Exploring the hidden gems of Gran Canaria is a must for those visitors who enjoy going off the beaten track to see amazing places that are left undiscovered by most people.
Gran Canaria is an island full of diverse landscapes and impressive nature. Sometimes the island is even referred to as “miniature continent”. Unfortunately, its reputation often portrays it as a crowded mass tourism destination for beach holiday tourists. While this is not completely wrong the island does have much more to offer than just beaches. Once you leave the main tourist hotspots you’ll discover the true beauty and the hidden gems of Gran Canaria.
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Table of Contents
Getting around in Gran Canaria
As you can already guess, the hidden gems of Gran Canaria are located away from the main tourist areas. With this remoteness comes also a difficulty to reach these places with public transport.
The best way to explore Gran Canaria and the hidden gems of the island is by renting a car. Check reantalcars.com to compare prices and to get the beat deal on your rental car.
Top 6 Hidden Gems of Gran Canaria
Barranco de las Vacas
Barranco de las Vacas on Gran Canaria or Antelope Canyon in the United States?
Photos from Barranco de las Vacas can look confusingly similar to the famous Antelope Canyon in the US. But no, Barranco de las Vacas is hidden in the rural area of Gran Canaria and was discovered just a few years ago. The best part about it is that there’s no entrance fee and also no visitor crowd – just nature.
Visit Barranco de las Vacas in the morning or in the evening to avoid sharing the spot with other visitors. I went there just before sunset and I had the whole canyon to myself.
Alternatively, you could book an experience with Get your Guide. A knowledgable local guide will pick you up from your accommodation and guide you through the canyon. This is followed by a local food tasting in a rural environment and the experience ends with a visit to a secluded black sand beach:
How to get to Barranco de las Vacas
Barranco de las Vacas is so remote that there’s not even a sign or a proper parking lot that would point out the exact location. If you want to find Barranco de las Vacas you have to follow directions from the internet. For me it was a hassle to find it because I entered “Barranco de las Vacas” in Google Maps and trusted it would show me the correct way. After having hiked for 20 minutes in the wrong place (there were also other people mistakenly looking for the canyon) I realized that this couldn’t be right. I did some more internet research and finally found directions that would lead me directly to Barranco de las Vacas.
These are the exact coordinates: 27°54’54.7″N 15°28’33.6″W
You can copy+paste them into Google Maps to get there.
Follow the directions to get near the coordinates. When you’re the closest you can get on the road you need to park your car and hike for a few minutes. Coming from Agüimes you find a small parking space on the left side of the road. From there you descend the canyon until you get to a grey brick bridge. You walk through it and keep hiking for 5 minutes to get to the spot of the photo above.
Sunset at Mirador Pico de las Nieves
Mirador Pico de las Nieves is the best spot to watch the sunset on Gran Canaria. The view from there is fantastic at all times, but when the sun starts to set, painting the sky orange and illuminating the clouds it is simply magical.
Pico de las Nieves is the highest reachable peak on the island. From there, you have an amazing view of Roque Nublo, which is Gran Canaria’s most famous landmark. Roque Nublo is a mountain with a weird looking rock on top of it, but for some reason, it’s considered as a must-see.
Further away in the distance, you can even see the peak of volcano Teide, which is Spain’s highest peak. It might appear closer, but Teide is not even on Gran Canaria but on the neighboring island of Tenerife.
If you head to the viewpoint for sunset, make sure to be there on time. There are only a few parking spots, and you’re probably not the only one who wants to watch the sunset. The viewpoint is located at an altitude of 1,949 m above sea level, so bring some warm clothes with you. Even during the day, it can be fresh and extremely windy, but after the sun has set, it gets really chilly.
If you would like to learn more about beautiful rural and mountainous places on Gran Canaria, read this guide to the rural area of Gran Canaria.
The best way to explore the hidden gems of Gran Canaria is by going with a local. They know the best spots off the tourist paths and they can share all the insider tips with you.
Check out these amazing experiences:
Playa Guigui
Playa Guigui is a beautiful virgin beach surrounded by mountains. Not many tourists visit this beach because getting there is a bit tricky: You need to cross a mountain and hike for 2-3 hours. And that’s only getting there, then you need to hike back as well.
If you think you’re not fit enough for the hike you can also take a boat to Playa Guigui but that would only be half of the experience. Especially the stunning views during the hike are what makes this hidden gem of Gran Canaria so amazing.
Here’s a full guide with everything you need to know about Playa Guigui:
Playa Guigui – Gran Canaria’s Hidden Beach
This hike is an absolute must if you enjoy off the beaten track travel!
