Our summer trip to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria turned out to be one of our favorite family adventures in Spain! Here’s my ultimate 5-day itinerary, packed with some of the island’s best places to visit.

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Gran Canaria in 5 days from Las Palmas: Top Places to Visit on the Island

Where to stay in Gran Canaria

For this 5-day Las Palmas de Gran Canaria itinerary, we chose to explore the island using public transport while staying in the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, at Hotel Livvo Fataga. Since it was our first visit to the island and we only had limited time, I researched in advance and found that it’s actually possible to see most major sights without renting a car (you can read more about why we skipped the rental in this post).

Overall, I’m really happy with how the trip turned out. While Las Palmas de Gran Canaria may not be the most picturesque place to stay in Gran Canaria, it’s definitely the most practical base if you’re relying on buses – it’s well connected to the rest of the island with frequent and reliable public transport.

This 5-day itinerary was done entirely by bus, but it’s just as easy to follow if you choose to rent a car instead. In fact, with a car, you’ll have the flexibility to stay in more scenic areas – personally, I’d choose Puerto de Mogán next time for a more relaxed coastal vibe.

Scroll down to find the best hotel deals in Gran Canaria via the interactive map below, and don’t miss a behind-the-scenes look at the trip in my Instagram Stories here.

The Ultimate 5-Day Gran Canaria Itinerary from Las Palmas de Gran Canria

Day 1: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Airport transfer to Las Palmas

After landing in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, we had arranged a smooth airport transfer with WeTransfers to our accommodation in the city, Hotel Livvo Fataga. I always prefer booking an organized transfer over relying on regular taxis when traveling with kids. There’s no need to wait in line, and – most importantly – the car seats are already installed and ready to go. That’s one less bulky item to carry among the long list of family travel essentials.

Traveling with kids in Spain can be a bit tricky when it comes to car seats. While local taxis are not required to use them for short trips within city limits, once you’re heading outside the city, car seats are legally required – even in taxis. And as we all know, airports are almost never within city boundaries. So, having a pre-booked transfer with the right child safety gear gave us peace of mind right from the start (you can check out the video here).

The transfer experience was stress-free: our driver texted us exactly where to meet him, and after collecting our luggage, we were on our way. The drive into the city was quick and easy.

Landscapes Gran Canaria — *Gran Canaria in July was full of these trees in bloom, and on our way back, my father-in-law even bought one as a souvenir – right at the airport!*

Lunch and Check-in

Since our flight left early in the morning and the transfer was so efficient, we arrived at our hotel Hotel Livvo Fataga just in time for lunch.

One of our rooms wasn’t ready yet, so we headed to the hotel’s restaurant, Chef Deniz. And what a surprise – it turned out to be one of the best meals we had on the island! The menu wasn’t huge, but the burgers were absolutely delicious – some of the best I’ve had in years.

Elder Museum of Science and Technology

After lunch, we checked into our rooms and went out for a walk. Our plan for the afternoon included a stop at the large playground in Parque Santa Catalina, which is perfect for kids to run around and enjoy the open space.

Next up was a visit to the Elder Museum of Science and Technology – and what a fantastic experience it was! The museum is incredibly interactive, hands-on, and engaging for curious minds of all ages. It easily makes it onto my list of favorite places to visit in Spain with kids.

5 days Gran Canaria with kids — *Elder Museum of Science and Technology*

Elder Museum for kids Gran Canaria — *Elder Museum of Science and Technology*

Day 2: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas Cathedral

Our second day was all about discovering the cultural highlights of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. We started at the iconic Las Palmas Cathedral Basilica de Santa Ana, known for offering some of the best panoramic views of the city. Thankfully, there’s a convenient elevator (just €2 per person), so no need to climb endless stairs. From the elevator exit, there’s an optional short walk up to one of the towers for a slightly higher viewpoint – but honestly, the views from the elevator landing are already fantastic and more than enough for most.

Best views Gran Canaria — *Views from Basilica de Santa Ana*

Cathedral Gran Canaria itinerary — *Views from Basilica de Santa Ana*

After soaking in the views, we stopped for a coffee and pastry break at the popular Antico Caffè, just around the corner – a perfect little pause in a charming spot.

Casa de Colón

Next, we visited two of my favorite types of attractions in Spain: house museums. First up was Casa de Colón, a beautifully curated museum dedicated to Christopher Columbus and the Canary Islands’ role in New World exploration. Legend has it that Columbus himself stayed here during one of his voyages to the Americas. I really enjoyed this museum – it’s rich in history and beautifully presented.

