Enjoying Gran Canaria

Enjoying Gran Canaria this summer.

There are a lot of uncertainties about travelling this summer. Maybe Gran Canaria, one of the least affected areas in Europe by Covid 19 should be on your list. If you want to avoid the touristy south of the island with the big hotels, there is a whole other part of Gran Canaria for you to explore. Here is our itinerary for a week:

Day 1 Guayadeque and Barranco de las Vacas

Close to Villa Nestor is the beautiful revine of Guayadeque. The winding road through the canyon is spectacular and you will find two interesting museums along the way. At the end of the road there is a great restaurant Vega. Don’t be fooled by the name, they serve plenty of meat dishes. After this tour you should really visit the Barranco de las Vacas, the colours of the rocks will be amazing when the sun is high in the sky. When you still want to do more, you can plan a  visit to the observatory at Temisas. Stargazing is excellent on the Canary Islands.

Day 2 Hiking the caldera of Bandama and the botanical gardens

Today you can go hiking on the rim of a collapsed vulcano. You will have great views of the vulcano, the sea and the golf course next tot he vulcano. You can also hike down to the bottom of the crater.  Please take plenty of water as it gets pretty hot during this hike. You will see many interesting plants and will really get a feel of how big this vulcano was. Next is another gentle hike trough the botanical gardens near Tarifa Alta. There are about 500 endemic species of Canarian plants! Entrance is free and you can easily spend a few hours here.

Day 3 Let’s hit the beach

A stay on Gran Canaria will not be complete without a visit to one of the many beaches. We can inform you wich beach will be best suited for your taste. Near Villa Nestor there are some lovely beaches not wellknown by tourists where you can hang out with the locals, eating the best fresh fish you have ever tasted. Maybe you would like to try the  natural pools or try some snorkeling or kitesurfing. We will guide you there.

Day 4 Tejeda and Bentayga

Go see the iconic rocks of Nublo and Bentayga. You can hike up to Nublo or even better, around it and enjoy the fresh air up in the mountains. On a clear day you will be able to see other canary islands. The old town of Tejeda is incredible, and while you take in the views you can enjoy a beer from the local brewery. Don’t forget to buy some sweets at the dulceria before you start the descent back to Villa Nestor.

Day 5 Las Palmas

Las Palmas is a very stretched out city. It has 4 kilometers of beach, an old historic centre with great tapasbars and museums, an interesting port with a new aquarium and ofcourse you can shop ‘till you drop. A good way to get a feel of the city is taking a (green) tuktuktour with a guide (greentripcanarias).  You will get to know the city in a way most people never will.  If you really feel like spoiling yourself, reserve a table at Poemas by Padron brothers. The king and queen of Spain like to eat here aswell. You will feel like royalty!

Day 6 Puerto Las Nieves

In Puerto las Nieves the ferry to Tenerife departs. You can see the impressive mountain Teide on Tenerife from the port. It is a great place to walk around and have some fresh fish, but for the best you need to step away from the terraces with seaviews and go into the small streets just behind. After that you are ready to see a total different side of Gran Canaria. The costal road of Tamadaba Natural Park will let you to believe you are in Scotland. The cliffs are very steep and it is a lot greener than the rest of the island. You can drive up to Mirador del Balcon and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Day 7 The North Coast

Already the last day in our itinerary and still there is so much to see. Going North to see the towns of Firgas and Teror where the natural springs provide the islanders with mineral water. When heading for the caves of Valeron you should take the secundary road right next to the GC2 because it gives you the opportunity to stop  and take a look at the rugged coast and the surfers who flock there whatever the weather maybe like. The caves of Valeron or on a cliff so you will need to climb in order to get to see them. It is the largest pre-Hispanic collective granary built before Roman times and used by the island's inhabitants until the conquest of the island at the end of the 15th century. Pick up some of the famous Flor de Guía cheese before you head back.

Villa Nestor is ideally located, only 15 minutes from the airport so you can get there easily after a hearty breakfast.