Just a short drive inland from Las Palmas, the Caldera de Bandama is one of Gran Canaria's most photogenic natural sights — an almost perfectly round volcanic crater, close to a kilometre wide and around 200 metres deep, with a green farm still worked on its floor. From the rim you look straight down into the bowl and out across half the island; if you fancy stretching your legs, a path zig-zags right down to the bottom. It is a wonderfully easy escape into the volcanic landscapes that shaped Gran Canaria, and close enough to the capital for a half-day trip.
A textbook volcanic crater
The Bandama complex is made up of two features: the Pico de Bandama, a peak of a little under 600 metres crowned by a viewpoint, and the Caldera de Bandama beside it, the great circular hollow left by explosive eruptions a few thousand years ago. Geologists use it as a classic example of a maar-style crater, and its clean, near-symmetrical shape makes it instantly recognisable. Improbably, a single farmstead sits on the crater floor, its fields and palms adding a splash of green to the reddish volcanic walls.
The rim viewpoint
The star turn is the Mirador de Bandama at the top of the peak, reached by a short surfaced road right to the summit. From here the view is superb in every direction: down into the crater on one side, and out across vineyards, the city of Las Palmas and the coast on the other, with the mountains of the interior rising inland. On a clear day it is one of the easiest big views on the island — you can drive almost to the top and simply walk the last few steps.
Go early or late for the best light and fewest people. Mornings are often clearest before cloud builds over the interior, while late afternoon gives lovely warm light on the crater walls. The summit can be breezy and cooler than the coast, so take a layer.
Hiking into the crater
What makes Bandama special is that you can go beyond looking. A well-marked footpath drops from near the rim all the way down to the crater floor, winding through pines, agaves and volcanic rock to the old farm at the bottom. It is a moderate walk — easy enough on the way down, more of an effort on the climb back out — and gives you the strange experience of standing inside a volcano, ringed by 200-metre walls, with birdsong and the odd farm dog for company. Allow around an hour and a half to two hours for the round trip at a steady pace.
Come prepared for a proper walk back up. The descent is deceptively gentle; returning to the rim is a continuous uphill haul in what can be strong sun. Wear decent shoes, carry plenty of water, and don't attempt it in the heat of the day without sun protection. For grading and more routes across the island, see our guide to hiking in the Canary Islands.
Vineyards, golf and the Monte Lentiscal
The slopes around Bandama are part of the Monte Lentiscal wine country, and the volcanic soils here produce some of Gran Canaria's best-regarded wines. It is a pretty area of vineyards, villas and old country houses, and a good excuse to learn a little about Canary wine. The island's oldest golf club also occupies part of the setting, its fairways spread beneath the peak — a genuinely unusual backdrop for a round.
Getting there
Bandama is remarkably handy. It lies only around 15–20 minutes by car from central Las Palmas, up through the suburb of Tafira, and is signposted from the main roads inland. A hire car is by far the simplest way to reach both the summit viewpoint and the trailhead, though local buses run to the Bandama area from the capital for those without wheels. There is parking near the top and by the crater rim, but spaces are limited at busy weekends.
Free to visit. Unlike many attractions, the viewpoint and crater walk cost nothing — there is no ticket office and no entrance fee, just a natural landmark to enjoy at your own pace. That makes it a great option on a budget day out.
Making a day of it
Because it sits between the capital and the mountains, Bandama slots neatly into a day of exploring. Combine the crater with a wander round the historic centre and beach of Las Palmas, a stop at the nearby botanical gardens, or a longer drive up into the green interior around Teror and the highlands. It is one of the quickest ways to swap the beach for something wilder — a volcano you can look into, walk down, and stand at the bottom of, all within sight of the city.
An almost perfectly round crater with a farm on its floor and half the island in the view — Bandama is Gran Canaria's volcanic heart, minutes from the capital.
Whether you just pull in for the panorama or hike right down inside, set aside a couple of hours and pick a clear morning. For more ideas nearby, browse our full list of things to do.