Gran Canaria Canary Island
Gran Canaria Tourist Information
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is the third largest island out of the seven larger islands in the Archipelago of the Canary Islands (Isla Canarias). Although still a small island and smaller than Fuerteventura and Tenerife islands! The Canaries Archipelago consist of seven large and six smaller islands based in the Atlantic Ocean, lying some 100km off the North West coast off Africa (Morocco and Western Sahara) and about 1100km from the Spanish mainland (Cadiz). The Canary Islands are split into 2 Spanish provinces; The Westerly Islands of Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and Hierro from the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (chief town Santa Cruz) while the Eastern Islands of Gran Canaria, FuerteVentura and Lanzarote from the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (chief town Las Palmas). Although smaller than its neighboring islands it is none the less home to just over half the population of the Archipelago!
The fascinating island of Gran Canaria has something for everyone! Whether you are going with the family or with friends, whatever your age or taste in holidays you will find the perfect location in Gran Canaria where you will have a holiday of a lifetime!
Gran Canaria has such an extreme and diverse landscape and climactical zones with it being geographically that close to one another with the massive mountain range in the centre of the island that has a height of approximately 2000 metres and is cut with some bizarre canyons, the surrounding desert land with the Sahara like sand dunes and the tropical forests with exotic flora and fauna and the European, African and American vegetation! Along the coastline there are some wide beaches of sand, here you can occasionally find yourself lying in the sun and looking at the mountaintops being covered with snow!!
The weather in Gran Canaria is very similar to the rest of the Canary island with a wonderful warm climate throughout the year! During the winter months the temperature varies between 18 - 20 degrees Celsius and for the rest of the year 22 degrees Celsius and up!
The South of the island is where you will find the water and theme parks, shopping malls, disco's and main nightlife and many hours of sun with the beautiful beaches!
In the North of the island you will find Gran Canarias cosmopolitan Capital Las Palmas - which is the islands business centre. The North itself is more oriented towards business than the South. You will also find here the busy port of Puerto de la Luz which is one of Europe's most important harbours. But with the sandy beaches of Las Canteras and Las Alcaravaneras, and the city of Las Palmas, there is still a stable income from tourism in the area.
There are three water parks in the south in total and eight theme and amusement parks! All in the South so there is always something fun to do! Other Tourist Attractions on the island of Gran Canaria include Museums, Monuments and Historical Architectural buildings that are extremely impressive , Churches, Botanical Gardens and lots lots more! There is also water sports and Whale and Dolphin excursions like many of the other Canary Islands! When visiting Gran Canaria it is a must to go exploring the island you will see many wonderful views and scenery, in the mountains, forests, coastal and spectacular beaches or sand dunes! Whatever your preference you will never be stuck for anything to do and far from bored!
The Beaches in Gran Canaria are exquisite almost 60km of the 236km of the coastal line around the island are beaches or various descriptions some completely unique! They range from the impressive Maspalomas beach, here you can find 250 hectares of sand dunes that are right next to the sea, to the concealed and unspoilt beach of Güigüi, as well as the lively Las Canteras beach in the capital! Plus many more - the beaches that are in the main resorts around the island boast water sports, changing facilities and toilets, bars and restaurants! You will also find beaches on protected land and these are really beautiful, with natural beauty and unspoilt landscapes, there are small coves and nudist beaches too which are mainly found in the South!
Sport in Gran Canaria is at its plenty, whether you enjoy tennis, water sports, fishing, rock climbing or just walking you can find it around the island! There are also six golf clubs in Gran Canaria all relatively modern and set in amazing surroundings!
Around the main resorts there are plenty of either Ocean front or complex Villas for you to rent, apartments in complex's and Hotels that range from basic - somewhere for you to just lay your head to luxurious with a wide range of facilities! All available for your stay in this amazing island!
Gran Canaria Essential Information
Please find to follow a few helpful numbers, important information and useful tips that will help make your stay in Gran Canaria more enjoyable and stress free..
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The Language used is Spanish
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The Currency used is the Euro
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Gran Canaria is also running on GMT so there isn't a time difference between there and the UK
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A three course meal will cost you approx 14 Euros/£9, if you wish add a glass of beer for approx 1.80 Euros/£1.15 or maybe a bottle of wine for approx 5.30 Euros/£3.40 or both!!! Then to get a taxi back for a short ride it will be about £5 approx.
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Visa's are not needed if you are a member of the EU, as long as your stay is below 90days.
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The dialling code is the same as the Spanish mainland 0034 (remember to drop the zero from the beginning of the number being called if calling to the UK)
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The Spanish Embassy number is; 020 7235 5555
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In an Emergency please call; 061
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Cash machines are widely available throughout the Island.
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The Voltage in Gran Canaria is 220V - so take an European adapter!!
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The shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 9am till 1pm, closing for a couple of hours in the afternoon and opening again from 4.30pm till about 8pm!
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Banks are a little different they are generally open Monday to Friday 9am till 2pm.
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Please be aware of Ticket touts, they can be selling illegal trips on the streets and beaches
Puerto de Las Nieves is one mile west of the resort, Agaete and is Agaete's harbour. From Puerto de Las Nieves you will be able to get to Santa de la Cruz in Tenerife, which has made the resort become increasingly popular with tourists since the opening of the ferry line.
Santa Maria de Guia was formally part of the town of Galdar, but through out the years Galdar developed and so did Santa Maria de Guia into their own little, charming characteristic towns!
Galdar is quite a large town, extending from the foot of the Pico de Galdar volcano. You will find Galdar situated on the Northern coast of Gran Canaria.
San Bartolome de Tirajana is small Historic town in the Southern inland town in Gran Canaria. It is the town that has the administrative centre for the majority of the southern coastal region.
In the South East of Gran Canaria you will find the historical town of Telde. Roughly just eight miles from the South of Las Palmas - Gran Canaria's Capital.
Fataga is a small mountainous village, it is considered the most beautiful village on the island, picturesque and charming, with traditional rural houses, a little church and cobbled streets, with a setting of cliffs, palm and fruit trees.
Arucas is a large town in Northern Gran Canaria. Close to the islands Capital, Las Palmas just separated by the Barranco de Tenoya, a ravine.
More Canary Island links;
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Gran Canaria Site Map |
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