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Things to do in
Gran Canaria

White sandy beaches and crystal clear waters await on this sunny island, with stunning hiking trails to boot.

Our most recommended things to do in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria: Catamaran Dolphin Watch Cruise with Snorkeling

1. Gran Canaria: Catamaran Dolphin Watch Cruise with Snorkeling

Board a catamaran in Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and head out into the Atlantic Ocean in search of dolphins and whales. Marvel at picturesque views of Gran Canaria's coastline from the water, sip on complimentary soft drinks, and go snorkeling or swimming in the ocean. Your cruise begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel and transportation to the Puerto Base harbor, where you'll board your boat. Then, set sail to explore the waters off the coast of Gran Canaria, going in search of dolphins, pilot whales, minke whales, and more. Watch from the deck or through the glass panels below deck, keeping an eye out for these magnificent creatures and other aquatic life. Then, get ready to experience the ocean firsthand as your boat anchors in one of the small bays along the coastline. Go for a swim, enjoy some snorkeling, or make use of the onboard toboggan slide. If you prefer not to get wet, just sit back and relax, admire the view, and sip on a complimentary soft drink. Spend around 45 minutes enjoying the ocean before your cruise continues with a return journey to the harbor. Your bus will be waiting here to take you back to your accommodation.

Maspalomas: Guided Camel Ride in the Maspalomas Sand Dunes

2. Maspalomas: Guided Camel Ride in the Maspalomas Sand Dunes

Ride through the rolling dunes of Maspalomas on camelback and admire the unique landscape of Gran Canaria. Enjoy the support of your Sahawari guides during your 30-minute experience. Feel like a desert scout as you ride a gentle camel along the seemingly endless dunes of Maspalomas. The camels are fitted with comfortable 2-seater saddles, so you don’t need to ride on the hump. The ride on these gentle giants lasts for around 30 minutes and you’ll be accompanied by Saharawi guides. Enjoy this unique way to discover the desert landscapes of Gran Canaria. 

Gran Canaria: Poema del Mar Skip-the-Line Ticket

3. Gran Canaria: Poema del Mar Skip-the-Line Ticket

Visit Poema del Mar and discover the spectacular biodiversity of the Blue Planet. Immerse yourself in 35 different freshwater and marine ecosystems and marvel at the colorful diversity of life. Enjoy a unique experience through the habitats of countless species with all their curiosities and abilities. Explore the Amazon, the depths of the ocean, and its fluorescent corals, deltas, beaches, and mangroves.   Experience La Jungla – a luminous space that recreates the macro thermal jungle of the Barro Colorado intertropical zone in the Panama Canal. Enjoy the extraordinary biodiversity manifested in an infinite number of plant species. Dive into Arrecife and walk around a large cylinder with over 400,000 liters of water that displays many colors of coral and fish. Explore the recreated coral reef and discover different species of fish and elasmobranchs typical of the Indo-Pacific.  Descend into the deep sea – a unique exhibit that offers a perspective with multiple observation points into the deepest ocean. Observe the wonders of the ocean depths and some 3,000 specimens of up to 40 different species swimming in the dark waters.   Explore El Veril – an exhibit that features numerous Canary Island species. This special aquarium, which has the shape of a kind of vault, gives visitors the impression of almost being able to touch an ecosystem that is very difficult to observe in nature.

Puerto de Mogán: Submarine Tour

4. Puerto de Mogán: Submarine Tour

Discover the seabed of Puerto de Mogán aboard the Golden Shark in a submarine tour. Explore the world beneath the waves and watch the maneuvers when diving and surfacing with TV screens available for each passenger. Reach depths of 25 meters without experiencing any change in pressure. Marvel at the incredible habitats and ecosystems of the Atlantic Ocean. Drift past shipwrecks on the sea floor and admire unique underwater formations. Enjoy a tour suitable for all and capture one-of-a-kind photos. At the end of your tour, you will disembark at the departure point.

Gran Canaria: Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting

5. Gran Canaria: Banana Plantation Guided Tour & Tasting

Discover the delicious banana crop at the Hacienda La ReKompensa Banana Plantation and Museum in Gran Canaria. Take a tour of the grounds with a guide to learn about the history of the farm, and try the banana crop as well as other products like jams, juices, and wines. Start your tour of the Hacienda La ReKompensa grounds by seeing the farmland which grows more than 7,000 banana plants, 150 avocado trees, and many other fruit trees. Explore all the highlights of the grounds spanning over 56,000 square meters. At the Banana Museum, learn about the cultivation techniques and the history of banana production in the Canary Islands. Make sure to take in the museum's beautiful views over the ocean and the island's farmland. Finally, visit the Interpretation Center and shop, which are housed in a restored Canarian house dating back to 1804. Try a selection of local artisanal products containing Canarian bananas, such as jams, banana quince, and banana wine, as well as cosmetic products.

