfect Gran Canaria road trip.
Keep reading and enjoy the ride!
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Where Is Gran Canaria?
Situated in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northwest Africa, Gran Canaria is the third-largest of the Canary Islands. Although closest to Africa, Gran Canaria and the entire Canary Islands Archipelago are part of Spain. Despite its volcanic origin, Gran Canaria has no active volcanoes today. Yet, the dramatic rock formations and sand dunes on the island’s south coast are iconic.
Best Time To Explore Gran Canaria on a Road Trip
Thanks to its sub-tropical climate, Gran Canaria is a year-round destination. Therefore, there’s no bad time to visit Gran Canaria. To avoid the crowds, though, the best time to visit Gran Canaria is either spring or autumn.
We explored Gran Canaria on a road trip in late November – early December, at the beginning of the low season in Spain, and the weather was warm with light winds, perfect for a mellow escape at the start of winter.
Weather in Gran Canaria
Average temperatures range from 20°C/68°F to 27°/82°F throughout the year with little to no rainfall. The winter sun and warm temperatures render Gran Canaria one of the best winter destinations in Europe to escape the cold. Unlike Palma de Mallorca in winter, Gran Canaria is ideal to swim during winter time.
Keep in mind that the weather is different in the north (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), south (Maspalomas) and the mountains of Gran Canaria. The south feels warmer and drier than the north of the island, while the weather changes constantly in the Gran Canaria mountains.
How To Get To Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is connected to mainland Europe and the rest of the Canary Islands by plane and ferry. The ferry is a great option if you want to bring your own vehicle to explore the island. However, the ferry ride from southern Spain takes more than one and a half days. Therefore, getting to Gran Canaria by plane and then renting a car is the best way to explore Gran Canaria by car.
Gran Canaria Airport is situated on the island’s east coast, halfway between Las Palmas and Maspalomas. There are plenty of domestic and international flights. Read our guide on how to book a flight for beginners and find the best deals for your flights to Gran Canaria.
If there isn’t a direct flight from your country to Gran Canaria, you can fly from other major cities in Spain. At least, that’s what we did by spending 4 days in Seville before flying to Gran Canaria. Alternatively, you can visit Madrid or plan a trip to Barcelona before heading to Gran Canaria.
Renting a Car in Gran Canaria
When planning a Gran Canaria road trip, make sure you book your rental car way in advance. The best place to look for car rentals is a website that allows you to compare car hire companies before you proceed with your booking. When we don’t travel in our own car, for our road trips, we use Discover Cars as we love some of the features it offers, such as free cancellation and full-coverage insurance.
Driving in Gran Canaria
Driving in Gran Canaria is fairly easy. The road network is very reliable and there are no toll roads. The main highways GC-1 and GC-2 run almost around the entire island from Las Palmas to Puerto de Mogán in the south and Las Palmas to Agaete in the west respectively.
GC-60, the main road crossing the island’s mountains from north to south, is convenient for visiting some of the best attractions in Gran Canaria, such as Roque Nublo.
Road conditions are very good. Even mountain roads are well-maintained, they don’t have steep inclines and most of them have guardrails. The only challenge is that there are usually many cyclists on the road and it can be tricky when you come across them on narrow, winding roads.
Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Gran Canaria Road Trip
Have a Look at Our Video Version of This 10-Day Gran Canaria Itinerary
The Ultimate 10-Day Gran Canaria Road Trip Itinerary
Days 1-3: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
For the first three days on this 10-day Gran Canaria itinerary, we recommend exploring Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the island’s vibrant capital. In Las Palmas, you can reach most of the city’s main sites on foot or by public transport. Therefore, for the first two days, you won’t be needing a car at all.
The long sandy Las Canteras Beach is probably the highlight of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria but the city’s wonders don’t stop there. From following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus in Casa de Colón or admiring the imposing Cathedral of Santa Ana in the Old Town to mingling with locals in the historic district of Triana, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
On your third day in Las Palmas, you can pick up your rental car to explore some amazing places near the city, such as the rugged district of San Cristobal or the beautiful La Laja Natural Pools.
