100 hours in the Canary Islands: five highlights in Gran Canaria

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Within 1,500 square kilometers, Gran Canaria offers everything you could want: beaches, mountains, idyllic valleys and more. All travel wishes come true: if you are looking for a sandy beach and a party, you will be happy in the tourist in the south of the island. If you want to lose yourself in the local culture and history for a short time, you will get your money’s worth in the north of the island. I decided to take the last option.

1. Playa de las Canteras

The beach, which locals call Canteras for short, is a place for everything and everyone. If you spend just one day in Gran Canaria, you can experience the island in this three kilometer microcosm: from old gentlemen meeting for beers to young couples and young children walking hand in hand on the promenade. Playing happily on the beach can be found all over the world Canteras.

Entertainment is not neglected either. Bathing during the day. You get a sunbed and umbrella for about six euros. In the evenings, street musicians turn the coastline into a promenade. Those who are hungry for a walk can take a seat at one of the many small restaurants along the beach. On weekdays, you can find small bars open until 3 am.

2. Hotel Santa Catalina

If you want to immerse yourself in Canarian culture and history, you can’t escape Hotel Santa Catalina. Built in 1890, it is not only the oldest hotel in Gran Canaria, but also the first hotel built in the Canary Islands.

Originally built by the British, who used the island as a stopover on their sea voyages to Africa and America, the building is still one of the most important works of Canarian architecture.

In 2019, the hotel was redesigned with great precision. Locality is by far one of the highlights for the hotel, as Santa Catalina Commercial Director Oscar Calle told me. Even as a child, she would regularly walk inside the hotel complex on her way to swimming lessons.

Calle reported that Mallorcan Barceló Group had voices skeptical about whether Mallorcans were the right tenants for the building prior to the conversion. However, these doubts are now cleared. Therefore, the hotel-only public park is not a popular meeting place for locals. The hotel also hosts regular events for local businesses.

Combined with an incredibly warm and welcoming demeanor, there’s nothing better than staying in Santa Catalina.

3. Ride a scooter

With a population of approximately 400,000, Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands. Many places can be easily reached on foot. But if you want to explore more in a short time, you need a suitable means of transportation. Inspired by the locals, I rented a scooter for two days. Including the helmet and insurance, the scooter cost around 70 euros – an investment definitely worth it. Driving pleasure and flexibility cannot be exceeded. In addition, there is always room for emergency toiletries or self-purchased souvenirs in the storage area under the seat.

Navigating Las Palmas is very travel-friendly, thanks to the large Avenida de Canarias that runs through town along the coast. You can use them to reach different parts of the city in a short time. From my hotel in the Santa Catalina area, you can drive to the picturesque old town of Vegueta in just ten minutes. Triana’s shopping district or the beaches of Playa de las Alcaravaneras and Las Canteras can be reached in even five minutes.

However, some caution is required when using the scooter: there are traffic rules on the island, but these seem more like rough advice. A safe driving style is a prerequisite for staying calm in traffic in the Canary Islands.

4. Maspalomas Dunes

There is no other European place that is less geographically part of Europe than the Canary Islands. This is best seen in the impressive sand dunes of Maspalomas.

The scenic spectacle is about 40 minutes by highway from Las Palmas. Definitely a worthwhile trip.

Good visibility at the site is required to find access to the dunes. This is artfully hidden by a hotel complex that you have to walk through. After successfully crossing the pass, a breathtaking view of the desert landscape opens. The sand mountains in Maspalomas are made up of real Saharan sand that has been blown onto the island from Africa for centuries.

If you want to experience the sand dunes with all their magic, I recommend you to follow the signposted road going down to the beach. At the bottom, you are in the southernmost part of Playa des Ingles. Fortunately, you can avoid the large tourist streams on the northern part of the beach.

There is a small beach bar on site where you can get the necessary drinks for the return. This should not be underestimated – a three-kilometer walk on the sand feels like ten kilometers.

If you still have some time on the way back, I recommend driving the first part of the main road from Maspalomas along the coast. The journey takes about 20 minutes longer, but you can enjoy beautiful views of the Atlantic.

5. Enjoying rice

Between us – I could write down five highlights of the food: Anyone who loves culinary delights will definitely be well served in Gran Canaria. Fruit, fish or meat – there is a local offer suitable for everyone. But the paella remained in my heart. I was able to enjoy the rice dish twice. I enjoyed paella for the first time at Playa de la Canteras in Taberna Chica. I ordered paella de marisco, a seafood paella that was starving but timed perfectly for the sunset. And with what art was this paella served: before my eyes, the waiter lovingly covered shrimps and mussels with hearts and butterflies. An art that only the wonderful taste of paella transcends. Although they were very hungry, about four people were able to get enough of the rice pan. But I was able to pack the leftovers without a problem.

The second time I had a paella at the Camarote restaurant. The restaurant focuses on high quality, typical Mediterranean cuisine and local ingredients and suppliers. The atmosphere, with views of the palm-fringed Doramas Park, was in perfect harmony with the food. In Camarote, I chose Arroz del Senyoret, another seafood paella. This slightly thinner species is characterized by the fact that all the shrimp, fish and mussel parts it contains are pre-peeled and cut. This means you don’t have to get your hands dirty while eating. The second paella served with a local white wine was also absolutely fantastic. On the second try, the two of us even managed to get the whole pan. After that, I satiated for a leisurely walk in the park.

My advice: All in all, I can recommend a trip to Gran Canaria to anyone who wants to shut up for a few days. I’m sure it won’t be my last visit to this island.

This post was created as part of a press tour.

Source : Blick