Gran Canaria is a kaleidoscope of microclimates and moods: golden beaches in the south, pine-studded ridges in the center, and a cultured capital up north. Shaped by fire and wind, the island offers Saharan-sized dunes, lava-born crags, and a coastline of natural pools and calm coves. Base yourself at Servatur Waikiki in Playa del Inglés for easy beach time, lively nightlife, and quick access to day trips across the island.

History hums through Gran Canaria’s towns—Vegueta’s cobbles hosted Columbus, Teror’s basilica guards a beloved Marian icon, and Arucas still distills rum the old way. Inland villages like Tejeda preserve almond traditions and mountain recipes, while Agaete’s valley grows Europe’s only commercial coffee amid mango and orange groves. The cuisine is hearty and local: papas arrugadas with mojo, vieja (parrotfish), goat cheeses, and volcanic wines.

Practical notes: the weather is springlike year‑round, but expect stronger sun and occasional calima (Saharan dust). Mountain roads are safe but winding—drive unhurried and stop at miradors. Buses are reliable (look for the turquoise Global coaches), but a rental car gives maximum freedom for this itinerary.

Playa del Inglés (Servatur Waikiki Base)

Playa del Inglés is Gran Canaria’s southern playground: sweeping sands, the Maspalomas dunes next door, and a social scene spanning beach bars to the Yumbo Centrum. Servatur Waikiki puts you close to everything with pools, family-friendly facilities, and easy transfers from the airport.

• Top sights nearby: Maspalomas Dunes and Lighthouse, Meloneras promenade, Holidayworld Maspalomas (Nomad Gastro Market and rides), Playa de las Burras, and San Agustín’s quieter coves.
• Eat & drink: Brunch and sunsets at Tipsy Hammock; inventive Canarian plates at La Palmera Sur; fine views and tasting menus at 360º Restaurant (Bohemia Suites); beachfront classics at El Senador by the lighthouse; tapas at Wapa Tapa in the Yumbo.
• Stay alternatives: Prefer an apartment or different vibe? Browse stays in Playa del Inglés on VRBO or compare hotels via Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Fly into Gran Canaria (LPA). For Europe‑origin flights, compare on Omio. For long‑haul or non‑Europe routes, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi from LPA to Playa del Inglés runs ~25–30 minutes, €35–45; the Global bus is ~€4–6.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The capital blends beaches and culture: surf‑gentle Las Canteras on one side, Gothic spires and colonial patios in Vegueta on the other. It’s Spain with Atlantic verve—cafés, galleries, and food markets humming late into the evening.

• Don’t miss: Santa Ana Cathedral rooftops, Casa de Colón, Calle Triana shopping, Poema del Mar Aquarium, and sunset on the La Cicer end of Las Canteras.
• Great eats: Deliciosa Marta (smart Canarian cuisine in Triana), Allende Triana (modern tapas), La Marinera or Amigo Camilo (seafood by the surf).
• Stay if you linger: See options in Las Palmas on VRBO or hotels via Hotels.com. Drive from Playa del Inglés: 45–60 minutes; bus ~€7, 50–70 minutes.

Tejeda & Roque Nublo

In the island’s heart, Tejeda perches under basalt monoliths and almond groves. Roque Nublo, a sacred site of the ancient Canarii people, rewards a short hike with big‑sky views.

• Highlights: Roque Nublo trail (easy‑moderate, 60–90 minutes round trip), Pico de las Nieves lookout, Tejeda’s whitewashed lanes, almond pastries at Dulcería Nublo, and local craft beer at Restaurante Texeda.
• Travel: Drive 1–1.5 hours from Playa del Inglés on scenic GC‑60/GC‑604; allow time for mirador stops.

Puerto de Mogán

Nicknamed “Little Venice,” Puerto de Mogán is a watercolor of bougainvillea-draped bridges, a sandy bay, and a relaxed marina. Fridays bring a lively market; sunsets paint the cliffs gold.

• Eat & relax: Que Tal by Stena (tasting menu in a tucked-away courtyard), Casito Mediterraneo (sea‑meets‑Med plates), and gelato at Gelatomania. Swim, snorkel, or take a glass‑bottom boat along the coast.
• Stay: Browse Puerto de Mogán on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. Drive from Playa del Inglés: ~25–35 minutes; bus ~€4–6.

