May bridges spring and summer, making it one of the best times of year to enjoy Gran Canaria in all its splendour — landscapes still lush and colourful, temperatures warm but not yet fierce.
It’s also the month when the island’s festival calendar comes alive, with pilgrimages, cultural celebrations and sporting events filling the weekends with colour and noise in the best possible way.
Things to do on Gran Canaria in May
This is the perfect month to discover the island at a relaxed pace, whatever your idea of a good time looks like. Whether you’re drawn to scenic hiking trails, local traditions, sporting challenges or vibrant nightlife, there’s something going on for visitors of all ages.
Hiking: A Miniature Continent on Foot
People call Gran Canaria a “miniature continent,” and one day on foot will show you why. You can start your morning on the golden dunes of Maspalomas and be deep in volcanic mountain scenery by afternoon, with Mount Teide shimmering on the horizon.
May is ideal for hiking — the temperatures are mild, the light is golden and the trails are still lush from spring rain. Routes range from leisurely ravine walks to serious mountain climbs, cutting through pine forests, dry gullies and ridgelines with views that stop you mid-stride.
Highlights worth putting on your map:
- Barranco de las Vacas
- Barranco de los Cernícalos
- Barranco de Azuaje
- Ruta de La Plata
- Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria
Maspalomas Pride: 25 Years of One of Europe’s Greatest Parties
Photo by Raphael Renter on Unsplash
Maspalomas has long been one of Europe’s most beloved LGBTQ+ destinations — not just for its beauty and sunshine, but for the sense of freedom that seems baked into the place.
The Yumbo Centrum pulses every night with bars, restaurants and entertainment, while beach kiosk Nº7 on the Maspalomas dunes has become a landmark in its own right: ice-cold drink in hand, sea breeze, nowhere else to be.
This year, from 4th–10th May, all of that turns up several notches for Pride’s 25th anniversary — a milestone edition of one of the most exuberant celebrations on the continent.
Live shows, pool parties, themed nights and a crowd that travels from all over the world to be here. It’s the kind of event that leaves people booking their return flight before the closing party ends.
Día de Canarias: Celebrating Canarian Culture
On 30th May, the entire archipelago pauses to mark the Día de Canarias (Day of the Canary Islands) — the anniversary of the first session of the Canary Islands Parliament.
It’s less a political occasion than a cultural one: towns across Gran Canaria fill with traditional music, folk dancing, local food and sporting events rooted in Canarian heritage.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand what makes these islands tick — this is the day to go beyond the beach.
Circular de Tejeda: Trail Running through postcard scenery
Tejeda is regularly named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, all whitewashed houses clinging to a crater rim with volcanic peaks behind it.
On 30th May (yes, it coincides with the Día de Canarias), it hosts the Circular de Tejeda trail race — a course that takes full advantage of the surrounding landscape, winding through mountain trails and dramatic terrain that would be stunning even at walking pace.
This year’s edition offers four distances, so there’s no excuse not to enter:
- Starter: 12.5 km
- Short: 17 km
- Medium: 30 km
- Long: 55 km (with a quad-busting 3,500m of elevation gain)
Holiday World Maspalomas: Fun for the Whole Family
In addition to all of the above, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the largest entertainment and leisure centre in the whole of the Canary Islands, located in the south of Gran Canaria: Holidayworld Maspalomas.
Only here can you enjoy the best attractions in the Canary Islands, go bowling in a professional bowling alley, become a music star in a spectacular karaoke, decipher the riddles to get out of an escape room, taste the flavours of the world in a gastronomic market…
In short, it’s the epicentre of leisure and entertainment on the island. It’s a place full of magic where young and old alike will have a great time. What are you waiting for?