6 Best Day Trips from Gran Canaria

One of the best things to do in Gran Canaria is to take a trip to discover all the natural charms of the island and its surroundings. This Canary Island is located off the northwest coast of Africa and is well known for its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. However, that's not its only attraction.

You can take different trips from Gran Canaria to the south or north of the island or to neighboring islands. Everywhere you go, you'll find picturesque villages, jungles, natural parks, and much more. Every corner hides beauty and fun. Choose the plan you like best and enjoy your vacation. What are you waiting for?

If you are staying in the south of Gran Canaria and want to discover its vibrant capital, you can take a day trip to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This tour will take you to the city's most emblematic places, from its historic center to its most popular beaches. The excursion lasts approximately 7 hours and costs an average of $39.

The tour begins with a bus transfer from different points in the south of the island. The first stop will be Vegueta, the historic district where you can admire the Cathedral of Santa Ana, the House of Columbus, and its charming cobbled streets. Next, you will visit the Vegueta market, an ideal place to discover local flavors.

The tour then continues to Las Canteras beach, one of the most famous beaches in Gran Canaria, where you will have free time to stroll or relax by the sea. The last stop will be at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, an iconic building located next to the coast. At the end of the day, the bus will take you back to the south of the island.

Details of interest

• Price: around €39
• Duration: approximately 7 hours
• Transportation: bus

Exploring the coast of Gran Canaria from the sea is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have on the island. With this catamaran excursion, you will enjoy a day of sailing in crystal clear waters, with the chance to swim, snorkel, and relax under the sun. The excursion lasts 5 hours and costs an average of €69.

The tour begins in the port of Puerto Rico, from where the catamaran sets sail for the island's best coves and hidden beaches. During the trip, you can admire the impressive cliffs and volcanic formations that line the coast. There will be several stops so you can swim in the sea or try optional water sports such as jet skiing or parasailing.

On board, you can enjoy a light lunch and refreshing drinks while relaxing in the comfortable hammocks on the catamaran. At the end of the day, you will return to the port with memories of a perfect day on the Atlantic.

Important details

• Price: around €69
• Duration: approximately 5 hours
• Transportation: catamaran

In the geographical center of Gran Canaria, you can take an iconic tour through the island's volcanic formations. This tour lasts an average of ten hours and costs approximately €90. Throughout the tour, you will be guided by an expert who will show you ravines, rock walls, and much more.

These types of tours start very early in the morning. Your guide will tell you where to meet to board the bus and head to the Sacred Mountains of Gran Canaria. The first stop will be in the village of Moya to visit the House-Museum of the poet Tomás Morales and learn about his life and work. Afterwards, you can go to the Doramas forest viewpoint.

From there, you will continue up the mountains by bus. On the way, you will make another stop at the crater of the pine trees of Gáldar and the Montañón Negro. Further on is the village of Artenara, from where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Roque Nublo Rural Park.

There you will have at least an hour to stroll around and eat at one of the local restaurants. Finally, you will pass through the cobbled streets of the village of Tejeda, where you can try some almond sweets. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to the starting point.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €90.
• Duration: around 10 hours.
• Transportation: bus and walking tour.

Tenerife and Gran Canaria are islands that are very close to each other. If you are in Gran Canaria, you can take a day trip to Santa Cruz de Tenerife by ferry from Agaete in Gran Canaria. These excursions usually last approximately 15 hours and cost an average of €70.

These excursions start in the morning and usually depart from the small town of Agaete in Las Palmas. From there, you will travel for around 80 minutes to the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Once there, you can enjoy one of the best excursions in Tenerife.

Your guide will take you through the streets and alleys of Santa Cruz so you can do some shopping and then visit a restaurant or café. Afterwards, you will pass by some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. For the next stop, your guide will take you by bus to La Giganta de Santa Úrsula, a stone statue about four meters high.

Following this route, you will arrive at Villa de la Orotava, the most beautiful village in northern Tenerife. The historic center of this town has been declared a historic-artistic site. You will see churches and houses with colonial architecture, the Victoria Gardens, and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, among other sights. At the end of the tour, you will return to Santa Cruz and then travel by ferry to Gran Canaria.

Details of interest

• Price: around €70
• Duration: approximately 15 hours
• Transportation: ferry and bus.

The Doramas Forest or Doramas Rural Park is located in the north of Gran Canaria, and this excursion will allow you to discover it in all its splendor. Be dazzled by beautiful waterfalls and natural pools. An adventure like this lasts an average of eight hours and costs approximately €90.