Agaete & Puerto de las Nieves

Agaete’s fertile valley grows Europe’s only coffee at scale, alongside oranges, avocados, and vines. Down at Puerto de las Nieves, white‑and‑blue restaurants front natural sea pools.

• Highlights: Coffee and wine tasting at Bodega Los Berrazales, a dip at Las Salinas pools, seafood by the jetty, and Tamadaba’s high forest viewpoints.
• Travel: Drive ~1h15 from Playa del Inglés via GC‑1/GC‑2; plan an early start.

Arucas & Teror

Northern grace notes: Arucas rises around a neo‑Gothic basalt church and a storied rum distillery, while Teror’s balconies and basilica anchor a Sunday market famed for “chorizo de Teror.”

• Don’t miss: Arehucas Rum Distillery tour and tasting, San Juan Bautista Church in Arucas, Teror Basilica and old town arcades. Try a simple bocadillo de chorizo de Teror.
• Travel: About 1 hour to Arucas from the south; Teror is 20 minutes further inland.

Guayadeque Ravine

Between Agüimes and Ingenio, Barranco de Guayadeque hides cave dwellings and restaurants scooped into volcanic rock. It’s a serene detour with island history written in stone.

• Experience: Walk the ravine floor, visit the small cave museum, and have lunch in a cave restaurant like Tagoror for Canarian staples.
• Travel: 35–45 minutes from Playa del Inglés.

Day 1: Arrival, Settle into Servatur Waikiki, and Sunset Stroll

Morning: Fly into LPA. For Europe routes, check Omio; for long‑haul, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi 25–30 minutes to Servatur Waikiki; drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs with a walk to Playa del Inglés. Grab iced coffees and a light bite (toast with local queso and tomato) at Tipsy Hammock, toes practically in the sand. Swim if you like—lifeguards and mellow surf near the breakwaters.

Evening: Dinner at La Palmera Sur: order the slow‑cooked pork belly with mojo and the local tomato salad. Nightcap along the Yumbo Centrum’s terraces; if you want a low‑key start, Wapa Tapa’s pintxos and Canarian cheeses pair well with a glass of volcanic Listán Negro.

Day 2: Maspalomas Dunes, Lighthouse, and Meloneras Nights

Morning: Sunrise walk at the Maspalomas Dunes boardwalk (the light is glorious and the sand cool). Breakfast at Café Regina in Meloneras—go for barraquito coffee and an almond croissant.

Afternoon: Beach time by the Faro de Maspalomas. Lunch at El Senador: grilled octopus and papas arrugadas with red mojo, plus a sea breeze view. Optional 30‑minute licensed camel ride near the oasis for a quirky, historic touch.

Evening: Dress up for 360º Restaurant at Bohemia Suites—tasting menu with island produce and panoramic views. Post‑dinner, stroll the Meloneras promenade; if you’re in the mood, pop into Chester Meloneras Club & Lounge for a cocktail overlooking the Atlantic.

Day 3: Mountains, Miradors, and Roque Nublo

Morning: Depart after breakfast (9:00) via GC‑60; pause at Mirador de la Degollada de la Yegua for canyon vistas. Hike Roque Nublo (allow 60–90 minutes roundtrip; pack water and a light jacket).

Afternoon: Roll into Tejeda for lunch at Restaurante Texeda—try the gofio‑crusted cheese and house‑brewed ale. Dessert at Dulcería Nublo: almond pastries (bienmesabe) are the local classic.

Evening: Continue to Pico de las Nieves for sunset over a sea of clouds if conditions allow, then descend slowly to the south for a relaxed poolside evening at Servatur Waikiki.

Day 4: Culture Day in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Morning: Drive or bus north (aim to arrive by 10:00). Coffee at Café Regina Triana, then wander Vegueta—Santa Ana Cathedral rooftops, Casa de Colón, and stone-arched plazas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Deliciosa Marta (reserve ahead) for refined Canarian dishes, or Allende Triana for quick, modern tapas. Choose Poema del Mar Aquarium for a spectacular ocean tunnel, or head to Las Canteras for a beach walk and a swim by La Puntilla.

Evening: Seafood feast at La Marinera or the more rustic Amigo Camilo on the rocks. Drive back south (~50 minutes) with a gelato stop at Peña La Vieja kiosk if you linger at sunset.

Day 5: Puerto de Mogán—“Little Venice” by the Sea

Morning: Depart ~9:00; arrive in 30 minutes. Stroll flower‑lined lanes and the small marina. If it’s Friday, browse the open‑air market for crafts and fruit.

