This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. The number of annual visitors is 2.2 million (2,200,000). Most of the tourists visit the southern part of the island.

The north tends to be cooler while the south is warmer and sunny. The east coast of the island is flat dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockier and mountainous. The island possesses 32 Natural Protected Spaces, that they emphasize the Rural Park of Nublo, Doramas' Jungle, the Ravine of Azuaje, Tamadaba, Pino Santo, etc.

Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north. However, just below the airport in the town of Vecindario there is a large shopping center "Commercial Atlantico" that includes a Carrefour and shopping mall. Vecindario is the town where the "locals" live and there is a significant price decrease from the south. Only a short walk from the shopping mall is an open air shopping mall on Wednesdays in the am hours. In the south there is a large bird park,Palmitos Park, in the south of the island as well as many beach resort communities. The resort communities start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of  San Agustin, Playa Del Ingles, Maspalomas and Meloneras. The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end of Maspalomas.

In Tarajalillo an Aeroclub exists from where tourist flights can be taken over the island.

Playa del Ingles is a popular destination for European tourists with bars, restaurants and businesses centered primarily in the Yumbo Centrum shopping centre. A wonderful beach is found near the Maspalomas Dunes. Maspalomas is known throughout the world for its lighthouse, lagoon and magnificent beach.

Still further to the west along the southern shore, in the Municipality of Mogán, are the communities of Puerto Rico and Pueeto de Mogan, a picturesque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account of its many canals.

Disabled Facilities There are good facilities for the disabled at the terminal of the airport in Gran Canaria. Adapted taxis with electric wheelchair lifts are available for airport transfers and can be called by the airport "taxi captain". All areas of the island now have adapted taxis with ramps for wheelchair users and many taxis are of the estate car type for wheelchair users who can travel out of their chair whilst it is carried in the boot.

The major resorts of Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Meloneras, Puerto Rico, Amadores and Mogan have a selection of hotels with disabled adapted rooms that are wheelchair friendly. There has been recent investment in extensive promenade development along the coast in the south which is easily accessible for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. Las Palmas city offers a good promenade at Las Canteras Beach with several board walks on to the beach and Red Cross bathing wheelchairs for use for sea bathing.

All of the newer commercial centres have good access ramps to restaurants, bars and shops and the pavements are now better suited for wheelchair users than in the past. The older commercial centers, traditional small bars and restaurants are still lacking in ramps and disabled facilities and although changing, it is happening slowly.