Gran Canaria - What To Do?

[shivvy]

We are taking a last minute break in Gran Canaria for a week this weekend.
I'm looking for a few tips on what not to miss while we are there.
We like trying local food, drink and culture. Not so keen on aquaparks and all night bars!
I have been googling a bit so don't need links to tourism sites thanks. I'm more interested in peoples own experiences and what is worth seeing.
Thanks in advance.

[Buenchico]

It might help people here to know where you'll be staying? Las Palmas? Playa del Inglés? Somewhere else?

Also, are you planning on staying local or do you, perhaps, intend to hire a car?

[shivvy]

I think it is only 30 miles in diameter Buenchico so nowhere is too far away. We will probably use buses and taxis, but we could hire a car too.

[Zacs-Master]

It might be 30 miles in diameter bit there’s a bloody great volcano in the middle. A little maths tells me the circumference is approx 100 miles

[shivvy]

Honestly, I'm happy about our travelling arrangements thanks.
I'm looking for ideas about what to do when we are there. Interesting things that people have seen or done that might not be on info sites.

[anneasquith]

Hire a car, go into the mountains .

[Buenchico]

I still can't see the point of, say, someone recommending a restaurant in Playa de Tasarte if you're staying in Las Palmas. The mountainous roads mean that it would take around 1 hour 40 minutes in a taxi to get there. It would have to be a really exceptional restaurant to justify the time and expense!

[Buenchico]

>>> Hire a car, go into the mountains

Excellent advice. That way you can get well away from the tourist traps and discover places where the locals eat.
https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/Gran-Canaria-Mountains

[shivvy]

Thank you for your replies Buenchico, but I think my question is maybe getting a bit lost in your concern about the travelling issue? I understand your point, however if we were out for the day around the island it would not be hard to schedule in a stop at a restaurant on the other side of the island.
Thanks for the suggestion of driving into the mountains anneasquith, and thanks for the link Buenchico.