Caldera de Bandama

Gran Canaria


South of Tafira Alta is the impressive Caldera de Bandama, one of the largest extinct volcanic craters on Gran Canaria, at 200m deep and 1km in diameter. You can drive to the top for superb views into the crater and beyond. If you're fairly fit, you can walk down to the crater floor. The hike leaves from the cluster of buildings on the GC-802, where you'll find a cosy local restaurant and a winery.

Close by is La Atalaya, the prime pottery-producing village on the island, where you can buy lovely ceramics…then stress about transporting them home.

Bus 311 (€1.55, 30 minutes) leaves hourly from Las Palmas to Santa Brígida, stopping at Bandama and La Atalaya en route.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gran Canaria attractions

1. Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo

2.48 MILES

About 9km southwest of Las Palmas, this vast botanical garden – Spain’s largest, encompassing 27 hectares – hosts a broad range of Macaronesian flora from…

2. Casa Museo del Vino

2.57 MILES

This museum in the village of Santa Brígida has a modest display of wine-making implements; you can also sample wines and there's a good Canarian…

3. Iglesia de San Francisco

2.96 MILES

In this church dedicated to St Francis, note the three polychrome stone altars on the northernmost of the twin naves, and the fine artesonado (coffered)…

4. Museo León y Castillo

3.09 MILES

This museum is devoted to the city’s most famous resident, the late-19th-century politician Fernando León y Castillo. The lovely building, his former home…

5. Basílica de San Juan Bautista

3.13 MILES

Among the grand old buildings of the San Juan area is this neo-Gothic church. You can’t miss the gloriously kitsch 16th-century altarpiece, all gilt and…

6. Cuatro Puertas

5.31 MILES

Although it's only 5km south of Telde, this impressive pre-Hispanic site is seldom visited, even by locals. 'Cuatro Puertas' means 'four doors' and takes…

8. Museo Canario

5.44 MILES

This slightly old-fashioned yet still fascinating museum chronicles Gran Canaria’s preconquest history. It claims the heady boast of having the largest…