With its endless sandy beaches, dramatic mountainous interior, desert like dunes and acres of lush green vegetation, Gran Canaria is the most scenic of the Canary Islands. Although smaller than both Tenerife and Fuerteventura it is, nonetheless, home to half the entire population of the archipelago. Its superb climate and diversity of natural features has helped make it one of the most popular year-round holiday destinations in the world.
Places of Interest: Gran Canaria?s most popular resort is Playa del Ingles with its frantic nightlife and four miles of beach. Here you can join a camel train through the Sahara like sand dunes, go shopping in the colossal Yumbo Centrum or drink and dance the night away in some of the very best nightclubs and discos in the Canaries. A few miles to the west is Puerto Rico, a more family orientated resort. Situated within a narrow valley leading to the sea it is an attractive resort with gleaming white apartments built into the hillsides. The gently shelving man made beach is popular with locals and visitors alike and offers a comprehensive range of superb water sports. There?s also a great choice of family activities including tennis, mini golf, tenpin bowling and a fabulous water park. The immense and enduring popularity of Grand Canaria comes as no surprise. As far as sunshine breaks go, you simply can?t go wrong.
Fiestas: Like many of their mainland cousins, Canarios kick back and celebrate at plenty of fiestas and ferias throughout the year.
Carnaval: The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival is the popular festival with the longest tradition in the city. Apart from the inhabitants of the island, thousands of tourists are attracted by the fun and colour of the carnival celebrations, in search of something more than just the sun, sea and sand that the city can also offer. Much of the spectacle of the carnival revolves around the Carnival Queen, who is elected in a grand gala that is held on a night considered one of the high points of the carnival. It happens in February/March.
Holy Week: During the Semana Santa you will be able to see solemn pre-Easter processions in many towns and cities throughout the islands. This week usually happens in March or April.
Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Carmen: This is held on the 4th and the 24th of July. The Ports of La Luz and Las Palmas, the fishermen and the residents of La Isleta pay tribute to their Patron Saint for the first fortnight in July.
The popular fervour that the Las Palmas city feels for this figure means that all the celebrations are well attended. The biggest crowds are seen at the maritime procession held on the 16th of July, an event that fills the streets of this district from the moment that the figure, born on the shoulders of bearers, leaves the parish church to be taken on board a boat for its annual trip around the waters of the bay of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
One of the elements that deserves a special mention are the carpets of natural flowers made by many of the local residents for the occasion.
Gran Canaria is a great destination for shopping, particularly as it is duty free, so there are some real bargains to be had if you shop around. You can buy everything from local souvenirs and handicrafts to shoes, designer clothing and jewellery items, such as eternity rings or even engagement rings should you decide to pop the question whilst under the influence of the strong canary island sun!!
You will find all the major spanish high street retailers in Las Palmas, including the infamous spanish department store El Corte Ingles, Zara, Mango, Adolfo Dominguez and Cortefiel.
