Gran Canaria Holidays 2026/2027

Playa del Inglés & San Agustín (south): the heartland of the sun trade — wide lifeguarded beaches, the dunes on the doorstep, and everything from supermarkets to nightlife within walking distance. Most of our Gran Canaria holidays sit in this stretch. 

Maspalomas & Meloneras (south): the more polished end of the same coast, with the lighthouse, seafront restaurants and a run of four- and five-star resorts. A calmer, more upmarket choice than its neighbour. 

Puerto de Mogán & Amadores (southwest): the canal-laced fishing village known as Little Venice, plus the sheltered man-made beach at Amadores. This is where to look for cheap holidays to Gran Canaria that still feel a cut above the resort strip. 

Las Palmas (north): the capital, with its 3 km Canteras beach, the old Vegueta and Triana quarters, and a working city life that runs well beyond the tourist season. 

Tejeda & the interior (centre): pine forest, almond villages, the trailheads for Roque Nublo and the famous cave houses in Gran Canaria around nearby Artenara make this a completely different side of the island and the perfect base for walkers.

Maspalomas dunes & lighthouse: Walk the 400-hectare reserve early, before the sand turns fierce underfoot, and finish at the 1890 lighthouse where the dunes meet a 6 km beach. A camel station runs short rides from the Playa del Inglés side, and the La Charca lagoon behind the dunes draws migrating birds in spring and autumn. Stick to the marked paths — free-roaming across the sand is not permitted. 

Roque Nublo: The short marked trail from the La Goleta car park climbs to the 80 m monolith at 1,813 m, with the sea of cloud below and Tenerife's Teide on the horizon on a clear afternoon. Allow around an hour and a half there and back, go early or late to dodge the midday coach groups, and carry water — there is no shade and no café at the trailhead. 

Las Palmas & Playa de las Canteras: The capital's 3 km city beach is sheltered by the La Barra reef, which keeps the swimming calm; pair it with the cathedral and Casa de Colón in Vegueta and the Poema del Mar aquarium nearby. 

Palmitos Park: A botanical park set in a sheltered valley near Maspalomas, with bird-of-prey and parrot displays, an orchid house and a dolphin show — an easy half-day when the beach needs a break. 

Boat trips from the southwest: ferries and catamarans run out of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán for dolphin and whale watching in the deep water offshore, where resident cetaceans live year-round.