Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Spain / Canary Islands - Canaries / Gran Canaria
 |  | Travel Reviews : Gran Canaria |
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| | | | Review by Trevor Rossiter from Launceston
Gran Canaria, the perfect place for an autumn break, just what is needed to charge the batteries for the long winter ahead.
Review by Philip Rees from Belfast
We are regular visitors to Gran Canaria and enjoy the diversity it provides including excellent beaches, superb mountains, the rugged beauty of the north west coast and Peurto Mogan at night.
Review by Diane Topping from Wigan
My husband and i had a fabulous time in Puerto Rico (Gran Canaria) as this resort caters for families and couples. It your choice, relax or party, we did both.
Something for everyone
I have been to Gran Canaria three times in the last five years always staying at Puerto Rico.
There is something there for everyone whether old or young.The nightlife can be as busy as you want it to be or as quiet.
The man-made beach is roomy with plenty of activity, the waters are warm and clean with undersea wildlife abundant.
I have stayed in self-catering accommodation (which I find less restrictive) because of the varied and inexpensive food outlets catering for every taste. The bars are fun with most providing entertainment on a nightly basis.The locals are friendly and not at all pushy as with other resorts.
The only drawback are the African immigrants who can catch you off your guard if you are not careful. Don't part with any cash to these people as they will try to rip you off.Firmly tell them NO.
Apart from that Gran Canaria is a wonderful place to visit with many places to go to and see.
Travel Guide: Gran Canaria
Perfect for families
I stayed at Meloneras in October and had a great week with my wife and two kids.
We spent most of the week either in the pool or walking along the seaside promenade to the Faro shopping centre.
There's a great choice of restaurants in the area; taxis are cheap and it's a really nice area for families.
Travel Guide: Gran Canaria
A sunshine island
I went to Gran Canaria a year ago and found it completely different from any other place I've been to.
You have your usual holiday staples, sun, sea and sand, but you can immerse yourself into the island culture very easily.
There is a very good nightlife for those who love to party, lots to do for families and shopping for all the girls and not just the usual tack that is associated with holiday destinations but designer items as well.
I found the locals welcome you if you are not yobbish and rude. It is a sunshine island that has got to be visited.
Travel Guide: Gran Canaria
Hot but not much more
It's mid-December in Europe. When you get off the plane you brace yourself for that chill wind, and the best bit is... it doesn't hit you.
Gran Canaria is, undeniably, a safe bet for winter sun, and you can see the attraction in that.
It's just a pity that its best feature is really its only one, and obsessed as Brits are with it, it's not really enough to entertain most people for a week.
Gran Canaria is described as a continent in miniature because of its varied landscape. Really, it's more like two nations; the fertile north - in which the Canarians live and work - and the arid, concrete-covered south where the tourists holiday without a drop of Spanish food, culture, language or passion.
If sun and sand are your only drives, then you can happily spend a week lazing on a sun lounger.
Indeed, families are well-catered for - with a number of fun attractions and plenty of activities. For the independent traveller, it's a complete disaster.
We struggled to keep ourselves entertained, and our only rescue, the mountains, were frustratingly inaccessible. It's worth hiring a car and climbing the snaking passes through the stunning mountains to find where the Canarians are hiding.
But, be warned, the roads are not for those with faint hearts and low fuel.
Certainly worth a visit are Teror in the north, Puerto de Mogan on the southern coast, and the Maspalomas dunes. The rest of the southern coast is charmless and under construction.
Cheap package bargain, yes. Satisfying holiday, no.
Travel Guide: Gran Canaria
Get out and explore
I was a rep there for two seasons and love the place. It is now my second home.
The people are friendly, weather fantastic and the island is beautiful if you are happy to explore.
Travel Guide: Gran Canaria
A guide to the islands
From the Daily Mail
GRAN CANARIA
Not the biggest of the Canaries; it just feels that way when you try to negotiate some of the busiest streets of the capital, Las Palmas.
