Gran Canaria Tourism - Hotel reservations and accommodation guide

Dubbed the Miniature Continent of Spain, Gran Canaria is rich in assets able to entice the taste for serious tourist experiences of visitors around the world. Being the third largest land formation in the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria features, at the same time, a further tourist incentive: it has perfect surfing conditions, which is way it was often compared to the Hawaii.

Eventually, the island is a UNESCO treasure, being declared a Biosphere Reserve. It's obvious that tourists in search of nature unadulterated by the work of man are very likely to be satisfied by a stay in Gran Canaria.

Short History of Gran Canaria

The name with which the island started off in its historic trajectory has been the Island of the Brave, a surname given by its first alleged inhabitants, namely, the Canarii (guanches), who established here around 500 BC. The history of Gran Canaria intermingles with the one of Spain, since the Kingdom of Castile managed to hold dominion over the island in 1483. The island was subsequently dubbed The Circle, due to its obvious round shape. Christopher Columbus and Paul C. Reilly are among the most illustrious visitors of Gran Canaria.

Accommodation in Gran Canaria

Resorts located in the southern part of Gran Canaria are more popular among tourists who expect noting more than sun, beaches, sand and waves from their stay on the island. However, the capital of Gran Canaria, namely, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is located in the northeastern region of the island, is just as preferred as the south, but it is recommendable for visitors with more various expectations. Usual hotels are available throughout the resorts of Gran Canaria (Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles, etc.), featuring all the high quality services like any other hotel. But if in search of something rather specific and traditional, the tourist should resort to the more traditional Spanish establishments which are to be found especially in the inland villages.

Spanish Gastronomy in Gran Canaria

There is nothing in Spain which can not be found in Gran Canaria in terms of cuisine. International specialties are fairly well represented on the island by the many restaurants and eating venues the resorts is replete with. Traditional English and Chinese food, for instance, are extremely popular among both locals and tourists. The ever presents tapas lack nothing of their mainland counterparts; on the contrary, they are somewhat richer in taste and seasoning, and represent more than a snack. Fish restaurants are said to be extremely recommendable in Las Palmas, but local cuisine, represented by certain dishes, like gofio, squid rings, grilled meat and papas arrugadas (with mojo, a traditional Canary Islands sauce) should not be overlooked.

Tourist Attractions and Objectives in Gran Canaria

The first thing coming in mind with respect to tourist attractions in Gran Canaria is represented by its beaches. However, the historic background of the island, which is quite consistent, is epitomized by the Las Palmas Cathedral (one of the oldest structures on the island), the Las Palmas City Hall, the Snata Ana Square, the Witches' Plain and by the Bishop's House, most of them being built in the 15th or the 16th century. The island also host a series of museums and galleries, of which the Canary Museum (El Museo Canario), the Elder Museum of Science and Technology, as well as the Columbus Museum, the Nestor Museum and the Atlantic Center of Modern Art are worth noting. The Tara y Cendro caves and the Rock Cloud count as the more significant natural attractions, but one should always want to tick off the Holiday World and the Crocodile Park once in Gran Canaria.

Events and Festivals in Gran Canaria

The Carnival of Gran Canaria (Carnaval de Las Palmas) held in February is, perhaps, the most popular event with the locals. Musical festivals tend to dominate the eventful atmosphere of Gran Canaria, of which the Canary Music Festival, the International Folk Music Festival, the Opera Festival, the Womand, the International Jazz Festival and the International Folklore Festival are worth mentioning. However, the picture is complemented (without, on the other hand, being complete) by the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, by the International Film Festival of Las Palmas, the Marine Festival, or by the Water Fight, near the city of Telde.

Other Tourist Hotspots within the Canary Islands

A stay in Gran Canaria is highly likely to furnish incomparable thrills to tourists who choose to visit the island. Yet, Gran Canaria does not exhaust the beauty and the tourist resources of all of the Canary Islands.

Thus, Lanzarote should definitely be ticked off on the tourist circuit of the Canary Islands. The main reasons for visiting Lanzarote refer to its natural wealth and diversity, but also to its abundant tourist opportunities which, amazingly, do not come down to beaches exclusively.

Fuerteventura, on the other hand, is the second largest island of the archipelago, and allegedly the oldest of all. In a few words, Fuerteventura should be explored since it stands as a variation of the successful tourist destination theme.

Finally, Tenerife should be searched out at least by title of getting to know how and why this island formerly dubbed the Island of Hell managed to become a tourist paradise.