Whether you’ve got a weekend, a full week, or even two, these Gran Canaria itinerary ideas will help you make the most of your trip. From golden beaches and rugged mountains to charming villages and scenic hikes, the island has something for every traveler. But with so much to see, choosing the right itinerary can be a challenge.
That’s where this guide comes in. Below, you’ll find flexible itineraries for 2 days to 2 weeks, designed to match your travel style. Whether you’re after a quick getaway or a deep dive into the island’s hidden gems, you’ll find the perfect plan right here.
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Table of Contents - Gran Canaria Itinerary Ideas from 2 Days to 2 Weeks
- Getting to Gran Canaria
- Best time of year to visit Gran Canaria
- Where to stay in Gran Canaria
- How to get around Gran Canaria
- 2 days in Gran Canaria itinerary ideas
- Long weekend in Gran Canaria itinerary ideas
- One week in Canaria Itinerary Ideas
- 10 days in Gran Canaria Itinerary Ideas
- The Complete 2 Weeks in Gran Canaria Itinerary
Getting to Gran Canaria
The best and easiest way to get to Gran Canaria is by plane. There are direct flights from many places in Europe, including other Canarian Islands. Flights between the islands are often cheaper than the ferry, but if you’re traveling with your own vehicle, a ferry will of course be much more convenient.
Best time of year to visit Gran Canaria
Contrary to most of continental Europe, the best time of year to visit Gran Canaria is actually in winter, roughly from October to April. The summer here can get very hot, which is great if you just want to relax on a beach, but it’s not so good if you also want to explore some of the inner mountain areas of Gran Canaria. Which you definitely should!
In winter, nights can be chilly in the south and in the mountains, but generally day temperatures are very pleasant and allow for anything from relaxing on the beach to hiking in the mountains.
The main high season in Gran Canaria is December to February, when a lot of people come to spend the winter months here, so accommodation is more expensive and harder to find compared to the rest of the year.
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
The two main areas to stay in Gran Canaria are Las Palmas, the island’s capital city, and Maspalomas, the main resort town of Gran Canaria. Both areas have pros and cons, and where is the best place to stay depends on your preference. The south is generally sunnier and warmer during the day than the north, but it does have a very touristy feel to it. Las Palmas is a very lively city where tourists and locals blend together. It’s a better place to stay if you’re looking for better and more diverse restaurants and nightlife, for example.
How to get around Gran Canaria
The best way to get around Gran Canaria, and explore as much of the island as possible is by renting a car. While it’s definitely possible to travel Gran Canaria by bus, there are certain areas for which you do really need a car to be able to get there. Traveling by bus also takes more time compared to driving, so if you rent a car, you’ll also be able to fit a lot more in your day then when traveling by bus.
Having said that, if you prefer to travel by bus, check out my guide getting around Gran Canaria by bus for useful information.
2 days in Gran Canaria Itinerary Ideas
You’d be surprised what you can pack in two days in Gran Canaria when you’re using your time efficiently. Whether you want to hike, kick back on a nice sunny beach, or explore as much of the island as possible, here are some Gran Canaria itinerary ideas for those who only have one weekend in Gran Canaria
Beach Holiday
If you want to combine exploring the island with spending time lazing on the beach, this is your itinerary
By car – One day, drive from Puerto de Mogán to San Agustin or the other way around and stop at some of the many nice beaches along this road like Puerto de Mogán, Tauro, Amadores, Anfi, Costa Alegre, the dunes and San Agustin.
Spend the other day on the north of the island. The Northern coast of Gran Canaria is much more natural compared to the southern coast. Start with Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas, make a stop at the natural pools in Galdar, and head to Agaete and Puerto de las Nieves from here. There are very nice natural pools here as well, or you can opt for a short hike to the beautiful Guayadeque Beach which has black sand.
By bus – One day, I recommend the coastal hike from San Agustin to the Faro de Maspalomas from this Gran Canaria hiking guide. Another option, if you like the beaches on the other side of Maspalomas more, is getting the bus to Puerto de Mogán, so you also explore this iconic town, then hop on a bus to Balito and walk to Arguineguin from there.
For your second day, I head to Agaete. You can visit the natural pools here and Guayedra Beach, which is a short hike from Agaete. Guayedra is a beautiful black sand beach surrounded by cliffs. If you’re happy to squeeze a bit more in your day today, Stop by the natural pools in Galdar, which have a nice sandy beach next to them or explore Canteras Beach in Las Palmas before hopping on a bus to Agaete.
