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Gran Canaria Excursions

Free Things to Do in Gran Canaria

Beaches, dune walks, old towns, markets and mountain viewpoints in Gran Canaria that cost nothing, or no more than a bus ticket or a parking space.

Activities

1 activity

  • Free

    Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

    Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, Tafira

    Spain's largest botanic garden sits above the Guiniguada ravine in Tafira, a short drive from Las Palmas, with Canarian and Macaronesian plants laid out by habitat along shaded paths.

    Free

Where you can do this

Good to know

Along the coast

  • You can walk through the Maspalomas Dunes for free on about 8 km of marked paths. The reserve's rules are strict: stay on the marked paths, because walking across the open dunes can get you fined. The long walk along the beach from Playa del Inglés to the Maspalomas lighthouse is the easiest way to see them.
  • Las Canteras, the city beach of Las Palmas, has a promenade that runs its whole length and is good for a walk at any time of day.
  • Puerto de Mogán harbour and its streets of low white houses cost nothing to walk around. On Fridays there's a big street market.

Old towns and markets

  • Vegueta, the old quarter of Las Palmas founded in 1478, is worth a morning on foot: the cathedral square, the narrow streets and the old houses with wooden balconies. Some museums here are free on certain days, often Sundays, so check their websites.
  • Teror, inland from Las Palmas, has the Basílica del Pino and a Sunday market on the square that's been going since the 19th century.

In the mountains

  • Roque Nublo is free, but you need to book a free slot online at grancanariasenderos.com for visits between 9:00 and 17:00. The old car park has closed. You park in Tejeda or at Cruz de los Llanos and take the shuttle bus.
  • Cruz de Tejeda and the viewpoints around the summit look over the old volcanic crater, with Tenerife's Mount Teide on the horizon on clear days.
  • Barranco de Guayadeque, a green ravine near Agüimes and Ingenio, has cave houses and a cave chapel, and the drive up it costs nothing.