1. Las Palmas 0:00 2. Puerto de Las Nieves 2:51 3. Playa Amadores 4:36 4. Fataga 5:37 5. Aqualand 7:10 6. Playa del Ingles 7:46 7. Maspalomas 8:26 Gran Canaria is the second most populous island of Canary Island. Located in the Atlantic Ocean about 150 kilometers off the northwestern coast of Africa. Gran Canaria is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. The island is of volcanic origin, mostly made of fissure vents. Gran Canaria is the perfect island on which to spend your holiday. A multi-faceted destination, you can enjoy many features you normally wouldn't find in such a small area. The capital city of Las Palmas, in the north, is the largest city in the Canary Islands and represents an interesting alternative for tourists who can sight-see, spend a day shopping or relax on its world famous beaches. The greatest natural attraction of Gran Canaria is the climate, which makes it an ideal all year round holiday destination. Gran Canaria is often referred to as a mini continent not only because of its being situated between 3 continents itself, Africa, Europe and the Americas, but also for its variations in weather, benefitting from the Gulf Stream and the nature of the landscapes around the island. The north is usually cooler than the sometimes fiery heat of the south. Inner regions, being mountainous, can be cloudier and colder with more rain. The Island of Gran Canaria is situated in the centre of the Canary Islands Archipelago between Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Year-round, spring-like conditions with average monthly temperatures ranging from 18°C in January to 25°C in August make Gran Canaria an ideal destination for both Winter Breaks and Summer Holidays. Gran Canaria is the third largest of the Canary Islands (after Tenerife and Fuerteventura), but despite it's small size, the island is often described as being like a Continent in Miniature. The Dry South contrasts with the Green Pine Forests of the Mountainous interior and it is not unusual for there to be snow on the peaks while Holidaymakers are sunbathing on the beaches below. The beaches at Maspalomas are amongst the best in the islands and resort of Playa de Ingles offers some very lively nightlife. If you don't want to spend your nights in a Disco Bar and your days on the Beach, Gran Canaria also offers excellent golfing with 6 Golf Courses and a long tradition of the sport on the island. The island's capital, Las Palmas, dates back to the 15th century and with a population of nearly 400,000 is by far the biggest city in the islands. The colonial architecture, shopping, bars and restaurants make this city well worth a visit. Gran Canaria is the best known Island, but it is only the 3rd biggest, after Tenerife and Fuerteventura. It was on Gran Canaria the big Tourist Adventure began, first in Las Palmas, but later on most of the Tourism moved South to places, where the Sun could be counted on. Tourism has taken over in the Neon lit Cities, bur frankly, The Island is pretty Beautiful, and when leaving Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico behind, you'll find, that Gran Canaria is much more than the Tourist Cities by the Coast. Take a trip in the Mountains to the Idyllic Villages, with Palm Trees, tall Mountains, gigantic Pine Trees, Volcano Craters and Whitewashed Houses in Villages between Almond Trees. Here Christmas Flowers and Bougainvilleas grow as big bushes, and Clematis climbs the Walls, and where Fig Cactus and Agaves stands side by side. Or you can take a Trip along the steep West Coast, or a Trip to the middle of the Island, 1949 m above Sea level. If you have a 2 Week Vacation -- or more, it could be an adventure to visit one of the other Canary Islands, and Ferries and Planes are leaving to the other Islands on a daily basis from Las Palmas and Agaete. When leaving in the morning, it is possible to be back the same Day -- but you can find opportunities to stay the Night, direct from the Street. The smaller Islands are not so stamped by Tourists, so the possibilities of a different Vacation than you will find on one of the bigger Islands are great. Tickets to the other Islands are not expensive, so this type of Vacation is cheap. Gran Canaria 2012

• published: 23 Feb 2012
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