Most visitors find themselves in one of the purpose-built resorts in the south of the island and fortunately most stay there for the duration, apart from the odd trip into town.
The secret to getting the most out of Gran Canaria, then, is to hire a car and get away from the maddening throng.
While the island can be circumnavigated in a day, it's more fun to push north to explore some of the typical old settlements or into the mountainous centre to visit villages such as Artenara, perched at 1,200m, pausing for lunch on the terrace at the Meson de Silla restaurant to admire its stunning views.
But even those who fail to make it that far from the sun-lounger usually manage a glimpse of Las Palmas's most distinctive stretch of sand, the amazing desert-like dunes of Maspalomas. And no, that camel train crossing it is not a mirage; it's a tourist attraction.
LANZAROTE
A favourite with generations of British tourists, Lanzarote takes pride in its extraordinary volcanic landscape. Black ash becomes a manicured garden, jagged tiny peaks a carefully tended rockery, while the lunar landscape of the island's Mountains of Fire is its most popular natural attraction.
Arrecife is the main town, Puerto del Carmen the principal tourist resort.
Both used to be small fishing ports and, though they attract crowds these days, there are still boats in their harbours and good fish restaurants to visit after the evening passeo.
Those of a cultural disposition should enjoy the troglodyte home and surreal art of Cesar Manrique; those who prefer the seaside will find the best beaches in the south of the island, along the bumpy tracks beyond Playa Blanca.
FUERTEVENTURA
For many people, this is little more than a windy desert just 50 miles from the Sahara. The upside is that at least the sand is good and the windsurfing is among the best in the world.
Corralejo in the north is the best-known resort and is good for families.
One of the highlights for day-trippers is a jaunt inland to Betancuria, founded in a fertile valley in 1405.
However, the best beaches are in the south, particularly the magnificent stretches on the Jandia peninsula.
You will need a four-wheel-drive car to reach the loveliest stretches, such as Playa de Barlovento.
On the way back north, stop for a meal at one of the restaurants in the traditional fishing village of Las Playitas.
Travel Guide: Gran Canaria
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| | | | La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro
LA PALMA
The most tropical and fertile of the Canaries, La Palma, the Green Island, has arguably the best-looking landscape. This is not a place for beach lovers - there are only a handful of black beaches round its shores. Rather it attracts nature lovers looking for some peace and quiet on one of the least-visited islands.
Top on their list of attractions is the great Caldera de Taburiente, a massive, beautiful volcanic crater, which is ideal for hiking.
The town of Santa Cruz has a wealth of old colonial atmosphere and architecture, as well as a lively seafront promenade of cafes and restaurants.
The main draw in the north of the island is the town of San Andres, which is the home of the island's most sacred spot, its 17th-century church.
LA GOMERA
A favourite destination with walkers and hikers, with trails criss-crossing its 370 square kilometre area, La Gomera is, in shape, like a great volcanic meringue pie, with peaks and troughs and an indented crusty coast.
An immensely fertile land, with a thousand different shades of green on every slope - pale young vines, darker banana plants and everywhere the dread-locked silhouettes of date palms dancing on the jagged horizon.
Accommodation options are limited to a couple of hotels and smaller guesthouses, and there's little to attract the beach lover. Instead, the island draws a loyal following from visitors who appreciate its laid-back ambience and a certain innate quirkiness.
La Gomera's best hiking is in the Garajonay National Park at the heart of the island.
EL HIERRO
Definitely a getaway-from-it-all destination - as long as you don't mind the fact that there's not very much when you get there. It's more of a day-trip island really. Once you have admired the view over El Golfo Valley, visited the old church in the capital Valverde, there is not much left to do except to stand by the lighthouse at Orchilla, once the most westerly point of the known world.
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| | Destination Guide : Gran Canaria |
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| | | Soak up the sun |  | Why go on holiday to Gran Canaria?
Whether you think a beach is somewhere to flop for a week, a place to party all night, or just a spot to stick your surfboard, Gran Canaria is in many ways an ideal year-round destination with sunshine almost guaranteed.
