Gran Canaria Car Rental
So you have had few relaxing days around the pool or on the beach and you are
totally chilled out - now maybe it is time to do some island exploring. The best
way to do this is to hire a car. A wide selection of cars, anything from small
without air-con to flash open top cabriolets can be hired on a daily basis, with
varying prices depending on which group of vehicle you prefer. Discounts are
usually available for bookings of three days or more.
You can choose to hire your car from the airport, making the booking in advance
if you wish or from many hire car companies in the resorts. On line bookings
tend to be cheaper and you often get perks such as free upgrades or additional
drivers at no extra charge. Wherever you pick up your car, you will have to
produce a passport, driving licence and a credit card.
Suggested Car Tour of of Gran Canaria
If you fancy a half day trip, (still want to catch a few rays around the pool
in the afternoon), why not drive towards the centre of the island heading up
from Ingenio to the Cave Houses of Guayadeque. A little bit of history, the
Spanish invaded Gran Canaria in the 15th century and the natives of the island
known as Guanches had to conform to new regimes - namely, they had to become
Catholic, change their names to Spanish names and be prepared to up sticks and
move to one of the other Canary Islands. Many people went along with it, but
several fled to the hills and lived in the caves. Descendants of these folk
still live in the cave houses to this day, although the houses have all the
luxuries of the modern world. The people who were captured before managing to
escape to the mountains were sold off in slave markets in Valencia and Seville.
Whilst at Guayadeque stop a while at the chapel, then pop into the bar for
the best cafe con leche (milky coffee) in the area. Of course, you can try
something a little stronger such as the moscatel wine, if you wish. Small plates
of bread and locally produced cheese and ham will cost you just 1 euro, as does
every beverage sold in the bar. You can even buy a chunk of cheese or piece of
ham to take home with you at the end of your holiday. When you have finished
your refreshments, take a walk up the steps to number 17. The lady who lives
there will let you in to have a look around her fascinating cave home.
When you leave the caves and head back down to the main road, stop a while at
the Museum in Aguimes. It has a theme of crafts over the ages with antiques
galore. It is well worth a visit at Christmas time to see one of the many
Nativity displays on show in Gran Canaria.
If you decide to travel further afield, although you will not actually cover
many kilometres, you should allow the best part of the day to go either into the
middle of the island or all the way around it, due to the bendy mountainous
roads.
From the main coast road or GC1 motorway, take the Fataga road from Playa del
Ingles and drive up into the mountains. Just before you reach Fataga there is a
viewpoint which you really should not miss. The mountain views take your breath
away. Fataga itself is in a valley, know locally as the valley of palms - it is
said that every time a baby boy is born a palm tree is planted. From Fataga
follow the road to the municipality capital of San Bartolome De Tirajana. Be
sure to stop off at the little shop on the corner selling an abundance of fresh
fruit.
Continue up to the village of Tejeda, and amidst the pine forests and
mountainous countryside you will see fine samples of flora and fauna. Travel
just a little bit further to Cruce Tejeda (Tejeda crossroads) where there is a
small street market selling locally produced items. Sit outdoors and people
watch from one of the restaurants overlooking the crossroads. Follow the road up
to the highest point of the island, from where, on a clear day, you can see
Tenerife's mount Teide.
Now its time to make your descent back to the resort area where you are staying.
An excellent route to take is the road to Pueblo Mogan, stopping off at El
Tostador's famous restaurant, Acaymo. It is a great place to try the local tapas
on offer. The road from Pueblo Mogan, down to the port (Puerto Mogan) will then
lead you onto the coastal route back to your resort.
If you fancy taking in the capital city which is fabulous for shopping and
historical sight-seeing, you can head straight up the GC1 to Las Palmas from
your resort area. You could combine a shopping tour with a drive along the
northwest coast of the island, passing through Galdar, Guia, and stopping off at
Agaete, a pretty little harbour from where the fast ferry sets sail for
Tenerife. You then have the choice to come back through the centre of the island
returning via Fataga, or heading for the north-western coastline, (although this
mountain road with sheer drops is not for the fainthearted), through San
Nicholas de Tolentino, and this route will eventually lead you back to Pueblo
and Puerto Mogan.
Whichever journey you decide to make you will see the another side of Gran
Canaria. The beach and sea views of the resort areas are superb, but lets not
forget that this is not all that Gran Canaria has to offer the holidaymaker.
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