Top Rated Attracties in Gran Canaria

Feel the wind in your hair as you ride the waves in the blue sea at Pro Surfing Gran Canaria. Enjoy surfing and kite-surfing in the breath-taking waters. Allow the staff to pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the beach. Tourists can enjoy the various water sports that are offered along with tuition from experienced professionals.

Widely considered one of the best beaches in the area, this four kilometer stretch of sand is protected from the Atlantic's fury by an attractive rock and sandstone breakwater. It is the ideal place to watch the sun set and one of the few public open spaces in the vicinity. It has been awarded the EU "Blue Flag" category in recognition of its excellent facilities and services, including daily cleaning, lifeguards, water sports zones, bars, restaurants and night clubs. Come at night as well as during the day for a truly magical atmosphere.

Perched on the slopes of the Guiniguada Ravine, the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden is a microcosm of the Canary Islands' diverse flora. The Swedish-Spanish botanist, Eric Ragnor Sventenius, is the founding father of these botanical gardens commonly known as Jardín Canario. For years, he roamed the islands, exploring distant corners, scaling precipitous slopes and venturing down undiscovered paths in a quest to compose an exhaustive collection of the archipelago's endemic species. There are leafy laurel trees, parched xerofila, palms, aeonium, and giant cacti among many others, beautifully arranged in awe-inspiring, thematic gardens that encompass the vast breadth of the islands' exotic botanical reserves. A popular tourist attraction, the Jardin Canario is also internationally renown for its preservation programs. In 1983, a seed bank for the Canaries' endemic trees was established here, and there's also a library, a herbarium, and laboratories. Spread over 27 hectares (67 acres), this vast, verdant enclave is a journey across Macaronesia and its bountiful, natural landscapes, replete with plants that are entirely unique to the Canaries.

Auditorio Alfredo Kraus is named after acclaimed tenor Alfredo Kraus, as a tribute to him for his contribution in the field of music and is designed by the famous Oscar Tusquets. Originally built with the purpose of serving as a lighthouse, the auditorium is one of the prominent structures in the city and is an architectural gem in its truest sense. Set against an isolated background, this event venue provides magnificent views of the beach and is partly built on a volcanic rock. It is nothing short of a cultural hub with its theatrical performances and also runs a program of concerts year round that features great classical and modern artists from around the world. It also has well-equipped and spacious halls that can host major events like congresses and seminars.

Exotic, vibrant and wondrous, Palmitos Park is a subtropical paradise for close encounters with the wild. This botanical and ornithological park is set in a verdant valley of swaying palms, home to over 200 species of birds including the colorful macaws, toucans, hornbills, hummingbirds, flamingos and more. A zoo, aviary, dolphinarium, aquarium and botanical garden rolled into one, Palmitos Park features several must-see attractions including Europe's largest Butterfly House. While eagles, falcons and owls swoop overhead at the Birds-of-Prey show, dolphins amaze with their gymnastic stunts, gibbons swing from trees, and vibrant coral fish teem at the aquarium. There's also a Cacti House, Orchid House, and animals like Wallabies, Meerkats and Komodo Dragons to visit. With a whole host of installations, attractions, educational programs and exhibits to explore, the park is a front-runner when it comes to describing nature in all its glory.

Inaugurated in 1989 after being revamped in keeping with its original 17th-century façade, this 3682 square meter (39632.72 feet) gallery aims to give Canary Islanders a liberal view of the rest of the world. It claims to be a platform spanning the cultures of three continents, Europe, Africa and Latin America. In the many rooms there are exhibitions of Canary Island and international modern paintings, papers on contemporary African and Latin American art, and exhibitions on the latest creative processes. Seminars are also held there, and there's a library service and reference section. Guided tours can be booked by phone. There's also a giftshop and a bookshop. Admission is free.