Hotels in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria Hotels

It’s hard to believe that an island as tiny and populated as Gran Canaria can have swathes of pristine landscapes, but that is just part of its magic. From ribbons of golden sand to soaring mountains shrouded in mist, in Gran Canaria you can have your perfect holiday. If you like to spend your days on the beach and your nights in a club with pumping music, that’s one option –wilderness walks and silent nights beneath star-filled skies is another.

Things to see

The whole island is worth exploring, and this can be feasibly done in a few days if you have your own transport. However, if you’re looking for a relaxed beach break with a thriving restaurant scene and a vibrant nightlife, the south coast is the place to base yourself. Maspalomas Beach is one of the most popular and lively on the island, with a host of amenities and activities on offer. At the end of this long stretch of beach, you’ll find the Maspalomas Dunes, a magnificent area of rolling desert sands. At night, the central district by the beach thrums with music and parties. If you’re feeling up for a hike, you can clamber up through fragrant pine forests and rocky hillsides to Roque Nublo, the islands volcanic high point. Its location more or less in the centre of the island affords fantastic views of the dramatic mountain scenery.

Hotels in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria hotels range from luxury all-inclusive resorts to self-catering apartments – and even rural guesthouses. There are some excellent hotel deals to be found throughout the island. In the luxury hotels, you’ll often have an all-inclusive price, with a choice of restaurants and bars to enjoy. You can spend your days lounging by the pool, unwinding with a treatment in the spa, or trying your luck in the casino. Rooms are spacious and well-equipped, with suites available for families. If you’d prefer to self-cater, there are myriad apartments available, with onsite pool areas and rooftop terraces to soak up the sun.

Where to stay

For luxury resort hotels right on the beach, the district of Meloneras, on Gran Canaria’s southern tip, has the best choice. You’ll be spoilt with all-inclusive service and onsite leisure activities, as well as easy access to the restaurants and shops of Maspalomas. If you’re looking for a budget hotel, the self-catering apartments in central Maspalomas are the best option, and there is plenty of choice. All are within a stone’s throw of the beaches. For a rural retreat, head to the Tejeda region, where Roque Nublo is located. There’s a selection of boutique hotels hidden away in the mountains.

How to get to Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria’s international airport is Las Palmas, situated on the east coast of the island, close to the town of Las Palmas. A comprehensive network of buses runs all over the island, with plenty of services to the main tourist resorts. Taxis are also available at the terminal. Car hire tends to be fairly economical in Gran Canaria and is a good option if you want to explore further afield than your holiday resort. Some of the larger hotels and apartment complexes, as well as numerous private operators, provide airport shuttle services, which you will need to book in advance.