For more details, we invite you to watch our YouTube video about the best places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Day 4: Northern Coast
Arucas Banana Plantation
It’s time to venture outside the city and explore the rest of the island by car. A 15-minute drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an organic banana plantation on the road to Arucas is the first stop of the day.
With over 7000 banana plants and 14 different banana varieties, Hacienda La Rekompensa is the perfect place to learn everything about banana cultivation and try some delicious banana-based products. Book a guided tour with tastings in Hacienda La Rekompensa to discover the banana world of Gran Canaria.
Firgas
If you have enough time, you can make a quick stop in Arucas to visit the imposing Church of San Juan Bautista. If not, keep driving until you reach Firgas. This small village attracts hiking enthusiasts as many trails start from here. However, the best things to see in Firgas are Paseo de Gran Canaria and Paseo de Canarias.
Built on a slope, Paseo de Canarias features impressive 3D maps of the Canary Islands, while Paseo de Gran Canaria runs along a magnificent cascade with colourful tiled benches crowned by the island’s coats of arms on its side. Near the two Paseos, you can find a few places to enjoy a quick lunch.
Cenobio de Valeron
A 30-minute drive from Firgas, Cenobio de Valeron is one of the best places to visit in Gran Canaria. In the past, these impressive caves were thought to have been used as cells for monks. Hence its name: Cenobio means monastery in Spanish.
However, the Cenobio complex is actually over 800 years old and its caves were used by Ancient Canarians for grain storage. Keep in mind you must climb 200 steps to reach the 300 ancient caves.
El Roque
On your way back to your hotel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria via the GC-2 road, it’s worth making a stop at El Roque. This quaint village is built atop a narrow strip of land and it’s the ideal place to enjoy a gorgeous sunset. Wander around its maze of streets or go for a quick swim at Charco de San Lorenzo, the natural pools near the village.
Day 5: Western Coast
Galdar
Start your day in the first capital of Gran Canaria. A 30-minute drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Galdar is home to one of the most beautiful churches on the island, the Church of Santiago. The latter is the ending point of the island’s Camino de Santiago, which starts in Maspalomas.
A few steps from there, the local information centre is worth a visit to see the island’s oldest dragon tree. Dragon trees are indigenous to the Canary Islands along with Madeira, Azores, Cape Verde and western Morocco. If you’re visiting Gran Canaria during the Christmas season, don’t miss the splendid Nativity Scene inside the information centre.
Yet, Galdar’s indisputable highlight is just around the corner from the information centre. The archaeological site of Cueva Pintada is home to the remains of the ancient city of Agaldar where the indigenous people of Gran Canaria arrived about 2000 years ago, after fleeing Northern Africa.
The museum and the archaeological park offer a glimpse into life in pre-Hispanic times and explain what happened to the indigenous population with the arrival of the Spanish Conquerors.
The main attraction is Cueva Pintada, a cave with colourful paintings that was used as a religious site in pre-Hispanic times. You can visit the archaeological site only on a guided tour. English-speaking tours are scarce, so check out the schedule to plan your visit on time for the tour.
Punta Sardina Lighthouse
Near Galdar, you will find many beaches and natural pools for some relaxing moments. However, we recommend making a detour to Punta Sardina Lighthouse, a great spot to enjoy stunning ocean views.
Maipes Archaeological Park
After a quick stop at Punta Sardina Lighthouse, head to Maipes Archaeological Park in Agaete. The archaeological park is home to 700 prehistoric tombs set against a dramatic lava landscape and the lush Tamadaba pine forest in the background.
Stroll along the open-air museum’s designated path that crisscrosses through the volcanic burial site to get in touch with the island’s aboriginal culture and history.
Agaete Valley
It’s time to make a stop for lunch and there’s no better place than the farm-to-table Restaurante Casa Romantica in the heart of Agaete Valley. Listed in the Michelin guide, this family-run restaurant offers meals cooked with fresh local products. There are several vegetarian options on the menu and you can pair them with a bottle of quality local wine from the family’s winery.
Before you leave, don’t skip a cup of coffee from the family’s plantation, Finca La Laja. The Valley of Agaete is the only place in Europe where coffee is cultivated.
