Santa Lucía, Gran Canaria: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Las Palmas · Canary Islands · Spain · 71,863 residents
Santa Lucía is an inland municipality in the Provincia de Las Palmas, set at 699 metres above sea level rather than on the coast, which gives it a different feel from the island's beach resorts. It is home to 71,863 people, so this is a working Canarian town rather than a purpose-built holiday enclave. Gran Canaria airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is around 9 miles away, roughly a 14-minute drive. The Necrópolis de Arteara, an archaeological site protected as cultural property, lies about 5 miles off, and neighbouring towns such as San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Agüimes and Tejeda are all within easy reach for days out.
Why go
- The Necrópolis de Arteara, a protected archaeological site, lies only about 5 miles from town.
- Gran Canaria airport has direct UK flights and sits roughly 14 minutes away by car.
- Spring and autumn bring highs of 23°C to 27°C, ideal for exploring the island's interior.
Top sights in Santa Lucía
Archaeology and the Island Interior
The headline sight near Santa Lucía is the Necrópolis de Arteara, an archaeological site listed as cultural property and found about 5 miles away in the neighbouring municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. It is the obvious first outing for anyone interested in the island's past, and it sets the tone for a stay that leans towards culture and the landscapes of the interior rather than the beach.
Tours and tickets for activities around this part of Gran Canaria can be booked directly on this page, where you will find the current options shown as booking cards.
1archaeological siteNecrópolis de Arteara
5 miles from the centre · Photo
cultural property in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Spain
Tours & tickets in Santa Lucía
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Santa Lucía can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Santa Lucía
Staying Inland in Santa Lucía
Santa Lucía is not a coastal town: it sits at 699 metres, so a base here suits travellers who want the quieter rhythm of the island's interior and a car to reach the shore. With a population of 71,863, it is a lived-in Canarian municipality, and you should expect local life rather than a resort strip.
If you would rather be closer to bigger services, Vecindario lies around 7 miles away and San Bartolomé de Tirajana around 2 miles. This page shows live hotel prices, so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Santa Lucía and the villages around it is a hire car from Gran Canaria (LPA), about 14 min away.
Best time to visit Santa Lucía
When to Visit Santa Lucía
- 20°CJan12 mm
- 20°CFeb33 mm
- 23°CMar40 mm
- 25°CApr25 mm
- 24°CMay50 mm
- 25°CJun45 mm
- 32°CJul1 mm
- 34°CAug2 mm
- 26°CSept27 mm
- 27°COct37 mm
- 24°CNov43 mm
- 20°CDec20 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are March, April and May, then September, October and November. Spring highs climb from 23°C in March to 25°C in April, while autumn holds on to warmth, with 26°C in September and 27°C in October.
July and August are the hottest months, reaching 32°C and 34°C, and they are also the driest, with barely any rain recorded. May is the wettest month by rainfall at 50 mm, while February and June have the most rainy days, with 9 each. Winter days peak around 20°C, and nights can drop to 10°C in February.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°C | 11°C | 12 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 20°C | 10°C | 33 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 23°C | 12°C | 40 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 25°C | 14°C | 25 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 13°C | 50 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 15°C | 45 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 32°C | 20°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 34°C | 21°C | 2 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 15°C | 27 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 27°C | 17°C | 37 mm | 11 h |
| Nov | 24°C | 15°C | 43 mm | 10 h |
| Dec | 20°C | 11°C | 20 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting There from the UK
The nearest airport is Gran Canaria (LPA), a large airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom. It lies about 9 miles from Santa Lucía, and the drive takes around 14 minutes, so car hire on arrival makes sense.
For island hopping or the long sea route from the mainland, the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is about 17 miles away, with ferries to Huelva and Cádiz on mainland Spain and to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife within the Canaries. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 58 miles away, serves Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, while Los Cristianos, about 73 miles off, links to San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
By air
- Gran Canaria (LPA)9 miles, about 14 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (17 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (58 miles), Los Cristianos (73 miles).
Santa Lucía is good for
Around Santa Lucía
Day Trips from Santa Lucía
San Bartolomé de Tirajana is the closest neighbour at around 2 miles, and it is also where you will find the Necrópolis de Arteara. Valsequillo de Gran Canaria and Agüimes are both about 6 miles away, and Vega de San Mateo is roughly 7 miles off.
Tejeda, a small municipality of 2,338 people, and Vecindario are each around 7 miles away. Santa Brígida is about 9 miles off, and Telde, the largest town on this list with 123,265 residents, is also around 9 miles away.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Remember the altitude: at 699 metres, evenings in winter can feel fresh, with lows of 10°C in February and 11°C in December and January, so pack a warm layer.
Santa Lucía is inland, so plan on car hire if beach time is part of your holiday. The town is sizeable, with 71,863 residents, which means everyday services are on hand, but it also means it feels like a real working town rather than a resort.
Questions people ask
How far is Santa Lucía from Gran Canaria airport?
Gran Canaria airport (LPA) is about 9 miles from Santa Lucía, and the drive takes roughly 14 minutes. It is a large airport with direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes the town quick to reach after landing.
Is Santa Lucía on the coast?
No. Santa Lucía is an inland municipality at 699 metres above sea level. It suits travellers who prefer the island's interior, and car hire is the practical way to reach the coast during your holiday.
What is the best month to visit Santa Lucía?
March, April, May, September, October and November offer the most pleasant conditions. Highs range from 23°C in March to 27°C in October, avoiding the heat of July and August, when temperatures reach 32°C and 34°C.
What is there to see near Santa Lucía?
The main sight is the Necrópolis de Arteara, an archaeological site listed as cultural property, about 5 miles away in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. Tours and tickets for activities in the area can be booked on this page.
Can I take a ferry from Gran Canaria to other islands?
Yes. The port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 17 miles from Santa Lucía, has ferries to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Morro Jable and Arrecife, plus mainland routes to Huelva and Cádiz.