This might not be the most attractive of the seven Canary Islands, but it is worth exploring if only to marvel at the contrast between the pine forests in the fertile north and the sand dunes in the south.
How much does it cost?
A seven-night self-catering package costs from £350 in July, flights only are from £120 with charter bargains as low as £65, and a hotel room will cost roughly £15-£20 a night. All prices vary, especially with the seasons.
When should I go?
You can bet on getting a tan at any time of year, with year-round temperatures of 18-24C (65-75F). December to February is the coolest period but it is also the island's busiest time of year, so prices are higher.
The best deals are around between March and May or from November to mid-December. Party animals should aim to be there for Carnival in February and March when the island is in celebratory mood and there are weeks of parades and fancy dress contests.
*Feeling inspired? Book a break to the Canaries.
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| | | Land of contrasts |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Most people base themselves in one of the main beach resorts on the south coast, where you can just lie back and soak up the sun, indulge in some watersports - sailboarding is particularly popular - or hire a car and see the island.
It's so small that it would take only a couple of days to drive right around Gran Canaria, but hire a car for longer if you want to explore at a more leisurely pace.
What's the terrain like?
Gran Canaria is often described as a continent in miniature due to its contrasts. A short drive from the desert beaches brings you to the arid interior with its crumpled ridges, which eventually gives way to pine forests as you approach the fertile north.
What's there to do in the capital?
Las Palmas in the north is the only place on Gran Canaria with a big-city feel. It has busy shopping districts, a thriving port and a fab beach. There is also an interesting historic quarter with museums, churches and monuments.
When you're tired of sightseeing, you can rest your feet in one of the many restaurants or bars that line Playa de las Canteras.
What's off the beaten track?
Some interesting towns in the north include Teror, whose ancient square is home to some fine old houses, and Arucas, which boasts an extraordinary neo-Gothic cathedral.
Not to be missed is the Caldera de Bandama, one of the biggest extinct craters on the island, with fantastic views over the island. Also interesting is a troglodyte hamlet, about 9kms from Aguimes, where some residents live in caves.
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| | | Young and lively | | Where's good for nightlife?
The vast array of bars, clubs and restaurants in the biggest beach resort, Playa del Ingles, is a honeypot for the young and lively crowd. Yumbo Centrum, the multi-storey shopping centre has the highest concentration of nightspots.
Las Palmas is also buzzing at night, but it's a long way from the main beach resorts in the south. If you like your nightlife to come with a Union Jack, try Puerto Rico which has lots of British pubs and cafes.
What's the food like?
Resorts have cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Many serve international fare (fish 'n' chips, bacon and eggs, etc) but there are some fantastic local dishes such as sancocho - a mixture of fish, goat's cheese and garlic potatoes.
Try sama a la sal - fish baked in salt - and don't skip the delicious papas con mojo - hot, spicy potatoes.
What should I buy?
The Canaries are a duty-free paradise and prices are cheaper in the shops on the islands than at the airports or on flights back home. All the resorts have shopping arcades, and electronic goods can often be found cheaper than back home.
One of the best places for electronic goods is around Parque de Santa Catalina in Las Palmas. For other goods, try Centro Comercial Las Arenas in the capital, or the fashionable Avenida de Mesa y Lopez.
Locally-made products to look out for include pottery, cutlery with bone handles, embroidery, hand-woven baskets, hand-woven silk and cigars.
What is there for children to do?
There are lots of theme parks in the south - including Palmitos, which has 230 species of bird and an aquarium; the Holiday World amusement park with white-knuckle rides; and the Aqua Sur and Ocean Park water parks.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel. 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
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| | Fact File : Gran Canaria |
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| | | Gran Canaria | | Did you know?
The Canary dog, similar to a pit bull, is a breed unique to the islands.
Language
Spanish.
Visas
Not necessary with a British passport.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from many UK airports operate all year round.
Flying time from London
Four hours.
Getting around
The island has a good bus network. Sightseeing excursions are offered from all resorts. Car hire is also widely available.
