Gran Canaria information
General Information about Gran Canaria:
- Activities Available on the island
- Nature Holidays
- The Port of Mogan
- Tauro Valley
- Amadores Beach
- Puerto Rico
- The fishing village of Arguineguin
- The Dunes of Maspalomas
- Mundo Aborigen
- The Village of Fataga
- The Village of Santa Lucia
- The Valley of Guayadeque
- The City of Las Palmas
- Want to know more about the island of Gran Canaria?
The Costa Mogan on the Southwest coast of the island of Gran Canaria
The southwest coast of the island of Gran Canaria, which is the second largest of the group of seven that form the archipelago, enjoys a wonderfully constant temperate summer climate making it one of the best places to visit at any time of the year.
Mid-day temperatures range from around 22C to 32C throughout the whole year, which gives you the chance to swim in the sea all the year round from white or golden sandy beaches. Most of the year the south of Gran Canaria enjoys low humidity, with minimum rainfall, and has the advantage of being free of natural disasters (Hurricanes etc) unlike the Caribbean or Florida. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation has having one of the healthiest climates in the world. Many people, who unfortunately suffer from asthmatic or arthritic problems etc., find that their symptoms are greatly reduced or almost disappear after spending time in the south of Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria is the Caribbean of Europe and only approximately 4 hours flying time from the UK and is a 52 weeks year round vacation opportunity for young and old alike.
Activities Available on the island
To mention just a few: - Golf on numerous courses - Golfers will require a current handicap card to play on some courses in Gran Canaria; Tennis; Fishing trips; Sailing; Scuba diving; Windsurfing and many other water activities; Jeep safari trips around parts of the island; Bus Tours to most of the places of interest (around €50 per day, normally including lunch); a variety of interesting walks from easy to demanding; Aqua Parks; Camel Riding and Camel Safaris and, of course, duty free shopping. Cigarettes are less expensive in the Canary Isles than the “duty free” prices at British airports. The shopping centres’ prices are competitive on a world-level basis due the tax incentives granted to the Canary Isles. Information on most of the above activities is contained in the property information folder.
Nature Holidays
The ancient network of paths which joined villages, hamlets and town in Gran Canaria (Caminos Reales) have recently, to a great extent, been recovered and provide some wonderful opportunities for hill-walking through landscapes of great natural beauty. Most of the extensive ranges of walks on the island are featured in the walking tours books available from the Amazon web site or good bookshops. Gran Canaria Mountains by David & Ros Brawn contains 2 booklets covering a total of 18 walks. ISBN 1-899-10-6
The Port of Mogan – The Venice of Gran Canaria.
A small, quiet resort 20 minutes drive (14 kms) from Puerto Rico. The harbour area is surrounded by a complex of picturesque apartments adorned with flowers, and streets that are separated by miniature canals and bridges that give this quaint resort its distinguishing charm.
The Port of Mogan, from which local commercial fishing boats sail and land their catch, is a beautiful place and easily accessible from all our properties. You can use the local bus services or take a ferry from the harbour in Puerto Rico.
Mogan, the port, is a fishing village and many of the local restaurants that line the harbour front have fresh locally caught fish on the menu. Mogan is worth a visit even if you only browse around the extensive street market that is held on Friday mornings. You can shop for bargains and take some excellent holiday photographs all at the same time. There is a Yellow Submarine underwater experience which sails from the port area almost every hour. This is a genuine submarine and it descends several metres to allow passengers to observe underwater life and a ship-wreck. A complimentary bus service connects to a number of places in the south of the island.On a clear day, the snow-capped mountain of Teide on the island of Tenerife is clearly visible.
Beyond the town of Mogan on the road to San Nicholas, there is a large cactus park worth viewing.
Tauro Valley (Valle de Tauro)
The pueblo (Small village) of Tauro, up to 5 years ago was a sleepy backwater totally unlike the more garish resort of Puerto Rico, which is around 3 kms away. Since 1998, further development in the valley has steadily taken place with the addition of a number of quality villas and duplexes. One of the major new additions in the valley of Tauro is a new 18 hole golf course, which ihas been given rave reviews. A very attractive 9 hole golf course is also there along with an adjacent excellent driving range. Golf lessons are available if required. Tauro still maintains its unique tranquillity that is so much enjoyed by very many people who just “want to get away from it all” but still be reasonably close to local beaches and resorts. (Tauro to Puerto Rico by taxi - €4)
Amadores Beach (Playa de Amadores)
This beautiful beach is man made and has a very gentle slope into the sea. It is very well designed with the extensive use of flowers and flowering shrubs. The beach has easy access and ample parking.
