Gran Canaria: the unknown treasures of the island hidden from tourists.

According to The Sun: Life on Gran Canaria is a true paradise, especially if you want to escape the crowds and enjoy the tranquility of an island known for its wonderful resorts.

The southern part of this volcanic island is spread out over endless beaches, where hotels and vacation apartments are located.

However, we decided to go beyond the usual routes to explore the hidden treasures of this beautiful place.

There are more than 300 sunny days a year here, and you can engage in something new from morning till night.

Diversity of Landscapes

The island's microclimate creates an impressive diversity of landscapes, where volcanoes, gorges, and valleys intertwine, illuminated by the winds.

While ascending from the coast, magnificent panoramas of the second-largest island of the Canary archipelago open up.

Moon-like landscapes give way to desert expanses, and just a few steps away you can come across lush green forests.

It seems as if we have stepped into the Grand Canyon when light disappears over the horizons of deep gorges.

Turning the next corner, we find ourselves in a desert landscape reminiscent of the film “Broken Bad,” with cacti growing amid the sand.

In the next valley, we are greeted by palm trees that guard lush vegetation, creating a feeling as if we are in the Caribbean.

Traditional Retreat

We spent the night in a traditional Canarian house, Casa Rural La Longuera de Tirajana, built in 1865. Its white walls, framed with narrow details, remind of ancient times.

This house, located on steep slopes of the Tirajana valley, has thick walls that keep cool and a wonderful pool with a barbecue area.

The owner, Teodoro, lovingly restored this old house, preserving antique furniture, which adds comfort and authenticity.

After a rare rain, we immersed ourselves in the crystal-clear pool.

In the interior of the island, numerous activities await: hiking trails, market squares with local crafts, UNESCO heritage sites, and even hikes through the national park.

Adventures and Entertainment

Among the popular activities is rock climbing at the peak of Los Ppos de la Nieva, the highest point of the island, rising nearly to 2000 m.

Biking is also great—both on-road and off-road—or visiting botanical gardens, ancient cobbled villages, vineyards, or the old districts of the vibrant capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

We rented a car, but due to small distances, it is easy to move around by taxi or bus—the island occupies only 580 square miles, and you can travel from one end to the other in an hour.

Additionally, we learned how the indigenous inhabitants lived during a tour at Museo de la Fortaleza.

The museum tells about the Indian communities of Gran Canaria, which originated from North Africa and were conquered by the Spanish in 1496.

There is also a small museum with skeletons, original pottery, and reconstructions, as well as visits to caves where they ate, slept, and died.

We also visited the Finca Canarias Aloe Vera Fataga farm, where we learned about the process of turning the plant’s pulp into cosmetics.

Coastal Entertainment

Of course, you can't miss the opportunity to visit the coastline, as it is there that Gran Canaria gained its fame.

We stayed at Gloria Palace Royal Hotel & Spa in Amadores on the southern coast.

The hotel has two pools—one infinite with stunning ocean views— and access to the sandy beach.

The hotel features a spa, indoor and outdoor gyms, four bars, a luxurious buffet, an a la carte restaurant, a kids' club, and daily entertainment by the pool.

The hotel is built into the rock with an elevator leading from the sixth floor down to the beach—a convenience to be appreciated.

Each room has a wonderful sea view, most of them with balconies.

We could have spent the entire vacation here, but as true travelers, we headed to another Gloria hotel just 30 minutes away.

Gloria Palace San Agustin Thalasso & Hotel is even larger, with a wide range of services and great spa treatments.

We spent a relaxing day at their Thalassotherapy Centre, enjoying a sea water massage, indulging in hot and cold pools, a sauna, and steam room, and finishing with a series of hot and cold showers.

We dined on the rooftop, overlooking the hotel pools, the city, and the ocean.

We also visited Perchel Beach Club in nearby El Pajar to relax, paying only 30 euros for the day.

There were double sun loungers with service, an endless heated pool, a sushi bar, a high-end restaurant, clean changing rooms, music, and friendly staff.

This was another pleasant moment of relaxation.

Gran Canaria has it all: sunshine year-round and a stunning coastline. And if you step away from the beaches, deserted nooks await you with hidden treasures, wonderful activities, friendly people, and an atmosphere of peace.

My new friend from the bar at Gloria Royal asked in amazement: “Why do you want that place?...

“Sh-sh-sh. …don't even sing, let’s keep those hidden gems for a while.”