Few islands (or places) can claim Gran Canaria’s fascinating diversity of 14 microclimates, sunny skies all year, centuries of history, and varied geography. And now, the unique Spanish island is easier to reach than ever for North American travelers, with Air Transat launching seasonal nonstop service from both Toronto and Montreal.
Gran Canaria, part of the Canary Islands, is located off northwestern Africa, and spreads fewer than 900,000 residents across its 600 square miles. Visitors here have so much to choose from, due to the great landscape contrasts. They can investigate the seemingly endless sand dunes of Maspalomas, wander through pine forests, or hike the dramatic volcanic landscapes around Roque Nublo. And then there’s the many miles of coastline, simply waiting for exploration.
Puerto de Las Nieves Agaete (Photo Credit: Gran Canaria Tourist Board)
The island continues to give, with incredible nighttime skies that beckon yet more visitors. It’s a certified Starlight Tourist Destination, meaning it’s one of Europe’s best locations for stargazing. Even with the naked eye, the Milky Way jumps out in a way it never does from large cities. Culture is ever present, too, with 500-year-old streets in Vegueta, a dynamic working port, award-winning restaurants, and one of the world’s best urban beaches, Las Canteras. Gran Canaria also boasts one of the world’s largest carnival celebrations, not to mention cave paintings and archaeological sites for history buffs.
Acusa, Artenara (Photo Credit: Gran Canaria Tourist Board)
The climate on the island is often referred to as one of the world’s most stable, with warm but mild temperatures. It’s said that golf is playable here 365 days a year. And whether you’re looking for wellness, hiking, cycling, watersports, or activities like whale watching, it’s almost guaranteed that the weather will cooperate. Plus, visitors will find a mature infrastructure on Gran Canaria, with international-standard hotels and resorts, reliable transportation across the island, and an airport that feature more than 150 destinations in 26 countries.
Flights on Air Transat from Montreal (YUL) run weekly on Saturdays from December 12, 2026 to April 3, 2027, with flight times of roughly 7.5 hours. And flights from Toronto (YYZ) will see a weekly Sunday flight from December 13, 2026 to April 4, 2027. Those flight times are closer to 8-8.5 hours.
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