After your delicious lunch, you can also visit the family’s winery and coffee plantation. Finca La Laja with the on-site Bodega Los Berrazales winery is a short drive from Casa Romantica Restaurant. Once there, you can join a tour of the estate, walk through orange groves, admire the coffee plantation and enjoy wine and coffee tastings.
El Mirador del Balcon
About an hour’s drive from Agaete Valley, El Mirador del Balcon is one of the island’s most spectacular viewpoints. From its viewing platform, you can enjoy amazing views of the western coast’s cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also a great place for night sky observation. Although you must drive on a winding road to get there, the scenic drive through the Tamadaba Natural Park will reward you with incredible ocean views.
Puerto de Las Nieves
Before you head back to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for the night, make the last stop of the day in Puerto de Las Nieves, the port of Agaete. This quaint fishing village is the ideal place to spend the evening and it’s one of our favourite places in Gran Canaria.
Soak up the sun on the beach before you sit back to enjoy a drink or dinner at one of several beachfront bars and restaurants. Catch the sunset as you stroll along the picturesque promenade that connects the small volcanic pebbled beach next to the port to the nearby Agaete natural pools.
Day 6: Inland
Teror
On this day, your Gran Canaria road trip takes you away from the beach and towards the island’s heart. A 30-minute drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, your first stop is Teror. Adorned with gorgeous buildings, the picturesque village is known for its beautiful traditional architecture. Wander around the Old Town and admire the typical Canarian balconies along Calle Real de la Plaza, Teror’s main street.
The main square is dominated by the imposing Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pino, a church dedicated to Gran Canaria’s patron saint. The heart of the charming town beats around the Basilica where you can find many options for breakfast, a market on Sundays and hidden photo ops on the backstreets, such as an artificial cascade.
Cruz de Tejeda
As you keep driving towards inland Gran Canaria, make a quick stop at Cruz de Tejeda, a popular viewpoint with breathtaking views of Roque Bentayga. Cruz de Tejeda is the starting point of several hiking trails and a favourite stop for motorbike lovers.
Tejeda
After a 10-minute drive, you’ll arrive at the village of Tejeda. Set at about one kilometre above sea level, Tejeda is worth a stop for a stroll around its historic centre and the gorgeous views of Roque Bentayga it offers.
In Tejeda, there are a handful of restaurants for a quick lunch. At the village’s bakeries, you must try traditional almond-based sweets before leaving Tejeda. Near Tejeda, there are quite a few magnificent rock formations such as Roque Bentayga, Roque Nublo and Pico de Las Nieves. However, we recommend not squeezing them all in one day. Keep reading to find out why.
Roque Bentayga
The highlight of this day is Roque Bentayga, an impressive rock formation. You’ve already seen it from different viewpoints on your way here, but now it’s time to climb to its top. Once you park your car in the large parking space, step inside the information centre to learn more about the island’s pre-Hispanic culture.
The climb to the top of Roque Bentayga takes about 30 minutes. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with splendid views of the surrounding lunar mountainous landscape. Roque Bentayga is also of major archaeological importance. At the top of the rock, you can see the remains of an ancient sanctuary built by the island’s indigenous people.
Tamadaba Natural Park
After such a full day, it makes sense to head back straight to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Yet, if time and energy allow, make a small detour to enjoy a scenic drive through the nearby Tamadaba Natural Park, one of the island’s national parks. If the sky is clear, it’s worth driving to Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre to enjoy breathtaking views of the peak of Teide Volcano on neighbouring Tenerife Island.
Day 7: Eastern Coast
Bandama Caldera
The 7th day of your Gran Canaria road trip starts with a hidden gem. A 20-minute drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Bandama Caldera awaits. Formed 2000 years ago after a fierce volcanic eruption, Caldera de Bandama is the volcanic crater with the most recent activity on the island. Unlike most volcano craters, Bandama Caldera is known for its lush vegetation.
Enjoy stunning views of Bandama Caldera from the Pico Bandama viewpoint. If you start early, you’ll have time to hike along the rim of the caldera. There’s also a hiking trail to the crater’s bottom where you can see volcanic ash and endemic plants.
