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1LEISURE GUIDE OF GRAN CANARIA

LEISURE GUIDE


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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 4

ROUTES 10Around the Island 12Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 26The Interior and the Summit 38

ACCOMMODATION 44

BEACHES 48

WATER SPORTS 52Sailing 53Deep Sea sports shing 55

Surf 56Windsurf 57Diving 59

DAYTIME LEISURE ACTIVITIES 62

NIGHT TIME LEISURE ACTIVITIES 66GASTRONOMY 70

CULTURAL LIFE 74

MUSEUMS 76

ARCHAEOLOGY 84

CRAFTS 90

SHOPPING / LOCAL MARKETS 92FIESTAS AND FESTIVALS 96

RURAL TOURISM 100

ACTIVE TOURISM 102

OTHER SPORTS 104

Golf 106

HEALTH AND WELLBEING TOURISM 110

BUSINESS TOURISM 112

INVEST IN GRAN CANARIA 116

USEFUL CONTACTS 120


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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION


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Gran Canaria is the round island, the one with theever warm climate. It is the island of contrasts andgolden sandy beaches. The island with its doors openwide, with a melting pot of cultures where localtraditions are kept alive. It is a corner of the SouthAtlantic where you can nd everything you could ever

want to relax, have fun and enjoy great holidays…

It is also one of the eight islands of the Canary

Archipielago, located just 210 kilometers from thewest coast of Africa and 1.250 kilometers fromthe Iberian Peninsula. It is a piece of Europe in theAtlantic area of Macaronesia which, along with theCanary Islands, is made up of the Portuguese islands ofMadeira, Salvajes and Azores, Africa’s Cabo Verde andpart of the Morrocan coast.

Gran Canaria is the second most populated island,with nearly one hundred and eighty thousandinhabitants, highly cosmopolitan and bustling witheconomic activity, which is what makes its peopleopen and culturally diverse; and, nally, where we

nd the Archipielago’s premier city, Las Palmas deGran Canaria.

As with the rest of the Archipielago, it is of volcanicorigin and is not without its mythical past; round inshape with a peninsula-like appendage sticking out at

its northern tip. With a total surface area of 1560 sqkilometers, 43 percent of its territory is protected,while its nearly 60 kilometers of coastline are blessedwith golden, sandy beaches. It has a cone-shapedmountain top at its highest point, namely el Picodel Pozo de las Nieves (1949 metros), which casts aneye over the Roque Nublo, a natural and emblematic

monument for all Grancanarians, located right in themiddle of the island, standing some 1813 metres abovesea level.A central mountain range splits the island in two acrossthe middle, creating two contrasting areas in termsof climate and landscape, which for the islanders are

simply known as north and south. Whilst in the latterthe great sandy expanses of beach abound, such asPlaya del Inglés or the Dunes of Maspalomas, the westand southwest are dominated by imposing cliffs, andthe north is made up of a mixture of smaller beachesand coves.


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This geographical divide between north and south isalso reected in their respective climates. Each area

offers microclimates which, in just a short time, allowyou to get from the warm coastal areas to the coolerhilly areas, passing through subtropical valleys andwoods or go as far as the colder, and at times, even

snowy, summits.

All these attributes have given the island the name of“a continent in miniature”.Throughout most of the year, temperatures don’trise above 24 centigrade, while the sea temperatureranges from 18 to 22 degrees. This allows you tovisit the whole of Gran Canaria any time of the year,thanks to the land’s terrain and good communicationsfor getting around. You can go for pleasant days outstarting at the sandy beaches all the way to the denseforests, and go from the heat on the coast to thecooler climes of the summits.

Visitors to Gran Canaria will soon discover the locals’hospitality, as they are used to the comings andgoings of different peoples and cultures; indeed, theisland constitutes a bridge between Europe, Americaand Africa. The islanders are a friendly, unassuming

INTRODUCTION


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people, perhaps due to the spring-like climate andbeautiful natural resources, and they enjoy goodliving standards, with a young population educatedto levels on a par with the rest of Europe.

Precisely this cultural melting pot gives the Canarians

a wide linguistic berth within the castillian language,which doesn’t go unnoticed to those visiting. In theirintonation, similarities are comparable to SouthAmerican countries, along with the frequent friendlyexpression with the use of the diminutive “-ito”,saying Juanito for Juan, for example. Canarians alsoturn the letters c and z into an “s” sound.

The arrival of people from all over the world startedback in the rst millennium before Christ, although for

the development of the island as a tourist attraction,we would have to wait until the end of the 1950s. Theorigins of the Canary Islands are the subject of myths

and legends, not just scientic theories. In classic agesthere are already references made to Gran Canaria,and research into the rst inhabitants shows a clear

link to the northwest coast of Africa and the culturalenvironment of the Berbers who colonized the island


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around the middle of the rst millennium BC. SInce

then the arrival of many other different peoples hashardly let up. The Canaries’ incorporation into theSpanish Catholic Crown took place in the last third ofthe 15th century, after facing stiff resistance from theaborigine population. Following ve years of battle,

Pedro de Vera capped the conquest, rstly with the

landing on the island and the construction of the Realde Las Palmas, now the island’s capital city, and lateron with the total submission of the aborigines of the

north and the peace campaign in the south.

From that momento on, the Castillian Crown graduallyintroduced social, political and economic regimes,whilst the capital became the administrative centrefor the planning and design of the Archipielagoalong with the Canary bishopric, Tribunal of the HolyInquisition, Royal Canary Law Courts, among others.

This urry of activity then slows down in the 17th century after the brakes are put on agriculturalexports to America and Europe until, midway throughthe 19th century, the Puertos Francos are established,

an economic system which favours trade relationsbetween the archipelago and the outside world, withtax exemptions and facilities for free trade, whichturn the islands into an attractive area for trade.Around this time British shipping companies startsettling on the islands, boosting trade with America

and Europe that has kept a pace ever since. Today,

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with the addition of Spain and the Canary Islands tothe European Union and with its status as islands, thearchipelago has its own economic regime stipulated inthe law of economic and scal regime.

This economic resurgence in the 19th century, plusthe continuous trafc of English ships in and out,

are key to the development of the tourist industry,the current mainstay of the island’s economy. GranCanaria begins to become popular among Europeansas a place of rest for tourists and the inrm, and

shipping companies refurbish their ships to cater fortravellers. These very British shipping companies driveforward the creation of hotels on the island, includingthe Hotel Santa Catalina (1890), in Las Palmas de GranCanaria, which is still today, the most emblematichotel in the capital. In the surrounding areas an urban

architectural framework is also created that remains atimely reminder of the capital’s historic past.

Ensuing European wars then hold back the developmentof tourism, which would have to wait until 1957 to seethe rst incoming ight of a packed Swedish company

Transair AB 54 seater, this the rst of a series of charter

ights to Gran Canaria that gets organized tourism off

to a start. Up to now the tourist activity has not lookedback and today Gran Canaria is not only a continent inminiature for its climate and terrain, but because itoffers those who come to visit endless possibilities torelax or to enjoy their pastimes.


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ROUTES

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Practical Tips

Gran Canaria is a round island where it is very difcult

to nd a point of the territory from which you cannotsee the sea, and has a road system that allows youto get anywhere on the island in a short time, aswell as change your planned route, without having togo back over areas already visited. Visitors can restassured that any previously set itinerary can always

be modied. The island’s layout and its internal roadnetwork help avoid wasting time after a change inplans. Another point to keep in mind during a visit to GranCanaria is that its warm climate varies in just fewmiles. So if you want to go to the beach, but cloudy

skies where you are won’t let you lie under the sun,just a few minutes along the coast you will nd another

area with beautiful sunny weather. The opposite isalso true, if you prefer cooler temperatures, you onlyhave to move inland towards the summit, or checkout the weather situation elsewhere on the island.

The maximum distance between any two majorpoints should never exceed eighty kilometers, andGran Canaria can be covered from south to north,or east to west in whatever combination of cardinalpoints you choose, in a really short time. If on theother hand, you would like to cut short a visit, andthen come back another day to nish your route off,

you can always come back via another route andavoid retracing your steps.

With this in mind, and safe in the knowledge that theroads are in excellent condition and cater for all types

of vehicles and preferences, visitors to Gran Canariashould know that everything they need for a perfectday out is completely catered for. You can choosebetween a typical restaurant, a simple snack bar, or ifyou prefer, set up your own picnic in beautiful naturalsurroundings, just off the main road.


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Trips around the island

The majority of tourists visiting Gran Canaria stay in

the southern part of the island, in the municipalitiesof San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán; or in thecapital, located in the North. A trip around theisland is one of the most typical excursions amongvisitors and Grancanarians themselves, are notaverse to taking on this excursion, or part of it, at

least once a year.

