The island of Gran Canaria is the third largest in the archipelago, after Tenerife and Fuerteventura. It has a surface area of 1,532m2 and its most outstanding features are the ravines which come down from the central peaks - which are over 2,000m high.

There are desert and sandy areas as well as mountains with lush, tropical vegetation. In Gran Canaria, the steep cliffs of El Puerto de la Nieves and de la Aldea together with the rugged ravines of Tirajana, Moya and Azuaje alternate with pleasant valleys where thousands of banana-trees grow and which descend towards the sea.

The old historical centre is around the Vegueta and Triana districts in the south

It is a beautiful village with a long sea-faring tradition near Agaete valley. There is a long zigzagging canyon where bananas, coffee, papayas, avocado pear, maize, etc. are grown. Note the archaeological excavation site of Malpais, a Sight of National Interest. The Virgen of Las Nieves, depicted on a valuable Flemish panel, is worshipped in a beautiful hermitage. Las Nieves beach consists of pebbles and coarse sand, surrounded by rugged basalt cliffs. Seven kilometres away there is the health resort called Balneario de los Berrazales in the middle of lush vegetation. It has a spring with ferruginous water and there is a good hotel.

A summer resort with beaches nearby. Agriculturally very rich.

A beautiful, typical harbour next to the promenade of the same name, from where there is a wide view.

A little village near El Perchel Point. Patalavaca beach has fine golden sand. It is the best area for deep sea fishing and there are the service facilities necessary for this kind of sport.

Lies in the middle of an extremely fertile land where the largest and most important banana growing area is found. It is a clean village with beautiful gardens, such as the Municipal Park, a collection of exotic flowers and plants. It has an interesting parish church in pure Gothic. Close to the village lies the volcanic cone called La Montaña de Arucas, from the top of which there is a wide, panoramic view, including El Puerto de la Luz and the mountains of La Isleta.

A prosperous village in the north near Point Guanarteme. There are interesting cavings of the Canary image maker Luján

A place of special interest from the point of view of history and archaeology. Traces of the Guanche culture, mainly in the cave, the Cueva Pintada, where geometric paintings in different colours are found. It has sheltered pebble beaches.

One of the oldest villages of the island, famous today for its crafts, especially openwork and embroidery.

A magnificent, 2,600m long beach with a pleasant temperature throughout the year.

The largest town in the Canaries, Las Palmas It sits on the north-eastern tip of Gran Canaria and has begun swallowing up La Isleta, a small island to its north. The old historical centre is around the Vegueta and Triana districts in the south, and the city hugs the coast up a series of long boulevards a good 3km (1.8mi) to the bustling Santa Catalina and Puerto de la Luz. The 3km (1.8mi) long beach Playa de las Canteras is on the western edge of the land bridge to La Isleta. The Casa/Museo de Colón is an example of Canarian architecture with fine wooden balconies overlooking two patios. The Catedral de Santa Ana is the city's main place of worship and took 350 years to complete. Nearby, the Museo Diocesano, set on two levels around the Patio de los Naranjos, contains the standard collection of religious art and memorabilia, including old manuscripts and wooden sculptures. The Museo Canario is the city's main museum, and is dedicated to chronicling Gran Canaria's pre-conquest history. It boasts the world's largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls and displays Guanche implements and a collection of pottery.

A 6,000m long beach. Nearby there is a large oasis with dense vegetation consisting of palm trees and salt marsh brushwood. Next to the oasis there is a small lagoon. The housing developments include hotels, bungalows and a golf course. Two kilometres west of the Maspalomas lighthouse, there is Pasito Blanco beach with a yacht harbour and a tourist centre.

A beautiful valley where tropical fruit is grown. Lovely scenery all along the 12km stretch. A modern yacht harbour with numerous moorings, hotels and other accommodation.

The main tourist resort with a large and fine, golden sand beach leading to the mainly calm sea. Wide choice of property from Villas, Apartments and Townhouses.

Puerto Rico has modern apartments, hotels, villas and bungalows overlooking the yacht harbour for over berthing over55 boats and from the sea looks to be built into the high ocean view rock face.

San Agustín has a great beach in an area that has many beautiful properties and hotels etc.

Lies surrounded by orchards. There is a great beach and a harbour at Melenara. Tara caves of the original inhabitants of the island, and Cuatro Puertas has the most interesting native sight of the island, dating from the palaeolithic period.

A small fishing village and lies in picturesque surroundings. It has a small pebble and coarse sand beach.

The highest and central point of the island with Roque Nublo and Bentayga the two enormous basalt rocks. La Cruz del Tejeda also comes into view there with its Parador.

An inland summer resort 11km away from Arucas. The Countryside in the surrounded by impressive mountains and a small village hamlet. The village is most famous for the Sanctuary of La Virgen del Pino, the patron saint of the island, which attracts many worshippers.