If you have a week in Gran Canaria, you’re in for a treat! Beautiful beaches, small mountains, and lots of sun!
We’ll take you to the best sites and experiences on the island with our ideal itinerary for visiting Gran Canaria in 7 days, with accommodation in the south or north.
We’ve also included alternatives if you don’t want to drive or if you have special interests.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Gran Canaria in 7 days: what you need to know
General advice
- Gran Canaria is quite far south, so the days are long enough to explore all year round without difficulty.
- The island is not very large, so it’s possible to cover large areas every day. You won’t be able to see everything, but you will be able to discover every type of landscape on the island and all the most famous places.
- It’s a popular island, so we recommend that you visit certain places early so you can park and visit easily, such as Roque Nublo.
- If it does rain, which is rare, it never lasts long. So get out there!
Do you need a car?
With 7 days, we strongly recommend renting a car, in order to:
- visit the most beautiful places before the tourists
- explore the most beautiful roads
- go a little off the beaten track
- more freedom to explore your favorite places
Don’t worry, the driving isn’t difficult apart from a few narrow, winding mountain roads. However, if you don’t want to drive, we suggest alternatives further down the article.
Find out more in our article: how to rent a car in Gran Canaria.
>> See car rental offers on our preferred platform
A week in Gran Canaria: where to stay
Gran Canaria isn’t very big, so you can discover the whole island from a single location.
However, if you’re staying for more than 5 days, you may want to cut down on travel times (especially if you’re hiking early in the morning) and experience two different places.
In this case, we recommend you choose accommodation in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and accommodation in the southern seaside resorts.
See all our selections:
WHERE TO STAY IN Gran Canaria
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Gran Canaria
- Our favorite: Marina Suites Hotel
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels (coming soon)
- Best all-inclusive hotels (coming soon)
- Best hotels for families
Select by city:
7-day itinerary in Gran Canaria: map
It’s not easy to make choices, but we’ve created our ideal itinerary for you in Gran Canaria.
It allows you to see a bit of every type of landscape, and visit all the most famous places.
The days are balanced as best we can, so as not to be too long or have too much time on the road.
Here’s a map of our ideal itinerary:
If you’re based in Maspalomas, here’s how much driving time you’ll need for each day:
- Day 1= 1h
- Day 2 = 3h (Cactualdea option) / 4h (Valley of Tears option)
- Day 3 = 2h45
- Day 4 = 3h30 with Artenera and Tejeda / 3h without Artenara
- Day 5 = 2h30 with the Fortaleza / 1h30 without the Fortaleza
- Day 6 = 2h45
- Day 7 = 1h30
Day 1 – Dolphins, village and dunes
Stop 1 – Dolphin cruise
Start gently, but with excitement: a boat trip to watch dolphins and whales and admire the island from the sea.
A large number of whales live around the Canary Islands, and you can see them all year round (although the species change). Observation is never guaranteed, but the chances are excellent
There are tours in catamarans, speedboats and more traditional boats. Departures are mainly from the port of Puerto Rico in the south of the island.
See boat tour options.
If you book it on the first day, you can always change to another day of the week if conditions aren’t right.
Stop 2 – Village of Fataga
From Puerto Rico, we recommend a short climb to the mountains on route GC60.
Today we’re not climbing all the way up to the heart of the island, but just a little. Our arrival point is the charming village of Fataga.
We loved the views of the mountains all around, as the village lies in the heart of the valley.
One of these houses is particularly photogenic, with the stones showing through the whitewash.
Stop 3 – Mundo Aborigen
On the way back down, there’s a lovely viewpoint, and also the Mundo Aborigen park.
It’s an open-air museum featuring reconstructions and replicas of the houses in which the Guanches lived. This makes it much easier to get an idea of what the villages looked like.
We also loved the views over the valley from the site.
If you visit archaeological sites during the rest of the week, it will help you better understand the ruins you see.
Stop 4 – Sunset at Maspalomas dunes and Meloneras lighthouse
End the day in Meloneras.
You can explore around the lighthouse, along the beach and lagoon and have fun in the Masplomas dunes.
They are even more beautiful at sunset, when their color turns orange.
Day 2 – Puerto de Mogan and La Aldea
Stop 1 – Rainbow Rock
Today we’re exploring southwest Gran Canaria.
We start with a bit of a drive, to take advantage of the fact that it’s less crowded in the morning.
