Gran Canaria has one of the most pleasant climates in Europe, with over 300 days of sunshine every year. No matter the month you go – be it the “coldest” period in January or the hottest in August – you can expect mild to warm weather. Microclimates are a feature of the island’s diverse terrain – meaning you can go from the foggy hills to the sunny coast in a matter of minutes. There is never a bad time to visit Gran Canaria and we suggest at least a 7 day itinerary to experience it all.

A week gives you just enough time to go from Las Palmas in the north to Maspalomas in the south – stopping by picturesque Gran Canaria villages, venturing on a hike or two, and relaxing at the beach along the way. The great thing about this island is that it boasts a wide variety of landscapes that will fascinate every type of traveler. The northern regions are home to evergreen laurel forests, the interior is rocky and rugged, and the southern areas are dotted with gorgeous beaches and sand dunes.

Although Gran Canaria is the third largest Canary Island by size, the distances between each destination are small – so you won’t be wasting half your trip on long journeys. Renting a car is easily organized upon arrival at the airport. You will be able to cover a lot of ground by having your own vehicle, plus road trippin’ is a highlight in itself. Utilize this guide as a rough itinerary for your vacation and add on unique activities as you go, like awesome Gran Canaria photography tours with us at Epic Tours.

Gran Canaria 7 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Las Palmas & Arucas

Ideally, you want to fly into the island at night so your 7 day Gran Canaria holiday starts the following day with a full 24 hours at your disposal. Flights from Barcelona or Madrid take around three hours and all land in Las Palmas. On the morning of Day 1 we recommend exploring the streets of the capital city – marveling at the architecture and getting yourself acquainted with Canarian cuisine. Sights like Castillo de la Luz, Casa de Colon and the Vegueta Old Town are top spots in this regard.

After enjoying lunch and checking-out of your hotel, place your belongings in the car and drive about 20 minutes west to Arucas. The Church of San Juan Bautista, otherwise known as Arucas Church, is a neo-Gothic style building that is the main attraction. Take photos of this hauntingly beautiful piece of architecture and stroll around the pedestrian-only streets surrounding the church. Two or three hours is sufficient. From Arucas, travel for 25 minutes to Moya for your overnight stay.

Day 2: Firgas & Los Tilos de Moya Nature Reserve

Enroute to Moya you have the opportunity to take a little detour to Firgas. This charming town is a secret jewel of the island and is a stop-off option as part of our Hidden Gems Private Photography Tour. The Paseo de Canarias in Firgas, with its 30 meter-long stone waterfall, represents the 21 municipalities of Gran Canaria as well as all 7 of the Canary Islands. It’s a masterpiece of art. Once you have walked up and down the Paseo and captured plenty of photos, it’s time to head to Moya before the sun sets.

Check-in to your accommodation and then the night is yours to spend in Moya however you please. Grab a bite to eat at one of the fantastic local restaurants and make your way to Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria Church. Ensure you get a good night’s sleep because the next day is full of adventure at Los Tilos de Moya Nature Reserve. Allocate the majority of your morning and afternoon for a brisk walk in this lush laurel forest, and thereafter cruise westward to your hotel in Agaete for Day 3.

Day 3: Agaete & Artenara

Day 3 on this 7 day Gran Canaria travel itinerary sees you in the municipality of Agaete which offers up a couple of extraordinary experiences. The first is Las Salinas de Agaete – natural rock pools with volcanic tunnels that you can bathe in and explore for hours – and coffee plantations in the Valley of Agaete. These excursions will likely take up most of the morning and early afternoon, but there will still be some time later in the day to drive an hour south to Artenara for golden hour.

Artenara sits at 1,270 meters above sea level and as Lonely Planet puts it: “the sheer drama of the mountains reaches a crescendo” here. The views at this natural balcony stretch out as far as the eye can see toward the Biosphere Reserve, and to Roque Bentayga and Roque Nublo in the distance. Being in Artenara during sunset is a moment you will never forget. Your options are to stay the night and visit Teror on Day 4, or continue traveling to Teror on the same night after witnessing a stunning sundowner.

Day 4: Teror & Tejeda

Driving from Artenara to Teror takes no more than 45 minutes. In Teror you can spend half a day wandering the village with its religiously significant church Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pino, and cute 15th century wooden houses and balconies. Teror is a nice place to stay for lunch, as the restaurants are superb, and to go shopping for local delicacies such as spicy chorizo spreads. Depending on your interests, you might then be eager to get to Tejeda where incredible hiking awaits.

Teror to Tejeda is another 45 minute drive (approximately). You should set aside the afternoon/evening for relaxation, and exploring the charming village of Tejeda, because the following day will require some serious leg work in the form of the Roque Nublo Hike and/or the Cruz Grande – Pico de las Nieves Trail. Roque Nublo is a wonderful warm-up (3-4 hours) before taking on the second tallest mountain of the island called Pico de las Nieves. Tejeda is the ideal base for these treks.

Day 5: Roque Nublo &/Or Pico de las Nieves

Most travelers will just be comfortable with completing the Roque Nublo Hike on Day 5, while others with an adventurous spirit will want to do both Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves on the same day. The former only takes about 3 or 4 hours along a 3.1 kilometer out-and-back trail. Spectacular views over the mountains and valleys of central Gran Canaria are waiting for you at the top of this short but sweet hike. It’s not too difficult because there is only 155 meters of elevation gain in total.

You could finish it in the morning, have lunch and then start on the six hour journey (there and back) to the south-facing viewpoint atop Pico de las Nieves in the afternoon. Beginning at Degollada de la Cruz Grande, this one is 15 kilometers long with 950 meters of elevation gain. For those who wish to do both but are struggling with fatigue after Roque Nublo, you can always drive up Pico de las Nieves to get the rewards without the additional six hour effort. It’s entirely up to you.

Day 6: Aguimes & Fataga

The sixth day involves a bit more driving than previous days as you head to Fataga (50 minute drive) and Aguimes (another 50 minute trip), before cruising down the southeastern coast to Maspalomas for the night. The Historic Quarter of Aguimes is a seductive place to walk around for an hour or two, and so too is Fataga with its white-colored houses and red-tiled roofs. In all likelihood, you will arrive in Maspalomas in the late evening and can look forward to an early night’s sleep.

When planning your final two days, make sure you get in touch with us at Epic Tours to arrange a fun photoshoot experience at Dunas de Maspalomas. Sunrise in particular is a breathtaking time to immerse yourself in this 400 hectare area. Glorious colors and shapes are formed in the sand at dawn and the photo-ops are outstanding. Arriving at the sand dunes anytime prior to 10am is a good idea, especially if you want to avoid the usual crowds and snap up the most creative pictures.

Day 7: Maspalomas & Puerto de Mogan

A photoshoot at the dunes won’t take up too many hours of your seventh day (up to one hour). For this reason, you will have time to visit Puerto de Mogan for the grand finale of your 7 day Gran Canaria trip. Less than 30 minutes is all it takes to reach this port destination. Recently, holidaymakers have flocked to Puerto de Mogan due to its colorful architecture, bridged waterways and secluded beach. Be sure to book your flight out of Las Palmas for late at night so you can enjoy several hours here.

This will give you the chance to have lunch, go shopping and take some great photos. You might even be tempted to book a quick fishing charter to cap off your 7 day Gran Canaria adventure. The drive back to Las Palmas takes just over an hour. Then you can drop off your car rental at the airport and say “Hasta Luego”. Our action-packed itinerary is perfect for first time visitors who would like to enjoy a mix of the main highlights with hidden gems that not many tourists know about. You will love it!