Gran Canaria

Incredibly, over 40% of Gran Canaria is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which should give you some clue as to the natural beauty of this superbly scenic island, the third largest in the Canaries.

Ranking high among Gran Canaria’s natural marvels are the incredible sand dunes of Maspalomas, which occupy an area of around 1,000 acres on the island’s south coast. The rolling dunes finally give way to one of the island’s best beaches, which can easily be walked to from the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia.

In the centre of the island, the distinctive outline of Roque Nublo stands stark at a height of 80 metres tall, making it one of the world’s largest freestanding crags. It offers fine views of Pico de las Nieves, Gran Canaria’s highest peak, and the island’s other sacred rock, Roque Bentayga. Both rocks were once worshipped by the island’s indigenous population, the Guanches. At the solstice, at one ancient site, a single solar ray strikes a circle engraved on a rock centuries ago by Guanche astronomers.

You’ll also find some of the Canaries’ most beautiful villages on Gran Canaria, including Teror, known for its 18th-century church, colourful houses and Sunday market; and Arucas, renowned for its rum distillery.