Under $100: Gran Canaria

The second-most populous Canary Island, Gran Canaria offers a variety of climates for adventure travelers, historic villages for cultural explorers and sandy shores for the beach bum.

Stop by one of the island’s cafés for a cup of coffee and a pastry. El Apartmento offers a quick brunch from their international menu.

Gran Canaria is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so don’t miss out on the gorgeous natural attractions. There are quite a few parks where you can hike and bike; pick one closest to you. The Tamadaba Nature Reserve affords breathtaking scenery; the Bandama Natural Monument offers volcanic landscapes and aboriginal history; and the Azuaje Valley contains plantations, thriving forests and waterfalls. For a look at the island’s natural beauty without hiking through dense foliage and up mountains, pay a visit to Jardín Botánico Canario, the island’s free botanical garden.

For a little background history, look to Cueva Pintada Museum and Archaeological Park, where ancient Canarian wall paintings and structures are preserved. In total, guests can view a village of more than 50 homes and caves, which made up the pre-Hispanic settlement.

Wine-lovers will enjoy Casa Museo del Vino, a free wine museum where guests can taste the island’s various wines and learn about the island’s history of winemaking and wine exporting.

Grab dinner at one of Gran Canaria’s many great restaurants. Try Que Tal by Stena for a simplistic menu of fine dining under €60. Eat at one of the Spanish royal family’s favorite restaurants, Casa Montesdeoca, and dine on steak and seafood. For a more relaxed atmosphere, go with La Bikina and relish flavors from Spain, Asia and South America.