Island in Canary Islands, Spain
Gran Canaria
Canary island with big-city Las Palmas, golden dunes at Maspalomas and mountains inland. Warm all year and a major nomad hub; the south is resort-heavy and a car helps outside Las Palmas.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,910–2,700Comfortable, one person · €1,700–2,400Details
- Value for money52/100Better value than 51% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goOct–AprWarmest: Sep, 24°CDetails
- Air quality5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2013) · Meets the WHO guidelineDetails
- Internet263 MbpsFixed broadband, Spain medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilMostly desalinated and safe to drink, but salty-tasting; most residents and visitors drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$56–113Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundCabifyWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless work almost everywhere; markets, kiosks and some small bars prefer cash.Details
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Las Palmas (Las Canteras) | Nomads: city beach, cafés, coworking and year-round life |
| Vegueta and Triana | Historic center, culture and local food, quieter evenings |
| Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas | Resorts, dunes, gay scene and big nightlife |
| Puerto de Mogán | Quiet fishing-village resort with a marina |
| Agaete and Gáldar | Quiet north-west coast, hiking and cheaper rent |
Apps that work in Gran Canaria
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Renfe: High-speed and regional train tickets
- ALSA: Long-distance bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and available at ranks; app coverage drops outside Las Palmas and the south. Airport trips have posted fixed rates.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Spain.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; markets, kiosks and some small bars prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Many Spanish ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros per withdrawal; Euronet machines cost more. Always decline the conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Round up at bars and leave 5–10% for good restaurant service; check whether service is already included.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost everywhere. Bizum, used to split bills, needs a Spanish bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 091 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Phone shops and airport kiosks sell prepaid SIMs (Orange, Vodafone, Digi, Lebara); about €10–25 for 30–100 GB. Passport required to register. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Spain
Going to Gran Canaria solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Gran Canaria meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.