Gran Canaria is small enough that most of the island is accessible as a day trip from Las Palmas. The interior is spectacular and rarely visited by the beach-holiday crowd, which means you will often have it to yourself.
The Gran Canaria interior. The GC-21 road climbs south from Las Palmas through pine forests and into a landscape of eroded volcanic ridges. Roque Nublo, a 65-metre basalt monolith rising from a plateau at 1,813 metres, is the island's iconic landmark and a 30-minute walk from the nearest parking area. The village of Tejeda below it is the most photogenic place on the island — white houses, almond trees, and views in every direction. Allow a full day.
Maspalomas. The great sand dune field at the southern tip of Gran Canaria is 50 kilometres from Las Palmas via the GC-1 motorway, about 45 minutes' drive. The dunes themselves are a nature reserve and striking in the early morning before the resort crowds arrive. The lighthouse at Faro de Maspalomas marks the island's southernmost point.
Tenerife. Fred Olsen fast ferries run from Las Palmas's Puerto de la Luz to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in about 1.5 hours, making a day trip to the neighbouring island feasible if you start early. Tenerife is bigger and has its own distinct character — the lunar landscapes around Mount Teide, the colonial architecture of La Laguna, and the steep north coast are all different from anything on Gran Canaria.