The toilet / changing facilities are of a high standard and the whole area is very well maintained.
Fronting the beach are a wide range of restaurants and bars to suit most tastes, along with a variety of local shops, small supermarket, etc.
The sea is clean and suitable for all ages.
Playa de Amadores is around 1 km walk, along the recently completed costal walkway, from Puerto Rico Harbour. Tauro valley is a 1.3km walk from the Amadores beach.
Puerto Rico
The bustling resort of Puerto Rico is perhaps, aside from Playa del Ingles, one of the better-known holiday destinations in the south of Gran Canaria.
Construction of the resort commenced in 1969 and is still being extended today.
The beach is artificial and was created with sand brought over by boat from the Sahara. It is a safe, very busy, family beach and along with the coastline, stretching from Puerto Rico to Mogán is protected from the strong winds that are very often associated with the Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles areas. The resort has a thriving water sports harbour, a large shopping and commercial centre, a vast array of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes, an extensive Aqua Park, and numerous other attractions. It is the centre of the nightlife in the local area.
Arguineguin is a commercial fishing port, but not as picturesque as the Port of Mogán.
Patalavaca, which is a neighbour of Arguineguin, has had a pleasant coastal promenade constructed in recent years. This walkway covers a distance of approximately 3kms and leads straight into the centre of the port area where there are a number of fish restaurants serving locally caught fish. You are able to enjoy a relaxed lunch, watch the world go by or just look out to sea and observe the harbour activities.
One of the main tourist and local attractions is the very popular Street market which is held every Tuesday & Thursday (Thursdays’ only during the winter months).
From the Port of Arguineguin, a cruise liner, over 100 mts+ in length, has a unique twice-weekly full day trip around the island. This excursion is proving to be popular with tourists and Canarian people alike.
The Dunes of Maspalomas (Las Dunas de Maspalomas)
These dunes cover an area of 328 hectares and are a protected nature reserve. In appearance, they are almost an extension to the Sahara desert but without the sandstorms or rapidly moving sands and are an important ecological area of natural beauty with picturesque rising hillocks of up to 33 feet in height. The sand is unlike the quartz grains found in the Sahara but is composed of finely ground down shells of sea creatures. The dunes are expanding by around 1 metre a year in the direction of the Maspalomas lighthouse. At certain times of the day, camel safaris can be seen crossing the dunes.
Adjacent to the dunes is a large freshwater lake with a tidal influence (La Charca de Maspalomas) and a palm grove. The lake is being increasing used by migratory birds and more than 20 different varieties have been observed feeding in lake area.
The western bank of the Charca is home to some of the larger specimens of Canarian lizards. These are quite tame and are easily observed or photographed.
Mundo Aborigen
This open air museum or archaeological park is set in over 100,000 sq.mts. It is located 6 kms from Playa del Inglés on the road to the attractive village of Fataga.
A Guanche stone-age village has been created to demonstrate how life was lived, on the island, before the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th century. All the exhibits are described in English, among other languages. There are occasional shows to demonstrate the accomplishments of the Guanche nation, before they were almost wiped out by the Spanish soldiers and their accompanying European diseases in the 15th century. Many of the Guanche artefacts are to be found in the Museo Canario in Las Palmas city.
The site has a café and souvenir shop to remind visitors of their experience.
A little further along the road to Fataga is the Camel Safari Park where visitors can book camel rides.
Fataga
An attractive village of distinctive white houses with pink roofs and cobbled streets surrounded by fertile terraces and is perhaps one of the best, and loveliest, examples of Canarian villages with spectacular views to be experienced.
The town has several bars, cafes / restaurants, and souvenir shops along the main street.
There is tiny church, built in 1880, located in the town that bears a plaque marking the centenary of those who built tan magna obra - “such a great work”
In between Fataga and San Bartoleme de Tirana a notable viewing area and café / shop has been constructed. It affords wonderful views of the mountainous region and striking views down to the beach areas.