We then made a quick stop at Casa Museo Pérez Galdós, the former home of one of Spain’s most renowned writers. While the museum itself is small and doesn’t have a lot on display, it was still a pleasant visit, especially since we were already in the area.

After visiting the museums, we made a quick stop at the hotel before heading out for lunch nearby at a restaurant I ended up really enjoying – Gusto Bistro. It didn’t have many reviews, so we weren’t sure what to expect, but both the food and service pleasantly surprised us.

Casa colon Las Palmas Gran Canaria — *Casa de Colón in Gran Canaria*

Columbus Museum Gran Canaria — *Casa de Colón in Gran Canaria*

Poema del Mar Aquarium

In the afternoon, we headed to Poema del Mar Aquarium, often considered one of the top aquariums in Spain. While I have to admit it felt a bit familiar after visiting so many aquariums with the kids, it’s still a fantastic experience – especially for families or anyone fascinated by marine life. If booking online via this link, you can use my code ATC5 and get 5% off the entrance.

aquarium Gran Canaria — *Poema del Mar Aquarium*

Las Canteras Beach

To wrap up the day, we took a relaxed evening stroll along Las Canteras Beach, the main beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The vibe here is laid-back and lovely, perfect for winding down, dining, or drinks. We ended the day with a treat from Helados Peña la Vieja, the island’s most popular artisanal ice cream shop. While I wouldn’t call it the best ice cream I’ve ever had, it was genuinely creamy, flavorful, and definitely worth the short wait in line – there’s usually a queue, but that’s always a good sign!

Las palmas beach Gran Canaria — *Las Canteras Beach*

Artisan ice cream Gran Canaria — *Helados Peña la Vieja, the island’s most popular artisanal ice cream shop in Gran Canaria*

Day 3: Puerto de Mogán and Maspalomas Dunes

On our third day in Gran Canaria, we set out to visit two of the island’s most popular destinations: Puerto de Mogán and Maspalomas. Both are incredibly easy to reach from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by public transport, as the bus routes between these spots are among the most frequent on the island.

I won’t list specific bus numbers (in case something changes over time), because in my experience, Google Maps made it very simple – just enter your hotel name as the starting point and your destination, and it will show the best route by bus. The schedule information was surprisingly accurate, too.

One tip: arrive at the bus station a bit early, especially if you’re traveling with kids or older family members, like we were. When we were waiting for the bus to Puerto de Mogán, a local woman mentioned that during holidays, the buses fill up quickly with local teenagers. She said it’s smart to arrive early to grab a seat near the front, as the back rows can get noisy. While our bus was full, we still managed to find seats – but I can see how it could get crowded in high season.

Buses to puerto de mogan — *Exploring Gran Canaria by bus*

Puerto de Mogán

Once on the road towards Puerto de Mogán, we passed a few well-known beach stops like Puerto Rico and Playa de Amadores, so expect quite a few people to hop off before Puerto de Mogán.

Puerto de Mogán was so postcard-perfect – filled with colorful buildings, canals, blooming bougainvillea, and marina views. I absolutely loved the vibe. If I return to Gran Canaria, this is definitely an area I’d consider staying in. We also hiked up to a local viewpoint that offered breathtaking panoramic views of the coast. Just a heads-up: the path includes a fair number of stairs, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

The village of Puerto de Mogán is lined with seafood restaurants, so we decided to stay for lunch and ordered the famous Canarian dish, papas arrugadas – you’ll find it on nearly every menu across the islands.

Puerto de mogan in Gran canaria Without a car — *Puerto de Mogán from the viewpoint*

Puerto de mogan Gran Canaria With kids — *Puerto de Mogán with kids*

Best food Gran Canaria — *The famous Canarian dish, papas arrugadas*

Maspalomas: A Taste of the Island’s Social Side

In the afternoon, we took a bus from Puerto de Mogán to Maspalomas, another iconic destination on the island. While it had a bit of a Benidorm vibe – busy and built-up – it’s ideal if you’re looking for nightlife or a livelier social scene.

Our main reason for visiting, however, was to see the famous Dunas de Maspalomas – a vast expanse of golden sand dunes that truly make you feel like you’ve stepped into a desert. The beach area here is also massive, and there’s a lighthouse nearby that adds a nice touch to the scenery.

Maspalomas is also known for activities like camel safaris and e-bikes, as well as Palmitos Park, but since we were short on time and mainly interested in the dunes, an afternoon visit was enough for us.

Gran Canaria Without a Car — *Dunas de Maspalomas*

Day 4: Agaete and Galdar

Lava rock pools in Agaete

On the fourth day of our Las Palmas de Gran Canaria itinerary, we headed in the opposite direction – toward the northwest coast of the island – starting with the scenic town of Agaete. If you’re traveling by bus, a quick heads-up: unlike Puerto de Mogán or Maspalomas, buses to Agaete are less frequent, so be sure to check the timetable in advance. When we visited, there was a bus roughly every 60–90 minutes, which is decent – but definitely not something you want to miss and wait around for.

