Couples activities in Gran Canaria offer a world of excitement and adventure, from historic sites to tropical beach paradise settings, animal experiences and vast green space. You can spend hours exploring local parks and natural sand dunes or relax on soft white sand on the shores of clear blue ocean surf, building sandcastles, playing beach volleyball, bathing and snorkeling. You can head to an aquarium to see native sea life or even go on a whale-watching tour to see marine life in the wild.

From colorful botanical gardens to promenades with quaint shops, romance is just around the corner. Learn some of the best things to do on your romantic Gran Canaria vacation.

  • 1

    Catedral de Santa Ana de Canarias

    See the oldest cathedral in Las Palmas

    Catedral de Santa Ana de Canarias
    • Couples
    • History

    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.

    Location: Plaza Santa Ana, C. Obispo Codina, 13, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm

    Phone: +34 928 33 14 30

    Map
  • 2

    Playa de Amadores

    Relax on an expansive bay beach

    Playa de Amadores
    • Adventure
    • Couples

    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 meters 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.

    Location: Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain

    Map
  • 3

    Jardín Botánico Canario

    Walk 27 hectares of a stunning botanical garden

    Jardín Botánico Canario
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Photo

    Jardín Botánico Canario is the primary botanical garden on Gran Canaria. It is one of the largest in Spain, with 27 hectares of colorful 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.

    Location: Carretera del Dragonal Km 7 (GC-310, Spain

    Open: Monday–Friday from 7.30 am to 7 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +34 928 21 95 80

    Map
  • 4

    Mirador de Degollada Becerra viewpoint

    See miles and miles of natural, historic wonders

    Mirador de Degollada Becerra viewpoint
    • Couples
    • History
    • Photo

    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.

    Location: GC-150, 3, 35328 Vega de San Mateo, Las Palmas, Spain

    Map
  • 5

    Palmitos Park

    Visit a massive zoological park

    Palmitos Park
    • Adventure
    • Couples

    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 colorful 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.

    Location: Barranco de los Palmitos, s/n, 35109 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm

    Phone: +34 928 79 70 70

    Map
  • 6

    Playa del Inglés

    Relax on the beach

    Playa del Inglés
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • Families

    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 accommodations options. Here you can find amenities for renting beach chairs and umbrellas and sports pitches for beach volleyball and beach soccer.

    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 neighborhoods, the beach crowd gets a bit freer with nude beach neighborhoods.

    Location: Spain

    Map
  • 7

    Puerto de Mogán

    Visit one of Gran Canaria’s most romantic spots

    Puerto de Mogán
    • Adventure
    • Couples
    • History
    • Photo

    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 colors 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 color 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.

    Location: Spain

    Map
  • 8

    Maspalomas Dunes

    Explore 5 miles of walking trails in a nature reserve

    Maspalomas Dunes
    • Adventure
    • Couples

    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.

    Location: Spain

    Map
  • 9

    Poema del Mar Aquarium

    See one of Europe’s largest aquariums

    Poema del Mar Aquarium
    • Adventure
    • Couples

    Poema del Mar Aquarium is a grand aquarium located in Las Palmas along the cruise harbor 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.

    Location: Av. de los Consignatarios, s/n, 35008, Las Palmas, Spain

    Open: Daily from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

    Phone: +34 928 01 03 50

    Map
  • 10

    Whale and dolphin watching trips

    Get out on the open sea for a thrilling experience

    Whale and dolphin watching trips
    • Adventure
    • Couples

    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.

    Location: Spain