Our first stop is Rainbow Rock, a little detour through the United States…
On the magnificent road between Puerto de Mogan and La Aldea, you’ll come across some very colorful walls, rainbows of rock. It’s easy to stop and admire the different layers of minerals and their colors. We felt as if someone had painted the mountain!
Stop 2a – Cactualdea
Then you have two options, depending on what you prefer to do. If you prefer plants to winding mountain roads, visit Cactualdea.
In this landscaped park, the mix of different cacti with views of the surrounding mountains is magnificent.
It’s a relaxing walk, but you’ll need to wear good shoes…
Open daily from 10:30 am to 5 pm.
Stop 2b – Valley of Tears
On the other hand, if you like narrow, winding mountain roads and spectacular valleys, don’t miss the GC-210, known as the Valley of Tears, one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful roads.
It takes you to the Mirador del Molino where you can see the panorama in the photo below: a beautiful arid valley with its reservoir.
Stop 3 – Mirador del Balcon
Whether you choose Cactualdea or the Valley of Tears, we recommend a short detour of 15 minutes each way, to see one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the whole island.
The west of Gran Canaria has very few buildings, as the cliffs drop sheer into the sea.
Mirador del Balcon is a viewpoint with a glass structure to better appreciate these cliffs and their geological features. The line of cliffs to the south is called the “Tail of the Dragon”, and it’s easy to see why!
Stop 4 – Exploring Puerto de Mogan and Little Venice
Then return along the same road to Puerto de Mogan, where you can spend several hours.
Tourists have nicknamed it Gran Canaria’s “Little Venice” because part of the town around the port has a few canals.
The atmosphere of this town is quite unique on the island. You can:
- stroll through the narrow streets with their white houses with coloured borders
- enjoy the beach
- visit the archaeological site of Canada de Los Gatos
- enjoy the restaurants and atmosphere in the evening
Find out more in our guide to Puerto de Mogan.
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Day 3 – Agaete and archaeological sites
Stop 1 – Cenobio de Valeron
Of all the archaeological sites, Cenobio de Valeron is one of the most fascinating.
Perched on a rocky escarpment, it’s a spectacular collection of over 300 man-made caves. Built by the ancient Canaries over 800 years ago, this archaeological site fascinated us both for its size and its function.
These cavities, dug into the soft rock, served as collective granaries to store grain harvests and other foodstuffs, a vital function for the survival of the populations.
They are organized in terraces, demonstrating their know-how and ingenuity.
We loved this truly unique site (apart from the difficulty of parking).
Visit at opening time (10am), to make parking easier. Closed on Mondays.
Stop 2 – Galdar
Then off to the town of Galdar if you like art and archaeology.
It’s a pretty town with colorful houses (though not as beautiful as others). But its two main attractions may be of interest to you:
- the archaeological site of Cueva Pintada with its few remaining paintings
- the Antonio Padrón museum with several of his works and his studio
Find out more in our article on Galdar.
Stop 3 – Maipes
To continue the day’s theme, visit the Maipes archaeological site in the Agaete valley.
The Maipés Archaeological Park is an open-air sanctuary with superb views over the Agaete valley. Its 700 funerary structures bear witness to civilizations.
The partially reconstructed tumuli are imposing. They date back over 1300 years and were built from volcanic stone in a lava field.
This site offers a fascinating mix of historic sites and magnificent landscapes. We imagined what life would be like in this beautiful valley.
Closed Mondays. Find out more in our article on Maipes.
Stop 4 – Agaete and its natural pools
End the day in Agaete.
You can cool off in the magnificent natural pools of Agaete, and stroll along the seafront at Puerto de las Nieves. It’s a very relaxing spot overlooking the western cliffs.
Plan your visit with our article on Agaete.
Day 4 – Roque Nublo and the mountains
Today you’re going up into the mountains. We’ve listed the main stops, but you’ll also find other viewpoints along the way.
Stop 1 – Roque Nublo
Today, you’re going up into the mountains. It starts with an hour’s drive.
We recommend starting directly with the Roque Nublo hike (if you can walk). The parking lot is small, and fills up fast.
The hike will take between 1h and 1h30. It takes you to discover a volcanic rock at over 1800m altitude with magnificent views over the whole island.
Find out more about hiking.
Stop 2 – Mirador Pico de las Nieves
The mountains of Gran Canaria offer many beautiful viewpoints. With deep valleys, there are often beautiful views of the ridgelines opposite.
The best-known viewpoint is Pico Nieves
It stands at an altitude of 1949m, with breathtaking views of Roche Nubio and the island of Tenerife in the background. And even if the view isn’t unobstructed, the experience can be well worth it as it’s often above the sea of clouds!