Afternoon: Beach time and a short glass‑bottom boat hop along the cliffs (usually between Mogán and Puerto Rico). Lunch at Casito Mediterraneo for seafood pasta or at Que Tal by Stena for a tasting menu in a quiet courtyard.

Evening: Back to Maspalomas. Try Nomad Gastro Market at Holidayworld: share plates from multiple vendors (think Canarian pork sliders, poke, churros) and ride the Ferris wheel for night views.

Day 6: Agaete Valley Coffee & Puerto de las Nieves Pools

Morning: Early drive north (~1h15). Tour Bodega Los Berrazales (coffee orchards, winery, and tastings in a lush ravine). Learn how shade‑grown Arabica thrives in this microclimate—rare in Europe.

Afternoon: Head to Puerto de las Nieves for a swim in the Las Salinas natural pools. Lunch on the waterfront at Restaurante Angor or Dedo de Dios—order vieja a la espalda (grilled parrotfish) and salad with local avocado.

Evening: Golden‑hour photos with Tenerife’s Teide often visible on clear days. Drive back south; casual dinner near the hotel or tapas repeat at Wapa Tapa if you’re still peckish.

Day 7: Wildlife, Waterparks, or Winds

Morning: Choose your flavor. Families: Palmitos Park (birds, orchids, and an educational dolphin presentation). Thrill‑seekers: canyoning/buggy tours depart locally. Wind lovers: lessons or rentals at Pozo Izquierdo, one of the world’s windsurf meccas.

Afternoon: If it’s hot, Aqualand Maspalomas offers slides for all ages; otherwise, decompress at the hotel pool or a Meloneras spa. Quick bites: arepas or empanadas at Nomad Gastro Market to keep energy up.

Evening: Steak night at El Churrasco Meloneras (Argentine cuts and a deep Malbec list). Later, the Yumbo’s drag shows (Sparkles Show Bar or Ricky’s) provide a spirited, good‑humored night out.

Day 8: Arucas Rum and Teror’s Balconies

Morning: Drive to Arucas (~1 hour). Tour the Arehucas Rum Distillery—see oak rooms and sample añejo rums and honey‑rum (ron miel). Visit the neo‑Gothic San Juan church, sculpted from local basalt.

Afternoon: Lunch at Casa Brito (Arucas) for wood‑grilled meats and Canarian starters. Continue 20 minutes to Teror; wander the arcaded streets, the basilica, and pick up chorizo de Teror for sandwiches.

Evening: Return south. Sunset promenade from the Maspalomas lighthouse toward Meloneras; gelato at Ciao Ciao as the last light fades.

Day 9: Easy Day—Beach, Golf, or a Special Dinner

Morning: Slow breakfast near the sand—Tipsy Hammock does hearty egg dishes and smoothies. Optional 9 or 18 holes at Maspalomas Golf (flat links flanked by dunes) or yoga by the beach.

Afternoon: Free time for shopping (Boulevard El Faro) or an indulgent spa session. If you prefer a scenic drive, detour to the Bandama Caldera for a quick rim viewpoint near the island’s northeast.

Evening: Splurge night: La Aquarela in nearby Patalavaca (Michelin‑recognized; tasting menus spotlight local seafood). Taxi ~20 minutes. Toast the week with a Canary Islands Malvasía volcánica.

Day 10: Last Swim and Departure

Morning: Final dip at Playa del Inglés or a barefoot walk on the Maspalomas shoreline as the tide retreats. Coffee and a pastry to‑go from Café Regina or your hotel buffet.

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to LPA (25–30 minutes). Grab late lunch by the lighthouse if time permits, then fly out—compare options on Omio for Europe or Kiwi.com/Trip.com for global routes.

Optional Notes on Transport

By bus: The turquoise Global coaches connect major points (Playa del Inglés–Las Palmas ~€7; Playa del Inglés–Puerto de Mogán ~€4–6). Departures are frequent by day; carry a contactless card or small change.

By car: Compact automatics are best for tight mountain roads. Parking is generally easy in the south; in Las Palmas, choose paid garages near Santa Catalina or Triana.

Across ten days, you’ll taste, trek, and swim your way through Gran Canaria’s best: dunes and lighthouses, cliff‑ringed coves, rum and coffee tastings, and breezy nights on ocean promenades. Servatur Waikiki keeps you comfortable between adventures—your sunny base for an island that excels at variety.