Your guide to less touristy yet dreamy spots of the great Grand Canary Island
In this post, I have pinned 7 locations of the Grand Canary Island you should not miss ! I have marked the google location of each place listed in this guide. You can save these locations to your phone and use it for navigation during your trip.
So, my dear people.. just sit back and let this article give you a glimpse of those locations you will not regret visiting. Go, read on !
In This Guide
Dreamy places on the Golden Island
- Dunes of Maspalomas
- Tejeda
- Playa de la Aldea
- Agüimes
Why visit the Grand Canary Island
The Grand Canary Island belongs to Spain and is one of the 8 Canary Islands located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is 150 kilometres off the northwestern coast of Africa and boasts ample sunshine throughout the year. This island has everything: stunning landscapes, gorgeous coastlines, dramatic rock-formations, surreal sandy dunes, mystic pine forests, deep ravines, craters, calderas, sun-kissed villages & much more. It a must-visit for anyone looking for an off-the-beaten-path holiday destination in Europe.
Best time to visit the Grand Canary Island
I prefer visiting the island during winter for 2 reasons. Firstly, there are less tourists during this period. So, I can have most of the attractions just to myself. Secondly, I can escape the harsh cold of Germany where I currently live. The temperatures vary from 20°C to 25°C during the daytime. The nights are chillier at about 16 - 18 ° C. December is the wettest month on the Grand Canary Island. Like all other Canary Islands, even the Grand Canary Island is sometimes affected by Calima. Calima is a dusty wind over the Canary Islands arising from the neighbouring Sahara desert. The sand particles cause the air to become thick which impacts visibility. Calima is more common in winter than in summer. Typically, Calima on the Canary Islands lasts for 3 to 5 days.
Dreamy places on the Golden Island
Although, you will find many beautiful locations listed on the internet about the Grand Canary Island, I have short-listed only those places which are not that crowded. I like visiting places which are peaceful and less touristy. The following dreamy spots on the Grand Canary Island are my favourites and I can hardly wait to share them with you.
Dunes of Maspalomas
The entry point to the gorgeous dunes of Maspalomas is from the center of the Hotel Riu Palace. This was my first ever experience of sand dunes. I loved walking on them. I recommend strolling only when winds are light. Otherwise, it gets too dusty. Visit the dunes early in the morning or late in the evening. And avoid walking through the dunes in the afternoon because the sand gets very hot. The dunes extend from the Playa de Maspalomas beach to the Playa del Inglés beach.
Location on Google Maps: Dunas de Maspalomas
Playa de Maspalomas
If you are visiting the dunes, then you can take a relaxing snack-break on the Playa de Maspalomas. The beach is many kilometres long. It starts at the lighthouse El Faro on the west and extends all the way till it merges into another famous beach Playa del Inglés on the east. The colours on the beach came out really well the day I decided to photograph it. The shades of the sky matched my dress.
Location on Google Maps: Playa de Maspalomas
Tejeda
My accommodation was right in the center of the Grand Canary Island in a village called Tejeda. As you can figure out from the image, I got to stay in a traditional stone house with great mountain views. The house had its own garden with many almond trees. The symbol of the island, Roque Nublo, was not far-away from where I stayed. The village is very quiet on the weekdays. On weekends, I could hear motor-bikers enjoying the serpentine roads that lead to Tejeda. When the Tejeda sky is clear, the Teide volcano from the neighbouring island of Tenerife is visible.
Location on Google Maps: Tejeda
Playa de la Aldea
Playa de la Aldea is a dark, pebbly beach with 3 bays. Its waters are turquoise-coloured. The first two bays are connected by a small tunnel. You can use this tunnel as a great photo motif. Nearby, you will find many restaurants that serve fresh fish. As you can see in the image, the beach also offers great mountain views. This beach is reachable via the mountain road GC-606+210. By far driving the road GC-606+210 from Tejeda to La Aldea (and back) has been the most thrilling experience for me. Despite being on a rough, narrow mountain road, I got to enjoy some of the best views of the Grand Canary island. Even Mr. Teide from the neighbouring island Tenerife was in sight.
Location on Google Maps: Playa de la Aldea
Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre
The vantage point Llanos de la Mimbre is located in the center of the Tamabada National Park. Since this vistapoint is at a high altitude, it can easily get very cold here. The passing clouds made it for a great instagrammable spot. However, they also lowered the temperatures quickly. I got rewarding views of the Atlantic Ocean and the village of La Aldea. There are countless pine trees that amplify the beauty of Llanos de la Mimbre.
Location on Google Maps: Mirador Llanos de La Mimbre
Agüimes
As I was visiting the Grand Canary Island, I was also remote-working for my employer. So, I didn’t have the time to visit all attractions. I love traditional villages and wanted to explore all of them. However, due to time constraints, I restricted myself to only 2 villages: Tejeda and Agüimes. Due to its colourful houses, Agüimes is very picturesque . What I also loved were the traditional wooden doors of these buildings. While strolling through the village, I discovered many impressive bronze figures: the most impressive one was that of a camel.
Location on Google Maps: Agüimes , Camel Statue
Playa de GüiGüi
The beach Playa de GüiGüi is an unspoilt beach of Grand Canary. This is because it can only be reached either after a difficult hike or by renting a boat. I personally decided to hike. Vehicles can be parked in the village of Tasartico. The 5 km long hike with an ascent of 900m challenged me to the core. Make sure to bring enough water and snacks along. The hike is worth it if you love beaches. On my way back, it was already dark. So, the hike must be started early in the morning. Because of its interesting rock-formations, the beach is very photogenic. Nudism is allowed here.
Location on Google Maps: Playa de GüiGüi
Easiest way to access the Photo Spots
The diameter of the Grand Canary Island is only 50 kilometres. Since it is so compact, it makes best sense when you explore the island by driving. Again, I highly recommend hiring a car from a rental company which is local to the Canary Islands as they are budget-friendly. The endless serpentine mountain roads make for a great adventure, especially for road-trip lovers. If you rent a car, then you can explore the island at your own pace. There are numerous vantage points where you can briefly stop by to observe the breathtaking scenes this golden island has to offer its curious visitors.
Some of my favourite shots I took while driving around the island
Summary
I assure you that you will enjoy every second of your trip to the Grand Canary Island. In an island of extraordinary landscapes, sun-kissed villages, dramatic coastlines and delicious food, there is no time to get bored. The Canary Islands are composed of total 8 islands: Tenerife, Grand Canary, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro & La Graciosa. Each island has its own unique character. So far, I have visited 3 of them and the rest of them are still on my bucket-list. I will create a travel plan for them soon. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and that I was able to support you in planning your trip to a gem of the Atlantic Ocean. If you have any questions related to my article, then please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Related Posts
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WISHING YOU ALL GREAT TRAVELS !
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