On the other hand, you should know that it’s popular, but the parking lot isn’t very large. But as it’s just a point of view, people arrive and leave frequently.
Stop 3a – Tejeda
Next, we offer two villages. They’re both very different and very interesting. If you have the time, we recommend you visit both. If you have to choose, Tejeda is the most popular, but Artanera is our favorite.
Tejeda is an exceptional mountain village in terms of panoramic views. It really is a Balcon village with views over the valley and mountains. It’s right at the crossroads.
Stop 3b – Artenara (or both)
Artenara is the village of panoramic views. From the village, you can admire the valley dominated by Roque Nublo, which stands out perfectly against the blue sky.
These views inspired one of Spain’s most important writers, Miguel de Unamuno. One of the watchtowers is dedicated to him.
We really enjoyed taking in the different views and visiting the museums: troglodyte houses and a reconstruction of an archaeological site.
Day 5 – Agüimes and its barrancos
Stop 1 – Barranco de Vacas
If you’ve been dreaming of going to Utah to visit the canyons, but haven’t yet had the chance, check out the Barranco de Las Vacas, just outside Agüimes. The curves created by the water give you a tiny glimpse of the beauty of such landscapes.
If, on the other hand, you’ve already visited the canyons of Utah, you should know that it’s very small.
There’s very little parking, so we recommend you start here in the morning.
See our full article to find out how.
Stop 2 – Barranco de Guayadeque
Then discover another, very different valley. You can drive up the valley to admire the views. It’s also the starting point for several hikes.
At the beginning of the road is a large interpretation center that shows you how the aborigines lived in this valley. In our opinion, it’s one of the best museums on the subject, but you should know that it’s closed on Mondays.
Stop 3 – Agüimes
Agüimes is truly our favorite spot on Gran Canaria.
We loved the maze of alleyways. The houses in the old center are made of stone and covered with lime. We found the city very photogenic.
What’s more, you can go camel-hunting – a surprising statue in the heart of these alleys – for a fun photo opportunity.
Find out more in our article on Agüimes.
Stop 4 – La Fortaleza de Ansite option
It’s already been a busy day, but if you feel like seeing more, you can combine it with the next route, Gran Canaria-65, one of Gran Canaria’s most beautiful. It takes you to two places:
- Mirador el Guriete with a magnificent view of the canyon
- La Fortaleza, an exceptional archaeological and natural site with a through cave in a rocky outcrop (wear good shoes).
Day 6 – Arucas, Firgas, Teror
Today, a short tour of northern villages and towns. Plan to take a short tour of each one to discover different atmospheres.
Stop 1 – Arucas
The pedestrianized center of Arucas is extremely charming.
We start with its impressive cathedral, with its many sculptures and intricate details. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings on the island, and perhaps even in the Canaries.
We also recommend exploring the town’s narrow streets: take in the colorful houses, the balconies, the garden…
Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Stop 2 – Firgas
A village famous for its staircase fountain. It is indeed surprising with all its earthenware tiles. It’s a very small village, and very quick to visit.
Allow 30 minutes.
Read more about it.
Stop 3 – Teror
Teror has a charming historic center with cobbled streets and whitewashed, colorful houses. There are also many wooden balconies, typical of the Canaries.
Its basilica is also very beautiful and well worth a visit. It is an important pilgrimage site on the island.
Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Stop 4 – Caldera de Bandama
Head back down to the east coast.
If you love volcanoes, take a look at the Bandama crater from the peak at 575m above sea level.
And if you’re brave enough, you can go hiking in it.
Stop 5 – Jardin Botanico Vieja y Clavijo
And to round off the day, the botanical garden has something for everyone. The lower part features a pond, impressive trees and an assortment of cacti.
But you can also explore the trails on the mountainside for a more “hiking” experience.
Day 7 – Las Palmas
Stop 1 – La Veguta district
We end the week in the magnificent capital of Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas has very distinct neighborhoods. We start in the old town.
The Vegueta district in the south of Las Palmas is the historic heart of the capital. This 15th-century heart of the city is home to numerous monuments, including the Canary Cathedral and the Casa de Colón. We loved wandering through the narrow streets with their colorful buildings and history-laden colonial houses. You’ll feel the soul of Las Palmas and enjoy the city’s rich culture.
See our full article on Las Palmas.
