3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 day weather forecast in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria

Named after the Canarii or Guancho people who lived here originally, Gran Canaria has always been the focus of speculation. In one ancient legend, this was supposed to be the lost city of Atlantis while to others the Canaries were known as the “Fortunate Islands”, clinging to the edge of the world where people had no sorrows. The Guanchos arrived around 500 BC and other than a brief encounter with the Romans, lived unbothered by European adventurers until the 14th century, when the Italians, Portuguese and Catalans sent their ships to the islands to bring back slaves. Towards the end of the 15th century, the Spanish decided to colonise the island; although the Guanches resisted the invaders fiercely, in 1483, after five years of war, they surrendered to Pedro de Vera. Slavery and disease decimated the indigenous population. Las Palmas grew in importance until in the mid-nineteenth century it was declared as a free port. The sudden influx of shipping also brought tourists, who have continued to come ever since. Gran Canaria’s most important moment politically was in 1936, when General Franco used the island as a base from which to launch his coup.

Of volcanic origin, Gran Canaria has a warm climate: daytime highs average 15º in winter and 27º in summer, although they have been known to soar to 38º. It is by no means uniform: the diversity of landscapes and climates it is called a “Miniature Continent” and a third of it is a UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve. In the south, where most tourists like to stay, the Dunes of Maspalomas look as if they belong in Namibia; nearby Palmitos Park is a sub-tropical bird sanctuary. The most famous resident is Crazy Dolores, an insane parrot. Further inland, Roque Nublo is an 80m high monolith in the middle of a lava plain. On the northern slopes of the island, Cenobio de Valeron is an incredible cave system, hollowed out by the Guanches over the centuries as a grain store and living quarters.

The architectural jewel of the island is Las Palmas, which combines modernist and medieval streets to make a perfect place to wander before collapsing on any of the five perfect beaches. The enormous Catedral de Santa Ana broods over the city, with a spectacular view across the island from its tower. Castillo de Luz was built in the 16th century to ward off pirate attacks but now hosts art exhibitions. Sumptuous Gabinete Literario was the first theatre on Gran Canario; it’s now a private club but the façade is worth a visit. And for anthropology nuts, the Museo Canario boasts the world’s biggest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls.

The food here combines Spanish and North African recipes, using the seafood, tomatoes, game and almonds that grow in abundance. Papas Arrugadas – boiled potatoes left to go wrinkly – with green or red spicy mojo sauces are found everywhere, as are watercress soup and sancocho de pescado, saltfish and sweet potato stew. A wide array of tropical fruits, fried bananas or marzipan pralines are the favoured desserts.