Canarias

Gran Canaria

A miniature continent — sand dunes in the south, cloud forests in the centre, and a capital city that feels more Atlantic than Spanish.

Days of sun~300
Winter18 °C
Summer25 °C
Area1,560 km²
Coastline236 km

Its story

Roughly circular volcanic island with a mountainous interior (Pico de las Nieves, 1,949m) and dramatic barrancos radiating to the coast

Carnival of Las Palmas (February), Cueva Pintada pre-Hispanic site, surfing culture at Las Canteras, Vegueta old town

Canarian potatoes with mojo, fresh tuna, local cheeses (queso de flor), ron miel, Canarian wines

Las Palmas has genuine city energy with a surfer edge; the south is resort-quiet; the interior is rural, steep and largely untouched

What almost nobody knowsLas Palmas has one of the mildest urban climates on earth — and city-centre prices below most mainland provincial capitals.

Hidden gems

Agaete

A fishing village in the northwest with natural rock pools (Las Salinas), a tiny coffee-growing valley, and the ferry to Tenerife — feels like a different island from Maspalomas.

Tejeda

A mountain village at 1,000m with views of Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga — almond blossom in February, deep silence, and some of the cheapest rural property in the Canaries.

Barrio de Vegueta, Las Palmas

The original colonial quarter: the cathedral where Columbus prayed, cobbled streets, Casa de Colón museum, and a growing gallery scene behind centuries-old facades.

Places to know: Dunas de Maspalomas · Roque Nublo · Caldera de Bandama · Tamadaba Natural Park

Living here

Airports: Gran Canaria (LPA)
Getting around: N/A — Canary Islands, no mainland rail connection
Main roads: GC-1 (south motorway), GC-2 (north motorway)
Healthcare: Good — Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín and Hospital Insular are both large reference centres
Schools: British curriculum available
International community: Moderate to large — Scandinavian and German retirees in the south, growing digital nomad community in Las Palmas
Language: Low in Las Palmas and resort areas, moderate elsewhere
Popular areas: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Maspalomas / Playa del Inglés, Mogán, Telde, San Bartolomé de Tirajana

The Dream Nest view

Who it suits

Scandinavian and German retirees and winter residents in southern resort areas, digital nomads in Las Palmas (strong surf and co-working culture), some British second-home buyers, growing interest from US remote workers

Mortgage notes

Same Canarian REF tax regime advantages as Tenerife — IGIC instead of mainland IVA (commonly cited around 7%, pending verification of the current rate). Banks in Las Palmas experienced with non-resident applications. Property transfer tax (ITP) commonly cited around 6.5%, pending verification of the current rate. Currency exchange considerations for GBP/SEK/NOK earners are significant given year-round living costs.

Worth knowing before you commit

Southern resort complexes often have complex community ownership structures — verify tourist exploitation clauses before purchase. Las Palmas is experiencing housing pressure from short-term rental demand. Water is scarce and desalinated — utility costs higher than mainland. Interior mountain properties can be difficult to access and may lack mains water.

Indicative information, pending verification by Dream Nest. Sources consulted: Idealista, INE, AEMET, Registradores de España, Gobierno de Canarias

Thinking about Gran Canaria?

Tell us about your plans and we'll prepare a personalised guide to the area — and what a bank in Spain will look at for your case.

Request your area guide