In Gran Canaria you will find that special charm that helps you relax, have fun and admire the beauty that leaves you feeling completely recharged and full of energy. But which are those magical places to visit in Gran Canaria? That is exactly what we want to share with you in this post from the Lopesan Group Blog.
Magical places to visit in Gran Canaria
Let’s take a tour around the island, preparing our camera to capture those magical places to visit in Gran Canaria that will make us remember our trip forever.
We will begin with the most beautiful villages, followed by fascinating natural monuments and areas that will leave us feeling fully renewed and eager to return time and time again.
1. A cultural tour around Firgas
If there is one village that is truly beautiful to look at, it is Firgas. With its white-walled houses and colourful details, it is set within a spectacular natural environment. Decorated with the beautiful flowers on its balconies, the view of the town centre and its surroundings feels like a dream.
Firgas offers visitors a variety of places to discover and enjoy. You can begin with a walk near the Parish Church of San Roque, with its bell tower and central nave preserved from the original hermitage built in 1502.
In the beautiful square where the church is located, you will also find the monument to the town’s first patron saint, San Juan de Ortega. Another must-see spot is the beautiful Casa Cultural. It is now home to the public library, an exhibition hall and an events venue.
One area where you can take stunning photographs of the town is the Paseo de Gran Canaria and Paseo de Canarias. In this part of the village, a series of cascading fountains were designed, giving the surroundings a truly beautiful appearance and undoubtedly making it one of the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria.
2. The beauty and tranquillity of Puerto de Mogán
Another truly extraordinary place on our route through the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria is Puerto de Mogán. Like Firgas, Puerto de Mogán offers a peaceful and picturesque scene, with its whitewashed houses beautifully contrasting with the multicoloured display of its gardens and flowering vines.
Taking a walk around the marina is part of the area’s charm. In addition, the selection of terraces, bars and restaurants is truly extensive. You will be able to sample local delicacies and, of course, fresh fish.
The beach is another of the attractions found in this area. Although it is small, it is perfect for peaceful and relaxing swims, especially if you are travelling with children. The gentle waves make it an ideal place both for taking a swim and for snorkelling or enjoying a kayak trip.
3. Nature in its purest form at Los Tilos de Moya
A visit to Los Tilos de Moya is an unmissable experience if you are coming to Gran Canaria. For those travelling as a family and wanting to get started in trekking or hiking, this circular route is one of the best known on the whole island of Gran Canaria.
The views you will discover along the route and the beauty of the Los Tilos de Moya landscape itself will make you slow down your pace. All so you can absorb the peace that one of the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria offers its visitors.
A visit to the actual village of Moya is an added bonus to the route. In this town, discovering the work of Canarian poet Tomás Morales in his House Museum is one of the attractions you will find, along with a visit to the Church of La Candelaria. As the final stop on your visit, you can head to the viewpoint to admire the entire natural setting surrounding this village.
Without a doubt, it will be the perfect ending to this wonderful area of Gran Canaria.
4. Discovering Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains
Our list of magical places to visit in Gran Canaria would not be complete without a visit to Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains. This area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a true archaeological treasure waiting to be discovered.
Risco Caído is home to some of the island’s oldest archaeological remains. There are 21 caves carved into the volcanic rock, showing part of the history of the ancient aboriginal civilisations of Gran Canaria.
One of the truly magical aspects of visiting these caves is imagining the lives of the ancient inhabitants and the rituals they carried out there.
The artificial opening of the main cave of Risco Caído allows the sunlight to enter, moving like a pointer throughout the day along the cave walls and changing position depending on the time of year. The path of the light inside the cave is marked with engravings made by the ancient inhabitants of Gran Canaria, and it is believed to have been an astronomical observatory of these ancient civilisations, where ceremonial rituals were held, especially during the winter and summer solstices.
5. Climbing Roque Nublo
Continuing with the island’s “mystical” theme, our next stop among the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria takes us to Roque Nublo, in the municipality of Tejeda. This formation is considered one of the largest natural rock formations in the world.
Reaching the area is already part of the charm of the visit itself. Depending on where you start from, the route guarantees a truly beautiful and lively walk. Along the hike, it is possible to enjoy views of Acusa and Artenara, as well as the Tejeda caldera and Pozo de las Nieves.
The highlight of the visit is reaching the rock itself. An impressive eighty-metre-high rock formation which, standing at 1,813 metres above sea level, truly makes you feel on top of the world — or at least at the second-highest point in Gran Canaria.
6. From the summit to the formations of Barranco de las Vacas
Let us now turn our attention to Agüimes. What awaits us there is truly surprising. Barranco de las Vacas is a rock formation that, through the whims of nature, the passage of time, the force of the ravine waters and erosion itself, has today created a truly unparalleled landscape.
It is a short, winding yet beautiful path between the rocks that reveals variations in the tones of the stone known as “colour bands”. If you manage to visit when there are not too many people around, you will have the perfect place for those photos that will make everyone jealous on your Instagram or Facebook profile.
7. A different kind of cave at Bufadero de Tauro
The beach and coastal areas are also home to magical places to visit in Gran Canaria, and Bufadero de Tauro is one of the most surprising. This rock formation allows visitors to enjoy a magnificent natural pool when the tide is low.
It is an ideal place for scuba diving, especially when the weather is calm and the sea is gentle. However, that is not the only activity available in the area, as kayak trips along the cliffs are another experience well worth trying if you visit this spot.
8. Visit the magical dunes of Maspalomas
We finish this spectacular route through the most magical places to visit in Gran Canaria with the famous Maspalomas Dunes. This particularly emblematic area of the island features a landscape reminiscent of the Sahara.
Walking through the dunes is something you simply must not miss, ending at the spectacular Maspalomas Lighthouse. This structure, dating back to 1861, offers views from almost 55 metres high. In its day, it guided the ships that brought trade and life to Gran Canaria.
Now that you know some of the magical places to visit in Gran Canaria, all that is left is to plan your trip and start discovering all the special corners hidden across the island: charming villages, volcanic landscapes, endless dunes, natural trails and unforgettable sunsets.
To enjoy the experience in complete comfort, Lopesan Hotel Group offers hotels in some of the best areas in the south of Gran Canaria, perfect for combining relaxation, beaches and island getaways.
Among our recommended options are:
- Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa, next to the Lighthouse and the Maspalomas Dunes.
- Lopesan Baobab Resort, inspired by African essence and surrounded by lush gardens.
- Kumara Serenoa by Lopesan Hotels, ideal for switching off near the Maspalomas Dunes.
- Abora Catarina by Lopesan Hotels, perfect for enjoying a holiday close to Playa del Inglés.
- Abora Continental by Lopesan Hotels, an excellent option for enjoying the atmosphere of the south of the island.
From our hotels, you can comfortably explore some of the most impressive landscapes in Gran Canaria and enjoy an unforgettable holiday at any time of the year.
