Jardin Canario, fully titled Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo, is a large botanical garden, a true natural gem of Gran Canaria island. Being an ideal shelter with a subtropical climate, the garden hosts approximately 600 plant species, 500 of them are endemic ones and available only here and on Macaronesian islands.

The Jardin Canario takes up 10 hectares and huddles to the ravine called Barranco Guiniguada. It is divided into two major parts, high and low. The high part with cliffs and narrow paths is not child-friendly, but from up above you can have a great overview of the garden. The low part is accessible to everyone with its sections, additional lakes, and small streams.

Jardin Canario was established in 1952 by the Hispanic-Swedish botanist Eric Ragnor Sventenius, who dedicated 7 years to gather various types of plants from the most secluded areas of the Canary archipelago. Finally, in 1959, the garden was opened to the public. Actually, the botanist managed to realize the dream his colleague José Viera y Clavijo had over 100 years ago! That's why the additional part "Viera y Clavijo" was added to the name of the garden, as well as due to his extensive body of work Historia de las Canarias.

At the entrance, you will notice the table recognizing his achievements. The extensive garden also is organized in a way that seems like a natural habitat for each and every one of them. There are numerous sections, for example, the "Garden of Cacti and Succulents" with over 1,000 species of spiky aliens and aliens make you feel like you're in an American western, the "Macaronesian Ornamental Garden", the “Hidden Garden” and its greenhouse. Worth the mention is Bosque de Laurísílva, a mini-forest of laurel trees, which were once the primary Canarian and Macaronesian flora representative. Now, they're extremely rare, as well as mighty dragon trees, endemic to the Canaries.

To sum up, it doesn't really matter if you are a nature enthusiast or not - Jardin Canario will get you anyway with its lush beauty where during all year different species are blossoming.