Often called a 'Continent in Miniature,' Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the Canaries' archipelago and home to nearly half of its population. The landscape transitions from leafy forests to dramatic peaks and valleys, dipping to meet the Atlantic Ocean where the rugged coast is silvered by scenic stretches of sand. Gran Canaria is a myriad of experiences in one, from scaling mountainous trails and diving into pine forests to relaxing at the beach and exploring the cosmopolitan capital of Las Palmas. Gran Canaria may be best known for its stellar beach resorts, but the sheer vibrancy of this locality and its spectacular natural surrounds make the island a truly unique getaway. Museums like the Cueva Pintada and the Casa-Museo de Colón, religious sites like the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista and Catedral de Santa Ana, and the quaint villages of Tejeda and Agaete are just a few of the many discoveries that await explorers of every stripe in Gran Canaria.