The journey itself was stunning. The landscape in this part of the island was completely different from the southern regions of Gran Canaria we had explored earlier – lush, green, and dramatically steep. The cliffs were incredibly impressive, and it was here that Gran Canaria reminded me a lot of Tenerife. Both islands share a similar geography and microclimate – with drier, flatter terrain in the south and greener, more mountainous landscapes in the north.

The main reason most people visit Agaete is for the Piscinas Naturales de Agaete – a series of natural lava rock pools by the ocean. They reminded me of the pools in Garachico in Tenerife, but with far fewer crowds. It’s a unique and peaceful spot to swim, with basic facilities like toilets and changing areas, which made it easy to change into dry clothes after our dip. The kids especially loved it – they spent ages spotting crabs along the rocks and honestly didn’t want to leave!

Is it necessary to rent a car in Gran Canaria — *Agaete*

Black sand beach Gran Canaria — *Black-sand beach in Agaete*

Agaete pools Gran Canaria — *Lava rock pools in Agaete*

Parque Arqueologico Cueva Pintada

After our swim, we caught another bus to the nearby town of Gáldar, where we stopped for a casual lunch at a local bar before visiting the Museo & Parque Arqueologico Cueva Pintada – one of the island’s most impressive archaeological sites. I was genuinely surprised by the scale and quality of the museum. I expected something much smaller, but it turned out to be an incredibly well-preserved site. You can explore most of it at your own pace, though a guided visit is required for the main cave (where photos aren’t allowed).

Right across from the museum, I found some of the best local shops for souvenirs on the entire island. The selection included Canarian ceramics, olivina jewelry, local snacks, and even natural cosmetics made with aloe and volcanic minerals. Unlike the busy tourist spots or airport shops, this store was not crowded and had far more variety. I’d definitely recommend shopping here if you’re looking for authentic gifts.

Just a note: in my experience, the souvenir selection at Gran Canaria Airport was quite limited, and in some cases, even more expensive. So if you’re planning to shop for handmade souvenirs, do it while you’re out exploring – especially in places like Gáldar, where quality and variety are much better.

Ancient ruins gran canaria — *Museo & Parque Arqueologico Cueva Pintada*

Souvenirs gran canaria — *Souvenirs in Gran Canaria*

Day 5: Arucas

Arehucas Rum Distillery

On the final day of our Gran Canaria itinerary, we took a bus to Arucas – a charming town known for its lush landscapes, colonial architecture, and rich history. Our morning began with a visit to the famous Arehucas Rum Distillery, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at how rum is made in Gran Canaria – complete with a tasting session for the adults. While it wasn’t a groundbreaking experience, I found it quite educational. Despite visiting several wineries in Rioja, this was my first time at a rum distillery, and it was definitely worth the stop. You can book a tour in advance via Viator here.

5 days Gran Canaria Itinerary Rum factory — *Arehucas Rum Distillery*

Jardín de la Marquesa

After the tour, we headed to one of the town’s true hidden gems: the Jardín de la Marquesa – a peaceful botanical garden filled with exotic plants, shaded walkways, and even free-roaming peacocks. As a plant lover, I found this place absolutely magical – and it ended up being one of my favorite stops from the entire 5-day itinerary. While it’s located slightly outside the town center, it’s still walkable and definitely worth the detour.

Arucas is also home to the impressive Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, the most stunning neo-Gothic church on the island. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go inside since it was closed during lunchtime when we passed by – something to keep in mind if you’re planning a visit.

Jardin de la marquesa Gran Canaria — *Jardín de la Marquesa in Gran Canaria*

Jardin de la marquesa Garden Gran Canaria — *Jardín de la Marquesa*

Banana plantations

From Arucas, we took a short taxi ride to Mundo del Plátano, a local banana plantation turned visitor center. The Canary Islands are known throughout Spain for their flavorful bananas, but this experience went beyond just the basics. The tour (you can book it via GetYourGuide here) explored rare banana varieties from around the world, including some that aren’t even sold in Spain. The guide was enthusiastic and engaging, and even the kids had a great time. At the end, we got to sample a variety of banana-based local products, which gave us a new appreciation for how many things Canarians manage to create from this humble fruit!

To wrap up the day, we took a 15-minute taxi ride back to our hotel in Las Palmas, feeling relaxed, well-fed, and a little more connected to the island’s traditions.