Santa Lucia
This attractive village, with a distinctive white dome on the small church, is easily reached by travelling onwards from Fataga towards the town of San Bartoleme de Tirana, the centre of the island, and then taking the C815 road sign to Santa Lucia just before you enter San Bartoleme de Tirana. Situated in the Santa Lucia is a very popular local restaurant called Hao which has planked tables and wooden stools and a friendly atmosphere. They serve a variety of local Canarian dishes and one of their specialties is roasted kid. A small archaeological museum set in a castle like building and displays numerous Guanche artefacts etc. is also next to and owned by the proprietor of the Hao restaurant.
The Barranco de Guayadeque
It is one of the most attractive and impressive scenic areas of Gran Canaria. This enchanting canyon like valley runs for several kilometres starting beyond Agüimes, which is a few kilometres southwest of the airport. Much of the Barranco de Guayadeque has been classified as a nature reserve. Some of the islands rarest plants, including over 80 endemic species of flora, are to be found there.
In previous times, the Barranco de Guayadeque was the home to the largest Guanche population and many of the homes/caves lining the Barranco are still being used today especially near the top of the valley. Today, the indigenous population of the valley is probably around 60 people The Tagoror restaurant is a series of caves and is also located near the top of the valley and is widely used by the local people because the quality of the Canarian food is excellent and inexpensive. We recommend you visit the valley on weekdays, as weekends tend to be rather crowded with the local Canarian people enjoying the valley or having picnics with their families or visiting the restaurants for lunch.
As you drive up the valley, many interesting features are to be seen and found: - Cave houses, a cave church, cave stores, numerous cafes/restaurants, and many other points of interest.
Visiting the Guayadeque Valley, which is only 28 kms northeast of Playa del Inglés and possibly having lunch at the renowned Tagoror restaurant or one of the others in the valley makes a very interesting day out.
The City of Las Palmas
Las Palmas, which is the 7th largest city of Spain, is 80 kms from the south of the island. Driving time is around 1 hour from Puerto Rico, mainly along the GC1 motorway.
The historical part of Las Palmas (The Vegueta district) has much to offer in terms of heritage with fine museums and historical places to visit. The Christopher Columbus house (Casa de Colon) is probably one of the most popular because of his association with the house before he set sail to discover the Americas. The house has been turned into a museum (Casa Museo de Colon) to commemorate his achievements and contains many exhibits dealing with the four journeys he made to the New World. There are 12 exhibition rooms in the museum of which 4 are devoted exclusively to Christopher Columbus.
The city also boasts a fine Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Ana), which is behind the Casa de Colon. The Museo Canario is also located in the same area and is the finest museum in the archipelago.
By far the easiest way to travel to the city and explore the many sites is to take the Express No.091 direct hourly bus service from the south - €5 each way. A journey time of exactly 1 hour and then a taxi (€3) for the short ride to the centre of the historical area. The start of the Vegueta district is only around 15 minutes walk from the bus station. It is almost an extension of Triana.
Triana pedestrian shopping street is also within a few minutes walking distance of the bus station and has many interesting shops, restaurants, and stores to choose any gifts or mementoes you would like to purchase. Triana, which has been a shopping area for over 50 years, is widely used by the people of Las Palmas and is a popular meeting place with old and young alike.
Las Palmas city has many other places of interest and additional information regarding the city is contained within the travel books recommended on the FAQ's web page.
Overall, Las Palmas makes an interesting change to the south of the island and is well worth a full day’s trip to explore the numerous historical sites and shops. The city also has a very good concert orchestra and boasts an excellent new concert hall.
The above places of interest are just a small sample of what is available to be experienced and enjoyed on the Island of Gran Canaria. A “continent in miniature” is certainly a suitable way of describing this beautiful Island in the Sun.
Want to know more about the island of Gran Canaria?
The Office of Tourism of the Government of Gran Canaria has produced an excellent and comprehensive web site of many aspects of what to see and enjoy on the island of Gran Canaria. Click on the link below: -
http://www.grancanaria.com *
* Gran Canaria Luxury Villas is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.