Gran Canaria - The Diverse Dynamic Isle

Gran Canaria (in English, “Grand or Great Canary“) is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. The island is of volcanic origin, mostly made of fissure vents. Gran Canaria is the second most populated island of the Canary Islands after Tenerife. It`s surface area is 1,560 km² and its maximum altitude is 1,949 meters (Pico de Las Nieves). It has a round shape, with a diameter of approximately 50 km.

This island is offers, due to the different climates and variety of landscapes and urban style, with its long golden beaches and endless dunes of white sand, its green ravines and picturesque villages. The east coast of the island is flat dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockier and mountainous. You can find anything from desert and palm groves to alpine meadows.

Maspalomas is known throughout the world for its lighthouse, lagoon and magnificent beach. Situated still further to the west along the southern shore is Puerto de Mogán, a picturesque village referred to as „Little Venice“ on account of its many canals.

The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the north of the island, has a vibrant city life. Las Canteras Beach lies in the heart of the city. It was the first stop of Christopher Columbus‘ expedition on his way back from the Americas, a commemoration of which is the Hermitage of San Antonio Abad, where the navigator prayed, and the Casa de Colón. Other attractions in the capital city include the most important archaeology museum in the archipelago, the Cathedral and the Plaza del Espíritu Santo.

The town of Agüimes, on the eastern part of the island, has been carefully restored, and its town centre, centred on its old church and a peaceful square, now evokes the quiet living of a traditional Canarian town. The district also has some of the best-preserved cave dwellings, in the protected area of the Guayadeque Ravine, where even the church has been built into the hillside.

Climate

Gran Canaria enjoys year round warmth and sunshine with very little seasonal variation. Summers are hot and dry while winters are just slightly cooler with a few showers. The Canaries sit far south of mainland Spain, close to the west coast of Northern Africa. The islands’ southerly location, on the same latitude as the Sahara, means they are much hotter than mainland Spain in the winter. However, they are generally much cooler than might be expected at this latitude due to the surrounding sea, the cool Canary Current and northeast trade winds. The average temperature stays in the 20s, reaching a plateau at 26°C from August until October.

Climate Table