Gran Canaria Environment. Information Tourism. Exploring the Canary Islands will never be complete without a visit to its most popular island, Gran Canaria. From the colorful northern meadows and rolling hills to the arid, desert-like plains of the south, Gran Canaria gives travelers the chance to be in two different places on one unique island. There is no such thing as a "best" time to visit Gran Canaria because the weather stays pleasant all year round. Its capital, Las Palmas, is remarkable for history, which you can uncover first hand as you walk down the cobblestone streets and admire the regal mansions of the old quarter. The star of their history books is Christopher Columbus himself, who made preparations for his famous journey in the old quarter. Most visitors to Gran Canaria go for the beaches, and it's easy to see why. The island boasts 122 miles of beautiful coastline, so vacationers will not be disappointed. Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, and San Agustin are some of the more popular spots of the 50 beaches on the island, but there is nothing to stop you from wandering off-the-beaten path to discover a secret alcove or hidden paradise. Gran Canaria is also home to a mix of sand dunes in Maspalomas and mountainous terrain in Caldera de Bandama.