Shopping, Sand Dunes, and Sunsets: A Weekend in Gran Canaria

#grancanaria #islascanarias #fulbrightespana

On my mission to see every Canary Island this year, I recently spent a long weekend on the big island of Gran Canaria. It is the capital of its own province in the Canaries, since we have two capitals; Tenerife is the capital of my province, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Gran Canaria is the capital of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. I spent my 24th birthday here, doing some shopping, drinking some very yummy mojitos, and soaking up the sunshine on some lovely beaches.

I have been to Gran Canaria before, in October for the hiking festival, but this was my first chance to really explore the old town and fully lounge on the beaches. We watched a cloudy but nevertheless beautiful sunset on Playa de las Canteras, watching the light fade from the water and the boats light up the harbor.

We had dinner at a great little tapas bar near the beach, featuring delicious Spanish wine, fried cheese, Spanish tortilla stuffed with cod, classic croquetas (fried potato and cheese balls), and fried mushroom risotto!

The next day, I explored the south the island, Maspalomas. It was full of tall sand dunes, stretching for what seemed like miles. You could run down the dunes, barefoot in the soft brown sand, and it was so different from El Hierro. The dunes were a lot taller than the ones on Fuerteventura, too; I am always amazed by how different the islands are! Once I completed my voyage through the dunes, I swam in the waves and watched some dramatic clouds roll in.

That afternoon, I met up with some other Fulbrights back at Playa de las Canteras in the big city of Las Palmas, which has a lovely view of the mountains around the island and some cool tidal pools.

We ventured over to the small town of Agaete to watch the sunset, over on the west of the island. They were having their Carnaval this weekend, so there were lots of people on our bus dressed in elaborate costumes, wigs, and makeup. The party never stops!

Agaete was a beautiful little place, with dramatic mountains touching the clouds, and several very chill outside cats. We walked along the seaside and watched the sun lower over the horizon.

I will definitely miss the ocean when I have to leave in June. There's nothing like watching the sun light up the sea, then fade over the horizon.

Check out some of the sunset below! You can see Teide beautifully, the big pointy mountain. I was at the top of that mountain just a few months ago--crazy! :D

¡Hasta la próxima!