Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria

Click on the map to see our photo gallery for Gran Canaria.

The map requested shows only a limited number of the resorts on the island, if the resort you are looking for is not indicated on the map, please don't give up. If you are looking for a specific resort or place, you may find by browsing through our image gallery that you will find the location you are looking for and a brief summary of the place or image submitted.

We hope to give you a good idea about the location, hotels and places of interest to help you make your mind up and find the perfect holiday destination for you.

Click HERE to see our image gallery of the island you have chosen.

About Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, rarely Grand Canary (archaic), is the third largest island of the Canary Islands, an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean 210 km from the northwest coast of Africa and belonging to Spain. It is located southeast of Tenerife and west of Fuerteventura. The island is of volcanic origin.
The island was populated by the Guanches from 3000 BC, who called it Tamarán, but was claimed by Spain in the 15th century.
Gran Canaria's surface is 1,560 km² and its maximum altitude is 1,949 meters (Pico de Las Nieves). It has a round shape, having a diameter of just about 50 km.

This island is called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found. The north tends to be cooler while the south is warmer and sunny. The east coast of the island is flat dotted with beaches while the western coast is rockier and mountainous.
Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north. There is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, in the south of the island, as well as many beach resort communities. The resort communities start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Sonnenland, and Maspalomas where most tourists visit. The Dunes of Maspalomas are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the Lighthouse at Maspalomas situated at the western end of Maspalomas.
Playa del Inglés is a popular destination for European gays with bars, restaurants and businesses centred primarily in the Yumbo Centrum shopping centre. A gay beach is found near the Maspalomas Dunes.
Heading west along the southern coast is the fishing city of Arguineguin in the Municipality of Mogán. The market, which is held on Tuesdays, is the largest on the island.

Still further to the west along the southern shore, also in the Municipality of Mogán are the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, a picturesque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account on its many canals.
The capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the north of the island, has a vibrant city life and the beach Las Canteras is located in the heart of the city. Las Palmas is also known for its annual Carnaval.

The number of annual visitors is 2.2 million (2,200,000). Most of the tourists visit the southern part of the island.
Other attractions include Banana Park, Roque Nublo (an 80m monolith), Cenebio de Valerón with about 290 caves, and the botanical garden Jardin Canario in Tafira Alta. El Dedo de Dios, or "God's Finger" was a rocky spire jutting from the sea in Puerto de las Nieves, and was previously the signature attraction of the Canary Islands. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in November of 2005 by Tropical Storm Delta, the first tropical cyclone in recorded history to strike the Canaries.

Around the Island

Maspalomas

Located in the south of the island Maspalomas is considered one of the best beaches on the island, the soft white sands stretch out for about 5 kilometres and is a favourite with the tourists. The resort has developed into an area that is considered up market with plenty of residential property that continues to expand.

The area is next to Playa del Ingles which is a favourite with the younger tourists. The beach is very wide, one kilometre in places and many sand dunes that offer the naturists seclusion from the main beach.

San Agustin

Playa de san Agustin is much quieter than its neighbours, Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles. It has dark sand and the beach is quite sheltered making the the resort ideal for snorkeling or just relaxing without the crowds that you get on some of the other beaches. The area also has a number of good quality restaurants, and is well known for being a little bit more "up market".

Playa de Patalavaca

The little harbour with its shops and restaurants make this resort worth a visit. The resort is on the south coast of the island and is one of the many little resorts that have sprung up around the resort of Puerto Rico. The resorts in this stretch coast are far more more relaxed than the main resort of Puerto Rico.

Other resorts worth a visit are, Arguineguin and Playa Tauro. Arguineguin is a delightful little fishing village where fish sales are held daily.

Playa del Inglés

Playa del Ingles literally means beach of the English and like its title it is a favourite for the British tourist. The resort is a concrete mass of apartment blocks, hotels and shopping centres and is one of the largest tourist resorts on the island. Along with the shops come the clubs, bars and restaurants that cater for all types of tourists.

Puerto Rico

There are two town beaches in Puerto Rico where you can hire sun beds and parasols at a very reasonable price, but beware some of the beds can be booked so you need to get to the beach early if you want to be sure of a sun bed. The beaches have good water sport facilities and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. The harbour has to be on your list of places to visit while in Puerto Rico. If you fancy traveling a little further afield why not try just outside of Puerto Rico, here you will find a great little beach called Anfi, this beach is well worth a visit. Anfi has sand imported in from the Caribbean and is one of the best beaches on the island. the beach itself has all the facilities you could ask for.

Las Burras 

Next to Play del Ingles and near San Augustin is the very good beach of Las Burras, it is not so crowded as the the more well known beaches.

Costa de Bañaderos

This is an area of outstanding beauty, small delightful little coves make this area on the northern coast of the island great for those who like to take in the scenery as well as relaxing on one of the quiet little beaches.

Playa de Sardina

Playa de Sardina is located on the north west coast and has been developed from a small fishing village. The beach itself is soft golden sand and the resort is very picturesque. The resort has some facilities including a restaurant. Diving is very popular from here.

Puerto de las Nieves

The resort of Puerto de las Nieves has grown from a small fishing village and become very popular with the arrival of the Santa Cruz ferry that uses this little harbour. The name Nieve means snow and refers to the high mountains that give a fantastic back drop to this resort. With the decline of the fishing industry the resort has built up its tourist trade by developing a number of shops, restaurants, and accommodation to bring in the tourist trade.

Montaña de Arena  

Hidden from the main roads and not so easy to get too makes this resort very popular with naturists. The beach has fine sand and many high sand dunes , hence the name "mountain of sand".

Las Palmas

Las Palmas is the islands capital and is one of Spain's major ports and is a very important commercial centre for the island. Las Palmas has two beaches, the major beach resort of Las Palmas being Las Canteras beach. The other town beach in Las Palmas is Las Alcaravaneras but this beach is not recommended. The beach at Las Canteras is a blue flag beach and is protected by the reef just off shore, making the beach very sheltered. The locals call this rock formation the La Barra, at low tide this can seen in the bay .The beach is ideal for families with plenty of amenities, restaurants and bars in the area.