The third-largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has long been a popular year-round holiday destination, with sunshine and beautiful beaches aplenty. The island’s northern portion is green and verdant, rising along forested valleys and towards a dramatic mountainous centre. The south, on the other hand, is dry and rocky, whilst the coastline promises expansive golden beaches as well as gorgeous dark pebbled bays framed by craggy cliffs. The best places to stay on Gran Canaria are similarly varied, with everything from rural fincas to glitzy beach resorts.
Some of our Gran Canaria hotel collections:
For a lively buzz and a sense of the island’s rich history, base yourself in Las Palmas. A hive of activity on Gran Canaria’s north-eastern coast, the city is the ninth-largest in Spain, and the joint capital of the Canary Islands. Expect cobbled lanes lined with heritage architecture, marvellous museums, and a thriving food and nightlife scene. Playa de las Canteras, the city’s main beach, is at the heart of the action.
If you’re dreaming of hiking, horse riding and mountain biking adventures, on the other hand, look to picturesque Teror, or consider remote ochre- or red-painted fincas with wonderful regional restaurants and dazzling views of the hills and valleys of the interior. The tranquil northern towns of Agaete and Arucas will delight those looking to slow down and soak up Gran Canaria’s authentic charm. For upmarket beach resorts and a late-night party vibe, look no further than the southern town of Maspalomas —a handful of our picks of the best places to stay in Gran Canaria are located there.