Los Charcones Natural Pools
3,9 km from Finca Los Palmitos
An unforgettable natural pool in Gran Canaria
Much larger than it looks from the start of the access walk, this large and pretty double pool located in the Arucas municipality of North Gran Canaria guarantees calm bathing by the Atlantic Ocean. From above it is shaped like a person carved into the rock by the gods.
Large natural pool in north Gran Canaria
Close to the main road and several towns this bathing pool has parking and a full range of services including sunbathing terraces, restaurants and plenty of bathrooms. The outer wall is ideal for walking along at low tide and its little pools and inlets add interest. A wide fringe of rocks protects it from the booming Atlantic waves and its uncanny human form is so convincing that it seems to be telling you to stop and visit.
El Puertillo Beach
3,9 km from Finca Los Palmitos
A golden sand beach
El Puertillo beach located in Arucas is a 120 meter long sandy beach. The beach has basic services such as disabled access, toilets or parking. Don’t forget your diving glasses as you will surely see a lot of marine life under water.
Balanced and attractive mix of environments
A good morning sun rises over the silhouette of the mountains while the evolution of a group of surfers is observed that heats up on the sand of El Puertillo beach, on the northwest coast of Gran Canaria.
Las Canteras Beach
15 km from Finca Los Palmitos
One of the top Urban Beaches in Europe
Las Canteras beach in northeast Gran Canaria, right in the capital city Las Palmas, is amongst Europe’s most famous city beaches. It’s appeal is due to its natural beauty, city-centre location and the services and amenities along its promenade. At Las Canteras beach you get calm waters and warm weather all year round: Its natural offshore lava reef acts as a wavebreak and protects the sand and the exuberant marine life that make Las Canteras a top snorkeling spot.
A golden sand beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Canteras is an ideal beach for long barefoot walks as it’s golden sand stretches for over two kilometres. during the day you can sunbathe by the sand sculptures, rent parasols and loungers or surf at the southern end. Children love Las Canteras thanks to its clear, calm waters, playgrounds and sports zones. The beach is also accessible to all and has parking, changing rooms and showers. At sunset its beachfront terraces fill up and the promenade’s cafés, bars and restaurants are lively into the night.
Roque Nublo
35,1 km from Finca Los Palmitos
A natural monument of ancestral importance
Located in the central municipality of Tejeda, on the island of Gran Canaria, Roque Nublo is considered one of the biggest natural crags in the world. Of special significance to the islanders, this crag of volcanic origin stands at a height of 80 metres and is 1,813 metres above sea level. An ancient place of worship for the aborigines, it was declared a protected natural space in 1987 and a rural park seven years later. Its enormous presence is only surpassed by Pico de las Nieves (Snow peaks) which at 1,949 metres is the highest peak of Gran Canaria.
Trekking with views of the peaks of Gran Canaria
The Roque Nublo route starts from the main road, from where you walk 1.5 kilometres to the proximity of the natural monument and its brother, Roque de la Rana. Before getting there, you go past another natural monument, el Roque de El Fraile. This route, which is 5km long allows us to see the great dams of Las Niñas, Chira and Soria and the towns of Artenara and Acusa. The views from Caldera de Tejeda, Llanos de la Pez and Pozo de las Nieves are well worth the effort the route entails.
Mirador del Balcón
49,5 km from Finca Los Palmitos
Viewpoint hanging off a cliff
This spectacular viewpoint is in the far west of Gran Canaria and hangs over the sea at the top of a steep cliiff edge with spectacular views out over the Atlantic Ocean. From the viewpoint you get a clear view of a zigzag wall of sea cliffs called the “Dragon’s Tail”. Turning back to look at the island you see the La Arena Valley and the wide, green La Aldea de San Nicolás.
A car trip around Gran Canaria
The viewpoint carpark, on the GC-200 road, has informative panels and is an essential stop on a drive around the island. Everyone should walk down the step stone steps to the balcony hanging out over the ocean. The views are so impressive that you won’t want to leave until you’ve taken in full range of sights and colours and the scent of the ocean. The journey has to continue eventually as there’s still so much to see.
Arucas
10 km from Finca Los Palmitos
Farming Economy: First cochineal and then bananas
The north Gran Canaria town of Arucas grew out of the farming boom in the Canary Islands in the years after their discovery. The town was rich thanks to cochineal bugs, used for red dye, and a later banana boom. Rebuilt as early as 1478 after a fire, it became a city at the end of the 19th Century. Its famous rum is named after its original guanche name Arehucas, and is still made today in a factory dating back to the 19th Century. It is open for visits.
The San Juan Bautista church, known locally as the cathedral
From a historical, cultural and artistic standpoint the San Juan Bautista church stands tall in Arucas. Technically a church it has been known by all in Gran Canaria as a cathedral since its rebuilding at the start of the 20th Century. Neo Gothic in style, it guards a number of artistic treasures such as Italian sculptures, and paintings from the Flamenca and Andaluz Schools. Other Arucas highlights include the walks through the Gourie Park and Las Hespérides botanical garden, built in 1880.
Barrio de Vegueta
20,7 km from Finca Los Palmitos
Where Las Palmas was born
Towards the south of Gran Canaria’s capital city, Vegueta was the original settlement that gave birth to Las Palmas at the end of the 15th Century. Its streets and squares contain historical buildings such as the Casa de Colon mansion, Santa Ana cathedral, the Museo Canario museum, Gabinete Literario club, town hall and Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno gallery. The area around the market, built in 1856, is full of shops and over the road is the Triana shopping district.
An historic old town full of culture and pretty corners
Alongside the Guiniguada barranco and opposite the Perez Galdós theatre, named after a famous Vegueta resident, you find an old town full of cobbled streets, pretty corners and a wide range of architectural styles ranging from late Gothic to renaissance. After a walk there are plenty of outdoor terraces to enjoy a break and absorb the atmosphere of its historical surroundings.
