Region
Gran Canaria
Stay in Las Palmas 3–4 nights; use day trips to Maspalomas beaches, interior hikes and Puerto de Mogán.
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Key facts · Spain
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €)
- Language
- Spanish (castellano)
- Plugs
- C · F · 230 V
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1, summer UTC+2)
Rules in force · 12Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
- Canary Islands ↗Euro (€); the islands are outside the EU VAT area and charge a separate sales tax (IGIC) rather than mainland VAT.
- Canary Islands ↗One hour behind mainland Spain (WET/WEST).
- Canary Islands ↗Part of Spain, the EU and Schengen; arrivals from other Schengen countries normally clear no immigration.
Gran Canaria blends city life in Las Palmas with extensive beaches, dunes and interior hikes; base in Las Palmas 3–4 nights and use buses or rental cars for day trips.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- Las Palmas de Gran CanariaCity guide
Capital, historic Vegueta quarter, urban beaches.
Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov
JFMAMJJASOND
Day trip
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 3 nights
- Las Palmas 3, day trips to Maspalomas and Puerto de Mogán
- 5 nights
- Las Palmas 3, add a night in the south (Maspalomas) for extra beach time
- Summer interior heat can exceed 35 °C (95 °F); carry water and sun protection.Summer interior heat can exceed 95 °F (35 °C); carry water and sun protection.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maspalomas | Las Palmas | 45 min | midnight | Frequent bus line 60; 45 min door‑to‑door. |
| Puerto de Mogán | Las Palmas | 70 min | midnight | Bus via Arucas; about 70 min door‑to‑door. |
Bags between cities
Luggage forwarding between Las Palmas and southern resorts is offered by local couriers; typically 1–2 days, arrange at hotel reception.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go1 partSeasons
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria | ok | ok | go | go | go | ok | × | × | ok | go | go | ok |
| Maspalomas | go | go | go | go | go | × | × | × | × | go | go | go |
| Puerto de Mogán | go | go | go | go | go | ok | × | × | ok | go | go | go |
| Canary Islands (country-wide) | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go | – | – | go | go | go | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes2 partsGet in · Passes
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao) | Direct flight to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) | ~2½–3 h flight | Bus line 60 from airport to city centre costs €2.70, runs every 30 min. | |
| UK | Direct flight to LPA | ~4–4½ h | Same airport bus connection as above. |
Regional passes
Canary Islands Card
checkProvides discounts on some attractions; not a transport pass.
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Papas arrugadas con mojo | Las Palmas fish restaurants | Salted potatoes with spicy green or red sauce. |
| Gofio | Maspalomas cafés | Toasted grain flour, often served with cheese or honey. |
Go next
Tenerife
plannedFerry from Las Palmas ~2 h
Next major Canary island.
Lanzarote
plannedFerry from Agaete ~1 h 30 min
Planned connection.
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids1 partIn numbers
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Day trips
- 2, 45 min to 1 h 10
- Nights suggested
- 3–5 nights
- Ways in
- 2 listed
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
Ask about Gran Canaria
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