Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is called a "miniature continent" for good reason: On just 1,560 km², the almost circular island combines Sahara dunes in the south, subtropical laurel forest in the north, a 2,000-meter mountain range in the center, and a cosmopolitan capital by the sea. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with over 380,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the Canary Islands and surprises with a UNESCO old town, surf beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene. In the south, the famous dunes of Maspalomas and the nightlife of Playa del Inglés beckon. In between lies an island interior that most tourists never get to see — and that's their loss.