Blue bananas Gran Canaria — *Blue bananas at Mundo del Plátano*

More things to see and do in Gran Canaria

On our sixth and final day in Gran Canaria, with an afternoon flight, we had the whole morning free and decided to visit one of Spain’s most popular gardens – the Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo. It’s located just outside the city but is easily accessible by bus. Unfortunately, when we arrived, it was closed due to strong winds, as a safety precaution against falling branches and trees. So, here’s a tip: if it’s windy, it’s best to skip the garden to avoid disappointment!

After that, we headed back toward Las Palmas de Gran Canaria but made two spontaneous stops that turned out to be highlights. First, we visited the Mercado de Vegueta, a lively local market where we sampled a variety of exotic fruits like blue bananas, apple bananas, and strawberry bananas. You can buy just one or two and they’re generous with tastings – I even captured some of the experience in this video.

Next, we explored the Museo Canario, home to some of the island’s most important archaeological treasures, including the Idol of Tara, an ancient fertility symbol. Although both of these spots could have easily been visited on the first or second day of our 5-day itinerary, I initially wasn’t particularly drawn to them and decided to skip them. On our final day, we were considering a visit to the botanical garden, though we weren’t fully committed – part of us just wanted to relax before the flight.

But that morning, we woke up early with a strong desire to soak in one last glimpse of Gran Canaria before heading home. And while the botanical garden visit didn’t work out, I was genuinely glad we still managed to squeeze in two unexpected stops. They turned out to be a pleasant surprise and a lovely way to end our trip.

Exotic Fruits Gran Canaria market — *Mercado de Vegueta, a lively local market where we sampled a variety of exotic fruits*

Museums Las Palmas de Gran Canaria itinerary — *Museo Canario in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria*

How many days to stay in Gran Canaria

I found that 5 to 7 days is an ideal amount of time to plan a well-rounded itinerary in Gran Canaria. That said, since we already live by the beach in Spain, we didn’t focus on beach time during this trip. For us, it’s something we already enjoy at home – and to be honest, while the beaches in Gran Canaria are lovely, the water is quite refreshing, so I wouldn’t consider it the top beach destination in Spain.

However, if your goal is to relax by the ocean, you could easily stretch your stay in Gran Canaria to 10 days or more, especially if you want to spend a few days soaking up the sun.

For me, the real draw of Gran Canaria was its exotic setting – geographically closer to Africa than mainland Europe – paired with a dramatic volcanic landscape and a rich cultural mix. It’s a fantastic island for travelers looking for a versatile vacation where you can enjoy a little bit of everything: nature, history, small towns, scenic drives, and yes, some beach time too.

Is Gran Canaria worth visiting?

Gran Canaria is absolutely worth visiting -it genuinely surprised me in the best way. Even though I had already visited Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, and thought I knew what to expect from the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria still managed to stand out with its unique charm and incredible variety. As I mentioned in this TikTok video, I initially imagined it, being the capital of the Canary Islands, as a large, industrial hub with not much to see or do. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

What stood out the most was the island’s incredible versatility – from historic architecture and interesting museums to colorful villages, volcanic lava pools, and even gorgeous beaches like Playa de Amadores (yes, much of the white sand is artificial, but it’s still stunning!). I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to explore the island by public bus, making car rental feel more optional than essential – something I highlighted in this post.

And the people? The locals in Gran Canaria were some of the friendliest I’ve met across the Canary Islands – warm, welcoming, and always ready to help.

This 5-day itinerary gave us a perfect taste of what Gran Canaria has to offer – a bit of culture, nature, relaxation, and adventure all rolled into one. Next time, I’d love to stay in a different part of the island and plan a proper road trip to discover the places we didn’t get to on this first visit.

5 Comments

Jolayne on August 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM

So much fun. We traveled a lot with our girls when they were younger. Travel is the best education!
Cosette on August 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM

Love the combination of museums, playgrounds and other attractions. We used to include playgrounds when our son was younger and he loved that.
Kailey on August 29, 2025 at 4:04 AM

Sounds like there was plenty to do! I’d love to check out the historic house museums, that’s something I do a lot here in the U.S.
Felicia on August 29, 2025 at 6:19 AM

This looks like a gorgeous trip. I didn’t know much about the Canary Islands before this post – I definitely didn’t expect them to be renowned for bananas! I’m interested in what regional dishes are being made with them.
Em on August 29, 2025 at 6:26 PM

Gran Canaria is definitely on my list and this is a great itinerary!

Ultimate 5-Day Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Itinerary: Top Places to Visit on the Island

Gran Canaria in 5 days from Las Palmas: Top Places to Visit on the Island

Where to stay in Gran Canaria