How do I get to Gran Canaria?
Aeropuerto de Gran Canaria (LPA) is about 20 kilometres from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. According to official tourism information, the capital can be reached via the GC-1 motorway in less than 20 minutes.
Road and bus connections run from the airport to the capital and to the southern municipalities. Flight schedules, check-in rules and current connections should be checked with AENA before travelling.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can be reached via the port of Puerto de La Luz y de Las Palmas. The port serves cruise ships, whose season, according to official city information, runs mainly from October to June.
Ferry connections between the Canary Islands are operated by Fred. Olsen Express and Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, among others. Departures and fares vary by date.
Which places should I see on Gran Canaria?
The capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is made up of several distinct areas for visitors: Vegueta, Triana, Ciudad Jardín, Alcaravaneras, Puerto and Las Canteras. Vegueta is home to the Catedral de Santa Ana, the Plaza de Santa Ana and the Casa de Colón, among others.
The Museo Canario gives its weekday opening hours there as Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 17:00.
Among the best-known landscapes are the Dunas de Maspalomas, the adjacent coastline and the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse. Local protection and conduct rules apply to the dunes, beaches and natural areas.
Puerto de Mogán is a harbour and holiday resort in the south-west. The official tourism website highlights the town for its sunny conditions and its beach.
What do I need to know about Roque Nublo and hiking?
Roque Nublo is one of Gran Canaria's best-known natural monuments. Access is via mountain roads and walking trails. Weather, parking availability, temporary access controls and possible reservation requirements should be checked with the relevant island authorities before setting off.
Gran Canaria offers numerous hiking, climbing and cycling routes. The landscape can change significantly over short distances. Temperatures, wind and visibility in the island's interior in particular can differ greatly from the coast.
For hikes, water, sun protection, sturdy footwear, offline maps and a check of official weather and warning notices are essential. When Roque Nublo access slots are fully booked, alternatives include Roque Bentayga, Tejeda, Tamadaba or Guayadeque.
What is the climate like on Gran Canaria?
The following figures are AEMET climate normals for the Gran Canaria Aeropuerto weather station. They are not a forecast and are not representative of every region of the island.
The Canary Islands are frequently influenced by the north-east trade winds. The north and east coasts can therefore be windier; the south coast is often more sheltered. Calima, a dust-laden weather influence from the Sahara, can occur at any time of year.
Many months are generally suitable for beach holidays, hiking and city sightseeing. The specific choice depends on heat tolerance, wind, water temperature and regional weather. For current values and warnings: CITA weather (cita.news/de/wetter.html) and AEMET.
What admission prices apply in 2025/2026?
The following officially published prices refer to the available information for 2025/2026 and may change.
For Roque Nublo, the official rules require a reservation. No general admission price is shown in the available information. Prices should be checked again before visiting on the official pages of the island government or the relevant visitor centre.
What makes Gran Canaria different from the other Canary Islands?
Gran Canaria offers the strongest mix of big city, beaches, historic towns, hiking and different climate zones. The island is particularly well suited to touring and longer stays. Tenerife is larger and more strongly shaped by the Teide volcano.
Lanzarote is drier, more volcanic and more uniform in landscape; Timanfaya National Park is a main feature. Fuerteventura is more geared towards long sandy beaches, wind sports and expansive, dry landscapes.
La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro are less urban and more focused on hiking, forests, tranquillity and nature experiences. La Gomera has a national park, Garajonay; Gran Canaria itself has no national park, but numerous other protected categories.