The third-largest island in the Canary archipelago, Gran Canaria has long been a destination for visitors seeking culture and hiking opportunities alongside sun and sand. Postcard-perfect golden beaches tempt families with an array of watersporting opportunities and fun in the sun, while the island’s otherworldly interior is a haven for couples looking for adventure. Gran Canaria’s luxury hotels cater to your every need, so you can spend your vacation exploring this rich island to the fullest.
If you arrive in Gran Canaria by boat, it’s more than likely you’ll arrive through the island’s bustling capital and main port. Before heading towards the beach, stay in a Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hotel for a couple of nights to enjoy a city where cultures collide and the city meets the ocean. Begin your exploration of Gran Canaria’s capital in Vegueta – the city’s oldest quarter. Since the 15th century, this part of town has been the center of life in the city, and contains historic wonders and art galleries alongside trendy bars and boutiques. Stop to admire the variety of architectural styles as you stroll between the majesty of the Santa Ana Cathedral and the Gabinete Literario Literary Cabinet, which is located inside a stylish 18th century modernist building. Infused with Spanish, North African and even Chinese influences, hotels in Gran Canaria’s capital are ideal if you want to explore the culinary delights of the island. Of course, given the island’s location, seafood is king, and visitors to the Canaries should not miss out on fresh Huevas (fried whole cod or hake), juicy mussels and Pulpo a La Gallega – sliced octopus fished from the surrounding Atlantic. Visitors to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria should head north to La Isleta – a populous and exciting neighborhood located on a peninsular. Built on a steeper terrain, the streets are often punctured with views over the city and island beyond.
Gran Canaria is ringed by some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands, and therefore hotels along Gran Canaria’s rich and diverse coastline are perfect for whiling away the days in the warm Atlantic sunshine. To the south of the island, Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria beckons with a variety of family-friendly activities and exceptional vacation facilities; including sun loungers, exclusive beach clubs and wellness centers. Puerto Rico Beach offers a multitude of thrilling watersports to try – paraglide over the ocean, jet-ski along the shore or reach top speeds in a jet boat. For families with small kids, the Angry Birds Activity Park will keep them entertained for hours with a playground, maze and zip-lining. For a quieter and more exclusive atmosphere, the bays of Los Caideros and Patalavaca offer a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy when evening arrives. One of the best things about hotels in Gran Canaria is the convenience of taking a day trip to the exciting historic and geological wonders located in the island’s interior. The island offers some of the best hiking in the Canary Islands, with routes that pass along sheer cliffsides, through deep ravines and past otherworldly wonders. One of the most popular attractions in the heart of the island is the Roque Nublo, a volcanic rock that’s reached via a moderate hike from the small town of Tejeda.
The Canary Island’s offer the perfect escape for every kid of traveler no matter what kind of vacation you’re looking to enjoy. Beyond hotels in Gran Canaria, the archipelagos six other islands are just as packed with sites, beaches and activities to explore. In Fuerteventura, stunning Sahara-like sand dunes roll into blissful beaches with translucent water near the town of Corralejo, and fans of birdwatching can spy all manner of feathered friends in the skies above Lobos Island. Lanzarote beckons with a vibrant party scene around Puerto de Carmen and Playa Blanca. Tenerife, the Canaries’ largest island, is home to the mighty Mount Teide – a national park and active volcano that can be hiked at sunrise and offers breathtaking vistas over the island’s stunning interior. Hotels in Gran Canaria are just the start of a dream vacation exploring all the wonders the Canary Islands has to offer.