It is winter in Scandinavia and we are longing for higher temperatures and sunshine. We also miss taking our motorbike out for a ride. With upcoming holidays it is a perfect time for a little vacation and recharge our batteries after months of busy work at the office. So while our BMW GS1200 is recharging it’s battery in the garage - we will leave it behind this time and have rented a Honda NC 750X DCT to take us around the island of Gran Canaria for 6 sunny (!) days.

Our homestay is in the north of the island and is surrounded by beautiful nature and hiking trails. From here we have the possibility to reach several cultural villages like Aegete (by the sea on the west coast) and Firgas, Teror, Moya and Arucas with it’s famous Church of San Juan Bautista dating from 1909. This area also has a lot of archeological sites with a rich history as well as a coffee plantation. There is also a big banana plantation and promises of mango and avocado trees!

Here are some top reasons why we chose to book a flight to our new adventure in Gran Canaria:

1. The weather. Mild temperatures offering a break from our cold Scandinavian winter. And since we live in the southern part of Sweden, at the moment the snow has melted anyway and is mostly showing grey skies, or more grey. The temperatures on Gran Canaria range between 18-24 degrees Celsius in the daytime with around 6 hours of sun. As this is written, the temperature is showing 26 degrees Celsius and clear sky for the town Agaete which is located on the North East coast of Gran Canaria.

2. Beautiful and diverse landscapes. Gran Canaria is called the island with 557 different faces. It offers everything from sandy to rocky beaches, mountains and canyons with serpentine roads, sand dunes in the south of the island to pine forests and famous rock formations as well as secluded coves. There are several nature and rural parks to visit as well as fully protected nature reserves. (Are you looking for flights yet?)

3. The Food. Gran Canaria offers a delightful culinary experience that fuses traditional Spanish flavors with influences from Africa and Latin America. Some local specialities are for example: Papas Arrugadas, Gofio, Fish and Seafood, Ropa Vieja, Queso de Flor, Mojos and Sauces, Almogrote, Local wine and desserts. Most of these things we have never heard of and we can’t wait to try it all!

4. Charming little villages. Agaete, Firgas and Teror are a few villages in the northern part of Gran Canaria that we have planned to visit. Agaete is a fishing village with it’s own harbour “Puerto de las Nieves” where you can find traditional fishing boats and waterfront restaurants. It's a great place to enjoy fresh seafood. In Charco de las Nieves you can swim in natural pools surrounded by volcanic landscapes.

   In the same area you find Tamadaba Natural Park: a protected area with diverse flora and fauna, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the island.

   Firgas is renowned for it’s natural mineral water springs that is considered to be of high quality. There are several fountains throughout the town where you can refill your water bottle on a sunny day.

   Teror is known for it’s history and culture. Here you find well-preserved colonial architecture as well as many shops, cafés and a vibrant Sunday market that is popular to visit.

5. A Motorbiker’s Paradise. It is known to be one of the most amazing destinations for a motorcycle trip in Europe in the winter. With endless curvy roads along different landscapes and with a highway along the coastline that can take you from Las Palmas in the north to the sand dunes in the south in 40-60 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

   It is recommended to book your motorcycle well in advance since in high season all the bikes are most likely to be rented out. We decided to rent from Canary Ride in Las Palmas because of their excellent reviews and we found it easy to communicate and get recommendations and offers via their website and WhatsApp. Canary Ride offer rentals on both Gran Canaria and Tenerife. There are also many rental services in the southern part of the island.

Sweden can be beautiful in the winter, especially when we have white, crispy snow that light up our surroundings. This year the snow melted (again) and we are excited to see what Gran Canaria has to offer.

Welcome to follow our Gran Canaria motorcycle adventure & Happy Holidays!

/Seenbyveen