Gran Canaria has the largest population of all The Canary Islands. The island is broadly round, with a diameter of about 50KM. The island is quite mountainous, reaching up to almost 2,000 Metres.
Its a little like a “Mini Continent” with dramatically different micro climates, ranging from cool and damp inland in the winter, to hot and almost desert-like in the south in the summer.
Gran Canaria Airport
Gran Canaria airport (Airport code LPA) is on the coast at Las Palmas. It has one (very long!) terminal for international and inter-island flights.
Ports
Gran Canaria’s main port is Las Palmas, which is also a major shipping port for The Canary Islands. You can get ferries to Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and the Spanish mainland from Las Palmas.
There is also a port at Agaete, from where you can travel to Tenerife six times a day on a high speed ferry.
The Resorts
There are five main resorts in Gran Canaria, mainly in the sunny and sandy south of the island.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico tends to be favoured by families and is a lively, buzzing resort, with plenty of shopping and lots of nightlife, as well as quiet and romantic areas for couples.
Puerto de Mogán
Mogán is a classy resort, with a marina, upmarket hotels, and some truly excellent restaurants serving world class food.
Maspalomas
This is a quieter resort, with lots of villas, low rise accommodation and lots of sandy beaches. It’s the perfect resort for a chill out.
Playa del Ingles
PDI is a full-on holiday resort, just along the coast from Maspalomas. It’s the island’s party town and many parts buzz from dawn until dusk. The beach is spectacular and it’s also famous for the Yumbo and the Casbah.
Meloneras
Meloneras is the poshest resort, featuring very high class hotels and frontline villa accommodation, as well as great eateries.
Other areas
Arguineguin is the resort locals tend to go to at the weekend, and is also visited by hundreds of Scandinavians in the winter months.
For untouched Gran Canaria, the resort to spend time in is Agaete in the north. It offers fabulous walking and coffee plantations.
The North East corner of the island is home to Gran Canaria’s capital of Las Palmas, which is a large and busy city, with a huge commercial dock area and plenty of industry.
Head around the coast to the south west, and you’ll come across some stunning fishing villages with great restaurants, and then drive into the mountains and prepare to be amazed at some truly beautiful little towns and amazing views.
Types of accommodation
Gran Canaria literally has everything, but the main accommodation type is large hotel and apartments complexes close to the ocean. But you’ll also find some really interesting boutique hotels there, Paradores, rural retreats and of course individual villas, usually with private swimming pools.