Stop 2 – Cathedral
Don’t miss the Gothic-style Cathedral of Santa Ana, with its twin towers and ornate facade. This place of worship fascinated us above all for its grandiose, heterogeneous architecture, a symbol of several eras. You’ll notice that the building has 3 naves and 11 chapels. Carved wooden choir stalls, baroque organ, numerous side chapels with remarkable works of art… The icing on the cake: the sublime view of the city from the top of the tower!
Stop 3 – Museo Casa de Colon
Another must-see in Las Palmas is the Casa de Colón house museum. Inside a sublime colonial building, you’ll discover this museum dedicated to the cultures of the Canaries and the Americas. It was home to the famous Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus, who stopped off in the Canaries on his journeys across the Atlantic Ocean. With its 13 exhibition rooms, patios and magnificent Ara-colored parrots, this cultural institution in the heart of Vegueta was a real eye-catcher!
Stop 4 – Museo Canario or Aquarium
Then, depending on your interests, you can choose to visit one of the city’s other museums:
- Poema del Mar Aquarium, the largest in Europe
- The Museo Canario on the history of the Canaries
- The Atlantic Center for Modern Art (CAAM)
- Castillo de la Luz
- …
See our list of the best museums in Las Palmas.
Stop 5 – La Canteras Beach
And finish the day in the northern district with Playa de Las Canteras. This urban beach is Las Palmas’ main beach to the north, with several sections. In fact, we’ve listed it among the most beautiful beaches on the island. It’s a fairly touristy area, where you’ll be surrounded by seaside nature.
A pedestrian promenade, restaurants, brasseries, bars and boutiques enliven this must-see corner of the island’s capital. Enjoy the space, facilities, bars and restaurants on the waterfront.
We loved the atmosphere on this beach.
Alternative days
For more ideas, take a look at our one-week or 10-day itineraries. This will suggest different days or half-days.
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7 days in Gran Canaria without a car
If you prefer not to rent a car, we recommend staying in the southern seaside resorts of Maspalomas, Puerto Rico or Puerto de Mogan.
You can then alternate beach days with guided tours.
For example, we recommend
- A speedboat trip to watch dolphins and enjoy water sports – see program and availability.
- A guided tour of the Barranco de Las Vacas ravine and the village of Agüimes – see program and availability.
- The emblematic Roque Nublo island rock and the magnificent Pico de las Nieves viewpoint – see program and availability.
See our favorite list of Gran Canaria excursions (coming soon).
Alternatives for families
Gran Canaria also offers a good choice of theme parks for families:
- Aqualand Maspalomas, the big water park – book your skip-the-line tickets
- Holiday World Woodland, for thrill rides – reserve your tickets
- Angry Birds Park, with games for younger children – book your tickets now!
- Palmitos Park, the zoo – book your tickets
- Sioux City, for Western fans
- Lago Taurito, the world’s smallest water park – book your tickets now!
To find out more, see our article on Gran Canaria’s best theme parks (coming soon).
Alternative activities for sporty types
And if you want to get out and about in nature instead of visiting villages, museums or archaeological sites:
- Do more hiking, like the one at Gui-Gui beach
- Diving
- Kayaking in the Mogan caves
- Snorkeling
- Canyoning
- Horseback riding
- Via Ferrata
- Coasteering
- …
Frequently asked questions and tips
Is a week too long in Gran Canaria? And is that enough?
No, it’s not too long, and it’s enough to get a good idea of the island’s varied landscapes and villages. There are lots of different places to see and visit. With 7 days, you can see all Gran Canaria’s most famous sights and relax on the beaches. But you can’t explore everything!
Find out more in our article on how long to stay in Gran Canaria.
What’s the best time of year to visit Gran Canaria in 7 days?
Whatever the length of your stay, Gran Canaria offers excellent conditions all year round. Our favorite months are September and October, when it’s less crowded and the water is warm for swimming.
Find out more in our article on when to go to Gran Canaria.
What to bring for a week in Gran Canaria
We advise you to take:
- comfortable walking shoes,
- sunscreen,
- a bathing suit,
- a small jacket to adapt to the weather (in the evening) and changes in altitude.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Gran Canaria
- Best of
Best things to do in Gran Canaria
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Archaeological sites
Best museums
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Gran Canaria
When to go?
How to get around
How to rent a car in Gran Canaria
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
- The must-dos
Las Palmas and its historic center
Dolphin watching in Gran Canaria (coming soon)
Maspalomas dunes
Puerto de Mogan (Little Venice)
Agaete and its natural pools
The magnificent town of Agüimes