Visitors are made aware that the route on offer isa real bird’s eye view for all those interested inlearning about the island’s geography. If you wantto delve further into each of the proposed routescoming up, we suggest you choose between one of

these, or several parts of each, to the north or tothe south.

The actual route you take around the island willdepend largely on where you are starting from.Remember that you are on a round island and may

opt to begin at the north or the south, and caneither set off from our suggested starting point, orstart at a nishing point and go the other way round,

it is up to you. In any case, always bear in mind thatthese marked out routes can be joined and left atany point, indeed you can take shorter excursions bydoing just part of the routes on offer.

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A Tour around the island

The CapitalLas Palmas de Gran Canaria

Inland and the Summit

(Cumbre)


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From the Capital to the South

If you are in the capital and want to get toMaspalomas or Playa del Inglés, you need only takethe south-bound motorway (GC-1), and in little more

than half an hour, the miles ofyellow sand dunes will comeinto view. The journey downthe eastern coastline featureslow coasts and sandy beaches,

accompanied by a mild andsunny climate, where rainrarely appears, if at all.If you set off from the capital,

before reaching the beaches and shortly after leavingLas Palmas de Gran Canaria behind you, you will

come to the second largest city of the island, Telde.

Telde was head of one of the two Aboriginal kingdomsthat split the island - the other was Gáldar. Must-see is the neighbourhood of San Francisco, secludedand with beautiful gardens, churches, convents andold Canary-style mansions with quarry stonework

and tea wood balconies; and San Juan, with one ofthe largest parks in the Canary Islands. In St. John’sChurch there is a beautiful Flemish altarpiece,and an image of Christ made in the 16th century byMexican Indians, from corn paste. Telde also hasnumerous archaeological sites, such as the Troglodyte

settlement of Cuatro Puertas.

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Moving on from Telde and heading south to the airport,we nd Ingenio. It is an eminently artesan, commercialand agricultural municipality and there you can visit itsfamous Stone Museum. This town takes its name fromthe existence, at different times, of a sugar cane mill,the ruins of which are still preserved

Further down we nd Agüimes. The village was thesite of the only ecclesiastical Lordship on the island,and a visit to its historic town centre, where the so-called Bishop’s Palace is located, is well worth it. Theparish church holds numerous works of Luján Pérez, aswell as images by other anonymous authors. Between

Agüimes and Ingenio the Guayadeque ravine opens up,providing a beautiful landscape, and it rises to about1,500 meters of altitude before emptying out onto theeastern coast of the island. Judging by its settlementsand inhabited caves, it is believed to have been animportant Aboriginal village. Quite a unique attractionin Guayadeque would be a church etched out of the

rock, as well as bars and restaurants built into the terrain.


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On the coast of Agüimes is the Playa de Vargas, where

you can go windsurng, and at El Cabrón beach, isone of the most beautiful spots for scuba diving. Ifyou return to the motorway, you immediately cometo the municipality of Santa Lucía with two distinctareas: inland ridge, and coastline. The inland areafeatures the steep slopes of the Caldera de las

Tirajanas with beautiful palm groves and farmingareas, where the villages of Santa Lucia and SanBartolomé de Tirajana are located. On the coast isa large, open air shopping area, the largest in theCanary Islands, and the beach of Pozo Izquierdo,famous worldwide as one of the venues for theWorld Windsurng Championships, held annually

during the month of July.

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From the south to the east

If we follow the inland route, from San Bartolomé deTirajana we could then make our way down to thecoast (tourist area) along the local road alternatingfrom mountains to deep ravines such as TirajanaRavine, and Arguineguín, theravines of Fataga, Los Vicentes, LaPata or Chamoriscan that open outin Maspalomas. On the other hand,

if we continue our route by road,we reach the tourist area startingwith the Tarajalillo Beach, wherethe Aeroclub is and at which pointSan Augustin opens the doors tothe beaches of Las Burras, el

Inglés and Maspalomas, by now inthe municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

There are 17 kilometres of coast, with numerousdunes that make up the landscape surrounding theso-called Maspalomas Oasis of palm trees around apond of brackish water known as La Charca. This

is all part of the Special Natural Reserve of thedunes of Maspalomas, declared a protected naturalarea, covering about 400 hectares. The set of dunesare also a peculiar habitat for rare species of plants- some endemic to Canary Islands - interestinginvertebrates, and numerous birds.


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During the winter the pond provides food and

shelter for different migratory birds coming overfrom Europe, who spend their winter on the Africancontinent. The area’s focal point is the lighthouse ofMaspalomas, which rises up 65 metres near the Oasis.We also nd numerous leisure places, original and

linked with the territory and history of Gran Canariaand its natural resources. These are predominantly

botanical gardens, zoological parks and water parks.

From here we get back on the road towards Mogán,but before you reach the village we recommendstopping off at Arguineguín to visit the Marinadistrict and, from there, along the road passing

through Puerto Rico, Tauro and Taurito. In any ofthese eminently tourist resorts you can enjoy a swimand cool off for the rest of the trip, although as wehave already pointed out, the distances between allthe points are very short.

Continuing along the winding road we arrive at Mogán.Your rst must-see is Puerto de Mogán where, as inPuerto Rico, you can go on boat trips to see the westcoast of Gran Canaria. From the port we head inlandand, within a few kilometers, reach the town centre,an area that was formerly a food distribution depoton the island and where the manga fruit, avocado and

other tropical products in season are quite exquisite.In the town centre we can choose between carryingon with our planned route, (our trip all around theisland), or taking a diversion past the reservoirs andreach the summit bang in the middle of Gran Canaria,and from there go on to the capital.

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If we opt to stay on our initial route, we will continue

towards the municipality of La Aldea de San Nicolás.The road moves away from the coast and althoughwe will see large ravines, the view of the cliffs iseven more striking from a distance. We may decideto turn off the main road for a few minutes and delveinto hamlets such as Veneguera, Tazartico, Tazarte or to the beach of Güigüi, a natural spot that can

only be accessed on foot or from the sea. But this isan exclusive outing so today we must carry on untilwe reach La Aldea.

Once in this far away town, which is one of the largestareas of tomato cultivation for export, serving the

main European markets, we will have to take a break,either down on the beach or in town. In either place


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we can eat anything we like, although we stronglyrecommend the local fresh sh of the day.

Before restarting our journey we again suggest you

choose to either continue to the capital via the centreof the island, along the main road taking us past twoof the most important reservoirs on the island untilwe reach the geographic centre, Artenara, or stick toour original plans.

From La Aldea we carry on up the northwest sideof Gran Canaria. A winding road and a number ofspectacular cliffs will accompany us for a little over20 kilometers. Agaete will gradually come into viewseveral kilometers before we actually get there,as the road begins to leave behind its spectacularterrain. At Agaete, as in the previous municipalities,we also choose between rst visiting the port or

stopping off at the town centre.

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From the North

The Puerto de Las Nieves, in addition to its noticeablechange in atmospheric conditions, particularly by thesea, reveals the cliffs and rocky areas that will keepus company while up here in the north. To the rightthe Punta de Gáldar, to the left the Andén Verde wepassed just a few minutes ago, and opposite, viewsout over the north Atlantic.

The town centre of Agaete bears thetraces left by dozens of the island’sartists, and houses the Huerto delas Flores botanical gardens that wemust stop off at. Neither can weleave here without driving just a few

kilometres towards El Valle, withits subtropical climate, perfect forcrops such as coffee, guava, mangoes and avocado.The Hotel Los Berrazales and the source of thermal


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waters, which are also used as table water, make theseplaces unique.

Once we have left Agaete, we shall take the GC-2road to Gáldar on our way back towards the capital.Here is where the residence of the Guanartemes,

or Kings of the island, used to be, with a numberof their settlements still evident. Must-see here isthe town centre and the site of the Cueva Pintadamuseum, and sooner or later, we will have to leavethe main road to get onto the road to Sardina or thearchaeological area of El Agujero which is one of

the largest concentrations of houses and Aboriginalmounds on the island. In the same settlement is anecropolis area in which some of the most signicant

burial mounds of the Canaries are preserved.

Right next door to Gáldar is Santa María de Guía. Wemustn’t forget to stop here and buy ower cheese

made with sheep’s milk, curd mixed with wild thistleower. And visit the Church, and marvel at some of

the most valuable religious images of the island’spictorial heritage. Although the day will now becoming to an end, we recommend you take a shortroute around the hills at these two municipalities.

We cannot leave Guía without stopping off at the pre-Hispanic village of Cenobio of Valerón, and tourists

must now choose between following our inland routeor going along the coast. If the option is the latter, the

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road will take us across spectacular ravines and over

one of the highest bridges in the country to a atterarea where you can enjoy another refreshing dip in thesea, although this time on a more rugged coast. Forsurf lovers this is a must.

