If you find yourself in the Canary Islands any time soon then don’t miss the opportunity to explore all that Gran Canaria has to offer! I visited this vibrant island earlier this year to escape the dull UK winter months, and although there was a lot of pool-based R+R on the agenda, I never miss a chance to wander…
The following places were by far the highlights of my trip (aside from spotting 50+ Atlantic spotted dolphins in the wild…but that’s a story for another day!)
Fataga
I was instantly taken with Fataga, a beautiful village in the mountains. Situated in the ‘Valley of a Thousand Palms’, Fataga is surrounded by sumptuous greenery and a striking backdrop. It exudes a unique charm, proudly upholding it’s traditional architecture, with origins dating back more than 2,000 years.
Wandering through the peaceful village, you travel back in time, with whitewashed buildings with terracotta roofs, quaint narrow pebbled lanes, wooden balconies and palm groves. Traditional cafés and gift shops selling handmade jewellery and pottery, family allotments and the small church of San Jose complete the picture. And it’s a rather pretty picture, too!
Fataga’s rural setting is about a 20 minute drive from southern resorts such as Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, and is included on several excursions into the mountains. I would highly recommend spending a morning there – the drive there alone is incredible, with jaw-dropping views of the mountains the the palm tree valley.
Puerto de Mogán
Another place that is well worth a visit is Puerto de Mogán. If you consider the Canaries to be less-than-quaint ‘resort islands’, then this picturesque port alone will set you straight.
Located southwest of Gran Canaria, this small fisherman’s village is filled with charm. The marina is dotted with restaurants, sailing boats and small canals. Adding to the view is the clear water, with shoals of fish swimming past.
Behind the marina are narrow streets filled with gorgeous bougainvillea arches with the flowers trailing down whitewashed buildings – it really is a kaleidoscope of colour. This was my favourite part of Puerto de Mogán – so much colour and floral beauty! Wander further to discover a calm beach, plus a walk up into the mountains beyond.
We took a bus to Puerto de Mogán from Playa del Inglés, which took about half an hour. A must-see!
The sand dunes of Maspalomas
The third place of my list has more notoriety in Gran Canaria than the former two, perhaps due to its proximity to the main southern resorts. However I think it is still well worth a visit!
The spectacular sand dunes of Maspalomas were formed when sand (composed of pulverized chalk and shells, plus volcanic sand) was washed up from the ocean floor during the last ice age, and carried by the wind towards the shore. They have been a protected nature reserve since 1897.
Measuring around 1,000 acres, and with towering dunes, you can feel completely lost among them…an amazing experience. Note: remember to take trainers and LOTS of water!
Be aware that some areas of the dunes are famed for not only nudism, but ‘rendevous’ too – though this is more common at night. Ask your hotel for advice on where is ‘safest’ to go in that respect. We walked through the arch at Riu Palace Maspalomas hotel and walked down towards the sea, then along Playa del Inglés beach…and to the Tipsy Hammock for a well-earned beer!
Visiting Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria has a lot to offer, from luscious green mountains and palm-fringed valleys to stunning beaches, quaint villages and vibrant ports. I would recommend Fataga in particular – it feels like a world away from the popular tourist resorts in the south.
Have you recently been to Gran Canaria? Let me know what you thought in the comments!
wanderingrach, April 2019
All photos are my own unless otherwise stated.
wandering rach 