6 Secret Places in Gran Canaria - Discover the island's hidden gems

For most visitors, Gran Canaria is just a beach destination where they can enjoy great weather all year round. However, if you decide to go off the beaten track and explore a bit more of Gran Canaria, you'll discover some truly amazing secret places, with hardly any tourists. 

Just like the other Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has so much more to offer besides the popular tourist spots: beautiful nature, secret beaches, amazing views from mountain tops and beautiful towns where you can discover more about the Canarian culture.

Top 6 hidden gems in Gran Canaria

If you want to go off the beaten track and visit the lesser-known places in Gran Canaria, read our list below with recommended spots and secluded beaches, in order to discover the island's true beauty, beyond what most tourist guides tell you.

Repeat visitors to Gran Canaria might also find some new places to see since the island is home to a lot of beautiful places, many of them unknown to visitors. 

In order to discover some of these Gran Canaria secret places, you'll have to rent a car, to be able to drive there on your own, since there's no public transport or guided bus tour that will take you there, otherwise, they wouldn't be so secret anymore.

1. El Bufadero de la Garita

This amazing place is located in the municipality of Telde and it's one of those places where it's fascinating to just sit and watch the Atlantic ocean and its powerful waves.

El Bufadero de la Garita is actually a basalt formation of volcanic origin, that gets inundated with water, which is then sprayed out of the hole like a water fountain. It is an interesting phenomenon but it's important to keep your distance from the hole, especially during high waves and wind, as the place is considered dangerous and many people have died here, after being pulled in by the waves.

How to get there

• See location on Google Maps

2. El Roque

Located in the north of Gran Canaria, in the town of Moya, El Roque gives the visitor the opportunity to get lost on old narrow streets, until finally reaching the ocean. Here you can admire again the force of the ocean and if you're able to time your visit accordingly, watching the sunset from El Roque is an experience that you won't forget from your trip to Gran Canaria.

How to get there

• See location on Google Maps

3. El Bufadero de Tauro

El Bufadero de Tauro is located in Mogan and it's yet another beautiful natural sight to see while in Gran Canaria.

It is important to keep in mind that this place can be dangerous, especially during the high tide. It's a beautiful place to swim or dive, but it is recommended that you only go in the water when the tide is low, as to avoid unnecessary risks. 

How to get there

• See location on Google Maps

4. Playa de Aguadulce

Aguadulce Beach is located in the municipality of Telde, just like El Bufadero de la Garita.

The name of the beach translates to "sweet water" and the colour of the water is a beautiful turquoise, which comes in contrast with the golden sand on the beach.

This beach is small and it's sheltered from currents and waves, so it's great for swimming or snorkeling, especially if you want to escape the big crowds in the more popular beaches.

The easiest way to get to this beach is if you have a hired car and you drive on the GC-I, then exit towards the area known as El Goro, then drive towards the coast. The beach is located before the archaeological site, where you need to turn left.

How to get there

• See location on Google Maps

5. Playa El Confital

If you're interested in finding a nudist beach in Gran Canaria that is located close to Las Palmas, look no further than Playa El Confital.

This beach is located in the capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and it's only known among surfers, nudists and water sports lovers, which is why we consider it to be a secret place in Gran Canaria, despite its position on the island. 

But although El Confital beach is not a secret for locals and residents in Las Palmas, most tourists in the city only visit Las Canteras beach, without ever learning about the existence of this other beach.

At Playa El Confital you won't find big crowds or any amenities like sunbeds and umbrellas, but you'll be able to admire the beautiful landscape and watch the surfers ride the waves.

The great thing about this beach is that if you're staying in Las Palmas you can get here by walking (no need for a car) and it's a great way to discover this side of the coast, where you'll see more of locals than tourists.

How to get there

• See location on Google Maps

6. Los Tilos de Moya

The Los Tilos de Moya Interpretation Center is located within the Special Natural Reserve of the same name. Visit the center first to learn more about flora, fauna, history and then take a walk on the circular path that starts from the Interpretation Center.

This path covers a route of 1.8 kilometers, it's easily accessible and it's one of the top hidden gems in Gran Canaria, where you can admire the green side of the island and have a picnic in one of the several rest areas. 

How to get there

• See location on Google Maps