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If on the other hand we want to reach the capital viathe inland route, we must head towards Moya. Wewill drive around ravines for a few minutes where wecan see laurel forests. At Moya we can enjoy viewsof banana plantations and, further on, views of thecoast with the capital in the far background. Firgaswill take us just a few more kilometers into sometypical old streets and some great beauty spots such

as the square and parroquial church of San Roque,townhall and cultural centre. From there we moveon to Arucas where, on arrival, the stunning gothicchurch welcomes us in. The rum factory, the Marquesagardens or mountain of Arucas are other places wellworth a visit before we wind up back at the capital,

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. If we then have to makeour way to the south, some 30 kilometers of straightmotorway will get us back to our hotel or apartment.


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The Capital (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of the islandof Gran Canaria. It is a cosmopolitan city and wherethe rst Spanish colonisers landed, making the most of

the inlet protected from the winds by natural defencesafforded by the three mountains ofLa Isleta peninsula. Located at thenorthwest of the island and on sealevel, its surface area is just over

one hundred square kilometers. Thecity’s pulsating heartbeat makes itthe economic, political and socialcentre of the whole archipielago andthe most populated area of all theCanary Islands. This puts it in the top

eight provincial capitals of Spain, and, as part of itscharm, a city made to live and be lived. The capital has two very differenciated areas: thehistoric old town, and the port area with the Canterasbeach, not forgetting the upper part of town. In bothareas, visits should be made on foot, leaving the car

behind.

The origins of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canariadate back to 1478, when an army led by Spanishcommander Juan Rejón, landed on La Isleta. He

brought with him his troops, going around the coastline

down south, to a place located at the top of a hillon the right hand side where the Guiniguada Ravineopens out. At this spot, where today the Hermitage

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of San Antonio Abad stands, he set up camp, andconsequently the capital of the province, known asReal de Las Palmas, was founded. The ofcial name

was given to the city some years later following theend of the conquest of Gran Canaria in 1515, fromwhich moment the city was named as it is today. For nearly four hundred years, Las Palmas de GranCanaria was surrounded by a walled perimeter

encompassing the old Vegueta-Triana part of town.In the middle of last century, the town startedgrowing out northwards, stretching as far as the portjoining other key areas such as the Santa Catalinapark and the Canteras beach, which themselves hadbegun to spread.


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For a visit to Vegueta, we would recommend usingPlaza Santa Ana as a starting point, where to thewest the Town Hall buildings proudly stand, thecathedral faces east, and with the Bishop’s Palace tothe right. The cathedral, with its Gothic interior and

neoclassical exterior, houses the Naranjos courtyardand the Museum of Sacred Art. The Regental Palace,residence of the President of the Area High Court, isalso present in the Plaza de Santa Ana. Within walkingdistance, around the back of the Cathedral, we nd

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the Casa de Colón, in memory of the discoverer

Christopher Columbus stopping off in the city on hisway to America. In addition to being an art gallery,it houses a valuable archive and American historicalcollections, and puts on a variety of cultural

activities, thus holding pride of place in the historyof the Atlantic Ocean. The building is broad andhas large courtyards, and boasts beautiful woodencoffered ceilings and stone ornaments, showing offmany aspects of the island’s architecture. The Plaza


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del Pilar Nuevo, which the main façade of the Casade Colón faces out onto, leads to the street of Los

Balcones which runs straight down to the sea front.Along this street there is a neoclassical building,hiding the sumptuous Atlantic Centre of Modern Art(CAAM), designed by architect Francisco Sainz ofOiza, where internationally-recognized avant-gardeart exhibitions are regularly put on. Also close by toSanta Ana, in Doctor Chil St., is the Church of theformer Augustinian convent, headquarters today for

the High Court; the Baroque temple of San Franciscode Borja; the sobre old Seminary, gateway to the18th century enlightment; and the Canarian Museum,dedicated mainly to the pre-hispanic culture on theisland and which has the most complete collection ofcromanoid remains in the world. A few yards awayis the Plaza del Espíritu Santo, with a stone-carvedtabernacle in the middle, and surrounded by severalof the greatest stately mansions of Vegueta. Thechurch and Plaza de Santo Domingo, where a highlypopular local ower market is set up every Sunday,

rounds off your journey of awakening through theancient neighbourhood of Vegueta.

Shortly after the city was founded, the district ofTriana was born, on the other side of the Guiniguada

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ravine. Looking out over from Vegueta, the Plaza deHurtado de Mendoza, popularly known as ‘The Frogs’,

is right opposite, along with the Municipal Library.Nearby is the former Hotel Monopol which now housesthe Gabinete Literario, and just a few meters beyondthat is the Casa Museo Pérez Galdós, the rst theatre

on the island, named after the famous writer. Thisbuilding leads to the busy commercial streets, withTriana being the most popular. Heading north along

Triana we reach San Telmo Park with the hermitageof the same name, with its modernist kiosk and bandstand, where concerts are held.


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Just as we come out of this square, we nd ourselves in

Ciudad Jardin, a district set up by the British colonieson the island at the end of the 19th century. The mainhighlight here is the Doramas Park in whose grounds the

Hotel Santa Catalina and the Pueblo Canario lie, bothof these inspired by traditional Canarian architecture,masterfully recreated by the multifaceted local artistMiguel Martín Fernández de la Torre. The gardens offera fantastic array of insular ora, and in the courtyard

of the Bodegón del Pueblo Canario, anked by craft

shops, there are various folk and dance performancesheld every Sunday morning. Special mention mustalso go to the Néstor Museum that brings together thework of celebrated artist Néstor Martín Fernández dela Torre, brother of Miguel, the creator of this uniquearea.

Following on from the expansion of the city to theSanta Catalina Park is the Avenida de Mesa y López,

a large laurel tree-lined avenue. A hub of activitywith department stores, specialist shops, banks,professional and business premises, restaurants andbar terraces. Avenida Mesa y López is closed off to the

sea by the walls of the Naval Base which is integratedinto the Port of La Luz.

Along the Ramblas Juan Rodríguez Doreste we reachthe Santa Catalina Park. Trade and catering lend thisemblematic park a cosmopolitan air, and is a hive of


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activity for locals and foreigners alike, with its Elderand Miller buildings providing a timely reminder of itshistoric links with the port. The Miller building todayis the site for the Museum of Science and Technology.The Parque de Santa Catalina and surrounding areaemerged at the end of the 19th century, after thePuerto de La Luz started its operations, which atthat time was a long way from the historical districtof Vegueta, where the city was born.

From here we make our way through the hustle and bustleof the most cosmopolitan shopping area of the CanaryIslands, to the Playa de Las Canteras. This is one of the

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most beautiful urban beaches in the country. The localsconsider it a gift from nature. It is made up of almostfour kilometers of golden sand and waters bounded byLa Barra, a reef that breaks the waves without isolatingthem from the open sea. The promenade, which runsalong the beach, offers numerous bar terraces in whichto spend some quiet moments.

From any of these bars, overlooking the sea to theright, is El Contal right at the foot of La Isleta,

where waves crash in making it ideal for surng anytime of the year. To the far left you can just makeout the northern coast. And, right ahead, La Barra,


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a long stretch of lava from La Isleta, which plunged

into the sea and hardened to create, as we have justmentioned, the natural barrier that forms part of thebeach’s natural water pools.

If we walk towards El Contal, keeping the port to

our right, we reach the Castillo de la Luz. Built in the

16th

century, it was one of the city’s main defencesfor centuries, and was coveted by pirates andprivateers. From this castle, Drake, Morgan and manyothers were shot at, but they could not withstand theattack by Dutchman Pieter Van der Does, who tookover, pillaged and burned the city in 1599.

At the end of the port, and crowned by a series ofvolcanic mountains, is La Isleta. This area was builtup to accommodate sailors and workers who werelinked to the port. At the top of this small peninsulasits the neighbourhood of Las Coloradas, from whereyou can take in views all along Las Canteras beach.

There are several specialist sh restaurants aroundhere, again with lovely views over the “city of light”.

Right at the northwest tip of Las Canteras stands theAlfredo Kraus Auditorium building, designed by theCatalan Architect Óscar Tusquets, that integrates aCongress Centre. It is a ne example of modern and

avant-garde architectural art.

Either by taking ring road, or going up Bravo MurilloSt., we get to Ciudad Alta, at the top of town. Inthe 17th century the city began to expand up the

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slopes along the ridge overlooking the coastline.The districts of San José and the steep “cliffs” ofSan Juan, San Nicolás and San Roque sprang up hereabove the District of Vegueta. In the mid-20th centurythe so-called upper town started growing with theconstruction of the Avenida Escaleritas which gaverise to the development of neighborhoods situatedon each side; and the street of Pedro Innito, right in

the middle of the popular shopping area of Schamann.From there the city has continued to grow to Siete

Palmas, a young residential and commercial area, andhome to Las Palmas’ football stadium of Gran Canaria,which every other weekend echoes to the chants of“Pío-Pío”, as the fans cheer their team on.


