GRAN CANARIA
ABOUT
Known fondly as a “miniature continent” due to its diverse climates and landscapes, Gran Canaria is a bustling, beautiful, circle-shaped island in the Las Palmas province of Canarias. It is home to ~851,231 that makes up about 40% of the population of the archipelago. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is, jointly with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands. Gran Canaria Island itself is divided into 21 municipalities. There is so much to do and see on this island, you will never find yourself bored!
Gran Canaria is of volcanic origin, and has 32 Natural Protected Spaces. Each year, more than 3.6 million tourists flock to Gran Canaria to experience the beaches, nature, and outdoor adventure opportunities.
One astonishing fact about Gran Canaria is its role it has played in space exploration. The island is home to Maspalomas Station, a ground station that supported NASA and took part in a number of space missions including the Apollo 11 Moon landings. For more information on what this island has to offer, visit the Canarias Ocio Guide.
Check out Arden's experience as a 2020-2021 TA on Gran Canaria:
TRANSPORTATION
Gran Canaria has a robust bus system that runs regularly throughout the week, known as the guaguas. Bus schedules change on holidays and buses can be limited on weekends and in the evenings, especially in the center of the island away from Las Palmas or the South of the island. Past grantees recommend downloading the guagua application for your phone, as it is very useful. They also recommend downloading the global app as it lets you check sueldo, schedules, and more. You can save your favorite bus stops to it and it will tell you when busses are coming and going. Google Maps is fairly accurate regarding time, but the guagua application is more reliable. Taxis are also available and relatively cheap within the city limits, but very expensive to and from the airport. In order to save money, past grantees recommend purchasing a 22 Euro “guagua joven” card early on in your grant period as it comes with unlimited rides.
While public transportation on Gran Canaria is good, past grantees note it is advantageous to make friends with cars or even to rent a car occasionally to be able to explore the island. There are many options for car rental agencies in any major city.
For more information on arriving to Gran Canaria, remember to check out the Canarias Travel Guide.
DAILY LIFE
Supermarkets/food shopping info
Mercadona, a popular Spanish supermarket, is everywhere in Gran Canaria. Past grantees recommend this chain for easy access to your basic grocery needs. HiperDino is another well-stocked supermarket, although it does tend to be a bit more expensive than Mercadona.
There are also many smaller mercados to explore in Gran Canaria. Sometimes, you may be able to get produce that is fresher and higher in quality from your local fruterías – don’t be afraid to shop around and try out some new places! One well known mercado is the Mercado del Puerto, a great open-air market with produce, tapas, and drinks.
Gyms/Exercise
Gran Canaria offers a wide variety of gym options – some of which include GO fit Las Palmas, MacroFit Las Palmas, and Altafit. However, if going to the gym isn’t your preferred method of staying active, there are also many wonderful hikes and outdoor activities. For information and recommendations for hiking, beaches, and more, visit the Outdoor Activities section of the Ocio guide.
Language classes
Three of the most popular language schools on Gran Canaria are Academia El Capitán, Gran Canaria School of Languages, and Close Teachers. However, also consider asking one of your co-teachers to set up a weekly language exchange! Past grantees have found this extremely helpful, if not more helpful, in learning and retaining Spanish.
Clothes shopping
Gran Canaria has many options for shopping. Some of the most popular and grantee-recommended are Calle Triana, Centro Comercial Las Arenas, Centro Comercial El Mirador, and Centro Comercial El Muelle. The Teror Market, which is open on Sundays from 10am-3pm, is another popular spot worth checking out.
Nightlife
As one of the largest islands, Gran Canaria has a variety of different options for nightlife. Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés are two great areas to check out for a night on the town. Also consider heading to El Altar Bar, La Azotea de Benito, and Fortuni Las Palmas.