Island in Canary Islands, Spain
Gran Canaria for solo travelers
Is Gran Canaria good for solo travel?
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.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Occasional catcalling in resorts; watch drinks in busy bars and use taxis late at night. |
How to meet people in Gran Canaria
Large nomad scene in Las Palmas with Meetup groups, coworking events, surf and kitesurf schools, language exchanges and social hostels near Las Canteras.
Good things to do alone
- Swim or surf at Las Canteras beach
- Walk the Maspalomas dunes at sunrise
- Hike to Roque Nublo
- Eat fresh fish in Puerto de Mogán
- Wander Vegueta's old town on a weekday morning
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
| 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 |
Solo travel across Spain
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Madrid | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Valencia | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Málaga | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Gran Canaria | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Costa del Sol | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palma | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Las Palmas | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San Sebastián | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Seville | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mallorca | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Ibiza | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Tenerife | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Granada | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lanzarote | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bilbao | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Alicante | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Fuerteventura | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cádiz | 4/5 | Limited |
| Santiago de Compostela | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Costa Blanca | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Costa Brava | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Maspalomas | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sitges | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Salamanca | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Córdoba | 3/5 | Limited |
| Marbella | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Menorca | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Toledo | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Benidorm | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Gran Canaria good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). Canary island with big-city Las Palmas, golden dunes at Maspalomas and mountains inland.
How do you meet people in Gran Canaria?
Large nomad scene in Las Palmas with Meetup groups, coworking events, surf and kitesurf schools, language exchanges and social hostels near Las Canteras. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Gran Canaria?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Gran Canaria safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Occasional catcalling in resorts; watch drinks in busy bars and use taxis late at night.
More about Gran Canaria
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
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.