Gran Canaria Hidden Gems
11 off-the-beaten-path highlights away from the crowds
Gran Canaria is stunning but that’s no secret anymore.
Stand at Roque Nublo or walk the Maspalomas dunes, and you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by tour buses, selfie sticks, and packed parking lots before noon.
But there’s another side to the island. One that’s wilder, quieter, and surprisingly untouched like Roque Bentayga or the fantastic road trip on GC-210.
After three trips across Gran Canaria, I’ve explored places where the crowds don’t go: ancient cave sanctuaries, breathtaking cliffside roads, deserted valleys, and remote ocean viewpoints that feel worlds away from the resorts.
Here are 11 off-the-beaten-path places in Gran Canaria, perfect for hikers and travelers looking to escape the crowds and explore the island’s quiet side.
1. Road Trip Tip: Driving the GC-210
For me, the GC-210 is the most spectacular scenic drive in Gran Canaria, winding through dramatic ravines and remote villages. It’s full of curves, cuts through canyons, and connects the wild west with Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior.
There are no buses here, and I only passed a handful of cars in total, which is honestly a good thing given how narrow the road can be. But don’t worry: even though it’s often not wide enough for two cars, there are regular passing bays, and traffic is very light.
Rock faces, tiny villages, and constant views straight down into the valleys. If you enjoy photography like I do, you’ll want to stop every few minutes. There aren’t many parking spots, so my advice is simple: use every single one you come across.
This dream road starts in the mountain village of Artenara and ends in Aldea de San Nicolás on the western coast. At first, the drive is relaxed, winding through open woodland.
But once you pass the small settlement of Acusa Verde, the scenery changes completely. It becomes drier, steeper, narrower, and much more dramatic.
The next and most impressive section is known as the “Valley of Tears” (Valle de las Lágrimas). Here, the road drops into the rugged valley in tight hairpin bends, with gradients of up to 25 percent, although most of the time it’s closer to 10 percent.
Roughly halfway along, you’ll reach the Mirador del Molino. This viewpoint, with its old mill, sits high above the slopes. Below you, deep barrancos open up, and the road snakes through the rock like a ribbon.
We stopped here for quite a while, took a deep breath, and let our eyes wander over the barren mountain landscape and the shimmering surfaces of the reservoirs.
After that, the drive alternates between narrow rock galleries, short tunnels, and sheer drops. From above, you repeatedly spot partly dried-up reservoirs like Presa de Parralillo or Presa Caidero de la Niña lying deep in the valleys.
That’s also why I recommend driving this route from top to bottom: the views are simply better. Only shortly before Aldea de San Nicolás does the valley start to open up again.
Rock Sanctuaries & Sacred Sites of the Island’s First Inhabitants
Most people only know Roque Nublo and Pico de las Nieves. Both are impressive, no question, but they’re also often crowded. I personally prefer quieter places with a sense of history, where you can feel the island’s energy without all the noise.
That includes the ancient rock sanctuaries of the island’s first inhabitants. For the Indigenous Canarians, these were spiritual places and were used as settlements or ritual sites.
Today, you can wander through terraced fields, caves, and rock steps, usually with very few other people around.
2. Roque Bentayga
Roque Bentayga sits right in the center of the island, close to Tejeda. From a distance, the rock looks like a watchtower rising above terraced fields and deep ravines.
Instead of standing on the crowded plateau of Roque Nublo, one of Gran Canaria’s main sights, we were almost alone here during our visit.
There’s a small parking area and an information center that gives interesting background on the history of the site. The walk up isn’t long, but it is a bit steep, so proper shoes are a good idea.
At the top, you’re rewarded with great views over Roque Bentayga and the surrounding landscape. Just below the massive rock, you can also see some of the more than 100 caves once used by the island’s first inhabitants.
3. La Fortaleza de Ansite
La Fortaleza de Ansite is located in the southeast of the island, in a dry, almost desert-like landscape and a real secret spot in Cran Canaria. The rocks are made of tuff stone, full of holes and caves, with old terraces and narrow paths running through the area.
