Mirador del Balcon (Gran Canaria): access + photos

The Mirador del Balcón overlooks the volcanic cliffs along the Andén Verde Road on the northwest coast of Gran Canaria. We were deeply impressed by this glass platform suspended in mid-air—an experience that was as spectacular as it was a little dizzying. All our tips for visiting the Mirador del Balcón along the Andén Verde route in Gran Canaria: access, parking, type of view, and practical information.

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.

Sommaire

Is it worth stopping at Mirador del Balcón?

Where is the viewpoint? – Map

Access

Parking

Access from the parking lot—challenges

Best moment

View description

Nearest attractions

Is it worth stopping at Mirador del Balcón?

Yes, this stop is definitely worth the detour. We were captivated by the glass platform that juts out over the void. From this suspended structure, you can see the colorful geological strata that crisscross the cliff, alternating between dark rocks and bands of ochre and red.
It’s one of the most beautiful landscapes in Gran Canaria.

We also appreciate that this site serves as an astronomical observation point—a dual purpose that is quite rare for a viewpoint in Gran Canaria.

Where is the viewpoint? – Map

Road: GC-200, the Andén Verde Road
West coast of Gran Canaria
From La Aldea de San Nicolás Beach = 10 min
From Agaete = 35 min
Stops are possible in both directions
here’s a map to help you find your way:

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Access

From the main road, GC-2, access is via Route GC-200. It’s a paved road that narrows a little toward the end, but it’s easy. There is a safety barrier, as you can see in the photo below.

Parking

There’s a small parking lot at the destination. We had no trouble parking in this open area, just a few steps from the glass platform. You’ll also find a mobile food stand selling drinks and snacks on site.

Access from the parking lot—challenges

From the parking lot, you’ll need to go down a flight of stairs to reach the glass platform.
If you have mobility issues or are afraid of heights, the view from the parking lot is still worth it, even if you can’t go down.

OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife

Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.

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Read our tips

Best moment

The lookout tower faces the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast of Gran Canaria. Plan your visit for late afternoon to enjoy the low-angle light on the cliffs. At night, this site also serves as an astronomical observation point—an ideal location for stargazing, far from light pollution. We find this dual role—daytime and nighttime—to be quite rare from a purely traffic perspective.

View description

A glass platform suspended over the void

The Mirador del Balcón observation deck is built on a metal and glass structure that juts out over the void. A glass railing surrounds the space, while a section of the floor—which is also made of glass—reveals the rock and the sea several dozen meters below.

We felt a rather strong sense of emptiness when we stepped onto this transparent section. This allows you to see the base of the cliff without leaving the platform—a design that offers a change from traditional stone lookout points. We find that this contemporary architecture nevertheless blends discreetly into the surrounding volcanic landscape.

The views stretch out on both sides. At the beginning of the article, you saw the “tail” of Gran Canaria, which is the most photographed part. Here is the view in the other direction:

The geological strata of the cliffs

As you look at the rock face below the platform, you can make out several strata in contrasting colors, ranging from the dark gray of the volcanic rock to the ochre and red hues of certain mineral layers. We find this color gradient particularly easy to make out from this elevated vantage point.

These colorful bands stretch across the cliff for quite a distance, extending all the way to the neighboring hills that plunge into the ocean. We appreciate being able to see, at a glance, several million years of the island’s geological history.

Mirador del Balcón - The geological strata of the cliffs

A place to stargaze

The Mirador del Balcón is one of the astronomical observation points listed along this section of the Andén Verde Road. A sign posted on site explains how to locate the North Star and several constellations visible from this spot on the coast. We find this information useful for anyone who wants to return at night, once traffic on the road has died down.

This way, you can combine a daytime visit—to enjoy the view of the sea and the cliffs—with a nighttime return trip dedicated to stargazing. We recommend checking the weather conditions before planning an evening of stargazing, as winds can be strong on this exposed stretch.