Gran Canaria Holidays

Rediscover the fun of driving on a unique adventure that takes you into some of Gran Canaria’s most remote places. You’ll be at the wheel of your own VW Beetle convertible as part of a small guided convoy into the interior, passing remote mountain villages, shimmering reservoirs, lush aloe vera plantations and steep-sided valleys studded with a thousand palm trees. It’s not just about the stunning scenery, though: it’s about zipping along with the warm breeze in your hair, music playing, and the feeling of freedom that comes from knowing that an expert is in charge of navigation. We guarantee that you won’t want to hand the keys back at the end of the five-hour road trip.

• Duration: full day
• Departs Monday to Saturday
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
Drivers should hold a full driving licence, be aged over 18 and wear closed-toe shoes. Children over 4 are allowed as passengers.

Roque Nublo, ‘the rock in the clouds’, was a sacred place in ancient times and remains a symbol of Gran Canaria and a popular goal for walkers. Your hike begins to the west of this 80m-high volcanic outcrop, where you’ll pick up an ancient trail that meanders upward through pine forests, past long-solidified lava flows and strange stone columns. Along the way, you’ll learn about the herbs and medicinal plants that grow beside the path while enjoying the fresh clear air and the rugged mountain scenery. Arriving at the 1750m-high plateau on which Roque Nublo seems to sit, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Teide on the neighbouring island of Tenerife, before pausing for a well-earned rest and a relaxed picnic, giving you time to soak up the unique atmosphere of this pre-colonial religious site. From here, you’ll descend to the village of Ayacata, set in an ancient crater, where the hike ends.

• Duration: full day
• Departs Thursday
• Operates year round
• Group departures

Good to know
The walk covers 7km and is rated difficulty level 2. Suitable hiking boots are essential; hiking poles, water and a sandwich are provided.

Spend a fascinating day exploring the lush landscapes of Gran Canaria’s remote north-east. Thanks to a quirk of geology – the particular minerals in the lava of long-ago eruptions – rare plants thrive here, creating a unique ecosystem. As you hike through the ravine, you’ll follow a stream that flows all year round, keeping the humidity high and helping to sustain the jungle-like vegetation. Small animals such as rabbits and lizards abound here, which naturally attracts birds of prey, including hawks and buzzards as well as kestrels. After a picnic where you’ll find the lizards will happily eat bits of your sandwich from your fingers, you’ll continue to the village of Guayadeque, where you’ll be able to explore some old cave houses and taste a variety of the typical products of the area, such as the local sweet wine.

• Duration: full day
• November to April: departs Wednesday and Saturday; May to October: departs Wednesday
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Good to know
The walk covers 7km and is rated difficulty level 1.5. Suitable hiking boots are essential; hiking poles, water and a sandwich are provided.

Take a trip on a modern catamaran that’s been purpose-built for dolphin-watching, with two viewing decks, a glass bottom and specialised sound equipment for listening underwater. Aboard the wonderfully spacious and stable Multiacuatic, you’ll head out to sea to spend a couple of hours looking out for some of the 27 species of cetaceans that have been spotted around the Canary Islands, from resident bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales to visiting Risso’s dolphins. As you search, the crew of this Blue Badge-holding vessel – awarded to those who have a clear focus on conservation and the safety of marine life – will share their knowledge of these enchanting creatures with you, adding to the experience. Afterwards, you’ll head closer to the shore for a refreshing swim, the perfect way to round your marine adventure.

• Duration: half day
• Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm
• Departs Tuesday and Thursday
• Operates year round
• Group experience

Enjoy a fun-filled adventure on a 4x4 safari through the island’s varied landscapes, from lush valleys to dramatic rocky plains. The action-packed itinerary includes the hamlet of Fataga, with its narrow cobbled streets lined by small whitewashed houses, set in a palm-forested ravine. From here, you’ll venture on to dirt tracks to explore this dramatic setting further, and visit other wild gorges nearby that normal vehicles can’t reach, giving you a unique perspective on Gran Canaria’s geography. You’ll pause for lunch at a typical Canarian restaurant and stop at an aloe vera plantation where you’ll tour the fields of spiky plants and learn how they’re processed to create a host of different products.

• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Group experience