Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the golden sands of Gran Canaria and the best climate in the world? This paradise of infinite beauty and incredible experiences for the whole family offers us all the services and infrastructures we may need for a perfect, comfortable and carefree holiday.
Images: Gran Canaria Tourist Board.
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the golden sands of Gran Canaria and the best climate in the world? This paradise of infinite beauty and incredible experiences for the whole family offers us all the services and infrastructures we may need for a perfect, comfortable and carefree holiday.
On a family holiday it is essential that there is leisure and entertainment for children and teenagers. That’s why we love Gran Canaria so much, a family-friendly destination where accommodation, restaurants, transport and resources are all geared towards ensuring that families with children can enjoy everything the island has to offer to the full. This includes the leisure possibilities, which are practically endless.
In Gran Canaria we find beach and sun, outdoor sports, rural tourism, theme parks, boat trips and a thousand other options to enjoy an unforgettable family holiday full of experiences to share. It is not surprising that many families choose Gran Canaria every year as a destination for holidays, rest and relaxation.
A protected nature
Gran Canaria has a unique biodiversity that has led to almost half of the island’s land being protected as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In this way, the island’s landscapes remain pure and in them we can read its history, as can be seen in its volcanic regions.
The island is like a small continent in miniature, where the landscape can change at every turn: from a coastal environment to a thousand-year-old forest, between tropical palm groves, on the edge of impressive cliffs or on huge sand dunes of fine golden sand.
Some of the most impressive landscapes are to be found in the Parque Rural del Nublo and the Special Nature Reserve of Las Dunas de Maspalomas, but there are many more. Explore the island to look out from any of the 31 viewpoints and contemplate the stunning scenery.
Beaches to enjoy
Gran Canaria has beaches to suit all tastes: fine golden sand, dark volcanic rock, urban beaches, natural pools, hidden beaches… All you have to do is choose and head there. The island’s warm, mild temperatures invite you to relax and lie in the sun to get away from it all.
More than a dozen of these beaches have been awarded the blue flag, which not only certifies the quality of their waters but also that they are perfect for bathing and for water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, kitesurfing and snorkelling.
365 outdoor adventures
Gran Canaria has a wonderful climate that allows us to enjoy outdoor activities at any time of the year. We can cycle along its trails on foot and when we reach the coast, we can go on board a boat to watch whales and dolphins or dare to get on a surfboard. It’s all about creating memories and sharing experiences as a family while enjoying the great outdoors.
And if it’s the first time we face this kind of adventure, there’s no need to worry as we can count on the help of professional instructors.
Rural tourism
The conservation and protection of Gran Canaria’s natural environment and its flora and fauna has enabled the sustainable development of traditional activities. For this reason, it is well worth taking the time to visit its inland villages, which are home to magical places and hotels and rural houses as special as the cave-houses that children will love.
Some of these must-see places are Agaete, Mogán, Teror and Tejeda, unique villages where you can discover the generosity, vitality and hospitality of the people of Gran Canaria.
Journey to the Children’s World
Children have a special role to play in Gran Canaria and that is why, wherever we go, they will find places and opportunities to have fun and have a great time. We’re not just talking about the fine sand to play and run and the warm waves to swim in, but also the proposals such as La Finca de Osorio or the recreational areas located on the Cumbre.
You will also love places such as the Poema de Mar Aquarium, the Siam Park water park and the Maspalomas Lighthouse, an Asset of Cultural Interest and a true symbol of the town. We can also go on camel rides, visit zoos and stroll through botanical gardens. We can’t miss the Science Museum, a place full of interactive spaces to see the history of the great inventions of mankind and where children can satisfy their curiosity by learning about strange objects and amusing stories. And the options don’t end there: we can visit the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden or the Castillo de la Luz, the oldest fortification in the province, currently the headquarters of the Martín Chirino Art and Thought Foundation, which houses pieces from the work of this universal artist from Gran Canaria.
Flavours to discover
Tasting the traditional gastronomy of Gran Canaria can be considered another adventure, as we will discover a whole range of special and unique flavours that will perfectly accompany our moments of relaxation to recover our energy. Products such as the only coffee grown in Europe or its characteristic rum make Gran Canaria’s cuisine worth tasting.
In addition, the orchards and fields provide tasty Canarian tomatoes, tropical fruits, refreshing apples, tender bananas, delicious olives and sweet oranges that acquire a special touch due to the climatic conditions of Gran Canaria.
We can complete this offer by tasting any of the wines with Denomination of Origin of the island and the high quality cheeses. And we cannot miss the opportunity to try the delicious fresh fish served in the coastal restaurants.
Visiting the capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
One of the first things to do in Gran Canaria is to visit the old quarters, Vegueta and Triana, to see the colonial houses. You will also find a leisure area where you can go shopping or sit down for a drink and relax.
In Vegueta, we can also visit the Christopher Columbus Museum to learn about the navigator’s life and see objects related to Gran Canaria and the New World, America. In the Canarian Museum you can travel back in time to see the mummies and remains of the first settlers of Gran Canaria.
On Sundays we can take a stroll through the traditional Gran Canarian craft market where we will have the chance to taste the sweet round bread or sweet potato jam, typical Gran Canarian dishes prepared at the stalls.
As if this were not enough, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria we can go to Las Canteras beach, one of the best urban beaches in the world.
Accommodation for families
The hotels in Gran Canaria make it easy for families with children to feel at home. Not only do we have all kinds of comforts in the rooms, but there are also services and activities especially designed to entertain the little ones.
Most hotels have childcare services as well as workshops and groups according to age ranges. This allows parents to enjoy some time alone knowing that they are being looked after by professionals with whom they will have a lot of fun.
Gran Canaria: Starlight destination
Did you know that Gran Canaria has been named a “Starlight Tourist Destination” by UNESCO? This means that here we can enjoy astro-tourism and look out onto its clear, crisp skies as if they were windows onto the stars and planets. These conditions are shared only with Chile, Hawaii and New Zealand.
For this reason, the nights are just as entertaining as the day thanks to the night-time guided tours in which we will be accompanied by a professional who will talk to us about the constellations and the stars and tell us about the astronomical markers used by the aborigines.