Travel Kuoni

Gran Canaria Holidays

Mesmerising sand dunes, unique black beaches and design-led hotels – Gran Canaria holidays are all about easy, breezy, relaxing fun.

Sahara sands blow over the Atlantic Ocean to the Maspalomas dunes creating a desert landscape whose sheer size leaves you feeling like you just landed in Arabia. Walk from your hotel at sunrise as an apricot sky meet endless sands or jeep safari over the golden dunes for an exhilarating ride. Gran Canaria holidays have many guises – palm tree-lined pools in swish family-friendly hotels, an elegant city centre with a maze of shop-lined streets, oceanfront fairways on immaculate golf courses and volcanic ravines with Trejeda mountain views.

We love the laid-back beachy vibes and fun-filled over- and under-water atmosphere. There’s nothing like dining beachfront on fresh fish before diving back into crystal clear waters or making the most of the eastern side winds sailing by yacht past soaring cliffs or by catamaran on a wild dolphin cruise. We can tell you the best places to see those black lava beaches, the top locations for beginner surfers and the most secluded south coast spots where white sands are shared by resident lizards and swimming over waves is a strenuous as it gets.

Most of the time Gran Canaria holidays are about hanging out poolside, heading down to the beach and getting out on the water but we can also point you in the right direction for eventide strolls along upscale palm-fringed boul0evards, towards whitewashed towns filled with authentic charm and on the road to free standing volcanic peaks where fiery sunset picnics end a perfectly balmy day.

Whether you want Thalassotherapy circuits in a spa resort or a design-led hotel minutes from Maspalomas, our Personal Travel Experts are on hand to craft your Gran Canaria holiday.

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Gran Canaria Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Gran Canaria

Lopesan Villa Del Conde Resort & Thalasso

A vibrant village-style resort near Maspalomas promenade, with top wellness facilities.

Seaside Palm Beach Hotel

This pretty resort at the heart of centuries-old palm groves has a laid-back and unique 1970s ret...

Don Gregory by Dunas

This breezy adults-only beachfront hotel comes with a stylish Nordic twist.

Santa Monica Suites Hotel

An environmentally conscious hotel wrapped around Maspalomas’ undulating sand dunes.

Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia

Backed by mountains and dunes, this luxury hotel is equal parts French elegance and laidback Cali...

Lopesan Baobab Resort

This African-themed resort close to the sands of Maspalomas is made for easygoing holidays filled...

Paradisus Gran Canaria

This inviting all-inclusive resort on one of Gran Canaria’s most appealing beaches is a welcome n...

Get to know Gran Canaria and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT+1 hour

CURRENCY

Euro

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

Gran Canaria: 4½ hours

RELIGION

Christianity (majority Catholic)

LANGUAGE

Spanish (also known as Castilian)

Where is Gran Canaria? Gran Canaria is part of the Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean off the north-western coast of Africa.

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Exploring Gran Canaria There’s the mesmerising wind-sculpted sand dunes of Maspalomas, home to over three miles of golden beaches, a laid-back upscale atmosphere and the island’s largest golf course, which also happens to overlook the dunes. Then there’s the family-friendly beach atmosphere in Playa de Puerto Rico and the romance of Puerto de Mogán. All offer watersports including jet skiing, windsurfing, banana boat rides and pedal boat and kayak rental. In the north, Playa de Sardina del Norte is ideal for diving and is a relaxing place to watch local fisherman go about their day.

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What to do Strolling along the boulevard of Melanoras all the way to San Augustin is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon and if you’ve got kids in tow a trip to the Wild West theme park of Sioux City is a must. Las Palmas is the island’s capital and its old town, Vegueta, is worthy of an afternoon stroll amongst old colonial buildings. From here you can reach the urban beach of Playa de las Canteras where you’ll find a buzzing café culture. If you’re looking for spectacular sunset views, the volcanic Roque Nublo or Mirador de la Pico de las Nieves are the highest lookout points.

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Getting around Local buses (Guaguas and Global) service most of the island day and night and metered taxis are readily available. You can buy tickets on the bus by cash or purchase a bus pass in advance.

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Food & drink Expect Spanish, Latin American and African influences, international and kid-friendly dining and Canarian specialities in both hotels and restaurants. Thanks to daily markets there’s lots of colourful seasonal produce and plenty of fresh crab, lobster and fish. Regional fish recipes include caldo de pescado (fish soup) and vieja sancochada (sea-bream casserole). Tropical fruits are a favourite dessert and honey rum is a favourite drink. Tapas is traditionally eaten before a main meal and in Gran Canaria this mini feast is known as enyesques

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Visas & passports UK visitors to Spain currently do not need a visa. However, in late 2023 (date to be confirmed), British citizens must apply for a European Travel Information and Authorisation System waiver, commonly known as an ETIA, covering a visit for up to 90 days. Passports must have at least three months of validity after your intended departure date.

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Gran Canaria Weather

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