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Inland and the Summit

Going inland in Gran Canaria will make visitorsthink they have moved to a different island, whichis precisely what makes it so charming. In just afew miles the landscape is transformed from the

at southern area or the rocky

north, as you cross the island overgently rising mountain ranges,which take you up several hundred

metres above sea level, with youhardly noticing the climb. Theinterior hides the historical charmand development of the island,especially in its population growth.The journey will take you through

thick vegetation around the northern face andmore rocky terrain on the west side.

This route starts from the capital to the centrepoint of the island, at Tejeda or Artenara to thenreturn back along a road parallel to the one wehave come up on. We remind you again at this point

that once you are at the summit, you can get backdown to sea level via a number of different routes.

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In the capital we take the ring road towards Tara,past the University campus, and little further on,the Jardín Canario botanical garden, the largest ofits kind in Spain. The centre offers a wide range ofcanarian ora and the Macaronesia region. The Jardín

Canario is a botanical research centre and developsreforestation programmes.Just over 4 kilometers on, we reach Monte Lentiscal.We take a quick turn off at this point, to go to theCaldera de Bandama, a huge volcanic crater with

stunning views around the island. On the hillside ofBandama is the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, over100 years old and the oldest golf club in Spain.

The town of Santa Brígida is our next stop, havinggot back onto the main road. Pleasant countryside,beautiful palm groves, Canary architecture andpeaceful surroundings characterize this town.

The Casa del Vino de Gran Canaria is situated here.This historic building is the perfect place to try outall kinds of wine varieties on offer in Gran Canaria.Under the ofcial “Denominación de Origen Gran

Canaria” banner, a wide range of wines have beenclassied: from young wines to red, white, fruity and

aromatic wines, all of them excellent quality.


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In the nearby Caldera de Hoya Bravo, we come acrossa ne example of dragon tree, namely Dracanea

Draco, a fully-edged and solid tree. Onto the next

central municipality at La Vega de San Mateo, thesense of the inland mountain region becomes evenmore evident. This a farming and cattle communitywhich comes alive at the weekends as they hold theirweekly local market, one of the most important onthe island, and where the famous San Mateo cheeseis sold.

Before moving on in our journey we can visitValsequillo, natural border for the middle level

hills of Gran Canaria. Famous for its almond treesand a real spectacle if you catch them in bloom,the highlight of your visit here is the church of SanMiguel, as well as the district of Tenteniguada. Itssharp cliffs and at highlands with their owers and

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fruit trees can be made out from the Mirador delHelechal viewpoint.

When we get back to San Mateo and still climbing,the surrounding landscapes start changing, reecting

the three main strata on the island, determinedby height and orientation. The mountains becomesteeper, there are still the woods on the hillsides,among them pine trees at Tejeda, as we reach theParador national hotel.

The Parador is a crossroads: a few kilometersfurther up we get to the base of the Roque Nublo,

the emblematic symbol of Gran Canaria. It risesmajestically near to the Pico del Pozo de las Nieves at the highest point of the island (1.949 meters).From here we can see down the whole of thesouthern and eastern slopes of the island. Close by is


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the Degollada Becerra information centre from whereyou get spectacular views of the Caldera de Tejeda,the escarpments dividing it, and the numerousgeomorphological and anthropic elements that makeup this unique landscape.

Back at the Parador we can go on to Tejeda, famousfor its almond pastries. From there we can go alongto the southwest face of the island or make our wayto Artenara, our suggested route, and look around

the highest town centre in the whole island. Not to bemissed either is the Pinar de Tamadaba. Heading back to the capital we again arrive at thesummit where most days we can make out the wholeof the northern face of Gran Canaria, and from theretake any of the roads to get down to the coast. Wesuggest following the main road to Teror, whereNuestra Señora del Pino Basílica is situated. Butbefore we get there, just stop at the highest point andtake in the magnicent views of centenary canarian

pine trees, in the area known as the Pinos de Gáldar.These particularly beautiful examples grow along the

western face of a recent volcanic formation calledthe “Caldera de los Pinos de Gáldar”, a volcaniccrater in the shape of an inverted cone.

Next stop on our route is Valleseco, which despiteits name (literally “dry valley”), registers the

highest yearly rainfall out of the whole island. Inthis municipality there is the Laguna de Valleseco, aseasonal lagoon which is visited by migratory birds,

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such as the common egret, every winter. Around thispiece of water is a chestnut wood and a play area.

The town of Teror is the centre for the island’sreligious fervor of the Virgen del Pino, patron saintof Gran Canaria. The basilica was built back in the17th century, although it conserves a 15th centuryGothic style octagonal tower pertaining to theperiod immediately following the conquest. Insideis the revered image of the Virgen, a 15th century

sculpture belonging to the Escuela Sevillana school.The patron festivals of the island are held on 8th September, celebrating Nuestra Señora del Pino, inwhich thousands of pilgrims arrive on foot from allover the island bringing the best choice of productsfrom the land as offerings to the Virgin. This is a

massive pilgrimage.

From Teror we can again reach the capital by tworoutes, either by the road that connects it directly orby the other one which leads rst to Arucas and fromthere to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.


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ACCOMMODATION

ACCOMMODATION


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Gran Canaria is a destination chosen by thousandsof holidaymakers each year. It is a fashionable placefor many foreign visitors because of its climate,its proximity to anywhere in Europe, just over twohours away by plane, the ideal place to relax in thesun and enjoy what nature has to offer. Added to itsnatural charms, Gran Canaria provides a top classservice for even the most demanding of visitors,making them feel right at home, in a warmer

climate.

Experience and attention to detail is reected in the

quality of this service.

The range of accommodation is as wide as thevisitors’ imagination. From large and modern beachor city hotels, to family-oriented bungalows andapartments, or for those who prefer a more quietgetaway, there are discrete private villas. All this in a


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BEACHES

BEACHES


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If the visitor comes in search of sun and beaches,

there is no better destination. Gran Canaria hasa naturally rich source of beaches, most of whichare golden and sandy, making them unique for theirbeauty and the condition they are in. You also haveall facilities on hand for a peaceful and quiet day bythe sea, and can have full condence in the quality

of its waters. The island has more than 60 kilometres

of beaches, from the impressive Maspalomas with250 hectares of dunes by the sea, to the hidden awaycoves of the Grancanarian west coast such as Güigüi;or, the lively and cosmopolitan Las Canteras beachin the capital. From one side of Gran Canaria to theother, beaches can be enjoyed all year round due to

the great climate. The island also has some thirty orso nudist beaches.

The main tourist area par excellence is where thehighest concentration of hotels and apartments can


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be found, as well as all kinds of leisure facilities. Itis also the area where you can nd the best beaches

from Tarajalillo to Mogán, enjoying a dry and sunnyclimate throughout the year. The effect of the tradewinds is less around here as the mountains hold upthe clouds in the north, allowing the south of theisland to enjoy clear days practically every day of theyear.

In the north of the island the most outstanding beach

is the one in the capital, Las Canteras. More than fourkilometres of golden sands, protected by a naturalreef known as La Barra, where residents and visitorsintermingle freely.

A hive of maritime leisure activity has sprung up allaround the beaches from north to south. Its excellentinfrastructure will allow visitors to choose betweenshing, sailing, scuba diving or windsurng. Rest

assured you can make all your dreams come true hereany day of the year.

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WATER SPORTS

WATER SPORTS


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Gran Canaria is huge marine destination that opensits doors all year round. Untouched natural resourcescombined with its highly developed and continuallyupdated infrastructures means satisfaction isguaranteed. Sea enthusiasts will nd it an absolute

paradise. The port and sports facilities are second tonone, and conditions out at sea make for ideal sailingand are great for all other water sports. The marinecurrents bring with them large hordes of sh along

its 236 kilometers of coastline, with a stunninglygorgeous sea-bed that attracts not only tourists butdeep-sea diving professionals to Gran Canaria.

Whatever your preferences, Gran Canaria providestop class water sports facilities for all.

Sailing

Sailing as a sport has become really widespreadamong the inhabitants of Gran Canaria. Sailors bornhere have excelled on the world stage and have been

part of great sailing teams, even representing theSpanish Olympic team. In the capital especially, thereare a number of sailing clubs at which hundreds ofyoungsters, from a very early age, have honed theirnavigating skills around the bay.

This passion for sailing has led to the emergence of awater sport discipline called Vela Latina Canaria, tobe found only on this island, consisting of boats withone mast, with a maximum length of 6.65 meters, amaximum width of 2.37, and a triangle-shaped sail ofover 40 sq meters.