These excursions start early in the morning. The bus will pick you up at your hotel so you can join the group and head to the jungle. You'll be able to see all the beautiful natural landscape as you enter the Barranco de Azuaje. In this Special Nature Reserve, you will see slopes covered in laurel forest, the Tilos de Moya waterfalls that form part of the Doramas Forest, and trees from the Tertiary period.

Your guide will help you explore all these natural landscapes on a gentle, peaceful walk. You can even visit a farm and winery to see fruit trees and coffee plantations. Here you can try these fruits and drink a Canarian coffee. Before the tour ends, your guide will take you swimming in the natural pools.

Details of interest

• Price: around €90.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Transportation: bus and walking tour.

From Gran Canaria, you can also take a trip to Fuerteventura. To get there, take a ferry from the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to the port of Puerto de Rosario in Fuerteventura. The average cost of this trip is at least €90 and it lasts around 15 hours. Keep in mind that the travel time is approximately 4 hours.

This island was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2009. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to explore Corralejo, the most touristy area of the island. Here you can visit the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, Fuerteventura's biggest attraction, where you can enjoy beautiful beaches and visit the nearby village.

Afterwards, it will be time to visit the village of La Oliva. There you will find the church of La Candelaria and the Casa de los Coroneles, an old stately building. You can also visit the Alcogida Ecomuseum in Fuerteventura, where you will see animal pens surrounded by beautiful vegetation and an atmosphere that evokes what life was like in the 19th century.

At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to the starting point to catch a ferry back to Gran Canaria. However, you can decide to stay here for a few more days or return home. The price of the excursion will vary depending on your final destination.

Details of interest

• Price: around €90.
• Duration: approximately 15 hours
• Transportation: ferry and bus.

The trip from Gran Canaria to Lanzarote can take around six hours by ferry. You must depart from the pier in Las Palmas in Gran Canaria to Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote. It is best to plan your own itinerary, as there are usually no detailed excursions between the two islands. The cost of the ferry trip can be around €50 or more.

When you arrive in Lanzarote, you can explore the city of Arrecife, starting with the Charco de San Ginés. Because of this site, the city was nicknamed "the Venice of the Atlantic. " In the surrounding area, you will find several restaurants and bars where you can stop in and eat whatever you like while enjoying a beautiful view.

Another stop I recommend is the Puente de las Bolas de Piedras (Bridge of Stones), which used to lead to the Castillo de San Gabriel. Today, it houses the Museo de la Historia de Arrecife (Arrecife History Museum), where you can learn more about the city.

Finally, to end the day, it's not a bad idea to visit Reducto Beach, an urban beach with calm waters. It is located in the center of the city, and you can spend some time here before taking the ferry back to Gran Canaria. Keep in mind that you can also take a flight, which will be a faster trip.

Details of interest

• Price: around €50.
• Duration: approximately 15 hours
• Means of transport: ferry.

So far, I've recommended excursions where the highlights are the places you'll visit. However, on this VW Beetle convertible tour, the mode of transport is also a highlight. This is one of the ten best things you can do in Gran Canaria for around €75 and lasting at least six hours.

To take part, you must go to the meeting point indicated by your guide. There you will be told which car to drive. There will be at least ten cars in total on this adventure. The first stops will be in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and then at the El Guriete viewpoint. You will then continue on to Santa Lucía and Pico de las Nieves.

Another very interesting stop that is usually included in this excursion is a visit to the Finca Canarias Aloe Vera. Here you can learn a little about the benefits of this plant and, if you like, take a sample or a product home with you. This expense is at your own expense, but the visit is included in the price of the excursion.

If you travel to Gran Canaria during the winter months, such as December, some roads may be closed. Keep in mind that this route depends a lot on the weather, so you should always communicate with your guide and take precautions.

Details of interest

• Price: around €75.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Transportation: convertible VW Beetle.

The Canary Islands archipelago has seven picturesque islands where you will find a variety of recreational activities related to the water and the sea, but Gran Canaria is usually the starting point for many of them. In addition to enjoying the islands, you will also have the opportunity to visit villages with charming houses and natural parks.

You will always be in contact with the sea, as many of these excursions are made by ferry or boat. If you are traveling to an island far from Gran Canaria, then it is recommended to travel by plane. If so, you will be able to observe the landscape from above.

Excursions from Gran Canaria tend to take a long time. When traveling inland, the experience is over quickly, but if you go to other islands, the trip can take more than four hours. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your itinerary carefully and take the travel times into account.

If you want to explore an entire island, it is best to stay there for at least one day before returning to Gran Canaria. This way, you'll make sure you don't miss any tourist destinations.