For more information about the many beaches in Gran Canaria, refer to this guide with the Best Gran Canaria Beaches.
Active Hiking Weekend
There are many great hikes you can do in Gran Canaria, but if you only have two days I would pick the hikes from Teror to Santa Brígida and the hike from Ayacate to Cruz Grande or Tunte from this Gran Canaria hiking guide.
This way you can combine your hike with exploring the traditional Canarian towns of Teror and Santa Brígida. If time permits. you can even make a stop at the Bandama Crater close to Santa Brígida before heading back
The hike from Ayacate to Cruz Grande is one of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done in Gran Canaria. From here you can see the iconic Roque Nublo and the general scenery of the hike is very different from the Teror to Santa Brígida hike.
Both hikes are one-way and accessible by bus, so there is no need to rent a car for this itinerary.
Exploring the Island
If you want to explore as much of Gran Canaria as you can in only two days, you should really rent a car. While it’s definitely possible to explore Gran Canaria by bus, it’s not very efficient so with little time it’s much better to rent a car.
Spend one day driving from Maspalomas to Tejeda or Artenara and back via Pico de las Nieves for sunset. On the way you can stop at
- Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas – A beautiful viewpoint over canyons
- Fataga – A cute little white town with typical architecture and nice views over the barranco
- Tunte (San Bartolomé de Tirajana) – Another very pretty white Canarian town, nice to wander around and stretch your legs
- Roque Bentayga – A very important place for natives, find out more at the free museum and do the short hike to the rock
- Cuevas del Rey (kings caves) – Part of the Sierra del Bentayga archaeological complex, here you can see caves Indigenous people lived in
- Tejeda – Tejeda is famous for its almonds. It’s the perfect place to sit down and have a coffee with some baked almond goods. Or go for lunch and take some sweets away.
- Artenara – The highest town in Gran Canaria
- Pico de las Nieves – The highest accessible point in Gran Canaria.
Spend your second day in the Northeast of Gran Canaria and visit:
- Teror – Teror’s architecture is different from the typical white Canarian architecture. It’s much more colonial. In Teror they also make a unique type of chorizo, so make sure to try a bocadillo de chorizo when visiting Teror. Those who love hiking should also explore the Barranco de Teror
- Santo Pino Crater – From the road you can look down into the crater and across to the ocean and Las Palmas
- Santa Brígida – Santa Brígida also has a very typical architecture, making it a great town to go for a stroll and enjoy the views from town as well as the architecture.
- Bandama Crater – Just outside of Santa Brígida you’ll find the Bandama crater, drive up to the viewpoint for the best views
- Arucas – Arucas is another beautiful town in Gran Canaria with a very different style than Teror and Santa Brígida. Visit the cathedral, the town center and the rum distillery or the banana museum. Or both if time permits!
Long Weekend in Gran Canaria Itinerary Ideas
If you’re spending a long weekend in Gran Canaria, you’ll be able to explore a lot of what Gran Canaria has to offer, especially if you rent a car.
3 days in Gran Canaria road trip itinerary
If you have a long weekend to spend in Gran Canaria, I recommend combining the “Exploring the Island” itinerary from above with a day along the north coast. Spend that third day between Galdar and Agaete and visit all or some of the below:
- Cenobio de Valerón – Archeological site with relatively easy access via stairs and explanatory signs
- Galdar natural pools – Some of the best on the island and less touristy than the Agaete pools
- Agaete natural pools – Beautiful natural pools
- Guayedra beach – Beautiful black sand beach with cliffs and views over Puerto de las Nieves
- Puerto de las Nieves – Excellent for sunset and seafood
3 days in Gran Canaria bus itinerary
If you don’t have a car but still want to explore as much as possible of Gran Canaria in 3 days, I would spend one day in Agaete, visiting the natural pools and Guayedra Beach. On another day I would do the hike from Teror to Santa Brígida from the 2-day hiking itinerary and on the third day, you could do the walk from San Agustin to Faro de Maspalomas from the 2-day beach holiday itinerary also passing by the Dunas de Maspalomas or pick a hike from this Gran Canaria hiking guide.
This will give you a good idea of the different areas of Gran Canaria.