Telde
A 20-minute drive from Bandama Caldera, Telde is the second-largest city in Gran Canaria. Telde’s historic centre is home to two charming neighbourhoods: San Juan and San Francisco. While exploring the Old Town, walk from one neighbourhood to the other via the beautiful Calle Ines Chemida where the city’s well-preserved old aqueduct is located.
El Bufadero
Get back on the road and head to the coast near the small town of La Garita. The latter is home to a captivating promenade that runs along black volcanic rocks. It’s famous for El Bufadero, a dramatic hollow rock where the Atlantic Ocean waves ceaselessly come and go.
Use Google Maps to find El Bufadero as it’s not easy to spot its exact location from the promenade. There’s no clear path, you just walk towards El Bufadero. You’ll pass a sign that warns you that the rocks are slippery. It’s there for a reason. The rocks are indeed slippery and you need to be careful. Also, make sure you tread slowly – and carefully – as El Bufadero will appear quite out of nowhere.
Cuatro Puertas
A 20-minute drive from El Bufadero, one of the most impressive archaeological sites in Gran Canaria awaits. The archaeological complex of Cuatro Puertas offers a glimpse into the lives of the aboriginals, before the arrival of the Spanish Conquerors. The indigenous population of Gran Canaria used to carve entire villages into rock, turning caves into residences, storage rooms, and places of worship.
Nowadays, you can walk around this ancient settlement and try to imagine what life must have been like back then. In our opinion, Cuatro Puertas is an underrated archaeological site that you should definitely add to your Gran Canaria itinerary.
Guayadeque Ravine
Yet another 20-minute drive and you will arrive at the Guayadeque Museum in the heart of the Guayadeque Ravine or Barranco de Guayadeque. In the museum, you will learn everything about the ravine and the people that have inhabited it throughout the centuries. From pre-Hispanic times to the present, the caves that dot the ravine have been the homes of people in the area.
Filled with cave houses, the towering rocks along the road that runs through the Guayadeque Ravine make this drive one of the most scenic in Gran Canaria. Along the ravine, there are a few cave restaurants to enjoy a meal in a majestic ambience. With a full stomach, head back to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to spend your last night before exploring the rest of the island.
Day 8: On The Way To Maspalomas
Aguimes
It’s time to leave Las Palmas de Gran Canaria behind and head south to Maspalomas where you will stay for the remainder of your trip. Make your first stop at the charming village of Aguimes. The beautiful town is perfect for a short walk past bronze statues and walls adorned by poetry or a quick snack at one of its lovely cafés.
Barranco de Las Vacas
Thanks (no thanks) to Instagram, Barranco de Las Vacas is now an overcrowded spot. To avoid the hordes of tourists and find a parking spot easily, try to get there as early as possible. Once there, take this path for an easy descent to the ravine.
After passing below the main road, the rather ordinary landscape will transform into a magical forest of curved rocky formations that render Barranco de Las Vacas a spectacular gem in the heart of the island.
Fataga
From Barranco de Las Vacas, you can drive back to the GC-1 highway to get to Maspalomas faster or continue on the same mountain road (GC-60) for about 50 minutes until you reach Fataga. Set in the heart of the Valley of The Thousand Palms, the whitewashed village is perfect for a stroll along its narrow streets.
El Mirador Astronomico de La Degollada de Las Yeguas
Halfway between Fataga and Maspalomas, make your next stop at El Mirador Astronomico de La Degollada de Las Yeguas. This fantastic viewpoint boasts excellent views of the volcanic Fataga Valley and it’s perfect for a night-sky observation.
Maspalomas
After traversing the island from north to south, it’s time to check in at your hotel in Maspalomas. The resort town of Maspalomas is one of the most touristy places we’ve ever laid eyes on.
With its enormous resorts and countless tasteless cafés and bars that line the beachfront, Maspalomas feels more like a purpose-built resort than a real town. And don’t even get us started on the famous Playa de Ingles, which is like a gigantic parking lot built on the sand.
