Perched on Gran Canaria's wild west coast, the Mirador del Balcón is a clifftop viewpoint that takes your breath away. From a curving walkway bolted to the edge of the cliffs, you look down a staggering drop to the Atlantic and along a coastline of green-black headlands marching into the sea — a scene locals nicknamed the "dragon's tail" for the way the ridges tumble one after another into the waves. It's the most spectacular sea view on Gran Canaria, and one of the best free stops on the whole island.
The "dragon's tail" coastline
The magic of the Mirador del Balcón is the sheer scale of what's in front of you. This is the island's remote, rugged west, where the great cliffs of the interior meet the ocean with almost no coastal plain in between. Layer upon layer of headland — the famous cola de dragón, or dragon's tail — recedes into the haze, each one a little paler than the last, while far below the Atlantic swell breaks white against the rocks. On a clear day you can see for miles up and down this dramatic shore.
A tiled, semicircular platform — the "balcony" that gives the viewpoint its name — projects out from the cliff, giving you the feeling of hovering over the ocean. It's an easy, well-made stop right by the road, with a small parking area, so you can enjoy this jaw-dropping panorama without any hiking at all.
Take care at the edge and mind the wind. This is a genuine clifftop with a huge drop below. Stay behind the railings, keep a close eye on children, and be careful with the gusty winds that can whip along the coast here — hold onto hats, phones and cameras. The platform is safe when you use it sensibly, but it's no place for scrambling beyond the barriers for a photo.
The best sunsets on the island
Facing due west over the open Atlantic, the Mirador del Balcón is one of Gran Canaria's premier sunset-watching spots. As the sun sinks towards the horizon it sets the dragon's-tail cliffs aglow in gold and rose, then drops into the sea in a blaze of colour — an unforgettable end to a day on the west coast. It draws a small, appreciative crowd on clear evenings, so arrive a little early to park and find your spot.
Chase the light, but plan the drive back. Sunset here is glorious, but the road back is a winding coastal route best not rushed in the dark. Fill up on fuel beforehand, drive carefully after dark, and give yourself plenty of time — or come for the equally beautiful late-afternoon light and be off the mountain roads before nightfall.
Getting there
The Mirador del Balcón sits on the coast road near the remote town of La Aldea de San Nicolás, on Gran Canaria's far west. You'll need a hire car to reach it, and the journey is part of the experience: the GC-200 coast road that winds here is one of the most spectacular — and most serpentine — drives in the Canaries, clinging to the cliffs above the sea. It's not a route to hurry, so allow generous time, take the bends slowly, and pull over at the marked laybys to drink in the views.
From the southern resorts you can approach via the west coast, or loop down from the north through the mountains; either way, count on a good hour or more of driving each way, and treat the road with respect if you're prone to travel sickness on twisty routes.
Combine it with the wild west
The Mirador del Balcón is best enjoyed as part of a day exploring Gran Canaria's untamed western and northwestern corner. Higher up, the pine forests and cliff-top lookouts of Tamadaba Natural Park offer more soaring views and lovely walks among ancient Canary pines. Round the coast, the pretty fishing town of Agaete and its harbour at Puerto de las Nieves make a perfect lunch stop, with fresh fish by the water and natural pools for a swim.
Together, the mirador, Tamadaba and Agaete showcase a side of the island that couldn't be further from the southern beaches — remote, green, mountainous and thrillingly wild. It's the Gran Canaria that surprises people, and the Mirador del Balcón is its finest single view.
A balcony over the ocean where the cliffs march out to sea like a dragon's tail — the Mirador del Balcón is the west coast at its most breathtaking.
Pack a windproof layer and your camera, time it for the golden light, and make the drive out west. For more viewpoints and outings, browse our things to do across Gran Canaria and the wider Canaries.