Thursday, 19 March 2015 17:53

Top Ten Gran Canaria Sunset Spots

Sunset in south Gran Canaria, at the beach of Anfi Sunset in south Gran Canaria, at the beach of Anfi

If you're anywhere near these Gran Canaria spots just before sunset, then what are you waiting for?

Maspalomas

Maspalomas 011Whether you're sitting on a sand dune with the lighthouse silhouetted by the setting sun or walking under the palm trees on Boulevard Faro, Maspalomas gets cracking sunsets almost every night. One of the best spots is the first set of dunes by the Charco de Maspalomas lagoon. You see the sun setting behind the palms and the lighthouse and also all the people walking along the shore. Most days a fishing or sailing boat goes past to create the perfect scene.

Another top spot is the newly refurbished mirador at the end of Avenida Tirajana in Playa del Inglés. Great for sitting on a step with a cold beer (BYO) and watching the dunes slowly fade to black.

 

Tamadaba

Yoga Tamadaba etc 011It's a long drive back to your accommodation, but sunset from high up on the Tamadaba massif in north-west Gran Canaria is spectacular. Sit close to the edge and you get the clearest view possible of the sun dropping behind Teide volcano.

With a bit of effort, you can camp at Tamadaba and experience the sun rising through the pine trees as well.

 

Amadores beach

Mogan 1 of 1 105Most people leave Amadores beach in time to get back to their hotel in time for food, but it's well worth hanging back until sunset. The cliffs light up in the warm light and the rows of parasols cast long shadows across the sand.

Best of all, you get the whole of Amadores beach to yourself.

 

Puerto de las Nieves

vanalles 032The ferry port blocks the view from the town but just walk north along the promenade for the full impact of the setting sun lighting up the west coast cliffs. You can even watch it from in the water at the natural swimming pools.

Alternatively, walk up through Agaete and watch the sunset over the flat roofs of the town and through the palm trees by the coast. The best spot to be is here.

This area gets lots more clear sunsets that everywhere else on the north coast as it's sunnier.

 

Puerto de Mogán

newest008The alleys behind the marina at Puerto de Mogán run from east to west so you get the gorgeous sunset light flooding down them and lighting up the bougainvillaea archways. Then the sun sets and the sky turns a fantastic blue colour. The perfect time for a drink and then dinner by the sea.

However, the best sunset spot in town is at the far west end of the marina. Just walk up a short track from the road and you'll find a rocky shelf where people gather to play music and watch the sun go down over the ocean. 

Another option is walk to the far end of the beach and watch the sun drop behind the marina.

 

Pico de las Nieves

Roque Nublo Sunset 003The high point: From Pico de las Nieves you see the sun drop behind Teide volcano with the silhouettes of Roque Nublo andRoque Bentaiga in the foreground. Some days the views are wiped out by mist but on others the swirling cloud lights up the sky and make the sunset a magical experience. Take layers as it can be cold this high up even during the summer.

 

Las Canteras

Mogan 1 14Cloudless skies aren't as guaranteed in Las Palmas as they are down south but when Las Canteras beach gets a sunset, it really puts on a show. Between the twin peaks of Galdar volcano and Teide on the horizon, surfers walking home, coconut palms tree silhouettes and the funky LED lights along the beachfront, its got to be one of the world's top urban beach spots for a sundowner.

Grab a table by a coconut palm tree, order a rum (Canarian please) and coke, and look west. Behind Tenerife and the eastern Canary islands, there's nothing except water until the Caribbean. But it has to wait for another six hours until it's time for a sunset drink. Cheers.

 

El Confital

sunset confital 001It you prefer your sunsets natural then walk north along the coast from Las Canteras until you get to El Confital beach. 30 years ago it was a slum but now it's Las Palmas' pristine sunset spot. There's nothing but a wooden boardwalk and you get to watch the whole of north Gran Canaria lit up by the setting sun.

Just remember to take your own refreshment as there are no facilities at El Confital.

 

The Cumbres

Hiking Gran Canaria 005If you're high up in Gran Canaria and looking west you get a great sunset. Good spots in the highlands include Cruz de Tejeda, Artenera and Tejeda villages and the rock platform at Roque Nublo (take a torch for the walk back down to the road). Just remember that you need to be over the spine of the island to get the sunset.

 

Arguineguín

Mogan 1 42The west side of Arguineguín gets clear sunset views with Tenerife up on the horizon and the bright lights of Anfi and Patalavaca in the foreground. Bag a table by the beach at Las Marañuelas beach or La Lajilla pool and enjoy south Gran Canaria's most local sunset. 

If you want a bird's-eye view, then climb up to the top of the ridge overlooking Arguineguin. The path starts at the back of Loma II.

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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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