El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options

6. El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options

Embark on a horseback riding excursion in Gran Canaria for 1 hour or 2 hours, depending on the option selected, with an instructor and all safety gear included. Meet your horse, with companions suitable for all ages and levels of horse riding ability. Upgrade by choosing hotel transfers. Start off by getting acquainted with your surefooted and gentle horses, with companions suitable for all ages and levels of horseriding ability. With your guide, set off on the mountain trails and discover the beautiful and rugged volcanic landscape of Gran Canaria. See tropical plantations, the sight of large sand dunes in the distance, and admire the vista of Maspalomas Beach. Arrive back at the ranch, where you can purchase a refreshing drink and some snacks. Feel free to visit the farm animals who live onsite, before your activity finishes.

From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria: Dolphin Watching Cruise

7. From Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria: Dolphin Watching Cruise

Head out on a journey from the Puerto Rico harbor to spot whales, dolphins, and other marine animals in their natural habitat in the Atlantic Ocean. Get up close to the animals from your glass-bottom boat with unlimited drinks. Sail along the southwest coast of the island in search of marine mammals and benefit from the services and expertise of the friendly multi-lingual crew. Get up-to-date information about the sightings and different species. Avail of a boat equipped with a large glass bottom in both keels to experience life below the ocean waves without getting wet. Encounter a great diversity of animals including pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, green turtles, and flying fish. 

Maspalomas: Aqualand Maspalomas Water Park Entry Ticket

8. Maspalomas: Aqualand Maspalomas Water Park Entry Ticket

Enjoy a fun day out for all the family at Aqualand Maspalomas, the largest waterpark in Gran Canaria. Ride on over 40 different slides, get up close and personal with sea lions with the optional sea lion experience, and relax knowing the kids are having fun in the children's park. Aqualand Maspalomas has more than 40 water slides to choose from so there’s plenty of family-friendly fun to be had and a variety of activities for all ages to enjoy. Both adults and children can slide on the waterpark’s craziest slide, the Anaconda, or challenge one another to a race on its multi lane slides. There’s more than enough to fill an entire day with fun in the water. Polynesia park, and gardens are the park’s activities on land, while the resident sea lions offer an interactive experience with the friendly sea mammals (available at an added cost and availability is not guaranteed). Enjoy moments of relaxation watching the little ones have fun in the children's paradise, the water park that promises adventure. Sun loungers, parasols, lockers, and fast passes are available to purchase in the park for an extra cost.

Gran Canaria: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

9. Gran Canaria: Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise

Enjoy a trip along the waters surrounding Gran Canaria and see dolphins and whales up close on a dolphin and whale-watching cruise. Relax on board and snap photos of the idyllic scenery during the journey. Get as close as possible to the majestic dolphins while on the boat so that you can experience their natural habitat in an intimate manner. You can take photos as you watch whales and dolphins play. Sit back and enjoy the experience with refreshments purchased from the cash bar available on board — and bring the children along for a fun family outing.

Gran Canaria Guided Buggy Tour

10. Gran Canaria Guided Buggy Tour

Discover Gran Canaria from a different perspective on a buggy drive along some of the island's adventurous roads. Marvel at the impressive natural landscapes of Fataga. The guided excursion starts by heading for the Ayagaures Valley. Drive to the Pedro Gonzales viewpoint for panoramic views. Get a breathtaking view of the Ayagaures Valley with its reservoir and surrounding mountains. Continue along unpaved roads to explore more exciting canyons. See the impressive mountains and charming villages in the south of Gran Canaria. Discover reservoirs and the Valley of Fataga. Go to some of the most beautiful observation points on Gran Canaria on an extensive 2-hour buggy ride through the imposing southern half of the island.

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What people are saying about Gran Canaria

Overall rating

4.5
(11,346 reviews)

Great way to have an overview of the island all in a day. Our guide and driver were both excellent. The tour was well-paced and included visits to beautiful towns with traditional architecture, as well as driving through green, lush countryside and mountains in the middle and north of the island, which presented a striking contrast to the barren volcanic landscape of the southern coastline.

Great experience, good drinks/food, and watersports were so much fun! Highly recommend to anyone visiting Lanzarote!

10/10 recommend. Lots of fun on this cruise. We saw dolphins so mission complete by the crew. They were great

Enjoyed the trip, but be advised it’s not for those that don’t like driving on mountains

Photo shoot in the Dunes maspolama Beautiful venue, Lisi was amazing