Gran Canaria is recognized in the world for being a paradise in the Atlantic Ocean, offering some of the best weathers available with temperatures that never reach extremes, a coastal region like no other and landscapes where modern and traditional architecture is combined with incredible mountains and dunes. Gran Canaria is definitely a destination to take into account for sure. 

Now, as a tourist destination, Gran Canaria involves many places to visit and different locations in the island, there are other interesting things to know about it in terms of culture, social behavior, history and more. Here are a few curiosities about the island of Gran Canaria that are worth knowing and might actually be useful at the time of visiting it.

Some of the best weather in the world 

Probably something that is repeated quite a lot regarding Gran Canaria as a cliché is that the island has some of the best weather in the world. Actually, this statement is truly valid and not only a marketing tactic. 

You see, according to studies the climate conditions in the island are ideal due to several reasons: the archipelago and specifically Gran Canaria is nearby the Tropic of Cancer in Atlantic waters, which along with the eternal draft of trade winds decrease temperature and more importantly, keep Sahara´s temperature away. It should not be forgotten that Gran Canaria is actually in African “soil” or “water” if you will. Temperatures don’t reach over 22 degrees Celsius on average.

The perfect island for pirates, apparently

Due to its strategic location, also because of the weather and for other reasons, Gran Canaria is an island that has been attacked by pirates in the past, not only once or twice, but on several occasions. This has had a bigger impact than it seems at first glance. 

For example, on Gran Canaria there are plenty of fortresses, castles and walls designed to stop pirates and intruders that tried to invade the island in previous centuries. In 1585, Sir Francis Drake tried to enter and conquer Gran Canaria, but he failed his attempt. Van der Does, a Dutch pirate tried again in 1599 but he failed as well. Canarians are proud people who you do not want to mess with. 

Gran Canaria as a historic golf island 

For golf fans, Gran Canaria is one of the most emblematic places in the world, not only because it has plenty of golf courses and a large culture around this sport, but also due to the history behind this feature of the region. 

For instance, Gran Canaria was the first place in which an open golf course was built in Spain, inaugurated for the first time in 1891 by English visitors and residents that lived in the island at that time. 

More than 60 years later, in 1951, the golf course was expanded and moved to the bottom of the volcanic mountain called Caldera de Bandama. This volcanic elevation reaches up to 700 meters on its highest point, providing an amazing view from the golf course while players try to complete the eighteen holes. 

The largest botanical garden of Spain 

The island of Gran Canaria is home to the largest botanic garden in Spain, so for people interested in this matter there is no better place to go in Europe. Jardín Botánico El Viera y Clavijo is the home of different sorts of exotic plants that can be studied and seen by the audience. 

Since the garden is also a scientific and study center of plants and distinctive types of species, nowadays this place has the biggest collection of endemic and naturally originated plants of the island and other regions of the Canary Islands and Macaronesia as a whole. 

Nonetheless, while the nature of the Viera y Clavijo Botanic Garden has a scientific and study approach, it is also a tourist location that is ideal for bringing kids over. For example, it is surrounded by protected natural spaces like La Isleta or Jinamar, which are very interesting since at these places there are endemic sorts of vegetation that grow only there, like the Lotus Kunkelii. 

The Canary Islands is a region that stands out in the world respecting landscapes and views, with almost unbeatable scenery that really is something else. Of course, Gran Canaria is an island that has all of these characteristics and more, in fact having relevance in destination options of natural and wild approach that are perfect and unique for travelers, adventurers and anyone else looking for an unforgettable experience. 

The thing is, while there are well known destinations in Gran Canary for having natural and wild features that are perfect to carry out activities outdoors; Maspalomas Dunes, Playa Las Canteras, Roque Nublo and Bandama as clear examples, there are others that are even more interesting from this point of view in the island. Here are a few of these wild and natural destinations in Gran Canaria: 

Pico de las Nieves

Looking at wonderful landscapes from above is definitely an experience and that is exactly what can be done at Pico de las Nieves; the highest peak in Gran Canaria with almost 2.000 meters above sea level that allows you to see everything. It’s the best landscape viewing of the whole region and peeking out to the other islands like Tenerife, Fuerteventura and La Gomera. 

Getting to Pico de las Nieves is an experience from every angle, surrounded by rocks and deep valleys that are ideal for hiking. 

The peak is considered a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and recommended in the island for those that have a weakness for sunsets, since one of the most beautiful twilights in the world can be seen here, with the island on the bottom and the sun falling over a sea of clouds. Pico de las Nieves is a rural park with ideal spaces for picnics and other activities. 

La Cilla Restaurant and Lookout

La Cilla is a destination that combines visiting an amazing natural landscape, enjoying tasty food and being surrounded by a region that is considered Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. More precisely, La Cilla is a viewpoint and restaurant located in a cave with a terrace, from which places like the Roque Nublo can easily be seen. 

To get inside the restaurant visitors must pass through a 50 meter long tunnel. When they get to the restaurant, guests have the possibility to enjoy tasty and typical food of the island in an amazing wooden dining area, with simply incredible landscapes and within the cave terrace. This is a location that combines gastronomy, views and culture in one place. 

Mirador del Balcón 

Located to the very west of the island, Mirador del Balcón is an amazing viewpoint that is built on a cliff, surrounded by rocks and providing great views of the Atlantic waters and sunsets. This region in the island is known as “Dragon's Tail” and refers to the great amount of cliffs and geography in that peculiar shape.
 

The interesting thing is that travelers and visitors can get to this location easily by renting a car and reaching the GC200 road, and from that point on signposts and informative panels can be found in every section of the road to get to Mirador del Balcón. Then, the tour of this destination must be done by foot in order to enjoy the landscapes and cliffs located in western Gran Canaria. 

Guayadeque 

Guayadeque is the most impressive valley in Gran Canaria, perfect to enjoy the wild and natural life of the island at its best. This destination is a 15 kilometer long valley that is located to the southeast of the island, amazing views with steep slopes and unique species of plants and animals. 

The valley gives that feel of paradisiac land thanks to the outstanding flora, surrounded by lava rock and plenty of caverns and caves that are inside and that actually function many of them as restaurants and venues to eat. In the same way, Guayadeque has archeological and cultural value since remaining elements of Canarian aboriginal that lived in the past in the region are still there. 

Guayadeque is 30 minutes away from Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, so getting to the location is quite easy and there is the possibility of taking a tour to know all of its characteristics and landscapes better, with plenty of options in restaurants and other surrounding places.