Find your perfect car hire in Gran Canaria
Our Gran Canaria car rental services can be easily located on arrival at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport, as well as in the island’s capital, Las Palmas. We also have car hire offices at the popular seaside resorts of Playa del Inglés and Playa de Puerto Rico.
Set at the heart of a cluster of sunny islands off the coast of Morocco, Gran Canaria is the most populated of the Canaries and, after Tenerife, the most visited. Owing to its diminutive size, it takes less than an hour to drive along the coast from Las Palmas in the far north to Playa de Puerto Rico in the south. Hiring a car in Gran Canaria is by far the best way to access the Canary Island’s 60km of pristine beaches, picturesque volcanic landscapes and UNESCO-protected pine forests.
Popular car hire locations in Gran Canaria
Avis services in Gran Canaria
Our Gran Canaria locations offers a quality fleet for every kind of trip. A compact car is ideal for the streets of Las Palmas and busy resort areas, while an SUV or estate is more comfortable on the winding mountain roads of the interior. For families, a people carrier gives everyone room.
Add any extras you need when you book, including GPS navigation, child safety seats and additional driver cover. Our friendly team is on hand to help you choose the right car for your plans.
Gran Canaria car rental FAQs
What are the age requirements for hiring a car in Gran Canaria?
The minimum age depends on the country and the car group you choose, and a young driver surcharge may apply to drivers under 25. Check the rental terms shown during booking for the exact requirements. Drivers also need a full, valid driving licence, so bring yours when you collect the car.
Can I pick up my hire car in Gran Canaria and return it to another location?
Yes. One-way rental with Avis lets you collect your car in Gran Canaria and return it to another Avis location. Availability and any one-way fee depend on your route, so check when you book. Many Avis locations also offer 24-hour drop-off, which makes one-way trips more flexible.
Is it worth hiring a car in Gran Canaria?
Yes. Gran Canaria's best sights are spread across the island, from the dunes of Maspalomas to the mountain villages of the interior, and a hire car lets you reach them on your own schedule. Buses are limited outside the main resorts.
What is parking like in Gran Canaria?
Parking is generally easy in smaller towns and at most beaches, though Las Palmas and the main resorts can be busy. Blue-marked bays are paid, so check the machine for charges and time limits. Look out for signs and payment instructions, as rules can vary from one area to the next.
What type of car should I hire for Gran Canaria?
A compact car is perfect for resort areas and city streets. If you plan to explore the mountains, an SUV or a car with a stronger engine makes the hairpin bends and climbs more comfortable. You can choose your preferred car group and add any extras you need when you book.
Tips for driving in Gran Canaria
Spain drives on the right. The motorways along the east and south coasts are fast and easy, but the mountain roads of the interior are a different matter, with hairpin bends and steep climbs, so allow about twice as long as the distance suggests. Clouds can gather around the central peaks, cutting visibility, so slow down and use dipped headlights. Fill up before you head into the mountains, as petrol stations are fewer there. In Las Palmas, blue bays are paid parking.
Want a quick guide to the rules of Spanish roads? We’ve unlocked them for you here.
Exploring Gran Canaria
It’s no secret that Gran Canaria’s biggest draw is its sun-soaked shores. With temperatures that rarely dip below 19°C, the beaches are as popular in winter as they are in peak season. While the sheltered sandy swathes of Playa del Inglés and Playa de Puerto Rico are a magnet for families, the island has a string of pretty bays and quiet coves along its coastline for those seeking some privacy.
The basalt sands of Faneroque beach, nudged up against the dramatic dark cliffs that hem the island’s west coast, are a quieter option, while the endless undulations of Maspalomas’ dunes certainly have enough space for everyone. Some of the more remote bays, tucked modestly out of sight, welcome nudists—Guayedra’s dark beach being one.
Populated from around 500 BC by cave-dwelling Guanche tribes, descendants of north Africa’s Berbers, the little that remains of the island’s early history can be explored in Las Palma’s El Museo Canario. Among rudimentary pots and weapons, you’ll find fascinating if not slightly macabre displays of early skulls and mummified bodies. For more of the island’s later history, head to Casa de Colón. This ornate mansion, now a museum, is where Christopher Columbus is rumoured to have stayed in 1492 while his ship was repaired.
Gran Canaria was colonised by Spain in the 15th century, and a strong Iberian influence can be felt in the island’s culture and cuisine. Its papas arrugadas with spicy mojo are likely relatives of Spanish patatas bravas (fried potatoes smothered in a tangy sauce), while the usual tapas suspects such as chipirones—crispy baby squid—and honey-drizzled aubergines star on beach-side menus across the island. Wash them down with locally distilled Arehucas Rum.
If you’re hankering after something more strenuous than a lazy saunter along a beachfront promenade, head into the fragrant pine forests of the pristine Tamadaba Natural Park. Spanning sea cliffs and valleys, there are hiking trails to suit all levels of fitness. For a spectacular view that stretches all the way to Tenerife, head inland to Roque Nublo. An easy 30-minute hike through Parque Rural de Nublo from its car park delivers you to the 67m thrust of volcanic rock, and sprawling panoramas across the island.
Hire a car with Avis in Gran Canaria for unlimited access to the island’s many beaches, charming coastal villages and sweeping nature reserves.
Road trips from Gran Canaria
From Las Palmas, Teror is around 30 minutes inland and has a lovely square, a basilica and a Sunday market. Tejeda and the viewpoint at Roque Nublo are about an hour away, with sweeping views across the crater landscape. To the south, Maspalomas takes about 40 minutes by motorway and makes an easy beach day.
For a quieter afternoon, drive to Puerto de Mogán on the south-west coast, which takes around an hour. On the way, look out for roadside viewpoints and small bakeries in the villages, which are good places to stretch your legs. Journey times vary with traffic and the mountain roads, so allow extra time.
For more ideas, see our Great Drives guide.
Why choose Avis for your Gran Canaria car hire?
- Fully flexible
Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.
- Fully flexible
- Savings on coverage
When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.
- Savings on coverage
- Loyalty benefits
Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.
- Loyalty benefits
- Faster collection
Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.
- Faster collection
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.
- VIP treatment