Car Hire in Gran Canaria

About Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the second-largest island of the Canary Islands and is located in the Atlantic Ocean near Morocco. The island has a population of 846,769 (2013) and an area of 1,560 square kilometres. It is best known for its warm weather, but also for its ancient cave paintings, which date back to around 10,500 BC.

Gran Canaria is a popular holiday resort in the Canary Islands. It is very beautiful and attracts many tourists every year.
There are some interesting things to see in Gran Canaria, like dunes, cactus forests and waterfalls. There are also some beautiful beaches (and some beaches that are less suitable for swimming because of the strong waves). You can surf, dive or just sunbathe!

Basic info and car hire in Gran Canaria

• Location: Canary Islands
• Population: 846,769 (2013)
• Official language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Weather: The climate makes the island one of the best holiday destinations in the whole of Europe, with sunny days all year round and beautiful beaches with turquoise waters.
• Internet coverage: Most hotels, bars, restaurants and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions: Road conditions in Gran Canarias are in general very good and well maintained. Mountain roads can get windy, so it's good to drive safely on the mountain roads even if the locals will drive faster. 
• Car hire in Gran Canaria: The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Gran Canaria is at the airport. There are many different car rental companies available and they all offer competitive prices, so it's best to book a car three or eight weeks ahead of time - this will ensure you get an affordable rate!

 Driving in Gran Canaria

Driving in Gran Canarias is relatively simple but it might feel overwhelming with the locals driving around you. Roads are in good condition, not many stop lights to worry about. Roundabouts can be a challenge, to keep it simple always use the right lane in roundabouts, locals will never use the left lane and you might get stuck there if you go onto the left lane. 

It is perfectly safe to drive in Gran Canarias. If you hear locals honking their horns, do not let it get to you. If you are driving on the mountain roads, the locals will want to drive faster than tourists. So it is great to stop and allow them to overtake once in a while to avoid traffic jams. At the same time, we recommend driving carefully on the mountain roads even if the locals want to do it differently. 

There is a zero drink-driving policy in the Gran Canarias. The maximum alcohol level in the blood can be 0.05% (BAC) which is lower than in the UK. And the police do have regular checks so it's good to keep in mind. 

• Age limits: The minimum age to hire a car in Gran Canaria is 21 years of age. The driver must also have held the license for a minimum of 1 year. 
• International Driving Permit: If you have a driving license outside the EU and UK, you will need International Driving Permit. 
• Additional papers: Identification(passport), a valid driving licence, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance with Orbit Car Hire in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in Gran Canaria) 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle. First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: All occupants must wear seat belts. Children under 18KG in weight must be in child seats and those who are 135CM tall or shorter should stay behind the driver on a booster cushion for safety's sake!
• Driving side of the road: Right Side. 
• Lights: When it rains and during nighttime.
• General speed limits: 100km/h on motorways and 40km/h in residential areas. 
• Parking suggestions: In Las Palmas, you'll see blue lines on the street? that means there are paid parking zones. If your stay is longer than what's allowed by law or if fines have been incurred for overstaying previously- don't worry! Just cancel them through this machine here in our city hall reception area and then take care not to break any more laws while driving around town. Otherwise, parking in Gran Canaria is straightforward. 

What to see in Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of the island where most tourists go on holiday. Gran Canaria has many interesting attractions such as the nightlife of Telde, the Roque Nublo, the dunes of Maspalomas and much more. Tourists come to the island to enjoy the beaches and historical sites. You can visit nature reserves with rocks and caves like Aesop or Torrent de Anafora. You can also enjoy water adventures like surfing and canoeing.

The emblematic capital of the Canary Islands is also a beautiful city with many shops, bars and restaurants where you can taste delicious dishes of island cuisine. All this makes Gran Canaria an interesting destination for tourists from all over the world who want to spend their holidays in a special place, far away from home, surrounded by nature that gives them shade and tranquillity, just what we all need sometimes.

Drive your rental car beyond Gran Canaria

There are many great road trips to drive in Gran Canarias. Here you will find our top 4 road trips in Gran Canarias. 

A 20-kilometre drive via Puerto de Mogán to Maspalomas is a perfect way to relax and enjoy everything this place has to offer. Along the roads, many shops are selling fresh fruit from the island's plantations. So if you have the chance, do not forget to try it! Also visit Playa del Inglés or Arguineguín, two places located in the best part of Gran Canaria!

A trip to Tejeda, Sorvilán and Arure is a must if you are passionate about hiking. This route is 35 miles long, so make sure you have enough time and energy for this adventure. As you traverse these places, you will see amazing landscapes and cute little villages with really friendly people who will help you with any information you might need. Be careful because in the summer months it can be too hot! There are no big cities or supermarkets near these small villages, so prepare well before you go!

If you enjoy driving on mountain roads, then drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (the island's capital) through the Barranco de Guayadeque to Teror. This drive takes you through the beautiful green countryside with magnificent cliffs and breathtaking views.

If you drive down the west coast of the island from Puerto de Mogan and then turn north on the east coast, you will enter areas that are unspoilt and not visited by most tourists. You will experience a mixture of pine forests and dry rocky landscapes, as well as unspoilt, deserted beaches where you can admire the views of large rock formations and enjoy the peace - absolutely relaxing! Many islanders consider these places their insider tips. So make sure you do not tell anyone about them, or you might not be able to enjoy them in peace.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Gran Canaria

To explore the food of Gran Canaria, take a look at some of the most emblematic dishes that are guaranteed to make your mouth water. One dish you definitely should not miss is the "lechazo asado" (roast lamb). It is prepared with only salt, pepper and thyme. Another island favourite is the "Arroz Negro" (black rice), prepared with squid ink, which gives the final product an almost black appearance and a delicious taste. You can also try traditional desserts such as toñas de yema (egg yolks in syrup) or coconut sweets called "piononos".

The capital Las Palmas is swarming with restaurants, bars, discos and theatres. There are around 200 places where you can experience international gourmet cuisine. Prepare to take a journey of your taste buds as you sample some of the outstanding dishes the island has to offer. Let us start our tour at Puerto de la Luz, one of the city's most popular beaches. It is very close to Las Canteras beach, considered one of the best places to surf in Gran Canaria.