Gran Canaria, located in the Atlantic Ocean off northwestern Africa, is the place to go if you want to stop off in a subtropical paradise on your journey as a digital nomad.
- Visa requirements
- Best time to visit
- Cost of living
- Best places to live
- Accommodation
- Co-working spaces
- People
- Transportation
- Attractions
- Nightlife
- Healthcare
Also known Grand Canary Island, Gran Canaria, is the third largest and second most populous island of the Spanish Canary Islands, which consist of seven different islands. The most populous island is Tenerife.
Gran Canaria is becoming increasingly popular with individual remote workers and even digital nomad families, mainly because of its year-round pleasant weather, many natural attractions, laid-back lifestyle, hospitable locals, diverse culture, and well-developed infrastructure, especially in the capital Las Palmas.
In Gran Canaria, you can also enjoy safety, a relatively affordable cost of living, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a variety of co-working spaces and worker-friendly cafes.
Plus, Gran Canaria offers great connectivity thanks to its location, as well as great food and drink!
In this guide, you'll find out what it's like to live and work in Gran Canaria and get some tips on how to get started.
Find the perfect apartment in Las Palmas
Visa requirements
Whether you need a visa to move to Gran Canaria depends on your nationality, of course. EU citizens can live and work there without a visa. However, they must register their residence with the relevant authorities upon arrival.
Spain, including the Canary Islands, is part of the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens and many other nationalities can stay in Gran Canaria for up to 90 days every 180 days without needing a visa. Some nationalities are granted a 90-day tourist visa upon entry.
It's best to check with your country's embassy in Spain or the Spanish embassy in your country of residence for accurate information on visa requirements, especially if you're planning a long-term stay in Gran Canaria.
There are several visa initiatives that you can take advantage of to obtain a temporary residence permit.
Best time to visit Gran Canaria
Due to the subtropical oceanic climate, the daytime temperature in the Canary Islands rarely drops below 20ºC, even in winter. In the hottest months, it can sometimes rise above 30 ºC, but it doesn't usually get uncomfortably hot.
The pleasant weather, especially in the south of the island, is one of the main reasons why many people, even from Nordic countries, move to Gran Canaria. Many hours of sunshine await you in the Canary Islands. No rainy season!
Cost of living
Like everywhere else in the world, the cost of living in Gran Canaria depends on your lifestyle. It can be considered "affordable" and "relatively low" if you choose to live in a small apartment and cook most meals at home.
The cost of living in the Canary Islands is lower than in most major cities in Europe and the United States, but higher than in some popular destinations for digital nomads in Southeast Asia or South America.
According to Numbeo, a leading cost of living database, the estimated monthly cost for a single person in Gran Canaria is about €580 excluding rent. A family of four can expect to spend around €2,000 per month, excluding rent.
Find cheap accommodation in Tenerife
Best places to live
Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, is undoubtedly the most popular area among digital nomads. Other popular places are Maspalomas, Telde, and Puerto de Mogan.
How to find accommodation
There are several online platforms for short and long-term rentals that you can use to find an ideal accommodation for rent in Gran Canaria.
Flatio is one of these platforms, where you can find listings on the island that come with Wi-Fi and other amenities that digital nomads typically need.
Best co-working spaces
The number of co-working spaces and remote work-friendly cafes on Gran Canaria is on the rise as more and more people opt for this lifestyle.
The cafes in the south of the island are geared more towards tourists, so they may not be suitable for remote work. Here are some places you can consider working from:
- The House
- White Forest
- Hashtag WorkSpace
- Coworking Gran Canaria
- Coworking Canary Islands
- GoCoworking - Talleres Palermo
- Soppa de Azul - Guapura
- Un Lugar Cafe
People
Canarians are considered to be very warm, hospitable, easygoing, and open-minded. The locals are almost never in a hurry, prefer to enjoy life with their family members and close friends, and love to dance and sing.
You can often see them at local restaurants celebrating life with their loved ones. They also appreciate traditional values such as respect for the elderly and are friendly toward expatriates, whose numbers are increasing in Gran Canaria and other parts of the Canary Islands.
The Carnival of Las Palmas, one of the most famous Spanish carnivals celebrated every February, is one of the occasions where you'll see locals and foreigners celebrating life together. Consider volunteering if you want to enjoy the community feel to the fullest.
Transportation
Like almost every other island in the world, some remote parts are inaccessible or only accessible by car. However, if you live in more populated areas like the capital, you have several transportation options.
Las Palmas, especially the northern part of the city, is very walkable, and you can reach almost everywhere in less than 30 minutes on foot. If you prefer to ride a bike, there are several bike rental apps and initiatives that you can take advantage of at a fairly reasonable price.
Gran Canaria has a good bus system that connects the different parts of the island and you can also take use it to go to the airport. There's also a local bus service in Las Palmas if you don't feel like walking.
Another cheap way to get around freely is to rent a scooter or a car. Most foreign driver's licenses are accepted for renting a car in the Canary Islands.
Cabs are also a popular mode of transportation. They're safe and equipped with taxi meters, which will definitely give you more peace of mind.
Tourist attractions
Gran Canaria is known for its black lava and white sand beaches. The beaches in the south, including Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogán, and San Agustín, will delight any visitor. Las Palmas in the north is a major port of call for cruise ships.
Be sure to visit Mirador Paseo La Cornisa, Roque Nublo, and Agaete Valley to make your stay in Gran Canaria even more memorable.
For adrenaline-fueled water sports enthusiasts, there are plenty of places to snorkel, dive, and surf.
If you're feeling adventurous and looking for a unique experience, you should head to the neighboring island of Tenerife, where you'll find Teide National Park, home to Spain's highest mountain.
There are two ways to climb Teide:
- cable car
- on foot via Montaña Blanca
The walk is about 9 kilometers long and takes about 7 hours.
Nightlife
Canarians like to go out to eat and socialize in bars and restaurants, most of which are open until the early hours of the morning, especially in Las Palmas
In the resorts, you can have fun in clubs that are open until the early hours of the morning.
In addition, interesting festivals and shows are held regularly in Gran Canaria.
Culture, language, and food
Gran Canaria is mainly a tourist island, but there are also many locals living there.
Las Palmas and Telde are the two cities where you can experience a great Spanish and Canarian feeling. The local language is Spanish, but many Canarians also speak English because they've been interacting with English-speaking tourists for years.
When it comes to food, you can enjoy traditional dishes like paella and tapas. Much to the delight of foodies, there's a wide selection of seafood and grilled meats, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Some dishes have an African flavor, perhaps because of the island's proximity to Morocco. And don't forget to try the sancocho soup and Canarian potatoes (papas arrugadas), usually served with a spicy mojo sauce.
Find the perfect accommodation in Spain
Healthcare
The quality of healthcare in Gran Canaria is similar to that in the rest of Europe. There are English-speaking health centers, including Hospital insular and Hospital Dr. Negrin.
What families can expect
The good news for digital nomad families is that Gran Canaria is very family-friendly. There are international schools, daycare centers, and ample opportunities to have fun at places like water parks, zoos, and an Angry Birds amusement park.