The boats have crews of nine to eleven members,and compete over the race waters along the splendidcoastline of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, from Aprilto October. Most of the vessels represent differentneighbourhoods of the city, providing healthycompetition between rival areas. The exact origins of

this sport are not known, although it is believed to bedirectly related to races between shing vessels andothers that worked around the ports at the Bahía deLa Luz. The ofcial start date of this sport goes way


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back to 1904, as part of the local festivities in thedistrict of San Cristóbal, in the capital city.

All together, the island has nearly ten sportsharbours, with ambitious plans to signicantly

increase the number of berths in the next few years.

Also, each year, hundreds of boats come together onthe island from all over the world and set off acrossthe Atlantic to ports on the American coast. Manyof these concentrations constitute major sportingspectacles, highlighted by the great camaraderieamong all the sailors.

PUERTO DEPORTIVODE LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA Tel: 928 234 960Fax: 928 232 378

PUERTO DEPORTIVO DE MOGÁNTel: 928 565 668 / 928 565 151Fax: 928 565 024

PUERTO DEPORTIVO DE PUERTO RICOTel: 928 561 141-3Fax: 928 561 632

CLUB DE YATES PASITO BLANCOTel: 928 142 194Fax: 928 142 546

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PUERTO DE ARGUINEGUÍNTel: 928 736 441Fax: 928 152 074

PUERTO DE LAS NIEVESTel: 928 554 227

Fax: 928 554 227

GRAN CANARIAESTACIÓN NÁUTICA

Tel: 629 480 403

[email protected]

Deep sea sports shing

The wealth of the islands waters make for a longsea-lovers’ tradition among the inhabitants ofGran Canaria. Species such as Blue Marlin, needlesh or pipe sh, the albacore, patudo, Atlantic

tuna, barracuda and white tuna, among others,are captured each year along the coastline by bothprofessional and amateur shermen. Gran Canaria

undoubtedly is a world class venue for excellent deepsea shing. Dozens of boats set off daily from thebase ports of the north east of the island and providetourists with superb waters with a wide variety ofspecies so they can enjoy a truly unique day out.


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Surng

The north is for surng, while the south and east are

for windsurf enthusiasts. No less than 23 areas on theisland are apt for the practice of these sports and alsobodyboard. Most of these have all the facilities to givethese sports people all they need for a comfortable,relaxing day on their boards and with their boardsand sails. From El Contal in Las Palmas de Gran

Canaria itself, with Las Monjas wave, to Gáldar and

its Bocabarranco wave, the whole of the northerncoast is great sea for surf and bodyboard lovers. Thecoast here is rocky and with stronger breakers youcan get waves rising up to ve meters in height.

Surf Schools

3RJ SURF ACADEMYLas Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 928 491 142 / 685 471 [email protected]

www.surfk.com

BRISA SCHOOLLas Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 650 308 [email protected]

www.brisaschool.com

EL HOMBRETeldeTel: 928 706 [email protected]

www.playadelhombre.blogspot.com

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GRAN CANARIA SURF SCHOOLLas Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 606 830 978

[email protected]

MOJO SURF SCHOOLLas Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 626 815 061 / 828 014 [email protected]

www.mojosurf.es

OCEAN SIDE & QUIKSILVER SURF SCHOOLLas Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 928 220 [email protected]

www.grancanariasurf.es

OLEAJEArucasTel: 686 161 [email protected]

http://cluboleaje.blogspot.com/

PR SURFING

Las Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 928 769 719/ 628 104 [email protected]

www.prsurng.com/ www.prosurngcompany.com

SURF CANARIES SURF SCHOOLPlaya del InglésTel: 677 704 781 / 686 211 996

[email protected]

UNIVERSITY SURF SCHOOLLas Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 661 360 337 / 661 360 [email protected]

www.universitysurfschoolcanarias.com

Windsurf

As far as windsurng is concerned, Gran Canaria is one

of the major stop-offs along the world championship

route. Together with Hawaii it is the world Meca forthis sport with two beaches ideal for windsurfersnearly all year round. Pozo Izquierdo, besides beingthe venue for one of the world championship stages,is the home for many sportspeople who have excelledin this sport both nationally and internationally. The


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Diving

Around ten diving schools are to be found in GranCanaria for those are into the sport or others whowant to nd out more. Spread around the whole

island, the number of schools ties in with the numberof places available to check out some of the mostattractive sea beds in the South Atlantic. The island’svolcanic origins reveal its ecological and biological

wealth of sea life, that will captivate those who thinkthey have seen all there is to see at the bottom ofthe sea. The variety of its beauty is unsurpassable.Outstanding examples in the capital are Bajas de LaIsleta on the Playa de Las Canteras; in the southeastthe beach at El Cabrón; in the south La Baja de Pasito

Blanco, and to the north Sardina del Norte, and CaletaBaja in Gáldar would be our main recommendations.


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60 WATER SPORTS

North:

BUCEO CANARIASTel: 928 232 085 / 649 893 [email protected]

www.buceocanarias.com

BUCEO MIRAFONDOSTel: 928 490 867 / 699 308 [email protected]

www.mirafondos.com

BUCEO NORTE

Tel: 928 883 807 / 628 107 [email protected]

www.buceonorte.com

CENTRO DE BUCEO 7 MARES LAS CANTERASTel: 928 460 035 / 609 469 [email protected]

www.7mares.es

LAVY SUBTel: 928 232 530 / 639 076 [email protected]

www.lavysub.com

South Area:

ATLANTIK DIVINGTel: 928 565 438 / 689 352 [email protected]

www.clubdemar.com

BLUE EXPLORERS DIVE CENTER Tel: 928 565 795 / 699 125 [email protected]

www.blue-explorers.com


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BUCEO SUR Tel: 928 564 870 / 696 477 [email protected]

www.buceosur.es

CALIPSO DIVE CENTER Tel: 928 769 464 / 630 024 671 / 649 222 [email protected]

www.divingcalypso.net

CENTRO DE BUCEO DELPHINUS

Tel:928 566 169 / 664 009 [email protected]

www.delphinus.eu

DAVY JONES DIVINGTel: 900 460 147 / 699 721 [email protected]

www.davyjonesdiving.com

DIVING CENTER SUN-SUBTel: 928 778 165 / 696 083 [email protected]

www.sunsub.com

EXTRADIVERS GRAN CANARIATel: 928 566 077 / 687 132 688

[email protected]

TOP DIVING PUERTO RICOTel: 928 560 609 / 606 026 [email protected]

www.topdiving.net

Regulated diving centre list supplied by the Agricultural,

Farming and Fishing Council of the Government of the

Canary Islands, dated Septiember 2011


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DAYTIME LEISURE

ACTIVITIES

DAYTIME LEISURE ACTIVITIES


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Being bored is not an option in Gran Canaria. Theisland is a huge theme park for the enjoyment of theentire family. Recreational opportunities are countless,both indoors and outdoors, and the island offers amultitude of choices, all in natural surroundings.These leisure spots are closely linked to the territory,from the botanical gardens such at the Jardín Canarioor Los Palmitos Park zoo; aquatic parks, especially inthe south of the island, or with a scientic background

such as the Museum and Archaeological Park of theCueva Pintada in Gáldar, a stronghold of Aboriginalpaintings; plus the Museo Canario or the ScienceMuseum. In addition there are large open spacesthat bring together the island’s wildlife such as theestate of Osorio in Teror, the Tamadaba pine forestand the areas around Tirma at the island’s summit, notforgetting La Charca de Maspalomas which tourists canenjoy next to the beach of Maspalomas.

PALMITOS PARKBotanical and ornithological garden where you

can see 51 different types of palm trees,1,500exotic birds, and with birds of prey shows. It hasa superb collection of cacti, orchids, butteriesand hummingbirds, 160 species of tropical sh,crocodiles and parrot shows.

Carretera Palmitos Park - Maspalomas.Tel: 928 797 070

www.palmitospark.es

Open from 10 to 18hrs, every day

VIERA Y CLAVIJO BOTANICAL GARDENCreated by the extraordinary Eric Sventenius, themuch-loved “Jardin Canario” shows off the great

wealth of wildlife in the Macaronesia region,highlighted by the 500 or so endemic speciesfrom the Canary Islands. Covering an area of 27hectares, it is considered the largest botanicalgarden in Spain.

Carretera del Centro Km7- Tara AltaLas Palmas de Gran Canaria

Tel: 928 219 580 / Fax: 928 219 581 [email protected]

www.jardincanario.org

Open from 10 to 19hrs, every day


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HOLIDAY WORLDHoliday World amusement park is at the heart ofthis leisure centre and the largest to be found in

the Canary IslandsAvda. Touroperador Tui s/nTel: 928 730 498

[email protected]

www.holidayworld-maspalomas.com

Winter Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday and publicholidays, 17:00 to 23:00 hrs; Fridays, Saturdays and days

before public holidays 17:00 a 24:00 hrsSummer Opening hours: 18:00 to 24:00 hrs.

