Picturesque villages, exceptional beaches, enchanting gorges below rugged mountains – in this guide, I’m sharing with you the best things to do and the nicest places to see in Crete in one week.
The waters, the mountains, the rich history – Crete has it all in abundance.
So pack your swimsuit as well as your hiking boots and follow me to Greece’s largest and arguably most amazing island.
Spending your entire trip to one of the largest of the Canary Islands just on one of the – admittedly fantastic – beaches would be such a waste of time – hence, here are the best things to do in Gran Canaria even if you have only one week.
Gran Canaria has idyllic beaches, yet, there is much more to see.
After a bumpy start on my first trip to the island, I came back a couple of months later and can now happily show you around, lead you away from the tourist ghettos on the southern shores to some fantastic gems in the mountainous hinterland as well as the very pleasant capital Las Palmas. By the way, she’s not only the largest city of all of the islands, but she’s also surrounded by some of Gran Canaria’s best beaches.
There are a couple of colorful farmers’ markets in Gran Canaria, yet, none of them can beat the Sunday market in Teror which you can easily combine with a visit to the posh city of Arucas.
Best of Teror in one picture: The Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino, the iconic wooden balconies, and the traditional Sunday market.
Then, to top things off, take a short bus ride to Los Charcones De Bañaderos where you can cool off in lava pools before enjoying an afternoon party at the bar and restaurant Los Charcones.
Some of the very best Gran Canaria has to offer in one single day!
The Cinque Terre, connected by the world’s most picturesque hiking trails, are built on terraces above the deep blue Ligurian sea.
View of Riomaggiore from the Ligurian sea.
Gimme five! High five! Scattered way up high on the steep hills of the Ligurian coast are many small, picturesque villages. Yet, only Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare became world-famous for their scenic views and overwhelming beauty. In 1997, they made it to the list of Unesco World Heritage Sites – along with Porto Venere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto.
The villages Agüimes and Santa Brigida are both worth a day trip – albeit for different reasons. What those two villages in the central mountains of Gran Canaria have in common, though, is their enchanting beauty.
Picturesque alleys lined with charming old houses – that’s one thing Agüimes and Santa Brígida have in common.
From Gran Canaria’s capital Las Palmas, they are some of the easiest day trips you can go on by public bus.
Everybody who has been to Croatia is just raving – about the food in general and the special treats such as extra virgin olive oil and big, aromatic truffles in particular.
About the beautiful sceneries and the clear waters that are one of Europe’s last dolphin refuges. But I was stubborn. When everybody tries to talk me in one direction, I turn my head and walk the other way. My mental age is 13.
A stroll on Split’s Riva Promenade
And then, I had to face a very stressful Autumn and therefore, I needed a destination somewhere in Europe. A place that would save me from culture shock. Hence, I renounced my plans on going around half the globe to Japan and decided to spend September in Croatia.
Since it’s much closer. Since it’s much cheaper. And a teeny tiny bit since everybody who has been there being just raving about it.
Our second day trip from our base in Gran Canaria’s capital Las Palmas took us to Galdar and eventually to Puerto de las Nieves.
The happy ending of a great day: Taking a refreshing dip in the pools at Puerto de las Nieves where the lava shields you against the crashing waves.
After awing at the historic and natural wonders of Galdar, we spent the rest of the day frolicking at the calm saltwater pools that rocks’n’lava have created on the outskirts of Puerto de las Nieves.
Overshadowed by the world-famous Cinque Terre, the beautiful coastal town of La Spezia and the nearby village of Porto Venere tend to be strongly underrated.
Beautiful Porto Venere, sean seen from the sea.
Yet these precious gems on the Ligurian coast are definitely worth the visit.
It really doesn’t matter what else you are planning to do on the island of Gran Canaria – the day trip to Artenara, the island’s highest village, and Tejeda, one of the most beautiful hamlets in all of Spain will be the absolute highlight of your trip – literally.
Yes, there are those paradisiac beaches lining the island of Naxos. But the true travel connoisseur makes sure to explore also Naxos’ hinterland for at least one day. Don’t wanna drive up those crazy serpentines yourself? No problem since Naxos’ 5 most beautiful mountain villages can be conveniently visited on a self-guided tour by public bus. All you need is an elaborate timetable which I put together for you in this post.
The village of Chalkio- where in some corners the time seems to stand still.
This way, not only do you save a lot of money. Travelling by bus also spares you driving the crazy serpentines and searching for a secure parking spot. Hence, let the driver do the job while you enjoy the scenery to the fullest.
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