We can’t blame you if you’re not impressed with Maspalomas once there. Yet, there are indeed some memorable things to do in Maspalomas that will probably change your mind. But we left those for the last day on this 10-day Gran Canaria itinerary. So, keep reading!
Day 9: From The Mountains To The Sea
Roque Nublo
On this day of your Gran Canaria road trip, you’ll explore one of the most popular attractions in Gran Canaria. Set in the heart of the island, the iconic rock formation known as Roque Nublo is about an hour’s drive from Maspalomas via the – now familiar – GC-60 road.
After you pass the Valley of The Thousand Palms and Fataga, you’ll arrive at this large parking space. From there, the short hike to the top is relatively easy and it will take you about 30 minutes.
Ideally, you should visit Roque Nublo on a clear day. However, don’t be disappointed if you reach the top and the weather is too foggy to enjoy the views. In our case, that was what happened. As the sun went up though, the dense clouds started to part and the sky showed us its bright blue colour along with epic views of the surrounding landscape.
Pico de Las Nieves
A short drive from Roque Nublo, yet another fantastic viewpoint awaits. The Pico de Las Nieves viewpoint offers breathtaking views of Roque Nublo, Morro de La Agujereada – the highest peak in Gran Canaria – and the magnificent surrounding scenery.
The best thing about the Pico de Las Nieves viewpoint is that there’s no hiking involved. Just leave your car at the parking area and pick a spot to enjoy the running clouds leaving space every so often for stunning views.
GC-605
It’s time to explain why you shouldn’t squeeze Roque Bentayga, Roque Nublo and Pico de Las Nieves on the same day. The main reason is that you can’t miss the epic driving experience from Pico de Las Nieves to Mogan via the scenic GC-605. It’s convenient to drive this route when staying in Maspalomas rather than Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and this is why we recommend it for this leg of your Gran Canaria road trip.
Compared to most roads on the island, the GC-605 is not that well-maintained. It’s also quite a demanding road with many hairpin turns. That said, it’s one of the most scenic roads in Gran Canaria. For that alone, we believe it should be part of any Gran Canaria road trip. The featured photo at the top of this article shows the CG-605 at sunset.
Puerto de Mogan
The GC-605 ends in Mogan. From there, keep driving until you arrive at Puerto de Mogan, a quaint seaside town in the south of Gran Canaria.
Despite its abundance of tourist resorts, this romantic town has laid-back vibes in the evenings when the day-trippers are gone. With water canals and small bridges, which earned it the Little Venice nickname, picturesque alleys with bougainvillaeas and sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, Puerto de Mogan is a unique place to spend a relaxing evening before you head back to Maspalomas for the night.
Day 10: Maspalomas
Maspalomas Lighthouse
On your last day in Gran Canaria, it’s time to leave the car for a while and explore Maspalomas on foot. Our suggestions will take you beyond the dull resorts and the bland Playa del Ingles. Start your day in Meloneras and the iconic Maspalomas Lighthouse. The 19th-century lighthouse is still active and it’s one of the island’s symbols.
Maspalomas Beach
From there, walk along the lively promenade until you reach the sandy Maspalomas Beach. After driving around the island for so many days, you’ve earned a day doing nothing under the bright Spanish sun.
La Charca & Maspalomas Dunes
Before sunset, head to La Charca, a beautiful lagoon, perfect for birdwatching. This is the starting point for the trails that will take you through the majestic Maspalomas Dunes. Just make sure you stay within the signposted paths as you might easily get lost.
Walking in the dunes is one of the best things to do in Gran Canaria and no words can describe the emotions this scenery evokes. All paths end at a spectacular sunset viewpoint in Maspalomas. From there, you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset over the dunes, a spectacle you won’t easily forget. There’s no better ending to your fantastic Gran Canaria road trip.
Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, we hope that you’re inspired to plan your own Gran Canaria road trip. From our experience, we can safely say that this 10-day Gran Canaria itinerary is doable. That said, if you feel that the schedule is a bit too tight on some days, feel free to skip any stops.
After all, what matters is to enjoy Gran Canaria to the fullest, even if that means skipping some attractions just to take it easy and savour the moment.
WORDS & IMAGES: Katerina
EDITING: Maria