From volcanic drama to sleepy hilltop villages, we take you on a winding journey along Gran Canaria’s six best drives.

Hiring a car in Gran Canaria is one of those travel moves that turns a good holiday into a great one. It gives you the freedom to slip away from the resorts, chase sunsets up in the mountains, and find those tucked-away tapas bars the tour buses never reach.

Here's our selection of the 6-best drives on Gran Canaria:

1. GC-60: Maspalomas to Tejeda via Fataga
Distance: 43 km | Drive time: 1 hr 15 mins (without stops – but you’ll definitely stop)
Start your journey where the dunes meet the desert – Maspalomas - and climb into the island’s volcanic heart. The GC-60 is one of Gran Canaria’s most iconic drives, snaking past the ochre cliffs and palm-fringed oasis of Fataga, known as the “Valley of a Thousand Palms.”
Stop at Mirador de la Degollada de las Yeguas for a panorama that looks straight out of a Western. Then wind your way to San Bartolomé de Tirajana, a sleepy village of whitewashed houses, and onward to Tejeda, perched 1,000 metres up and crowned one of Spain’s prettiest villages.
Grab a coffee with a view of Roque Nublo, the island’s famous volcanic monolith, and try not to gloat about how smugly off grid you feel.

2. GC-200: Agaete to Aldea de San Nicolás (via Mirador del Balcón)
Distance: 42 km | Drive time: 1 hr 10 mins
Gran Canaria’s wild west awaits. The GC-200 hugs cliffs so dramatic they could give the Amalfi Coast a run for its euros. Leaving the charming port of Agaete, where white houses tumble towards the Atlantic, you’ll follow hairpin bends that reveal endless blue sea and jagged peaks.
Stop at Mirador del Balcón, dubbed “the Dragon’s Tail,” where the road drops away beneath you and the island’s serrated coastline unfurls into infinity. It’s one of the island’s most jaw-dropping viewpoints - and also one of the few places where silence feels like an event.
End your drive in Aldea de San Nicolás, a tranquil farming town surrounded by banana plantations and sleepy cafés.

3. GC-15: Las Palmas to Tejeda via Santa Brígida and San Mateo
Distance: 44 km | Drive time: 1 hr 20 mins
From city to summit, this route takes you from the bustle of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to the crisp mountain air of Tejeda. The GC-15 meanders through vineyards, eucalyptus forests, and avocado farms, offering a greener, gentler face of the island.
Stop in Santa Brígida for a coffee and a wander among its colonial-style houses, then continue through San Mateo, famous for its weekend farmers’ market. The final climb rewards you with those picture-perfect views over the Caldera de Tejeda and a reminder that you’re driving through the island’s volcanic heart.

4. GC-500: Maspalomas to Puerto de Mogán (Coastal Route)
Distance: 29 km | Drive time: 40 mins
For something more laid-back, follow the old coastal road from Maspalomas to Puerto de Mogán, affectionately called “Little Venice” for its flower-draped bridges and pastel-painted buildings.
This sun-soaked route passes Arguineguín, Anfi del Mar, and Amadores, offering views of the glittering Atlantic all the way. You’ll find tempting beach cafés for pit stops and enough photo ops to fill your camera roll.
Finish in Puerto de Mogán with grilled fish by the marina and a smug smile that says, “I’ve found paradise and I’m not telling anyone.”
 
5. GC-210: Tejeda to Artenara and Tamadaba Natural Park
Distance: 36 km | Drive time: 1 hr 10 mins
This mountain road feels like a secret handshake among locals. From Tejeda, head northwest towards Artenara, Gran Canaria’s highest village. Here, homes are carved into cliffs, and the views stretch to Tenerife’s Mount Teide on clear days.
Continue into Tamadaba Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve carpeted with pine forest. The air smells of resin and mountain rain, and the scenery feels untouched by time. It’s wild, remote, and humbling - a world away from the beach resorts below.
 
6. GC-550: Agüimes to Santa Lucía and San Bartolomé
Distance: 35 km | Drive time: 1 hr
For a taste of the island’s traditional side, the GC-550 winds through the southeastern foothills. Starting in Agüimes, a beautifully restored old town with ochre stone houses, the road climbs through olive groves and past windmills to Santa Lucía de Tirajana.
Stop for a palm wine tasting or a bite of local goat’s cheese before continuing to San Bartolomé, where the landscape opens into deep ravines and rugged beauty. This is Gran Canaria at its most charming and authentic.

So hire yourself a car, fill up the tank and start your exploring adventures. And remember, goats always have the right of way. 
 
Why Take a Scenic Drive in Gran Canaria?

• Compact Adventure – Nowhere is too far, but every road feels like a new adventure.
• Epic Landscapes – From desert dunes to pine forests in under an hour.
• Authentic Villages – See the real island beyond the resorts.
• Perfect Pit Stops – Coffee in Fataga, wine in Santa Lucía, sea views in Mogán.
• Year-Round Sunshine – Warm weather makes every day perfect for exploring.
• Endless Photo Ops – Expect to pull over a lot.
• Friendly Locals – Villagers wave, café owners chat, and everyone seems to know someone’s cousin in your hometown.
• Freedom – No schedules, no timetables, just you, the road, and the next wow.