Best Holiday Resorts in Gran Canaria
For a small island of just 29 miles across, Gran Canaria offers so much diversity to visitors that its often been described as a little continent. Whether youre looking for lively nightlife, family fun, a life-affirming brush with nature or an action-packed adventure holiday, there are plenty of resorts that will meet your needs.
Las Palmas
Las Palmas is the capital city of Gran Canaria, and being less traditionally tourist-oriented, it retains more of the traditional character of the island than many of the popular beach resorts. Located on the North Eastern corner of the island and home to more than half of its permanent residents, Las Palmas is the only truly urban space on Gran Canaria and there are plenty of hotels and apartments to be found here.
This is also where youll find culturally significant sites such as The Columbus museum, Botanical Gardens as well as ornate churches such as the huge Iglesia de San Juan Bautista - as well as the great ports that shaped the islands character.
Best for: culture vultures, city breaks, business trips.
Playa del Ingles
Playa del Ingles is one of Gran Canarias biggest resorts and with its legendary nightlife, countless bars, pubs and clubs its almost certainly among the liveliest on the island (if not in all of Spain!). This is not a family destination: some hotels and pools here are designated adults-only zones. But if its all-night raving youre after with a spot of seaside action by day, youll be in your element. Playa del Ingles is also home to Gran Canarias thriving gay scene, and the majority of its gay bars and clubs are located here. Expect to see drag queens, regular Pride processions and dress-up nights galore in a part of town where partying is a way of life and almost nothing is off limits.