Currency
Euro.
Costs
Prices vary between the resorts but expect to pay roughly: bottle of beer £1; roll of camera film £2.50; moderate restaurant meal £10; litre of petrol 40p; short taxi ride £6.
Weather
You can bet on getting a tan at any time of year, with average temperatures of 18-24C (65-75F). December to February is the coolest period but it is also the island's busiest time of year, so prices are higher.
Time difference
Same as Britain.
International dialling code from the UK
00 34 928.
Voltage
220V, 50Hz. Plugs have two round pins, like Spain and Continental Europe; take an adaptor for UK appliances.
Opening hours
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and then from 4.30 or 5pm until 7.30 or 8pm. Shops usually open on Saturday mornings, and sometimes in the afternoons in the main resorts. Big supermarkets and department stores are open 9am-9pm.
Health — before you go
No jabs necessary. UK citizens are entitled to free health care under the Spanish national health system, but you need to produce an EHIC form (available from post offices before you go).
Health — when you are there
The most common complaints are sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration, insect bites and occasional upset stomachs. In an emergency, go to the Urgencias department at the nearest hospital.
Warnings
Petty theft is common on the island, so watch your belongings and don't leave valuables in hire cars. Otherwise it is generally safe for foreign visitors.
Emergency
For police, dial 092. British Consulate, Edificio Cataluna, C/Luis Morote 6-3, PO Box 2020, 35080 Las Palmas. Tel (928) 262 508.
Customs
As with the rest of Spain, almost everything shuts down from 2pm-5pm. In the evening, things don't start to hot up until 10pm, or even later.
Pets
Spain is included in the government's Pet Travel Scheme, so those who qualify under the scheme will be able to move freely between the UK and Gran Canaria. See your vet for details.
Tipping
A service charge is included in all menu prices, but leave small change if satisfied with the service. Tips in bars and cafes are appreciated.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
Did you know?
The Canary dog, similar to a pit bull, is a breed unique to the islands.
Language
Spanish.
Visas
Not necessary with a British passport.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from many UK airports operate all year round.
Flying time from London
Four hours.
Getting around
The island has a good bus network. Sightseeing excursions are offered from all resorts. Car hire is also widely available.
Currency
Euro.
Costs
A moderate three-course meal is around £6.50, a bottle of Spanish wine from the supermarket is £2-£4, a beer in a bar is from £1.30 and a six-pack of Spanish lager from the supermarket around 70p each. A packet of cigarettes is from £1.12. A short taxi ride is £2-£3, a litre of petrol is from 42p. A 24-exposure roll of film is from £3.43.
Weather
Gran Canaria is warm and sunny all year round. Temperatures fluctuate between 18C and 24C (65-75F). The coolest months are from December to April, but even then it rarely dips below 21C (70F). Summer temperatures range from 24C-26C (75F-80F). It's hottest in the south of the island, which gets the least rainfall.
Time difference
Same as Britain.
International dialling code from the UK
00 34 928.
Voltage
220V, 50Hz. Plugs have two round pins, like Spain and Continental Europe; take an adaptor for UK appliances.
Opening hours
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and then from 4.30 or 5pm until 7.30 or 8pm. Shops usually open on Saturday mornings, and sometimes in the afternoons in the main resorts. Big supermarkets and department stores are open 9am-9pm.
Health — before you go
No jabs necessary. UK citizens are entitled to free health care under the Spanish national health system, but you need to produce an EHIC form (available from post offices before you go).
Health — when you are there
The most common complaints are sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration, insect bites and occasional upset stomachs. In an emergency, go to the Urgencias department at the nearest hospital.
Warnings
Petty theft is common on the island, so watch your belongings and don't leave valuables in hire cars. Otherwise it is generally safe for foreign visitors.
Emergency
For police, dial 092. British Consulate, Edificio Cataluna, C/Luis Morote 6-3, PO Box 2020, 35080 Las Palmas. Tel (928) 262 508.
