10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Gran Canaria

Catedral de Santa Ana de Canarias is a historic Roman Catholic church in Las Palmas and the seat of the Canarias Diocese, with stunning historic architecture and importance. The church was built between 1500 and 1570 and, until 1819, was the only Cathedral in the Canary Islands. It was designed in the Gothic architectural style but boasts unusual features that imitate natural local shapes, such as piers in the shape of palm trees.

It is famed for its juxtaposition of hundreds of years of varying internal decoration and the panoramic vistas you can see from the church. From the towers, you can capture staggeringly romantic vistas of the entire city below, immersed in beauty and history.

Playa de Amadores is a stunningly glorious white sand beach nestled between Puerto Mogán and Puerto Rico on an expansive protected bay with turquoise waters and calm surf. The beach stretches 800 metres and offers a peaceful, romantic escape from the local hustle and bustle. In fact, its name translates into Lovers’ Beach. The vibe here is quiet, with no loud music or ball games permitted. It is, however, a family-friendly beach where children can run and play.

The beach is also lined with tapas bars and outstanding seafood restaurants, so when you’re ready to have a rum punch or delicious delicacy, it’s just steps away. The beach has a Blue Flag Award under its belt, too.

Jardín Botánico Canario is the primary botanical garden on Gran Canaria. It is one of the largest in Spain, with 27 hectares of colourful flora, much endangered. Here you will discover over 500 species of indigenous plants, including a full 2,000 representative cacti and succulents, plus palms, pine trees and lots of spectacular and beautiful exotic flora. The entire experience is tranquil, fascinating and sure to set your romance ablaze.

Jardin Botánico Canario is situated along the Guinigarda Ravine, and the sheer number of individual plants is astonishing. Here you will find a vast array of species representative of both Macaronesian and Canarian types and surrounded by laurel forest.

Mirador de Degollada Becerra viewpoint is a broad gorge forming a dividing line between Vega de San Mateo and Tejeda, offering one of Gran Canaria’s most famed and iconic vistas. It is bordered on the north by the Montañas de la Almagria and in the south by Las Mejoranas. Here you will be able to see the famed Risco de la Foguera abyss, the Tejeda crater and Roque Bentayga, an ancient sacred spot.

The vistas here were formed by hundreds of millennia of erosion and provide one of the most stunning panoramic views you are likely to see. You will witness mountains, gorges, forests, ravines and every variety of geological features all in one spot.

Palmitos Park is a 20-hectare park, botanical garden, zoo and aviary in Gran Canaria where you can see falconry shows, exotic flora and other wonders. The park is divided into sections, including a butterfly house where these colourful insects will flitter around and land on you like in a fairytale.

The pond area boasts water birds like ducks and swans. The dolphinarium has 6 dolphins and regular live dolphin shows. A large aquarium features many oceanic species. Hummingbirds can be seen through glass cages, and you can walk through a fragrant house of orchids. When you’re done, visit the souvenir shop. The park is located about 6 miles north of the beaches and dunes of Maspalomas.

Playa del Inglés is among the most famed beaches in the Canary Islands with endless stretches of golden sand, calm surf, clear, turquoise waters and a relaxing vibe. This resort beach covers nearly 3 miles of space and is just minutes away from a nature reserve, restaurants, shops and accommodation options. Here you can find amenities for renting beach chairs and umbrellas and sports pitches for beach volleyball and beach football.

This vast beach stretches south from its namesake resort to the Maspalomas Lighthouse. The northern end of the resort is family-friendly, with children playing and adults lounging and basking in the sun. In the southern areas, the beach crowd gets a bit freer with nude beach areas.

The Puerto de Mogán neighbourhood has been deemed among the most romantic spots in Gran Canaria, with pretty, charming and serene locales right in the heart of the island. In the western area of this municipality, you’ll find a spectacular sunset spot to embrace and watch the brilliant colours or capture a photo for your Instagram feed.

Walk the promenade here, and you’ll be entranced as the entire place lights up with electric colour as the daylight grows dim and the succulent smell of fresh-cooked seafood wafts into the streets from the many restaurants in the area. Whether for a lazy day on the seashore or an evening of delicious food and drink, Puerto de Mogán is the spot.

The Maspalomas Dunes are a Nature Reserve space on the island's southern end with almost 5 miles of dedicated walking paths and hiking trails among stark natural sand dunes. This place is famed for its sheer, stark beauty, and all trails are well-marked and signalled. To protect the dunes themselves, stepping off the walking paths is not permitted.

When you are done exploring the dunes, you can head for the beach that is also part of the same nature reserve park and relax on endless stretches of golden sand and clear, dark blue waters. It’s a serene and stunningly beautiful way to spend a romantic afternoon.

Poema del Mar Aquarium is a grand aquarium located in Las Palmas along the cruise harbour and among the most spectacular in Europe, with thousands of oceanic creatures on exhibit. Here you will find everything from shallow water marine ecosystems to deep water ecosystems like coral reefs and even freshwater tanks. You will see jungle habitats, open ocean habitats, river and lake habitats, coral reefs, deep ocean and many others.

You will see species of sea life, both native and exotic, with hundreds of species on display in intricately recreated natural habitats. Some of the species here are exhibited for the first time anywhere. From moray eels to Viejas, dolphins to the pejeperro, you’ll see a stunning variety of creatures.

Whale and dolphin watching trips provide a romantic and thrilling experience as you get out on the open ocean to watch these beautiful, friendly creatures through a glass-bottom boat. These tours depart from the shores all around the island daily by various tour companies and offer you the chance to see some of the most majestic mammals in the sea up close.

The sight of a whale breaching the water is sure to quicken your pulse, and it’s almost impossible not to smile as dolphins play and show off all around you and even underneath. Many of these companies even guarantee their tours so you’re sure to see something or you can go again.