Gran Canaria as a Land of Contrats
Gran Canaria is called a small continent because of its extremely varied landscapes with African, European, and even American vegetation. The 2000 meter high mountain range located in the island’s center is cut by some incredible canyons.
Hardly anywhere else tourists can find such different landscapes and climatic zones being that close one to each other: desert land, mountain masses, tropical forests, and others. Along the seaside there are long and wide beaches of soft sand, and while elsewhere people are shuddering of cold, here everybody is sunbathing and looking at those mountain peaks covered with white snow.
The island of Gran Canaria is located in the center of the archipelago and is the third largest island of the Canary Islands after Fuerteventura and Tenerife. With its all year round warm and sunny weather, the island’s diversity of landscapes, friendly, laid-back atmosphere, and magnificent beaches, Gran Canaria is a perfect family holiday destination in any season of the year.
Like the rest of the Canaries, Gran Canaria’s climate is mild with pleasant temperatures all year round. During the summer months, average temperatures are 26-28 degrees. During the winter months, an average temperature rarely drops below 22 degrees, making it a perfect all year round holiday destination.
The first people, the Guanches, have inhabited the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria, since 500BC. During the dark ages the Canaries were forgotten by the Europeans. In the 13th century, the islands were rediscovered once again. When Christopher Columbus stopped in the Canary Islands on his way to America, he put Canaries on the map as a strategic stop-off point for many centuries to come.
The first thing that many visitors of Gran Canaria see is a barren coastline to the south of the island between the seaside resorts of the south and Las Palmas. However, the island’s landscape is full of contrasts and when explored further, you will discover the beautiful sub-tropical habitat that serves as home to many different species of fauna an flora.
The landscapes of the island can be divided into different categories: pine forest, semi-desert, palm groves, laurel forest, and the Maspalomas dunes and lagoon. The island is home to a wide variety of fauna species, including shrews, bats, hedgehogs, mice, frogs, lizards, and an abundant variety of birds.
Most Popular Gran Canaria Resorts
The capital of Gran Canaria is Las Palmas. This is a very beautiful cosmopolitan city, full of monuments and architectural interest. The scenic district of Vegueta is an old part of the city and is full of amazing architectural attractions to see. Those who want to shop until they drop, should definitely visit the Triana quarter of Las Palmas. There are also a lot of lovely colonial-style buildings and interesting cultural attractions as well. There is a city port, a place to go for a great night out, and shopping area, Calle Mesa y Lopez, on the north side of the city.
At the western end of Gran Canaria, there is a popular resort of Maspalomas. Being the oldest tourist center of the island, it is known for its wide sandy beaches, natural 6 kilometer coastline of magnificent sand dunes, and beautiful shallow waters forming a nature reserve.
One of the most popular Gran Canaria’s family resorts is Puerto Rico. There is no surprise that this resort is also famous for being one of the sunniest spots on the island. Located at the mouth of a large valley, this city has once been a small fishing port. Today, it is a busy Gran Canaria holiday resort with its hotels and apartments built on terraces, towering along the gradual slopes along the sea-line.
For many Gran Canaria tourists, it is strange to know that a charming resort of Puerto de Mogan has once been a sleepy fishing village. The beautiful streets filled with vibrant, colorful flowers and tiny foot-bridges, which go over the town’s canal, remind many tourists of Venice.
Playa del Ingles is one of the Europe’s popular holiday destinations and is a paradise of sea, sun, and fun for visitors. The resort itself is very developed and attracts a primary British tourist crowd. It is also well-known for having a prominent gay community. Leaving the traditional seaside resort, tourists who want to get to know a little more about Canaria culture and life, should see the villages of Teror, Tejeda, Puerto de las Nieves, Arucas, Agaete and Telde.
With the wonderful Playa de las Canteras, in Las Palmas, the phenomenal natural sand dunes of Maspalomas, and the beautiful man-made beaches of Puerto Rico and Playa de los Amadores, Gran Canaria is a paradise for beach bum coming from all over the world.
Outdoor Activities, Attractions, and the Rich Cuisine of Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is greatly influenced by Latin America because of the shipping routes, and this influence is expressed in the island’s cultural scene. If you want to learn a bit about the Gran Canaria culture, then you should definitely visit the capital Las Palmas, especially its old quarter of Vegueta. Alternatively, visit some of the smaller non-tourist villages and town, where you will see real Canarian culture and life.
Gran Canaria is very popular with many tourists for the wide choice of activities and outdoor pursuits that it offers. On land you can take part in hiking and rock climbing excursions, village to village coach excursions, and jeep and camel safaris. Sea lovers will be extremely happy to enjoy such pursuits as deep sea fishing, windsurfing, glass bottom boat excursions, sailing, snorkeling, and much more.
In the cuisine of Gran Canaris, there is a great influence from Latin America and Africa, which is combined with traditional Spanish gastronomy. Obviously, seafood plays an important role in the gastronomy of Gran Canaria and especially popular are locally caught Mussels, Langoustines, Atlantic Mackerel, Octopus, and Sardines.
Meat dishes are popular, especially stews and steaks, but most meat is imported in, as there is no much livestock on the island. Many dishes of the Gran Canaria cuisine are served with Papas Arugadas, which can be literally translated as wrinkly potatoes. These potatoes, boiled with skins in salt water, are usually served with delicious Mojo sauce.
People come alive at night on the island of Gran Canaria. Lively conversation, bright smiling faces, and general enjoyment are the tonic on all of the seafront restaurants, terraces, and bars. So step out and try something new in the way of delicious fresh seafood and wrinkly potatoes, cooked with loving care, in the great balmy outdoors with the best in company.