PARQUE DE COCODRILOSZoological park with over 300 crocodiles, tropicalsh, tarantulas and a treasure island.

Los Corralillos km 5,5. Agüimes.

Tel: 928 784 725Opening hours: de 10:00 a 17:00 horas(last visit at 16:00hrs) Saturdays closed.

MUNDO ABORIGENCanary cultural park, with aboriginal village:history, customs and life style of the ancientinhabitants of Gran Canaria.

Carretera de Playa del Inglés a Fataga. Km 6.Tel: 928 172 295Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 18:00 hrs.

CACTUALDEA PARQUEBotanical gardens with wide variety of cacti, palmtrees and other tropical plants.

Ctra. de Mogán a San Nicolás de Tolentino, s/n.Ctra. del Hoyo-Tocodoman.Tel: 928 891 228 / Fax: 928 890 688Opening hours: Winter from 10:00 to 17:00 / Summer from10:00 to 18:00

SIOUX CITY

American wild west town. Horse, buffalo and cow show.Cañón del Aguila. San Agustín.

Tel: 928 762 573 / Fax: 928 767 201Opening hours: 10:00 t 17:00 hrs. Performances at 12:00,12:45, 13:15, 14:00 and 15:00 hrsOpen every day except Mondays. Fridays: Barbacue + Show(evenings), from 18:00 to 22:00 hrs.

MINI TRENRoute along the Playa del Inglés, on a cuteminiature train.

Avenida de Italia s/n.- Playa del Inglés.Timetable: from 11:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 hrs.Winter from 11:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00hrs

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SUBMARINO AMARILLOTravel deep down to the bottom of the sea anddiscover its secrets.

Puerto de Mogán. Mogán.Tel: 928 565 108 / Fax: 928 565 048Trips: 10:00-11:00-12:00-13:00-14:00-15:30-16:20-17:10 hrs

CAMELLO SAFARI - DUNASFun-lled camel rides around the famous

Maspalomas Dunes.MaspalomasTel: 928 760 781 / 609 520 233Opening hours: from 9:00 to 16:00 hrs.

DONKEY - SAFARI LAS TIRAJANAS

Los Moricos, s/n (subida a Taidía) - Santa LucíaTel: 928 180 587 / Móvil: 658 938 [email protected]

www.burrosafari.com

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 hrs.

KARTING - GRAN KARTING CLUB

The biggest track in the world. Toddlers, childrensand adults circuits.

Carretera General del Sur, km 46. Tarajalillo.Tel: 928 157 190 / Fax: 928 293 671Opening hours: from 10:00 to 21:00 horas in winter andfrom 11:00 to 22:00 hrs in summer.

AQUALAND MASPALOMASWater park with numerous slides, also minigolf.

Ctra. Palmitos Park, km 3. Maspalomas.Tel: 928 140 525 / Fax: 928 140 277Opening hours: Winter from 10:00 to 17:00 / Summer from10:00 to 18:00


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NIGHT TIME LEISURE

ACTIVITIES

NIGHT TIME LEISURE ACTIVITIES


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If being bored is not an option by day, fun isguaranteed in Gran Canaria by night. The spring-like climate which prevails day and night andthe open friendly character of the Grancanariansoffer tourists a wide-ranging and varied nightlifeevery night of the year.

If you want to kick the evening off with dinner, inGran Canaria your choice is endless and there is

no time restriction. Although the official time forthe residents is between nine and eleven, nobodyis tied down to this timetable, and visitors canenjoy an exquisite dinner at almost any time,once ‘the sun is down’. Also the visitor can choosea variety of foods from all over the world as if itwere in the country of origin. If you go for thelocal gastronomy, your choice goes from the barsif you choose tapas, to the restaurants for typicallocal food, either homemade or Canary haute-cuisine. The choice is up to the tourist as, fromthe capital to the summit and from the north tothe resorts, the island has a wide list of places

with a menu to cater for all preferences.


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After dinner, options to carry on into the night arealmost as varied as there are tastes. Bar terracesin the historic centre of the capital or by the sea;

bars with an inner courtyard where you can takein some live music or simply feel the coolness ofthe night in the villages of the interior; ballrooms,nightclubs, pubs, are spread all over the island,although the capital and the south have thegreatest variety, with the added advantage of

longer opening hours. If your choice is the casino,there is one in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and two

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others in San Agustín and Maspalomas; for showvenues, although most are in the South and thecapital, there are others in some municipalities

with performances for tourists and residentsthroughout the year.

But if it is local festivals you want to try out,each month at least one of the 21 municipalitieson Gran Canaria hold fiestas and street parties

showcasing local traditions, and these are a must-see for visitors to the island.


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GASTRONOMY

GASTRONOMY


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Goat meat, pork, veal and not forgetting chicken andrabbit are the meats used in Gran Canaria cuisine.

For sh, grouper, sea bass and old red “vieja”, as well

as tuna, are the ones to look out for, as fresh sh

will not be lacking on any good table at many coastal

restaurants.

Gran Canaria’s local popular gastronomy and the

most avant-garde cuisine go side by side, always witha common local product base and always offering

great variety.

Visitors have an extensive menu to choose from

when it comes to food. Goat compound in “tollos”

sauce (de-salted shark meat ‘Dogsh’ avoured witha sauce made with garlic, cumin, saffron, paprika,

oil and vinegar); “carajacas” (veal liver with sauce,

thyme and garlic among other ingredients); “ropa

vieja” (chickpeas compound with beef and chicken,

cooked with French fries and a sauce made with

onions, tomatoes, white wine, saffron, laurel, thyme,parsley and black pepper grain). Roast leg of pork is

a tasty choice at any time of the day. But the King

of dishes on Canary Island tables is the “sancocho

canario”: salty sea bass, potatoes, sweet potatoes,

and “pella goo” (corn paste) all seasoned with mojo

sauce, are a delicacy.


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Most common starters are sh soup, chickpea and

“rancho” stews as well as the sh stock sauce in all

its varieties, and so typical in the island’s cooking.

But in Gran Canaria visitors cannot go without

trying out one of its most typical traditions: the“enyesque”, a wide range of appetizer snacks madewith such foods as olives dipped in oil and vinegar,“papas arrugadas” boiled potatoes with their skinson with mojo Picón sauce (that accompany almost

any dish) or the variety of grancanary cheeses thathave given the island the label of “a small France”for their diversity and exquisite production. Theones to try are tender cheese, cured, semi-curedcheeses from the summit and cheese “de or”

(matured with thistle).

GASTRONOMY


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CULTURAL LIFE

CULTURAL LIFE


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Classical music, opera and zarzuela, theatre anddance, jazz, music from Africa and America, theatre,

cinema or video: all these can be enjoyed almost

every month of the year in Gran Canaria, through

international festivals or events held on the island.

The year starts in Gran Canaria with the Canary

Music Festival that takes place between January

and February. In successive editions, leading global

gures in classical music have assembled here on theisland, in which the Festival each year commissions

a world premiere, as well as hosting works by new

composers. Other highlights include the Opera

and Zarzuela Festival, and for cinema lovers, the

International Film Festival of Las Palmas de Gran

Canaria, with its special ‘Lady Harimaguada’ award,has become a regular xture on the event calendar

between March and April. The Canary International

“Jazz and More” Festival hails the arrival of summer

and has performers playing in main squares and

theatres all over the island’s municipalities. The

Autumn Theatre Festival, and Womad, which bringstogether stars of ethnic music in a great popular

music esta, bring the yearly calendar to an end, a

year which has brought together dozens of cultural

events in nearly all municipalities, along with artists

of all genres in theatres in the capital and other

main cities on the island.


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MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS


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Much of Gran Canaria’s historical and cultural wealthis centred around the many museums scatteredthroughout the island. Most of them are, at the sametime, permanent research centres which make them keycentres in the subjects they specialize in. In differentparts of the island we can go from its Aboriginal pastright up to the present day; there are also buildings thatare set up as museum houses in memory of illustrioussons of the island, or others housing the living history

of its folk traditions and customs, which are also verycommon. Gran Canaria’s museums should not be missedfor the sheer quality of content on show, and to enjoythe experience of the layout of the buildings themselvesin which they are located. The value of these centresas historic-artistic buildings lies in the fact that theyare ne examples of the varied and rich architecture

in the Canary Islands over the last few centuries andwhere different people who in their day settled in GranCanaria left their mark.

