10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Gran Canaria

Finger of God (Dedo de Dios) is a volcanic rock stack in the quiet port town of Agaete, about a 30-minute drive from the Canaries’ capital of Las Palmas. The village of Puerto de Las Nieves has a viewing deck where you can view its silhouette brought on by nighttime illumination, making it a fun thing to do after dinner in Gran Canaria.

Spanish writer Domingo Doreste, aka Fray Lesco, popularised Dedo de Dios (formerly referred to as Roque Partido), saying it looked like an index finger pointing to heaven. This natural monument is believed to have formed over 14 million years ago. However, the upper part of the former 30-metre-high rock spire collapsed into the water when tropical storm Delta hit the area in 2005.

Vegueta, south of Las Palmas, is the first Spanish settlement in the Canaries archipelago. It’s famous for its restaurant-lined streets, including Calle Mendizábal, which holds a Tapas Night (also called Ruta del Pincho) every Thursday from 6.30 pm to midnight. You can enjoy tapas and pincho (small portions of food) alongside drinks.

Standouts include La Bonita's tortillas with local beer, Te Lo Dije Pérez' nachos with ginger-eggplant dip and spinach-walnut croquettes, La Barberia's goat cheese and caramelised onions, La Champinoneria's mushroom snacks, and Tres Jolie Las Palmas' pizzas. More restaurants can be found along Vegueta's Pelota, Los Balcones, and Agustin streets.

The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium is the home of the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra. It hosts nearly all classical music programmes in Las Palmas. Performances from solo and group artists of other genres like pop and jazz also make up its event calendar. Check online for upcoming concert dates and buy tickets ahead of time.

Built on a volcanic rock and surrounded by the waters of Playa de Las Canteras, this 16,750-square-metre building has 25 conference halls. The largest one – the Symphony Hall – seats 1,656 people. The auditorium also houses the largest organ on the Canary Islands, boasting 2,750 pipes. The structure is named after the island's renowned tenor, who passed away in 1999.

Holiday World Maspalomas is a major amusement park in Las Palomas. Its thrilling rides include Sky Drop, Spin Loop, Aero Bat, and Pirate Boat. You can pre-book tickets to ensure you have a smooth experience. There are also several child-friendly attractions, such as a 2-storey carousel, a Ferris wheel, a ball pit, bump cars, and bumper boats.

If indoor games are more of your thing, head to the park's Swing Bowling & Restaurant, which has 16 bowling lanes. You head to Harrow Sports Bar & Restaurant for billiards, table tennis, table football, or darts. How about solving a mystery with your friends? Reserve a time slot at one of the park's 4 escape rooms.

Centro Astronomico Roque Saucillo is the go-to spot for ‘astro-tourism’ in Gran Canaria. You can join a stargazing tour and visit this well-known site for observing celestial wonders. This observatory in the mountainous town of Vega de San Mateo, southwest of Las Palmas, has a platform that also offers panoramic views of Gran Canaria's landscape.

Another stargazing point is the Temisas Astronomical Observatory, located in Aguimes. The best months for stargazing in the Canaries are from December to March, as well as early August.

Playa del Ingles is a peaceful beach during the daytime but comes alive at night with over 300 restaurants and 50 discotheques. Listen to local bands playing live at Adrenaline Heavy Metal Pub – you can find it in the basement of Cita Shopping Centre. Enjoy drinks under thatched wooden shacks surrounding a pool at Sahara Beach Bar.

You can join the fashionable crowd at Pacha Gran Canaria, which has a 1,000-square-metre hall, or the classy Eiffel Bar on the ground floor of Yumbo Centrum.

Puerto de Mogan is often called the “Venice of the Canaries” thanks to its network of canals and bridges that connects the marina to the fishing harbour. It is part of a municipality of the same name, with over 20 bars and restaurants dotting its edges.

For dessert, try the homemade cakes of The Marina Restaurant, which opens until midnight. You can taste artisanal ice cream flavours at Gelatomania. If you prefer to have a drink, go to The Olivia Lounge or Sol y Luna.

Plaza de España is a city council project that began in 2020 which has transformed it with more trees, benches, lighting, and an irrigation system. Previously a plain circular intersection in the capital's busy Avenida de Mesa y Lopez, it now covers 5,000 square metres of exclusive pedestrian space.

A pleasant place for evening strolls, the plaza centre is a 14-metre-high monument featuring 4 sculptures representing agriculture, fishing, crafts, and motherhood. Created by artist Luis Montull, it was erected on the 500th founding anniversary of Las Palmas in 2013.

The Yumbo Centre near Playa del Ingles features 200 shops selling clothes, electronics, jewellery, beauty products, and more. You'll find both luxury stores and bazaars across the 4-storey complex. It houses several supermarkets on the 3rd level.

The Yumbo Centre's 2 floors are actually below street level. Most of the bars and all clubs on these lowest floors are LGBTQ-friendly. Besides shopping and nightlife, you can find simple pleasures here – check out gorgeous works by artists who set up stalls at night.

Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas was designed in the 1950s by Scottish architect Mackenzie Ross, who is known for developing golf courses across Europe. At 5,636 metres long, this 18-hole par 71 golf course preserved its natural terrain where potatoes and some cacti used to grow. It’s a great option for a fun round before or after dinner in Gran Canaria.

Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas lies along the rim of the Bandama volcanic crater, so shots from the driving range can get blasted down there. There aren’t ponds or lakes in the area, but expect to be challenged by winds from the island's northwest coastline.