Nat Geo Day Tour: Gran Canaria's Southern Charms, a Photography Tour

Gran Canaria Tour with Teror, Tejeda and Lunch in Fataga

Villages, viewpoints and volcanic rocks dot Gran Canaria's jagged spine. This tour weaves its way through some of the island's most dramatic landscapes, stopping along the way to visit gems such as Teror, Tejeda and Fataga. David, one of our local guides, says, ‘The legend of the apparition of the Virgin Mary in Teror still intrigues me. It was in 1481, amid the Castilian conquest of Gran Canaria, and it helped change the island's destiny.'And Teror is where your adventure begins. Strolling past the balconied townhouses of Calle Real de la Plaza towards the mountain-framed basilica of Our Lady of the Pine is one of the defining Gran Canaria experiences. A scenic mountain drive away is Tejeda, which is a bit of a looker itself – red-roofed, whitewashed houses sprinkled on the slope of a valley. David adds, ‘Every time there's a list of Spain's prettiest villages, Tejeda is near the top. Its setting is unbeatable.' There's also a pit stop at Las Tirajanas viewpoint to admire a vast volcanic caldera, as we make our way to Fataga to eat. A lunch made from locally sourced ingredients will be served in a family-owned restaurant. After a little amble through the town, we'll visit a nearby aloe vera plantation to get the lowdown on its medicinal properties. Generations of islanders have used extracts from the plant for skin burns.

Hop-On Hop-Off Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 24hr Bus

Enjoy the stunning sea views of Las Palma and the wind in your hair, as you board the bus and create your tour.

Aqualand Maspalomas

Thrills, spills, rides and slides – and lots of fun – await you at Aqualand Maspalomas. One of the largest of water parks in the Canaries, it has more than 30 attractions to keep the whole family grinning all day.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Gran Canaria's Southern Charms, a Photography Tour

Uncover the most photogenic corners of southern Gran Canaria on this National Geographic Day Tour. Your adventure begins in the village of Temisas, famed for its olive oil. Wander the narrow lanes lined with white houses with Arabic tiles, then discover the town square and capture traditional architecture. Next up is the hilltop village and authentic Canarian town of Tunte. Explore the charming streets, from the old washing places to the 19th-century fountain of El Rosal. Observe the details of a tile oven, original cobblestone paths, traditional houses, and the Casa Canaria de Tunte – a tribute to the ancient Canaries. As you will soon discover, Canarian villages are characterized by white-washed houses which can be dazzling in the bright sunshine. The photographer will give you valuable tips for making the most of the abundant light for great photos even in these conditions. Explore the villages at your own pace, taking snaps of the unique corners that appeal to you. There's plenty of potential subjects in these photogenic and typical Canarian villages. Climb to El Polvo viewpoint with its striking rock formation. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the village and capture versatile images that tell its captivating story. The final stop is the sleepy hamlet of Fataga. Traverse the winding streets before gazing upon the striking stone massifs that flank the village. Finally, enjoy a spectacular drive down the mountain looking out to Meloneras and Maspalomas. View the imposing humpbacked sand dunes in the distance as you make your way to a local restaurant. Here, you'll review the photos and recap the experience over a well-earned lunch, after which the winning photograph will be revealed.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Guanches Mysteries Unearthed with an Archaeologist

Unveil the secrets of the Guanches, Gran Canaria's extinct aboriginal population, with an archaeologist on this National Geographic Day Tour. Begin your tour at La Fortaleza Museum, where you can learn about ancestral diets, uncovering the nourishment that fuelled generations past. You will also have access to the archive room, exclusive to National Geographic travellers. Inside, a pair of rare mummies will reveal stories about the lives and deaths of the island's original inhabitants. After, you'll enjoy some local delicacies such as olive oil, bread, Tenefé salt, and pastries made with gofio flour, almonds or figs. Next, explore La Fortaleza archeological site, the most complete in all Gran Canaria. Protected by law, it is important both in terms of its historical significance and location. See habitation caves adorned with paintings, granaries, stone houses, funerary monuments, engravings, and the island's oldest sanctuary. Learn why the Guanches' referred to it as the ‘Axis of the World', the place where heaven and earth converged. Witness the ancient way of life in La Fortaleza as you discover the tunnel that traverses the rock, offering panoramas of La Fortaleza de Abajo. This sprawling settlement of excavated houses is just a stone's throw away. Round off this experience with a scenic drive along winding roads to the foot of the caldera. You'll head to Mirador Santa Lucia, where you'll indulge in a typical Canarian lunch of regional cuisine with a side order of impressive views. As you relish the rich flavors, soak up the surrounding landscape and reflect on the history you've uncovered during this journey.

Palmitos Park Ticket

Dr Doolittle eat your heart out – Palmitos Park has more birds, fish and creatures than you could ever chat to. Set at the top of volcanic canyon near Maspalomas, this brilliant wildlife park boasts a roll call of residents that will impress your whole family, large and small.

Blue Bird Ticket

Cruising off the coast of the Gran Canaria has always been fun but this boat tour makes it even better. You can now hop off at any of the ports the Blue Bird boat docks in and wander around before hopping back on when the next one sails into port.The itineraries vary and cover four coastal towns in the southwest – Arguineguin, Anfi del Mar, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan. So you can tick off sleepy fishing villages like Anfi, bubbly seaside spots like Puerto Rico and Arguineguin or more dashing towns like Puerto de Mogan.Each has its own charm – and nowhere can the colour of a town be better appreciated than during the weekly market. In Arguineguin, it's every Tuesday, while in Puerto de Mogan, there are two. Monday is the farmers' market while Friday sees the town come to life for the ethnic and gastronomic market – African drums, wooden wind chimes and Canarian cheeses are among the stall buys.

Maspalomas Camel Tour

Tucked away in the southern tip of Gran Canaria is an oasis of unmatched beauty that'll make you think you're in the Sahara desert. The sand dunes of Maspalomas are hemmed in by the resorts of Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and Meloneras – and there's no more authentic way to explore them than on the back of a camel.

Wooland Holiday World Ticket

Wooland is Gran Canaria's biggest and best amusement park – so you'll be spoilt for choice with things to see and do. It's home to fairground attractions, adrenaline-pumping rides, a rollercoaster, giant Ferris wheel, children's playgrounds and even a street food market.

Jet-Ski Anfi del Mar Beach Ticket

Is the daredevil in you hankering for an adrenaline rush? Get behind the handlebars of a jet-ski, try parasailing or hop aboard the Crazy Jet wave-riding boat. After a brief safety tutorial, you'll get to live the dream. There are plenty of other watersports to choose from, too, including wakeboards, flyboards, banana boats and paddle surf.