Customs
As with the rest of Spain, almost everything shuts down from 2pm-5pm. In the evening, things don't start to hot up until 10pm, or even later.
Pets
Spain is included in the government's Pet Travel Scheme, so those who qualify under the scheme will be able to move freely between the UK and Gran Canaria. See your vet for details.
Tipping
A service charge is included in all menu prices, but leave small change if satisfied with the service. Tips in bars and cafes are appreciated.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
Did you know?
The Canary dog, similar to a pit bull, is a breed unique to the islands.
Language
Spanish
Visas
Not necessary with a British passport.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from many UK airports operate all year round.
Flying time from London
4 hours
Getting around
The island has a good bus network. Sightseeing excursions are offered from all resorts. Car hire is also widely available.
Currency
Euro
Costs
Prices vary between the resorts but expect to pay roughly: bottle of beer £1; roll of camera film £2.50; moderate restaurant meal £10; litre of petrol 40p; short taxi ride £6.
Weather
Gran Canaria is warm and sunny all year round. Temperatures fluctuate between 18C and 24C (65-75F). The coolest months are from December to April, but even then it rarely dips below 21C (70F). Summer temperatures range from 24C-26C (75F-80F). It's hottest in the south of the island, which gets the least rainfall.
Time difference
Same as Britain.
International dialling code from the UK
00 34 928
Voltage
220V, 50Hz. Plugs have two round pins, like Spain and Continental Europe; take an adaptor for UK appliances.
Opening hours
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm and then from 4.30 or 5pm until 7.30 or 8pm. Shops usually open on Saturday mornings, and sometimes in the afternoons in the main resorts. Big supermarkets and department stores are open 9am-9pm.
Health - Before you go
No jabs necessary. UK citizens are entitled to free health care under the Spanish national health system, but you need to produce an EHIC form (available from post offices before you go).
Health - When you are there
The most common complaints are sunburn, heat stroke, dehydration, insect bites and occasional upset stomachs. In an emergency, go to the Urgencias department at the nearest hospital.
Warnings
Petty theft is common on the island, so watch your belongings and don't leave valuables in hire cars. Otherwise it is generally safe for foreign visitors.
Emergency
For police, dial 092. British Consulate, Edificio Cataluna, C/Luis Morote 6-3, PO Box 2020, 35080 Las Palmas. Tel: (928) 262 508.
Customs
As with the rest of Spain, almost everything shuts down from 2pm-5pm. In the evening, things don't start to hot up until 10pm, or even later.
Pets
Spain is included in the government's Pet Travel Scheme, so those who qualify under the scheme will be able to move freely between the UK and Gran Canaria. See your vet for details.
Tipping
A service charge is included in all menu prices, but leave small change if satisfied with the service. Tips in bars and cafes are appreciated.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel: 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Gran Canaria |
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| |  | | Duplex Villa 1 Anfi Tauro Sea Golf Gran Canaria
Eco chic styled Villa. Marble tiled, air conditioned, jaccuzi, luxury specification in a sea, golf and mountain setting. 115m2 Living +52m2 Terraces
|  | | Apartamentos Lenamar
Refurbished one bedroom apartment in central Playa del Ingles between the beach and the Yumbo centre on Avenida de Tirajana.
|  | | Beachfront apartment, Playa del Ingles
Stunning sea and dune views. Apartment in very quiet complex of only 21 private owners, heated pool and direct access to the beach and promenade.
|  | | LAS CASAS
Luxury two bedrooms, in a quiet community. Sleep max 4. Kitchen fully equipped. Satellite TV .
Shared swimming pool with Jacuzzi.
Large terrace and common BBQ area
|  | | Pretty Holiday Home, Cura Marina
A charming two storey house set in a small, tranquil urbanisation with communal swimming pool and luschious gardens, located just 50m from the beach.
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Holiday Rentals in Gran Canaria |
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 |  | Family and kids (7) | | | Activity holiday (3) | | | Beautiful Scenery (3) | | | Good value (2) | | | Lively nightlife (2) |
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