The sea in south Gran Canaria is almost always calm so it's a perfect place to get out on the ocean. You'll experience the island from a fresh perspective, get a tan and probably see dolphins and turtles. 

As one of the world's top nudist friendly destinations, lots of people dare to bare for the first time in Gran Canaria: If you're a naked newbie, here's the local etiquette. Click here for our guide to Gran Canaria's best nudist beaches.

Germans know how to bake bread and this little bakery/cafe sells some of Las Palmas' best rolls, along with a range of excellent cakes and pastries. 

Gando Bay beach, right next to Gran Canaria's airport runway, is within the military airbase and therefore off limits to civilians. It opens to the public on one or two days per year during sporting events. 

Tranquil Pasito Blanco is as close to a private beach as you get in Gran Canaria but is open to all. 

You don't know Gran Canaria until you've ventured beyond the gates of the resorts. Here's the five things we think you have to do if you're in Gran Canaria this week.

Hoya del Pozo beach is low-key even by east Gran Canaria standards, but it is clean and a pleasant place to sit in the sunshine.

Agualdulce is the prettiest beach on Gran Canaria's east coast and one of the island's best small beaches.

Las Palmas' excellent museums and galleries have everything from mummies and modern art to interactive science experiments and Columbus' notebooks. Here's the ten cultural spots you have to visit in the city.

La Garita is popular with Telde locals thanks to its famous fish restaurants and wide, black sand beach. 

Gran Canaria's beaches are currently clear of fuel oil after a large volunteer-led clear up over the past two days. There is currently one confirmed oil slick 5 kilometres from the coast but no reports of fresh oil close to the island. 

Golden El Cabron's beach is famous amongst divers but only gets a few local visitors. The snorkelling is spectacular, and it was named after a bucaneer.

Arguineguín's shops sell useful stuff for residents rather than souvenirs for tourists. It's where the south Gran Canaria locals come to do their shopping. Except on Tuesdays, when the big street market comes to town.

Walk downhill in Arguineguín until you hit the sea and it's an easy place to explore; the seafront promenade runs the whole length of town. All you have to do to start is work out where you are. 

The Islas Canarias Rally this weekend means that stretches of road all over the island will be closed on Friday evening and all of Saturday. 

San Cristobal fishing village doesn't need Martha Stewart tutorials on the shabby-chic look, but it could teach her a thing or two about authenticity. With two beaches and the freshest fish in town, it a great Las Palmas spot for lunch and a wander. 

For a sardine and seafood feast, head to San Cristobal village in north Gran Canaria on the weekend of April 18-19 for the Sabor a Mar festival.

Everybody loves a plate of papas con mojo, but there's more to Gran Canaria food than salty potatoes. From great steak to cactus fruit, here's ten things that have to try before you leave.

The east Gran Canaria municipality of Telde experienced a light earthquake just before midnight on April 7 and a second on just offshore on April 9.

Gran Canaria's basketball team is in the European final after an easy win over Russian team Unics Kazán.