This place is considered one of the last strongholds of the island’s first inhabitants during their resistance against the Spanish conquerors. Standing here, it’s easy to imagine how people once lived in the caves and looked down into the wide valley below.
The route through the main cave and then around the rock to the left takes about 30 minutes and is technically easy. Along the way, you pass many more caves that you can climb up to and look inside.
Most of the time, there’s hardly anyone around. Sometimes you’ll only meet two or three other people. Ideal for anyone who wants to feel the island’s history, without the crowds.
For more background on the island’s Indigenous history, stop by the Centro de Interpretación. It’s located on the access road to the rock, above the Tirajana reservoir, and is well worth a short detour.
Vivienda Vacacional La Portada
Well-equipped, small vacation apartment with a unique terrace in the beautiful mountain village of Tejeda. Super central yet quiet. Perfect starting point for excursions into the mountains of Gran Canaria. (⇨ Details)
Hidden Gems in the South – Away from the Resorts
For many people, the south of Gran Canaria is all about dunes, shopping centers, and large resorts.
But tucked away between the big hotel complexes are places with a completely different atmosphere: Quiet, rocky landscapes, ancient burial sites, and cave dwellings instead of pool music.
Two great examples are the Necrópolis de Arteara and the Barranco de Guayadeque. Both combine nature and history and clearly show that the south has much more to offer than all-inclusive resorts.
4. Necrópolis de Arteara
The Necrópolis de Arteara is a large pre-Hispanic burial ground. All around you’ll see stone mounds, known as tumuli, which mark the graves of the island’s first inhabitants. They sit in a barren landscape of lava and loose stones, framed by rocky slopes. It really feels like a sea of stones.
The place feels very raw, wild, and exposed. There are marked paths and information boards that explain what you’re seeing in a clear and easy-to-understand way (⇨ more background on the archaeological site).
I came across this spot almost by accident while doing an easy loop walk starting in Arteara. What made it even more special was the contrast: first walking through a palm grove and dense bamboo, and only a short while later standing in this unreal, stone-covered landscape
Important: Do not climb on the burial mounds or move any stones. It is a cemetery, only much older.
5. Hiking to the Upper End of the Barranco de Guayadeque
The Barranco de Guayadeque is one of my favorite valleys on the island. Deeply cut into the landscape, with green slopes, cave houses, and noticeably cooler temperatures than down on the southern beaches.
At the end of the valley, a great hike starts that leads further into the upper reaches of the barranco. The first part involves around 500 meters of ascent, which is a bit demanding, but absolutely worth it and manageable if you’re sure-footed.
You hike between rock walls, past caves and lush vegetation, and with every step the views get better.
Up top, you feel far away from the crowds, even though the coast and the impressive valley below are still clearly visible. From there, the route continues along a scenic high path before leading back down into the valley.
The final section is an easy descent on the opposite side of the valley, following a simple track back to the starting point (⇨ the hike).
On the drive back through the valley, two spots are also worth a stop and tend to be a bit more visited: the Cueva Bermeja cave settlement and the visitor center (⇨ location).
Panoramic Views Instead of Parking Lot Chaos
Pico de las Nieves is the highest point on the island, but it’s basically a busy parking lot with a view. If I’m looking for a quieter summit experience, I much prefer two other spots: Pico Campanario and El Montañón.
You do have to put in a bit more effort there, because you need to hike up. But in return, you get wide-open panoramas and far fewer people around.
6. Pico Campanario
The Pico Campanario (1,917 m) is located in the highest region of the island, not far from the well-known Pico de las Nieves. And yet, many people don’t know it at all. That’s exactly what makes it a real hidden gem on Gran Canaria, especially for hikers.
You can only reach the summit with its impressive rock face on foot – there’s no big parking lot right at the top. From the island’s highest point, the Pico de las Nieves, it’s about a 30-minute walk along a wide rocky ridge.
At the top, you’re rewarded with wide, breathtaking views over the Caldera de Tirajana and, on clear days, all the way to Tenerife and the Teide. It really feels like standing on the roof of the island.
