Santa Ana Cathedral, Plaza Santa Ana, Vegueta Old Town, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, Europe

Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the third-largest island in the Canaries’ archipelago, but accounts for almost half the population. It lives up to its reputation as a continent in miniature, with dramatic variations of terrain ranging from the green and leafy north to the lush mountainous interior and the desert south. You can also run headlong into three or even four seasons in one day, with microclimates dotted around the coast and hills that can transport you from piercing sunlight into clammy fog banks at the drop of a hat. To capture a sense of Gran Canaria's breathtaking diversity, head to beautiful Artenara, where the sheer drama of the mountains reaches a crescendo.


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The Camino de Santiago route takes in the mountainous splendour of Gran Canaria's centre © Gran Canaria Natural and Active

Beaches

Hiking in Gran Canaria: the island’s best walks

Apr 25, 2018 • 5 min read

Guidebooks

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Get to the heart of Gran Canaria with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Go Beyond

Gran Canaria and beyond