Gran Canaria houses everything from museums ofcontemporary art, such as the Centro Atlántico de Arte

Moderno, along with the Canary Museum which exhibitsthe largest collection of the island’s Aboriginal past, tothe Diocesan Museum of sacred art, and the Casa deColón, which brings together an important collection of

documents and objects linked to the passing through ofthe Canaries by famous navigator Christopher Columbus,

and Canary’s relationship with America. To thesemuseums, all within a one kilometer radius, we must addthe Elder Museum of science and technology, in the Parkof Santa Catalina, as well as other illustrious museumhouses such as Benito Pérez Galdós, Tomás Morales,

Néstor Martín Fernández de la Torre, Fernando and Juande León y Castillo or Antonio Padrón, among others.


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MUSEO CANARIOEtnographic museum about the island’spre-hispanic aboriginal culture. Kept on showhere is the most complete collection of cromanoid

remains in the world.C/ Dr. Vernau, 2 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.Tel: 928 336 800 / Fax: 928 336 [email protected]

www.elmuseocanario.com

Opening hours: from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00

hrs; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to14:00 hrs.

CENTRO ATLÁNTICO DE ARTE MODERNO - CAAMNational and international exhibitions all yearround.

C/ Los Balcones, 9-11- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Tel: 928 311 800 / Fax: 928 321 [email protected]

www.caam.net

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00to 21:00 hrs; Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 hrs. ClosedMondays and bank holidays.

SAN MARTIN CENTRO DE CULTURACONTEMPORANEA

C/ Ramón y Cajal, 1 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Tel: 928 322 535

www.sanmartincontemporaneo.com

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to21:00 hrs; Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 hrs. ClosedMondays and bank holidays.

MUSEUMS


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MUSEO DIOCESANO DE ARTE SACROValuable collections of paintings, works in gold,and sculptures. Also home to the important

musical archive of the Cathedral of Canaries.C/ Espíritu Santo, 20 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.Tel: 928 314 989 / Fax: 928 314 [email protected]

www.diocesisdecanarias.es

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:30;Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:30 hrs.

CASA DE COLÓNSpecializing in the history of the discovery ofAmerica, recreating the environment of the time.An offshoot of the building is dedicated to theProvincial Museum of Fine Arts.

C/ Colón, 1 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Tel: 928 312 373 / Fax: 928 331 [email protected]

www.casadecolon.com

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 19:00;Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00, Sundays and publicholidays from 10:00 to 15:00 hrs.

CASA MUSEO DE PÉREZ GALDÓSThe house where Benito Pérez Galdós was bornin 1843. Houses a library of Spanish narrativeworks from the 19th and 20th centuries, anda documentary archive made up of Galdos’manuscripts, his most important legacy.

C/ Cano, 2 y 6 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.Tel: 928 366976 / 928 373 745 / Fax: 928 373 734

[email protected]

www.casamuseoperezgaldos.com

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs. Closed Mondays.


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MUSEO DE NÉSTORMuseum dedicated to the multifaceted local artistNéstor Martín Fernández de la Torre (1887-1938),with an exhibition of his paintings.

Parque Doramas; Pueblo Canario - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.Tel: 928 245 135 - 928 246 265 / Fax: 928 243 [email protected]

www.museonestor.com

Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00hrs; Sundays from 10:30 to 14:30 hrs.

CASA MUSEO LEÓN Y CASTILLOMuseum dedicated to brothers Fernando andJuan de León y Castillo, politician and engineerrespectively. The refuge of the Puerto de La Luzwas down to these two. The Museum here consistsof a library and archives.

C/ León y Castillo, 43-45 -Telde.Tel: 928 691 377 / Fax: 928 696 [email protected]

www.fernandoleonycastillo.com

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00 hrs.Saturdays from 10:00 to 20:00 hrs and Sundays and publicholidays from 10:00 to 13:00 hrs

CASA MUSEO TOMÁS MORALESAlso known as the Home of Canary Island Poetry.The poet’s personal belongings are kept here. TheMuseum organizes recitals of his poetry.

Plaza de Tomás Morales, S/N - Moya.Tel: 928 620 217 / Fax: 928 611 217

[email protected]

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00 hrs.Saturdays from 10:00 to 20:00 hrs and Sundays from 10:00to 14:00 hrs.

MUSEO MUNICIPAL DE ARUCAS

With library, municipal archives, severalitinerant exhibition rooms, and two permanentrooms dedicated to painters Santiago Santanay Guillermo Sureda, and another to sculptorAbraham Cárdenes.

Parque de Gourié - Arucas.Tel: 928 628 165

[email protected]

www.www.arucas.org

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00 hrs.Public holidays: from 10:00 to 16:00

MUSEUMS


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MUSEO DEL RONRum museum situated in the Ron Arehucas distilleries.

Era de San Pedro, 2 - Arucas.Tel: 928 624 900 / Fax: 928 603 [email protected]

www.arehucas.es

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:00 hrs(July, August, September 09:00 to 13:00). For groups ofmore than 10 people, a prior appointment has to be madefor your visit.

MUSEO DE PIEDRAS Y ARTESANÍA CANARIAMuseum of lacework and embroidery from GranCanaria and Lanzarote. Also has an exhibition ofstones of Africa, hence the reference to “piedra”(stone) in its name.

Camino Real de Gando, 1 - Ingenio. Tel: 928 781 124Opening hours: Monday to Saturdays from 09:30 to 18:15 hrs.

MUSEO CASA ANTONIO PADRÓNOn show here are more than 150 items includingoil paintings, sculptures, drawings and sketchesby the artist.

Drago, 2 - Gáldar.Tel: 928 551 858 / [email protected]

www.antoniopadron.com

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00 hrs.


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MUSEO ELDER DE LA CIENCIA Y LA TECNOLOGÍAMade up of over twenty spaces dedicated to thereconstruction and reproduction of great scienticadvancements of humanity. An interactive centrewhose byword is “Please do touch”.

Parque Santa Catalina s/n35007- Las Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 828 011 [email protected]

www.museoelder.org

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00 hrs(Summer from 11:00 to 21:00).

CUEVA MUSEO ETNOGRÁFICO DE BARRANCOHONDO DE ABAJO. An exhibition of pottery, linen, paintings, crockery,furniture and sacred art.

Juncalillo de Gáldar.Tel: 928 555 120

By prior appointment only.

MUSEO DE LA RAMA

C. Párroco Alonso Luján, 5 (Agaete)Tel: 928 554 382

www.aytoagaete.es

MUSEUMS


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MUSEO DE HISTORIA DE AGÜIMESHere at the History Museum in Agüimes visitors canlearn about the last ve centuries of the history of

the region, from the establishment of the episcopalorder following the Castilian conquest of the island,through to the mid-20th century.

C/. Juan Alvarado y Saz, 42. Agüimes.Tel: 928 785 [email protected]

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs.

MUSEOS VIVOS

Three different routes along twelve areas located inthe town centre, recreating traditional rural tradesof the town. You are shown round by the elderlyvolunteer inhabitants of the municipality itself.

Visits by prior arrangement.Tel: 928 892 485 / Móvil: 629 487 907

MUSEO DE LA ZAFRA

C. Isla de la Graciosa, 33Vecindario- Santa LucíaTel: 928 759 706 / [email protected] hours: Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 a 17:00;

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to14:00 hrs.

MUSEO DE ESCULTURAS ABRAHAM CÁRDENES

Space dedicated to part of the works by one ofTejeda’s most illustrious artists, as well as a leadingCanarian sculptor of the 20th century.

C/. Leocadio Cabrera s/n, TejedaTel: 928 666 189 / Fax: 928 666 [email protected]

www.tejeda.es

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a 15:30 hrs

CENTRO DE PLANTAS MEDICINALESMedicinal Plant Centre

C/. Párroco Rodríguez Vega nº 10Tel: 928 666 096 / Fax: 928 666 252 (Ayuntamiento)[email protected]

www.plantasmedicinalescanarias.com

MUSEO DE LAS TRADICIONESC/. Párroco Rodríguez Vega nº 6Tel: 928 666 189 / Fax: 928 666 [email protected]

www.tejeda.es

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 15:30 hrs


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ARCHAEOLOGY

ARCHAEOLOGY


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The richest Aboriginal cultural and artistic collectionin the whole archipielago is here in Gran Canaria. Themost noteworthy of these are the settlements withrock paintings in caves such as the Painted Cave inGáldar, an articial cave dug out of the side of the

volcano tuff rock and whose walls are decoratedwith friezes made up of geometric motifs, in square,triangular and circular shapes in red, ochre andwhite. These are similar to those regularly found in

the island’s pottery and motifs displayed on theircrafts. No less spectacular is the settlement that wasdiscovered around the cave after more than twentyyears of archaeological excavations. Visitors here cancontemplate the remains of houses, the interiors ofwhich are preserved with their contents that beartestament to the activities of the time.

