Gran Canaria has been a popular “fly and flop” destination for decades, tempting travellers with its year-round sunshine, stable temperatures – 16–18 degrees in winter and spring and between 20 and 30 degrees all summer long – and laid-back culture. It’s not a budget-blowing destination either, with plenty of cheap holidays to Gran Canaria available, even in peak school-holiday periods.
If you’re seeking more than just sunshine, there are plenty of things to do in Gran Canaria for all ages. From surfing, boat trips and hiking to seafood sampling, water parks and historical attractions, you can’t go wrong. We’ve curated a selection of the best areas to stay in Gran Canaria for every kind of holiday.
Maspalomas is undoubtedly one of the most popular areas to stay in Gran Canaria for travellers from the UK. It’s famous for its incredible sand dunes, reasonably priced all-inclusive resorts and friendly LGBTQ+ scene and fun nightlife. It’s also located in the southern part of the island, where the microclimate is even warmer and sunnier than the north. Other popular tourist spots in the south include Playa Mogan and Puerto Rico – both mostly home to all-inclusive hotels.
The island’s north is popular with surfers, more adventurous travellers, and visitors from mainland Spain. The capital has it all, with one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria, offering surfing at one end and a tranquil bathing spot at the other, as well as shopping and eating opportunities galore. La Isleta and the old town at San Telmo are more local, authentic spots for a stay, with the latter being especially good for tapas and shopping. Less well-known but no less beautiful are Agaete – great for local fish and ferries to the other Canary Islands – as well as the inland villages like Teror, Firgas and Arucas. These are smaller and much more local, but very pretty, with an authentic charm and friendly feel.
Best areas: Maspalomas, Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria and Playa del Inglés.
Best attractions: Puerto de Mogán, Maspalomas dunes and Roque Nublo.
There are two great main areas to stay in Gran Canaria for families with young children. The first, and possibly best, is the capital of Las Palmas. Here, you’ll find a range of accommodation in every budget, most of which is just steps from a sandy beach with lifeguards, calm and shallow water at low tide, plenty of restaurants and supermarkets within easy reach. There are playgrounds on the sand at Las Canteras beach, as well as dotted throughout the city, and the long promenade is ideal for buggy walking.
Older kids will enjoy getting involved in sports and beach games, or taking a surfing or bodyboarding lesson at the wavier end of the beach. If you encounter a day where the weather’s not on your side, there’s a large aquarium, science and technology museum and two big shopping centres, as well as myriad free events for families throughout the year. Families looking for an easy all-inclusive stay should look to Maspalomas. You’ll find plenty of hotels with kids’ clubs, water slides and several pools (as well as plenty to keep adults happy too). Plus, the epic, rolling sand dunes offer hours of fun for children, and the beach is sandy, with a shallow entry to the sea.
Best for families: Las Palmas and Maspalomas.
Best family attractions: Sioux City Park and Palmitos Park.
Couples seeking a romantic stay in Gran Canaria should make a beeline for Puerto/Playa Mogan. Located in the island’s super-sunny south, it’s a dream for those in search of a quiet and picturesque getaway. The marina is classy and incredibly photogenic: picture tiny streets of white buildings with colourful window frames, dripping in bougainvillaea. There are dozens of pretty restaurants close by the water, an incredibly sheltered, sandy beach, and a sensational sunset view too – you’ll notice everyone flocking to the “sunset point” viewing spot as the time nears.
Agaete is another romantic spot, offering a quieter, more off-the-beaten-track option for couples seeking seclusion with a healthy helping of high-class food. Life in the small former fishing village is centred around the port, where you’ll find a cluster of delightful restaurants serving locally caught seafood and great wine. Expect picturesque white-and-blue houses, a nautical vibe, and seawater swimming pools hewn into the natural rock at one end of town.
Best for couples: Playa de Mogán and Agaete.
Best romantic attractions: Maspalomas beach and Maspalomas lighthouse.
The entire coast of Gran Canaria is pretty easy to navigate via bus, so you don’t necessarily need a car in Gran Canaria. However, the best place to stay in Gran Canaria without a car is undoubtedly the capital of Las Palmas. It’s a short bus ride direct from the airport and, once you arrive in the city, you have everything you could wish for within walking distance.
There’s the long and beautiful beach which changes from pond-like swimming waters with a sandy shore at one end to a wavy expanse thronging with surfers at the other, and its entire length is flanked by restaurants, cafes and hotels. There’s also plenty of easy walking directly from the city, as well as shopping opportunities, and a 10/15-minute bus ride lands you right in the heart of the old town. From the capital, you can also easily book day trips with tour companies to the island’s mountainous interior, or take a bus to Maspalomas, Mogan or Agaete.
Best districts: Old Town, Las Canteras and San Cristóbal.
Don´t miss: Las Canteras beach, Vegueta and Triana street.
Perhaps the most famous area of Gran Canaria for nightlife is the tourist resort of Maspalomas. It’s a bustling town made up mostly of hotels, accommodation, bars and clubs, with plenty of places to choose from to suit your vibe. Will it be a relaxed sports bar or a classy cocktail joint with a view? A chilled-out pub or a club playing all the holiday tunes? It also has a very friendly and well-known LGBTQ+ scene, so everyone can find a welcoming and fun night out here.
Further down the coast, Puerto Rico also boasts a fun nighttime scene, with most of its bars clustered on the roof of the shopping centre. It’s especially popular with British travellers thanks to its reasonably priced pubs, Irish bars and karaoke joints. If you stay all-inclusive in Gran Canaria, you’re sure to find a great bar or two in your hotel too. For a night out like a local, stay in the capital of Las Palmas. There’s a lively nightlife on and just behind the seafront, with some places more local and laid back and others dancing until the wee hours. For a Canarian-style night out that’s less “club” focused, head to the old town and enjoy tapas and wine until late.
Best areas for nightlife: Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico.
Don´t miss: Yumbo Centre.
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