Gran Canaria Holidays



Gran Canaria Holidays

From dramatic mountain views, national parks and reserves to the sweeping beaches and pretty marinas, Gran Canaria has a varied landscape to explore and is ideal for both sun-worshippers and families of any age.

The holiday island is widely known for its lively beach resorts, sandy beaches, and exciting nightlife, although there is a more laid back and authentic side to Gran Canaria too. Summer is glorious on the island but a mild climate makes it a perfect destination all year round.

Why holiday in Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria offers beautiful weather and popular attractions, like the water park Aqualand or Maspalomas Holiday world theme park, making it a fantastic destination for families with younger children.

The Capital Las Palmas is a cosmopolitan city centre with a rich historic quarter and contrasting nightlife, popular with the 18-30 crowd. For a more authentic Gran Canarian experience, head to the picturesque towns and villages of Agaete, Cruz de Tejeda, San Mateo, and Vecindario. The street markets are a must visit and are particularly lively at night.

Beach Holidays in Gran Canaria

There are around 80 diverse beaches in Gran Canaria so you are sure to find one that suits you, from sheltered bays to golden, white, or even black volcanic sands.

The island is home to some well-known beach resorts, including the largest and most popular - Maspalomas. Despite the beach’s popularity, it doesn’t feel crowded due to its considerable size. Another popular beach is Playa del Ingles with massive sand dunes and calm waters perfect for paddling. The quieter beaches of Amadores or Taurito are considered more family friendly.

Many of the beaches in Gran Canaria are lined with shops and cafes where you can buy supplies for your day of sun and sea. If you prefer to get active rather than soak up the rays then surfing and water sports are offered at many beach resorts across the island.

Food and Drink

Typical Canary cuisine consists of traditional Spanish dishes with African/Latin-American influences. Common ingredients include fresh fish and Canarian potatoes. For a more traditional taste head inland for a late-night meal. The local dessert Bienmesabe is a must-try, made from ground almonds, sugar, eggs, and lemon rind, it literally translates to ‘it tastes good to me’!

In terms of nightlife, Las Palmas is known for late night clubs like Tres x Uno but the southern resorts also offer a great variety with hundreds of bars, clubs, and pubs. If you fancy trying a local drink you can order a glass of Tinto del Monte, a local red wine.

Activities

Gran Canaria offers plenty to do and see whether you prefer sight-seeing at the charming harbours and marinas of Las Meloneras and Puerto Mogan, or hiking and cycling through the impressive mountains.

As well as the range of watersports available at the beach resorts, such as jet skiing and the classic banana boats, there are also regular trips out to sea including sport fishing trips, glass-bottom ferries, and even underwater subs.

If you fancy a few rounds in a stunning landscape, there are plenty of golf courses along the north and south coast.

Useful info for Gran Canaria Holidays

The average flight time is under 5 hours from the UK to Gran Canaria Airport.

The local currency is the Euro and as always, we advise you to shop around for the best conversion rate.

Mild climates make Gran Canaria a great place to visit all year round.

The local language is Spanish, although many people speak English in the tourist resorts, making communication and navigation for English-speaking tourists a lot easier.

If you’re planning to explore the island there is an affordable bus network that’s ideal for keeping costs down.
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