Take the Family holiday rating
| Flying Time | 3.45 hours  |
|---|---|
| Carbon Footprint | 2.52 tonnes CO2 |
| Timezone | GMT |
| Local Currency | Euro |
Because while it may have gained a somewhat wild reputation due to the party town of Playa del Inglés, the third largest of the beautiful Canary Islands has a huge amount to offer families.
Gran Canaria is often described as a 'continent in miniature'. Indeed, from the fertile north to the deserts of the south, its startlingly varied terrain makes it an interesting island to explore, whether you hire a car and head inland for spectacular walking amidst awesome landscapes or whether you give in to the relentless fun, let the kids out on a windsurfer and relax at a spa in any one of the enormous number of family-friendly resorts that line the south coast of the island.
The moderate climate year-round (temperatures in summer rarely stray above 32C) makes Gran Canaria particularly well-suited to younger children. Even in winter, temperatures on the island rarely dip below 16C, making the island ideal for a winter break.
If you come at Christmas, make sure to stay for the Day of the Three Wise Men on 6th January. This 'Dia de los Reyes Magos' is celebrated all over the island but especially in Agüimes, a suburb of Las Palmas, where it is marked by a street parade in which the Three Wise Men come bearing gifts to the children of the town.
The airport – 16km from Las Palmas – has many direct flights from the UK as well as from the other Canary Islands, some by budget airline. Flights from London to Las Palmas take about 3hrs 40mins, and Gran Canaria is one hour behind the UK in summertime but has no time difference in winter, so jet-lag doesn't come into it.
Search flight deals with partners British Airways or check the best flight deals with Expedia.
You might arrive by sea, on ferries from the other Canary Islands or mainland Spain (see our ferries page). For details on getting to the Canaries by train and then ferry from the UK, see Man in Seat 61.
Hiring a car is probably the best way for a family to explore, especially inland, although the island also has an efficient taxi service and bus network.
From budget hotels and luxury resort to child-friendly villas, Gran Canaria has it covered when it comes to accommodation for families. Among our selection in the right-hand column of this page, the Orquidea has especially enthusiastic Tripadvisor reviews from parents.
Apart-hotels such as the Altamar (see right) can be a good choice for families, offering you the flexibility of budget-conscious self-catering while still enjoying the facilities of an hotel.
Head to the sunny southern resorts – but stay away from Playa del Inglés if you ever want some sleep. Instead, go marginally inland to the enormous sand dunes at Maspalomas, where you can sand-board or play golf on one of the best courses on the island. Indulge kids with a camel ride across 6km of sand dunes, or hit the beach close to the Maspalomas lighthouse for safe shallow waters for little ones.
Maspalomas is also home to some of the island’s most popular themeparks. Try Palmitos Nature Park for great bird and animal shows, and Aqualand for the statutory waterslides and rubber rings. You can get combined two-park tickets, and regular buses operate from resorts including Playa del Inglés, San Agustín and Puerto Rico.
Head east of Maspalomas to the resort of San Agustín for three good beaches and some fine luxury accommodation. For a little more character, head further east still, to the smaller resort of Bahia Feliz – though the tidal conditions make the beach here unsuitable for children, it's relatively close to the beaches of neighbouring resorts.
Try the western resorts of the south coast, which also have a lot to offer families. At the new resort of Playa de Amadores, imported sloping sands make the beach ideal for children. Nightlife here is low-key, but a 30-minute walk along the coast is the bustle of tacky Puerto Rico for those with restless older kids. The latter's horseshoe bay, marina and waterpark make the resort popular with families year-round, though lots of hills and stairs mean it’s not the place to struggle with a pushchair or a brood of very young children.
Venture further east to explore the winding streets and miniature canals of Puerto Mogan. New developments, a pretty marina and some of the best fish restaurants on the island can be found here. Try out the watersports, or opt for an underwater adventure on the Yellow Submarine departing from the marina.
Hire a car and drive the scenic coastal route from Agaete to Aldea de San Nicolas, or head inland to explore the relatively undiscovered interior of the island with its spectacular volcanic landscapes and lush exotic vegetation.
Don’t leave without paying a visit to Las Palmas, the interesting capital, with good nightlife and beautiful beaches close by. Check out the exhibits at the Christopher Columbus Museum or head to the well-known shopping street of the Calle Triana to pick up a bargain.
Fresh seafood and fruit and vegetables feature heavily in Canarian cooking, which combines traditional Spanish recipes with some Latin American and African influences. Typical dishes include pappas arrugadas – 'wrinkled' potatoes served with mojo, a spicy red sauce – and vieja sancochada, a sea-bream casserole.
Some of the best food can be found off the beaten track in the mountain towns, but it may take some hunting out. In the tourist resorts on the sunny south side of the island, everything from Canarian specialities to international dishes is widely available, incuding Spanish dishes such as paella and tortilla.
Gran Canaria is in the Eurozone, meaning that you'll be hit by the current strength of the Euro against the pound when visiting. However good package deals and either all-inclusive deals or self-catering options can make it good value, as can the availability of budget flights to the island.
Expect to pay around £1,500 to £3,500 for a family of four for a week, including flights and accommodation, with prices varying on the standard of accommodation and the time of departure.
by Sarah Andrews
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A comprehensive guide to the seven Canary Islands.
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Kids will love their own pool and the onsite "Panchi World" themepark. More
* Based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing a standard room, full board for 7 nights, including flights and transfers.
Beachfronted, providing plenty for all the family to do, a short walk from shops More
* from £495 per person for 7 nights, half board, including flights and taxi transfer
A beach front hotel with a large pool and activities for parents and kids More
* per person for 7 nights.
A beach front hotel with a 2 pools and a kids club, entertainment and activities More
* per person for 7 nights.
Family Walking in Gran Canaria. Kids under 2 go FREE! More
* per person for 3 nights, incl accommodation car hire, breakfast, packed lunch and escorted walking
