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When it comes to varying landscapes, picturesque villages, exotic animals, and extreme sports, Gran Canaria has plenty of these, which is why this third biggest island in the Canary Islands has frequently been called a "miniature continent."

Although it is the Canaries' most populous island, Gran Canaria is relatively clean and pristine because of its 33 Natural Protected Spaces collectively listed as a state-protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. These nature reserves comprise nearly half of the island. Among these are the wildlife enclaves of the Ravine of Azuaje, Doramas' Jungle, and El Brezal; the natural parks and exotic plantations of Palmitos and Cocodrilos (Crocodile) Park; the botanical gardens of Cactualdea and Jardin Canario; and several areas of scientific interest like Roque de Gando, Juncalillo del Sur, and Tufia.

The island is also divided into two: the northern and the southern parts. Much of the population is concentrated on the sunnier south than on the rainier north. Yearly, more than two million tourists troop to the southern beaches, especially to the longest beach, the Playa del Ingles, which made the island earn the reputation as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic" for the Playa's consistent swells. Arguineguin is also jam-packed with surfing schools as it also a surfers' haven.

Apart from surfing, sand dunes and wreck diving are the offerings in Maspalomas. The other popular beaches are Puerto Rico, Playa de Mogan, Amadores, Anfi del Mar, and the beach specially catering to nudists, Meloneras. Jutting out of Gran Canaria's beaches are rock formations like El Dedo de Dios (God's Finger), El Cura, La Rana (The Frog), Roque de Gando, Peñon Bermejo, Bentayga, and the 80-meter-high Roque Nublo.

Dubbed "Little Venice," Puerto de Morgan and Puerto Rico are scenic villages with many interlacing canals. Looming over the villages is the Pico de las Nieves, the island's highest elevation that frequently puts mountain bikers to the test.

Lying at the center of the island's capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is Las Canteras Beach, the site of the famous annual Carnaval. The city's Hermitage of San Antonio Abad and Casa de Colon are dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who made his first stop to the island on his trip back from the Americas. The capital city also boasts of its Cathedral and Plaza del Espiritu Santo, as well as of its Museo Canario, the country's most important archeological museum that houses artifacts found from the nearby 290 caves of Cueva Pintada, the archipelago's most prized archaeological park.

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