Piscinas Naturales in Agaete
The piscinas naturales (natural pools) in Agaete is another one of the hidden gems of Gran Canaria that is definitely worth visiting.
Agaete is located in the north-west of Gran Canaria and it’s the furthest town you can get to on the highway. Past Agaete it’s just nature and mountain roads.
Agaete is home to the only port for passenger ferries in Gran Canaria. If you want to do a trip to one of the neighboring Canary Islands you can take a ferry there. Besides those who take a ferry or arrive from another island, not many tourists visit Agaete because it’s quite far away from everything else.
I recommend staying at the piscinas naturales until the evening and having dinner in one of the numerous fish restaurants in Puerto de las Nieves. Within only 5 minutes of walking along the coast you arrive to the tiny center of Puerto de las Nieves and its restaurants. All the restaurants have a great offer of fresh fish, seafood and local dishes. Make sure to watch the sunset from there, it looks beautiful and if it’s a clear day you can even see the peak of volcano Teide in the distance.
Playa de Tauro
Playa de Tauro is a small beach that not many people know about – not to be confused with the more touristy Playa Taurito. It’s located between Playa de los Amadores and Playa del Cura. Playa de Tauro is the perfect beach for those who seek tranquility and want to escape the crowds of the more touristy beaches.
Restaurante Vistamar is the only restaurant at Playa de Tauro, and I highly recommend eating here. The smell of grilled seafood and garlic that overcomes you when you enter is mouthwatering.
Their food is fantastic, and the prices are lower than at restaurants near other beaches. Try the grilled shrimps with garlic; they’re delicious! Also, the quiet terrace with sea views is perfect for enjoying the sunshine.
Piscinas Naturales el Agujero
The Piscinas Naturales el Agujero are natural pools in the north of Gran Canaria close to Galdar. During the day, you can relax here, enjoy the views and jump into the refreshing pools filled with ocean water.
In the evening, the clouds turn pink just before the sun disappears behind the horizon. Giant waves clash against the rocks, and if you’re lucky, you get to watch a few brave surfers in the water.
Not many tourists visit this place; it’s rather locals who come here to spend a day at the natural pools. Just make sure to check the weather forecast before your visit.
The north of Gran Canaria has a rough climate compared to the south. Even if there is sunshine and a clear sky in the south, it could be cloudy or even raining in the north.
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
I have an entire blog post dedicated to the different areas of Gran Canaria and the best places to stay in Gran Canaria.
Where to stay in Gran Canaria depends on your preferences and if you like to be on the beach, in the city or near the mountains.
Here are two great accommodations in Las Palmas:
Agüita House - €
If you’re on a budget check out Agüita House. It’s located near the beach in Las Palmas and is a great place for backpackers with a good social vibe.
Boutique Hotel Cordial La Niña de Vegueta - €€
The chic Boutique Hotel Cordial La Niña de Vegueta is located right in the old town of Las Palmas and has a nice rooftop pool with views of the Santa Ana Cathedral.
Coffee is the fuel that keeps me running. I put a lot of time and effort into creating blog posts to make travel planning easier for you. If you benefited from my blog, I would appreciate a cup of coffee! 🙂
The relatively small island has it all: beautiful beaches in the south, impressive mountain ranges in the center and wild coasts in the north.
Even the climate changes depending on which part of the island you are in. The sunny south is most popular among tourists because of the beaches and excellent weather. However, you also shouldn’t miss out on the rural and mountainous areas in the north and in the center of the island. If you don’t want to spend their whole stay on a touristy beach will enjoy exploring the following hidden gems of Gran Canaria.
These are my favorite 6 hidden gems of Gran Canaria. There are many more places to explore and leaving the touristy areas to go off the beaten track is definitely worth it.
Do you enjoy off the beaten track travel? If you’ve been to Gran Canaria, what were your favourite places? Let me know in the comments!
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May 28, 2019 at 10:51 pm
Thank you for the advice about Agaete, as I’m always on the lookout for places where the local go. Also, the hike to Playa Güigüi looks fantastic as well. I’ll bet anyone who goes is ready for a swim after the hike – and it’s probably quite refreshing!
May 29, 2019 at 12:06 am
I also always look for local places away from the tourist crowds, glad you like it! And the hike to Playa Güigüi truly was an amazing experience. Believe me that during the second half of the hike I was permanently thinking about finally jumping into the water haha
May 28, 2019 at 11:55 pm
wow, that looks amazing. Great post!
May 29, 2019 at 12:07 am
Thank you so much! Glad you like it!
May 29, 2019 at 8:55 am
This is one awesome list! When I travel, I always like to get off the beaten track or at least go to places where only a few tourists go to. This article sure gave me a few nice ideas. Thank you for sharing
May 29, 2019 at 8:59 am
Same here! I love discovering the hidden gems of a destination, it’s so much more exciting. Thanks for your kind comment.
