Car Rental in Gran Canaria

Why rent a car in Gran Canaria?

The island of Gran Canaria is a great place to explore by car. The distances are small and the road network is in good shape. At the same time, there’s a lot of natural and cultural diversity that’s best discovered by venturing out of the main tourist zones and traveling at your own pace.

Top ways to enter Gran Canaria

• By plane: The island’s main airport is located about 20 km (12 mi) south of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and also provides easy access to other parts of Gran Canaria. Served by more than 40 airlines, Gran Canaria Airport offers flights not only to most European countries but also to North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
• By ferry: It is also possible to reach Gran Canaria by ferry from one of the nearby islands or even from Cadiz or Huelva on mainland Spain. You can then pick up your rental car at one of many car pick-up locations on the island.

City facts

• The largest city in Gran Canaria and the capital of the Canary Islands is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Located in the northeastern part of the island, the city has a population of almost 400,000.
• The weather in Gran Canaria is warm throughout the year, with low precipitation. However, the latter is unevenly distributed across the island. Some inland parts can be significantly colder than the coastal areas during the winter months.
•  The original population of the Canary Islands were the Guanches, a people related to North African Berbers. Throughout the centuries, the Guanches have been absorbed by the larger Spanish-speaking populations, but there are still vague traces of their culture in the architecture, artifacts, and some customs to be found on the island.

Top sights and activities

• Beaches. Undoubtedly, the main attraction in Gran Canaria is the island’s Atlantic shoreline. The southern part of the island attracts the most visitors, but Las Canteras Beach near Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also popular among both tourists and locals. 
• Catedral de Santa Ana. Not only is it a beautiful building, but the main church of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria also embodies much of the island’s varied history. First built in the early 16th century, the Cathedral is characterized by a mixture of Gothic, Moorish, and other architectural styles. Located in the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Cathedral is as impressive from the inside as it is from the outside.
• Puerto Rico. Not to be confused with the island in the Caribbean, this beach town in the southern part of Gran Canaria is a paradise for lovers of water sports. The drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria takes only about 50 minutes.
• Maspalomas Dunes. Probably the ultimate highlight of Gran Canaria, the otherworldly Maspalomas Dunes comprises a scenery of unfathomable beauty best enjoyed at sunset.

Traffic and parking

• Speed limits: 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on main roads (called carreteras in Spanish), 100km/h (62mph) on dual carriageways (called autovias in Spanish), and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autopistas in Spanish).
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm traveling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• The unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

All roads on the island are toll-free. In the rest of Spain, a toll road is called carretera de peaje. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100 km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Palmitos Park. Located near the cozy town of Maspalomas, this nature area is home to varied wildlife such as parrots, birds of prey, and dolphins.
• Teror. Despite its uninviting name, Teror on the north of the island is a quaint town where you can mingle with hospitable locals, try fruit and vegetables grown by village farmers, and relax in the mountains.
• Western Gran Canaria. Rugged and more of a challenge to reach, the western part of the island, it is nonetheless a rewarding destination thanks to its impressive nature and wild sea coast.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in the Canary Islands is the Kia Picanto. Travelers also choose the VW Polo and the Renault Clio a lot. The most popular car types in the Canary Islands are economy, mini, and compact.

Further destinations

• Inland Gran Canaria. Made up of lush valleys, pine-covered gorges, and towering peaks that reveal the island’s volcanic origin, much of the inland part of Gran Canaria is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. 
• Tenerife. The largest of the Canaries and sometimes considered a rival of Gran Canaria, Tenerife is known for its many beautiful beaches and resorts, but also for El Teide, the stunning mountain that is the highest in all of Spain, and the nature reserve of the same name.
• Fuerteventura. Located to the east of Gran Canaria, the large, but rather sparsely populated Fuerteventura is known for its great windsurfing conditions, as well as moonlike landscapes that are forged by the winds coming from the nearby Sahara.
• Lanzarote. The northernmost and easternmost of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote has quickly been growing in stature as a tourist destination for visitors from Western Europe. Like neighboring Fuerteventura, it is known for its otherworldly nature which is best exemplified by Timanfaya National Park, one of the largest nature preserves of the archipelago.
• IMPORTANT: Some rental car companies all you to pick up a rental car on one island and drop it off on another, but you should also see if the ferry company allows it. You will need to buy an additional ticket for your rental car, and it’s generally a good idea to book tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the warmer half of the year. Alternatively, you can drop off your rental on one island, travel without it, and pick one up on the next after arriving.

Car rental prices in Gran Canaria

• Small cars - from $2 per day
• Medium cars - from $3 per day
• SUVs - from $5 per day
• Vans - from $9 per day
• Large cars - from $15 per day
• Convertibles - from $7 per day
• Station wagons - from $9 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are ways to be smart about renting a car in Gran Canaria:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Plan your trip to Gran Canaria when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Gran Canaria is June, when renting a car is about 63% cheaper than the yearly average and about 75% cheaper than renting a car in August.