One week in Gran Canaria Itinerary Ideas
One week is a great time to spend in Gran Canaria. It gives you enough time to explore all the highlights this beautiful and diverse island has to offer. You can easily change the days around if that works out better considering the weather. I’ve mixed them up based on the activities for a stay at the same place throughout the week. If you prefer to split your stay over the North and South of the island, or sleep somewhere else every day, you can easily change the order of the days based on that.
One week in Gran Canaria road trip itinerary
Day 1 – Arriving + beach time.
Drop your luggage off at your hotel and pick a nice beach to spend your afternoon at. If you’re staying in Las Palmas, this will most likely be Las Canteras. In the South, there are many different options. If you need some help picking a nice one, you can refer to this Gran Canaria beach guide.
Day 2 – Drive from Maspalomas to Artenara, back via Pico de las Nieves and stop at (some of) the places below:
- Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas – A beautiful viewpoint over canyons
- Fataga – A cute little white town with typical architecture and nice views over the barranco
- Tunte (San Bartolomé de Tirajana) – Another very pretty white Canarian town, nice to wander around and stretch your legs
- Roque Bentayga – A very important place for natives, find out more at the free museum and do the short hike to the rock
- Cuevas del Rey (kings caves) – Part of the Sierra del Bentayga archaeological complex, here you can see caves Indigenous people lived in
- Tejeda – Tejeda is famous for its almonds. It’s the perfect place to sit down and have a coffee with some baked almond goods. Or go for lunch and take some sweets away.
- Artenara – The highest town in Gran Canaria
- Pico de las Nieves – The highest accessible point in Gran Canaria.
Day 3 – After the long driving day yesterday, take it easier today. If you loved Cuevas del Rey (or didn’t have time for them yesterday) stop at Cenobio de Valerón on the way to Galdar. Go for a stroll in the old center and head to the natural pools for some chill time. From here continue to Agaete which also has very nice natural pools (though more touristy than Galdar’s). If you have the time and energy, you can also hike to Guayedra Beach from here: a stunning black sand beach surrounded by cliffs with nice views over Puerto de las Nieves.
Day 4 – Today you could visit some traditional towns of Gran Canaria and nearby sights:
- Teror – Teror’s architecture is different from the typical white Canarian architecture. It’s much more colonial. In Teror they also make a unique type of chorizo, so make sure to try a bocadillo de chorizo when visiting Teror. Those who love hiking should also explore the Barranco de Teror
- Santo Pino Crater – From the road you can look down into the crater and across to the ocean and Las Palmas
- Santa Brígida – Santa Brígida also has a very typical architecture, making it a great town to go for a stroll and enjoy the views from town as well as the architecture.
- Bandama Crater – Just outside of Santa Brígida you’ll find the Bandama crater, drive up to the viewpoint for the best views
- Arucas – Arucas is another beautiful town in Gran Canaria with a very different style than Teror and Santa Brígida. Visit the cathedral, the town center and the rum distillery or the banana museum. Or both if time permits!
Day 5 – Hike to Guïguï Beach. This beach is often listed as the most beautiful beach in Gran Canaria. It can only be reached by boat from Puerto Rico or Puerto de Mogán or by car + a 2-3 hour hike (one-way). The hike is as spectacular as the beach, so if you like to hike as well as spend time at the beach, this is a must-do when in Gran Canaria. You can find more info about the hike in this guide.
Day 6 – Today is a bit more of a driving day again. Start your day passing by Puerto de Mogán. While it is a very touristy town, and more “fake” than the traditional towns you have visited earlier in this Gran Canaria itinerary, it is very pretty to stroll through the streets with flowering trees and freshly painted houses. From here continue to Los Azulejos, beautifully colored mountains. You can just stop off here and enjoy the views, or do a hike to the waterfall and Fuente de Azulejos, although they don’t always have water. If you don’t do the hike, you will have plenty of time left to continue to the Balcony Viewpoint (Mirador El Balcón, also called Andén Verde). If you did do the hike, it might be too much to squeeze in one day.
Day 7 – After such a full-on itinerary with so many different impressions, spend your last day lazing on a beach before it’s time to head back home.
One week in Gran Canaria bus itinerary
Day 1 – Arriving + beach time
Drop your luggage off at your hotel and pick a nice beach to spend your afternoon at. If you’re staying in Las Palmas, this will most likely be Las Canteras. In the South, there are many different options. If you need some help picking a nice one, you can refer to this Gran Canaria beach guide.