May 29, 2019 at 6:05 pm
I am always in awe of tiny countries that are able to provide such diverse landscapes! You photos are breathtaking and have me convinced I need to make the trip to this beautiful island!
May 29, 2019 at 6:13 pm
Same here! It’s impressive how you get to a completely different scenery by driving for only 20 minutes. Thanks a lot, that’s great to hear!
May 30, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Las Salinas looks amazing! Those natural pools remind me of some of the ones in Australia. Is it pretty easy for solo tourists to get around there?
May 31, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Most of the well known beaches, cities and villages can be reached by public transport. However if you want to explore the hidden gems and go off the beaten path I recommend renting a car. It’s super cheap, you get it for 10€ per day and fuel is cheap too. So no problem for solo travelers as long as you have a driving licence 🙂
May 30, 2019 at 5:38 pm
Agaete sounds like a hidden gem. I love going to placed off the beaten path and where local like to frequent. I also will head over to your post about the beach hike in Guigui. It looks amazing
May 31, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Definitely, me too. Playa Güigüi was my highlight of Gran Canaria, if you ever travel to the island you should definitely check that place out!
May 30, 2019 at 9:01 pm
Wow Gran Canaria looks incredible! I have to admit I had to google where it was (facepalm) but my first thought was just like you mentioned, that it reminded my of Utah! There is so much diversity in the landscape in just that tiny place! I would love to visit.
May 31, 2019 at 12:55 pm
Haha no worries, we can’t know all the places in the world and Gran Canaria is such a small island. I really love the natural diversity there!
May 31, 2019 at 5:19 am
Not gonna lie, this looks pretty spectacular. I’ve recently been adding more islands to my travel wish list, I will be adding this as well.
May 31, 2019 at 12:50 pm
Especially the rather unknown places in rural areas of the island are the most spectacular ones!
May 31, 2019 at 5:40 pm
This place Gran Canadian is a gorgeous place that hAve everything. That beach looks romantic, and those natural sculptures of mountains are breathtaking.
June 1, 2019 at 11:34 pm
That’s true, Gran Canaria has such stunning and diverse landscapes
May 31, 2019 at 10:32 pm
Damn! That place looks absolutely stunning – where do I sign? Thanks for the tips, I’m definitely book marking this.
June 4, 2019 at 7:33 pm
You’re welcome Christopher! Hope you get to go there, you’ll love it.
June 2, 2019 at 9:23 am
I love Gran Canaria 😍 I can’t believe I didn’t go see any of these places – I didn’t even know they existed lol. Thanks for sharing!
June 4, 2019 at 7:35 pm
No worries, I was living on Gran Canaria for 6 months without knowing about those places haha. It’s crazy how Gran Canaria is mainly known for beach tourism while there’s so much natural diversity on the island.
June 2, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Wow! Grand Canaria looks amazing!!! I really hope to go soon. Your photos were amazing!
June 4, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Thank you so much Taylor! Also hope you get to go there, you’ll love it!
June 3, 2019 at 5:58 am
I’ve never heard of Gran Canaria as such a beautiful destination. Your pictures speak for itself how splendid it is! Barranco de las Vacas reminds me of Grand Canyons!
June 4, 2019 at 7:38 pm
The most beautiful spots on the island are hardly visited while the beaches are overcrowded and full of tourists. That’s what I love about off the beaten track travel – you have all the stunning places to yourself!
June 6, 2019 at 3:21 pm
I haven’t been to Gran Canaria yet but to Lanzarote and loved it! I should really travel to Gran Canaria as well, it looks amazing!
November 28, 2020 at 11:42 am
Awesome post! I have actually never been to any of the Canary islands which is a shame haha, but we plan to change this once the travelling is possible again. It´s wonderful to see one can find such spots on Gran Canaria, definitely inspired by your post x
November 28, 2020 at 11:48 am
I haven’t visited Gran Canaria yet and I am glad I have read your article before I can go there! Love all the places you shared, especially the natural pools in El Agujero! Really gorgeous!
November 28, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Gran Canaria looks so beautiful, especially the Barranco de las Vacas and Piscinas Naturales el Agujero! Thanks for sharing these hidden gems. I always love experiencing places without crowds.
November 28, 2020 at 3:17 pm
I have always wanted to visit Gran Canaria! The natural setting of this island are just so out of this world, and your pictures do a great job showcasing this.
November 29, 2020 at 5:38 am
I totally agree, the nature in Gran Canaria is a dream! Thank you so much!