Gran Canaria
Your holiday destination
Destinations you can visit from Linz Airport
Black lava, white beaches and perfect waves
The third largest of the Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa, is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the winter months because of its mild climate. The average annual temperature is 24 degrees. Due to its immense diversity regarding nature and culture, it’s popular with families, sportsmen, sunbathers, surfers as well as golf and hiking enthusiasts. A strong point of attraction are the numerous beaches and bays and the endless dunes between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas.
Holidays on Gran Canaria
The island of diversity and eternal springtime
Gran Canaria is rather small, with a diameter of only about 50 kilometres. This allows you to tour the whole island in day trips from your hotel. The inland regions are characterised by rugged mountain landscapes with up to 2,000 metres in altitude. Up in the mountains, you will find several idyllic villages with rustic houses and restaurants that serve original Canarian cuisine – among them, Mogán, Tejeda and Fataga.
The Morro de la Agujereada is the highest mountain in Gran Canaria at 1956 metres in altitude. Equally imposing is the Pico de las Nieves. In winter, its peaks are sometimes covered in snow, which is how it has received its name. The island's landmark is the monolith Roque Nublo. It is almost 90 metres high and a popular destination for mountain climbers.
The island's beaches are just as diverse as the impressive landscapes in its interior. 236 kilometres of coastline, almost 60 kilometres of which are beaches, invite you to relax or enjoy water sports.
The famous long sandy beach of Maspalomas is unique in Europe. It features dunes that stretch along the coast from Playa del Inglés all the way to the Maspalomas lighthouse. Tip for all lovers of nudism: Part of the beach there is reserved for naturists. In the south of the island, you will find quiet family beaches in San Agustín and Amadores. Showers, sunshades, or hammocks – it’s all available there. Soft sand and ocean glitter await you at Playa Taurito between Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mógan. The latter is often called "little Venice". At Playa de las Nieves, the "snow beach", romantic little bays and a breathtaking scenery await. It received its name since, just behind the coast, you can often see the majestic snow-covered mountains.
If you don't want to spend all your time at the beach, the capital Las Palmas is the place to visit. With 379,925 inhabitants, it is the largest city on the Canary Islands and, along with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands. In Las Palmas, you will find museums, beautiful parks, and historic churches. It’s perfect if you are looking for a mixture of beach, big city, tapas bars and an authentic Spanish experience.
Popular sights and attractions in Las Palmas
- Catedral de Santa Ana: cathedral of the Diocese of the Canaries; it features two campaniles
- Castillo de la Luz: former seaside fortress, maritime museum and art exhibition venue
- Casa de Colón / Columbus House: museum in a historic building with a Canarian courtyard
- Mercado de Vegueta: best known and oldest market in Las Palmas
- Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM): museum of modern art
- Vegueta: oldest district of Las Palmas
Ideal Travel time
Depending on what you want to do on your Gran Canaria holiday, the ideal time to travel there varies. In the summer months from June to September, the thermometer can climb up to 40 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for swimming and surfing. During the other months of the year, the daytime temperature is usually between 22 and 26 degrees. That’s when it is perfect for hiking, climbing, cycling and playing golf or taking a dip in cool waters. For advanced surfers, the season between October and May is very popular, when there are perfect waves. In addition, many international events take place on the island every year. Among them, the annual ARC Transatlantic Regatta at the end of November, the dazzling Maspalomas Carnival in February, or the Gran Canaria Walking Festival at the end of October.
