Gran Canaria by Drone

Gran Canaria from above

Gran Canaria packs a whole continent into one round island, and a drone is the best way to see it. I spent my days chasing contrasts: the colourful rooftops and lava-rock seafront of Las Palmas, the golden Maspalomas dunes rolling into the Atlantic, and the volcanic ravines around Pico de las Nieves, the highest point on the island. The hardest-earned shots came from GuiGui Beach, a half-day hike down the cliffs that rewarded me with a dark-sand bay and almost nobody around. Up in the highlands, the reservoirs glow at sunset and the pine roads climb above a sea of clouds.

Drone tip: the airport sits on the east coast and the Maspalomas dunes are a protected nature reserve, so check the official ENAIRE drone map before every flight.

Read the full story, mishaps included: Gran Canaria by Drone: Epic Spots & a Few Hilarious Mishaps