After a thorough restoration programme andconservation of these cave paintings, thisarchaeological site is now top of the list for thosewishing to come and delve into the culturaland artistic heritage of Gran Canaria. Its actual

discovery dates back to 1873, and its extraordinaryhistoric value is now so great, that since 1970, theisland’s institutions have supported and funded theconservation of their cave paintings. Another group of sites tourists must not miss on

their travels around Gran Canaria are the granariesof the pre-Hispanic settlers. Not all have faired thesame over the years, with Risco Pintado (Temisas)being, along with the Alamo (Acusa Seca) or on theSouth side of the Roque Bentayga (Tejeda), thenest examples of these fortied deposits, as is the

Coenobium of Valerón, located in the municipality of

Santa María de Guía, in the North of the island. Thelatter is a spectacular hole, protected by a naturalwide covering ap. Inside, the ancient Canarians dug

out 300 chambers or “silos”, which served as graindeposits, along with living areas.

Following our route along the archaeological sitesin the southeast of the island we come across atroglodytic site called Cuatro Puertas, some 300meters above sea level. It is a settlement complexdug out of the tuff rock. Its actual function was


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far from clear, as it could have been the place ofresidence of a gure of certain nobility, or a place for

common usage, perhaps either social or religious, but

certainly not just an average house.

Nearby, in addition to the cave, lies a curious“almogarén” (generally high up, comfortable andwell conditioned, and a place for religious cultcelebrations).

As we follow our aboriginal settlements routes weshould not miss the Barranco de Guayadeque, anatural ravine landscape which had a large Aboriginalpopulation in its day, judging by its settlementand caves remains, or the Fortaleza de Ansite, ane example of a fortied village. Its eastern side

presents a number of refurbished natural caves, andothers carved out articially into cave homes, funeral

parlours, and “silo” grain stores. The layout is ondifferent levels, joined up with each other by stepsand paths, just like the original tunnel that crossesthe rock and connects the village on both its sides.

It might have been the last Aboriginal stronghold toresist the Castilian troops prior to their conquest.

The pre-Hispanic population of Gran Canaria settledmainly in large villages of semi-urban structure. Gáldar(the Painted Cave) Telde (Cuatro Puertas) or Arguineguínwere the most densely populated. The caves were themost common form of housing, a tradition that liveson today in certain areas of the interior of the island,although important dwellings have been discovered duginto the ground itself, with a rounded exterior toppedoff with large dry-stone blocks and wooden roof.

ARCHAEOLOGY


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the Harimaguada was the female gure of nobility

who was nurtured from childhood to share thesame tasks as the Faycán. The Supreme God of theGrancanary Aboriginals was Acorán, to whom theyoffered sacrices and offerings.

MUSEO Y PARQUE ARQUEOLÓGICOCUEVA PINTADA DE GÁLDAR

C/ Audiencia nº 2, GáldarTel: 928 895 746 / Fax: 928 552 402

www.cuevapintada.com

Visits can be made by individuals or in groups by guidedtours, for which an appointment must be made, bycalling: Tel 928 895 746 o 902 405 504 or online throughww.generaltickets.com/lacajadecanarias

Opening hoursFrom 16th Septembre to 14th JuneTuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs. Sunday andpublic holidays from 11.00 to 18:00 hrs

From 15th June to 15th SeptemberTuesday to Saturday: from 10:30 to 19:30Sundays and public holidays: from 11:00 to 19:00Closed on Mondays and some public holidays

ARCHAEOLOGY


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CENOBIO DE VALERÓN

Cuesta de Silva s/nSanta María de Guía - Gran CanariaTel: 928 895 537 / 618 607 896 / Fax: 928 895 451

www.cenobiodevaleron.com

Winter timetable:Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs.

Summer timetable:Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00 hrs.

YACIMIENTO DE CUATRO PUERTAS

Montaña Bermeja, 3 Kms. outside TeldeOpen area. For guided tours please call for appointmenton tel. 928 219 229

MUSEO DE GUAYADEQUE(Archaeological Information Centre)

Barranco de Guayadeque s/nTel: 928 172 026Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 hrs; Sundays andpublic holidays from 10:00 to 15:00 hrs.

SALINAS DE TENEFE

Exterior: information boards, individual visits.Interior: group visits by prior appointment: 928 759 706


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CRAFTS

CRAFTS


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Craft activity in Gran Canaria goes back to pre-Hispanic times. The craft tradition of Aboriginalpeople has lasted to the present day as well as manyof the materials they used. Clay was, and continuesto be, one of the raw materials. Today in nearly everyvillage there is one or more artisans who work withthis material, although the outstanding places todayare the Locero Centre and the Casa-Alfar Panchito EcoMuseum, in La Atalaya de Santa Brigida, or the Fedac

shops.

The Aboriginals also used household utensils andicons such as the idol of Tara, small red clay gure,

a representation of women which, along with its neckand distinct face, stand out for its exaggerated limbs.These small mud and stone gures found on the island

have various purposes: from the celebration of fertilityrites, to the cult of the dead. The Canarian motif isone of the characteristic elements of Aboriginal craftand they adorned craftwork with geometric patterns.Others materials to have survived have been baskets,metal knives, wood, yarn, and stonework with a very

rich grain which has been used in roads, bridges,banks, mills, pools, fountains and a host of otherapplications.

FEDAC foundation craft shopsFundación para la Etnografía y el Desarrollo

de la Artesanía Canaria

TIENDA DE ARTESANÍA TRADICIONAL(Traditional Craft Shop)Domingo J. Navarro, 7. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Tel: 928 369 661 LA SALADomingo J. Navarro, 7 bis. Las Palmas de Gran CanariaTel: 928 369 639

PLAYA DEL INGLÉS SHOPCentro Insular de Turismo

Avda. de España esquina Avda. de los Estados UnidosPlaya del Inglés.Tel: 928 767 848


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SHOPPING AND LOCAL

MARKETS

SHOPPING AND LOCAL MARKETS


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The low rate of tax on many of the products thatcan be purchased in the Canaries, and the presenceon the Islands, especially in Gran Canaria, of allmain national and international brands, togetherwith an extensive network of centres where to buytypical products, make the island an ideal placeto go shopping. The shopping areas are located inmajor urban centres such as the capital and thetourist south, as well as the cities of Telde or Santa

Lucia. Shopping centres and department stores areinterspersed with large streets and avenues, whereyou can buy literally everything. Half a dozenshopping malls and two large open areas are spreadover the area of the island’s capital. On one side ofthe city, on the stately and historic street of Triana,and on the other, the modern and bustling Avenidade Mesa y López that gives way to the port area,

bordering onto Las Canteras beach.

A tip for you: don’t plan that special shopping daywithout making to effort to pop into the dozens oflocal craft shops all over the island. Neither should

you miss some of the open air markets that are setup every day in one municipality or another. Thevariety of products here is on a par with the varietyof people from all over the world who come to selland buy. Flea markets and craft markets on Sundaysin the capital, and the market at Teror, are places

that should always be penciled into your diary.


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LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

FLEA MARKETEvery Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00 hrs, at RamblasAlcalde Juan Rodríguez Doreste.

MERCADO DE ARTESANÍA Y CULTURA(Craft and Culture Market)Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, every Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 hrs.

AGÜIMES

Thursdays from 08:00 to 13:00 hrs.

ARUCAS

Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.GÁLDAR

Thursdays frome 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

SAN BARTOLOMÉ DE TIRAJANA

SAN FERNANDO Every Wednesday and Saturday from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

PLAYA DEL INGLÉSMonday to Saturday from 19:30 to 23:30 hrs at Avenidade Italia.

SANTA LUCÍAVECINDARIO at Avenida de Canarias every Wednesdayfrom 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

SANTA LUCÍA Sundays from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

SANTA BRÍGIDAFridays from 15:00 to 20:00 hrs. Saturdays from 07:00to 20:00 hrs and Sundays from 07:00 to 14:00 hrs.

SANTA MARÍA DE GUÍA

Tuesdays and Sundays from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

SAN MATEO

Saturdays from 08:00 to 20:00 hrs and Sundays from08:00 to 15:00 hrs.

Local Markets

SHOPPING AND LOCAL MARKETS


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MOGÁN

PUERTO DE MOGÁNMondays and Fridays from 09:00 to 14:00 hrs.

ARGUINEGUÍNTuesdays from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

MOYA

Sundays from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

TELDE

PLAZA SAN GREGORIOSaturdays from 07:00 to 15:00 hrs

JINÁMARSundays from 07:00 to 15:00 hrs.

TEROR

Sundays from 08:00 to 15:00 hrs.

VALSEQUILLOSundays from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs.

PLEASE NOTE: The Gran Canary Tourist Board cannot be held respon-sible for any changes to this programme.

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