Where to sleep in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is a perfect island for those who are looking for a romantic getaway next to a heavenly beach, a family holiday near the sea, a weekend in the middle of a natural environment, whether it be to relax, play sport or sunbathe, there is no excuse not to pack your bags and set off for this magnificent island.
In this post of Gran Canaria travel guide in which we will talk about the best options in stay in Gran Canaria, the first thing you should know is that, it is a very varied island and everything depends on what plan you have for your vacation in Gran Canaria. If you are thinking of a relaxing and peaceful holiday, with all the touristic services available, do not hesitate to stay in the south of Gran Canaria. On the other hand, if you need a countryside holiday, trekking, contact with nature etc, it is recommended to stay in other areas such as Tejeda. To sum up, Gran Canaria is an island that has known how to adapt itself to all kinds of tourists in order to always provide an unforgettable experience for all those who visit it.
Best areas to stay in Gran Canaria
In Gran Canaria there is not much price difference in terms of which area to stay in, but there is in terms of quality of accommodation. If you are looking for a sun and beach holiday, we recommend you to look for hotels or apartments in the southern part of the island, Puerto de Mogán, Arguineguín, Maspalomas, San Agustín, among others, are areas where the sun hardly ever goes out, and they have practically all kinds of services you need.
- Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas
These two areas in the south of Gran Canaria are the main tourist centres of Gran Canaria, where many of the island's hotels, bungalows and apartments are located. Moreover, it is here that important events such as the Maspalomas Carnival or the Gay Pride are held every year. Playa del Inglés has also become a leading LGTBI destination in Europe, where thousands of visitors come every year to enjoy the magnificent weather of the Canary Islands.
Another attraction of Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas is the closeness to the beach, the commercial spaces and tourist attractions such as Palmitos Park, Aqualand or Sioux City. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the nightlife is really lively, many pubs, discos and night bars are open most of the year to have a great time on your holidays in Gran Canaria.
If you want to stay in the south of Gran Canaria but in Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés it is not possible, you have many other options such as San Agustín or Bahía Feliz, Meloneras, Puerto Rico or Mogán: areas of growing tourism with many possibilities.
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
It might be a great idea to stay in the capital of Gran Canaria. Why? There are many reasons. Firstly, what is really special about Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the combination of cultural and architectural heritage that Vegueta area provides in contrast to the more leisurely area of the capital, concentrated in the Port, Mesa y López and Santa Catalina Park. On the other hand, the fact that it has one of the best urban beaches in the world is more than a good reason to spend your days on the shores of Las Canteras, although you should take into account that prices in the beach area increase significantly. It is also an important point to take into account that massive tourism in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is very low in comparison to areas in the south of Gran Canaria such as Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas. In Las Palmas it is very common to rent a vacation house or the famous Airbnb, so it can be a cheap option to stay in the capital.
Other areas to stay in Gran Canaria outside the tourist centres?
If you are looking for a destination away from the tourist centres of Gran Canaria, you should take this section into account. Of course it is possible, and it is even recommended, but you must take into account that, to get around the island, due to the limitations in these areas in terms of public transport, it is complicated, so perhaps it is advisable to rent a car if you decide to stay in the following areas. Here are some recommendations:
- Tejeda
Rural houses, calm and an enviable environment. Why is it a good option to stay in Tejeda and the surrounding villages? Besides being one of the most unique places in the Canary Islands, the proximity to Roque Nublo Natural Monument and the beautiful mountain area of the island are more than enough reasons.
- Agaete
An excellent place to stay if you want to enjoy sun and beach as well as a more rural destination, as Agaete combines several things. It is true that, as we said before, it is very necessary to have a car as it is an area with limited access to public transport due to its location, in the northwest of Gran Canaria. Moreover, staying in an accommodation in the typical houses of Agaete can be a unique experience.
- Northern Zone
Although it is unusual to stay in the northern part of Gran Canaria, it is certainly quite recommendable. In this part of the island, from Bañaderos to Sardina del Norte via Gáldar, there are many unknown beaches, as well as natural swimming pools where you can spend a few wonderful days.