7. El Montañón
Most visitors to Roque Nublo stick to the short, standard loop. I much prefer seeing this famous rock from a bit of distance. It feels far more impressive than from the busy viewing platform. El Montañón is perfect for that.
El Montañón is a small, little-known summit with fantastic views of Roque Nublo and the surrounding ravines. I’ve been up there twice and never met a single other person at this great viewpoint.
From the now car-free Mirador de la Goletta on the GC-200 – the starting point of the Roque Nublo loop walk – it’s just a 30-minute walk, gently uphill on the opposite side of the road.
Bring a light windbreaker or similar, as there’s often a breeze at the top.
My tip: I combined both peaks (Pico Campanario & El Montañón) and Pico de las Nieves in a fantastic 10 km circular hike, which I can highly recommend to hikers. (⇨ To the hike)
The Sea Without the Crowds
Even by the ocean, there are still plenty of places without rows of sun loungers and constant background noise. Three of my favorites are spread across very different parts of the island: a wild city beach, a quiet lighthouse spot, and a relaxed harbor town.
Each of these places has its own character, but all three feel far removed from the hotel-dominated scenery of the south.
8. Playa del Confital
Playa del Confital lies just north of the well-known Playa de Las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In comparison, Confital feels much more raw and untouched. Wooden walkways, rocky platforms, and clear water shape the scenery.
There’s less infrastructure here, but more nature and more locals. The ground is often rocky, so water shoes are a good idea if you want to go for a swim.
You can walk here from Las Canteras, always following the coastline. The walk takes about 30 minutes and is very scenic, but once you leave the built-up area behind, there’s no shade at all. I’d definitely recommend a hat or a scarf.
For one of the best views over both beaches and the city in the background, head up to the small summit cross at the Mirador de la Cruz above Playa del Confital (⇨ location).
9. Faro de Sardina
While crowds gather around the lighthouse in Maspalomas, at the Faro de Sardina there’s usually nothing more than a red-and-white tower standing in the wind.
The coastline here is wild, with rocks, natural sea pools, and wide-open views over the Atlantic. I could easily sit here for hours, watching the powerful waves and the surf crash against the shore. Incredibly calming.
Sardina del Norte is a small fishing village where very little is going on. Right by the lighthouse, there’s a large parking area and plenty of rugged coastline – and not much else (⇨ location).
Swimming here isn’t safe at any time of year due to rough conditions but it’s still a spectacular place to watch the waves.
It can get very windy, so bringing a jacket is almost always a good idea, especially if you plan to sit for a while and take in the raw coastal scenery.
10. Puerto de las Nieves (Agaete)
Puerto de las Nieves is my favorite spot when I want to see the sea and the mountains at the same time. White-and-blue houses, small fish restaurants, and steep cliffs rising in the background create a very relaxed atmosphere.
The famous rock formation Dedo de Dios was partly destroyed during a storm, but the bay is still a beautiful place to spend time.
What I especially like are the natural sea pools of Las Salinas. Here you can swim safely while watching the waves crash against the rocks outside (⇨ always pay attention to weather warnings).
From the natural pools, there’s a lovely coastal walk that leads past the bay of La Caleta and a few caves, up onto the cliffs of Punta Gorda. From up there, you get fantastic views over the rugged western coast and the village of Agaete (⇨ to the hike).
11. The Rainbow Rocks (Los Azulejos de Veneguera)
On the west side of Gran Canaria, you’ll find the Los Azulejos de Veneguera, often called the “Rainbow Rocks” (⇨ location) Even from the road, you can clearly see the green, red, and yellow layers running through the rock faces.
These colors come from different minerals and ancient volcanic activity. The striking cliffs make a great short stop along the scenic GC-200, perfect for stretching your legs and taking a closer look.
There are several small parking bays along the road. Try not to stop directly in the tight, hard-to-see bend. Since most people only stay for a few minutes, parking spots usually free up quite quickly.
What to do next
Now that you know my hidden gems on Gran Canaria, the next important step is choosing the right base for your trip. Where you stay on the island has a big impact on how easily you can reach quiet places like these.