Day 2 – Roque Nublo/Tejeda/Roque Bentayga area
Take bus 18 to Roque Bentayga. It’s about 2 km from the closest bus stop to the interpretation center where you can learn more about the local culture. From here you can hike to the rock. Once you’re done exploring this area, you can hike to Tejeda, about 4 km and mostly downhill. If time and energy permit, you can also include Cueve del Rey, one of my favorite caves in Gran Canaria! It’s a 4 km hike from the interpretation center at Roque Bentayga, and from here it’s 7 km to Tejeda.
Day 3 – Agaete
Agaete is a pretty little town in the North of Gran Canaria with lots of things to do around it. If you’re feeling like a beach day, you can visit the natural pools and Playa Guayedra (3 km hike, one-way). If you want to do a hike, you can hike to Montaña Bebique via the Agaete valley and then back down the other side of the mountain. It’s one of my favorite hikes in Gran Canaria.
Day 4 – Teror to Santa Brigida + Bandama if time permits
Teror and Santa Brigida are two pretty and traditional towns in Gran Canaria. If you don’t have a car, the best way to visit both of them is on a hike! The hike is not very long or difficult, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore each town before and after your hike. If you’re a quick hiker, you might even have time to visit the Bandama Crater, which is 6.5 km from town. You can either take bus 311 here, or walk.
Day 5 – Arucas + Las Palmas, Firgas if you have time left
Start your day exploring the historic center of Las Palmas, close the San Telmo bus terminal. From here you can take a bus to Arucas. Arucas is a small town with plenty to see. Start with a stroll through the center and visit the basilica and the municipal park. Arucas is also home to the Arehucas rum distillery where you can join a tour and tasting. Hike up to Aucas to the Montaña de Arucas for views over town and either head to Firgas to explore another town, or head to Hacienda la Rekompensa and learn all about the banana plantation. If you still have some time left before the sun sets, you can take a bus to Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas and enjoy a sunset from the beach. The boulevard is lined with all kinds of bars and restaurants to enjoy a drink and/or a meal.
Day 6 – Walk from San Agustin to Faro de Maspalomas
This is a very nice and easy coastal hike which allows you to enjoy some downtime on the beach as well as exploring some of the southern beaches of Gran Canaria. I like this hike as San Agustin is a very nice and big beach, you’ll pass by the iconic Dunas de Maspalomas and you can watch the sunset from the Maspalomas lighthouse (Faro de Maspalomas). An alternative is hiking from Balito to Arguineguin. Arguineguin also has some nice beaches and you’ll pass Anfi beach on this route. You can also watch the sunset at Arguineguin.
Day 7 – beach time before going home
On your last day, wind down at one of the many beaches of Gran Canaria and think back on all the amazing things you have seen in only a week before your flight home.
10 days in Gran Canaria Itinerary Ideas
10 days in Granaria gives you enough time to explore all the highlights from the one week in Gran Canaria itinerary of your choice, plus a little more. Or just take it a little easier and take it slower.
10 days in Gran Canaria road trip itinerary
Take the one week in Gran Canaria road trip itinerary from above and add:
- Las Tobas de Colores (Barranco de las Vacas). You won’t need the whole to visit, so you can easily combine a visit of this ravine with a local town like Aguïmes or Santa Lucia, a visit to a nearby cave like Fortaleza or a visit to a local goat farm in the Aguïmes area.
- Pick other hikes from this guide for your other days, or beaches to relax on from this guide.
10 days in Gran Canaria bus itinerary
Even if you don’t have a car, with 10 days in Gran Canaria you can explore a lot! Follow the one week in Gran Canaria by bus itinerary from above and add:
- Hike from Firgas to San Andrés via Barranco de Azuaje.
- Hike from Santa Lucia to Aguïmes, stopping by the Barranco de las Vacas on the way. If this seems too far of a hike for you, you can also hike from Temisas to Aguïmes.
- Spend your last day either on another hike from this guide or chill on a beach from this guide. If you want to combine a relaxing day on the beach with an activity, join a dolphin watching tour from Puerto Rico or Puerto de Mogán.
The Complete 2 Weeks in Gran Canaria Itinerary
Two weeks in Gran Canaria is enough to explore all the best things to do in Gran Canaria. Pick the 10 days in Gran Canaria itinerary from your preference and add some of the other great things to do in Gran Canaria, like a dolphin-watching tour or visiting a local farm. Dive deeper into the island with more hikes from the hiking guide, or simply laze and recover from your active exploring days on another one of Gran Canaria’s amazing beaches.
