Gran Canaria

Arriving at Gran Canaria Airport

Once you land in Gran Canaria, you can travel from the airport to your onward destination by bus or taxi. The cheapest way to travel is via local bus.

There are seven bus routes that serve the airport, many of which travel through the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

If you’d prefer to take a taxi, the journey from the airport to the centre will take around 20 minutes and there are taxi ranks dotted around the terminal.

Pre-book your transfer with HolidayTaxis and avoid the queues when you arrive.

What to expect in Gran Canaria

‘A continent in miniature’, Gran Canaria earned its reputation for the dramatic variations in terrain, ranging from the green and leafy north to the lush mountainous interior and the desert-like south. It’s an island of microclimates, meaning you can run into three or even four seasons in one day! Sail out to watch whales, walk in the Canary pine forests, star gaze, or just relax on a stretch of the 60km of beach.

Spanish is the main language in Gran Canaria but English is widely spoken on the island.

One reason Gran Canaria pulls in so many visitors is its consistently warm weather and little rainfall. The temperature in Gran Canaria is among the most consistent in Europe and rarely drops below an average of 24 °C throughout the year.

Culture in Gran Canaria

Las Palmas is actually one of the largest cities in Spain and has an interesting history to discover. Explore the historical old town of Vegueta where main attractions include Casa de Colon (a museum dedicated to the story of Christopher Colombus and his journey through the Canary Islands). Also check out Catedral de Santa Ana and Museo Canario (a museum dedicated to the Spanish history of the island).

By far the biggest event of the calendar year is the Carnival, an explosively colourful street parade held every February, in the spirit of the Rio Carnival or Sydney’s Mardi Gras. There is a whole week of events, including the Queen Gala and Drag Queen Gala, and, of course, the annual closing ritual, which involves the elaborate burying of a sardine.

Traditional Canarian food can be described in two words: simple and delicious. With the emphasis on freshness, everyday Canarian dishes comprise grilled meats or fish, soups, stews and vegetables – many of which are surprisingly hearty. Order the local speciality sancocho canario, a dish made with fish cooked whole and served with sweet potato, gofio and papas arrugadas.