Orientation
Due to its rather regular shape, Gran Canaria is sometimes called a round island (round island). The highest peak rises in the center – Pico de las Nieves - rising in height 1949 m n.p.m. All the ravines that cross the island also begin here, which descend towards the sea. You can actually say, that Gran Canaria has the shape of a cone, were it not for the flat terrain on the southeast coast. The island is, in a way, divided into two areas – less populated north-west and south-east, where most of the local population lives, additionally supported by tourists.
Arrival
Plane
Gando airport, ok. 16 km south of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (928579130, www.aena.es), serves hundreds of charter flights every day from all corners of Europe. In addition, you can fly to Gran Canaria by regular and low-cost airlines from Madrid, Berlin or London. Birrter Canarias and Islas Airways connect you to Lanzarote (BC ok. 10 daily flights), Fuerteventura (BC ok. 11 daily flights, HE 2 flights per day), Tenerife (BC ok. 15 daily flights, It's ok. 3 flights per day), La Palma (BC ok. 3 daily flights), La Gomera (BC ok. 2 flights per day) oraz El Hierro (BC 2 flights per day). There is a tourist information office at the airport (9285741 17; codz. 8.00-21.00).
Persons, who come on a trip purchased at a travel agency, do not have to worry about traveling from the airport to the hotel - the trip is guaranteed by the tour operator. Others have a choice of buses to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (#60; ok. 30 min; 2 €) and to Maspalomas (#5 i 66; ok. 1 at; 3 €).
Prom
Ferries to the rest of the archipelago leave from the ports of Agaete and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Arms Shipping Company (902456500, www.navieraarmas.com). Ferries operate on the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Santa Cruz de Tenerife route (nd.-pt. 3 calls a day, sb. 1 connection; adults from 50 € return, 12-26 years 30 €, do 12 years 23 €, do 3 years bezpt.; ok. 3 at), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Morro Jable (1 connection a day; adults from 80 C both ways, 12-26 years 70 €, do 12 years 40 C, do 3 years free; ok. 3 at), The Gran Canarian palms- Port of Rosario (wt,-sb. 1 daily; adults from 90 C both ways, 12-26 years 70 C, do 12 years 45 €, do 3 years free; ok. 8 at).
Fred Olsen (902535090, www.fredolsen.es). The company serves connections on the Agaete-Santa Cruz de Tenerife route (pn.-pt. 6 calls a day, sb. i nd. 4 calls a day; adults from 86 € return, 12-26 years 65 C, do 12 years 45 €, do 3 years free).
Communication
Bus
The only means of transport in Gran Canaria is by bus, but you have to admit, that the network of connections is very logical and allows you to navigate around the island without too much difficulty. Routes and timetables can be checked on the carrier's website, Global companies (902381110, www.globalsu.net), or ask for a schedule at the tourist information office. Traveling by bus, it is worth investing in a card called Bono-bus (available at stations and newsagents; ok. 12 €), with which the rides are about 20% cheaper. The card should be inserted into the validator at the entrance to the bus and told to the driver, where are you going, so that he could deduct the appropriate amount from it.
Bus lines: The line #1; Las Palmas-Puerto de Mogan (pn.-pt. 40 calls a day, sb. i nd. 30 calls a day); the line #12; Las Palmas-Telde (codz. 30 connections); line # 21: Las Palmas-Aguimes (pn.-pt. 13 connections); line #30 i 50; Las Palmas de Gran Canaria-Maspalomas (pn.-pt. 50 calls a day, sb. i nd. 30 calls a day); the line #32; English beach — Puerto de Mogan (codz. 22 connections); the line #36: Maspalomas-Telde (codz. 15 connections); the line #60: Palmas forest-airport (codz. 35 connections); line # 66: Maspalomas-airport (codz. 15 connections); The line #101 Galdar-Aldea de San Nicolas (pn.-sb. 4 calls a day; nd. 2 calls a day); The line #103 Las Palmas-Puerto de las Nieves (codz. 25 connections); line #105 i 100: the palms galdar (codz. 40 connections); the line #205: Las Palmas-Arucas (pn.-pt. 36 connections, sb. i nd. 16 connections); the line #216; Las Palmas-Teror (codz. 16 connections).
Car
Gran Canaria is best explored by rental car. There is no need to explain the advantages of using your own means of transport, however, it is worth remembering, that rent a vehicle in Gran Canaria, just like on the other islands, it is relatively cheap and easy, because rentals, especially in southern resorts, they work practically on every corner. It is worth booking a car online before leaving - then you can take advantage of the discounts. Gran Canaria is not big - there is actually no such point on the island, which could not be reached in an hour and a half. Planning car trips, however, it must be taken into account, that most routes, especially those leading inland, it's hundreds of turns.
Car rentals
cicar (www.cicar.com). Airport offices, w Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Ingles i Agaete Beach.
Faycan (902107707, www.faycan.es). Airport offices, w Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Inglśs Beach i Puerto Rico.
Notice (902180854, www.avis.es). Airport offices, w Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, English Beach and Puerto Rico.
Automoreno (901300320, fax 928771264, www.autosmoreno.es). Airport offices, w Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Inglas Beach, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico.