Gran Canaria Holidays

You're probably familiar with the resorts of Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico, which have been pulling in holidaymakers, particularly from the UK, for decades. But outside of these tourist hotspots, how much do you know about the incredible diversity to be found on the rest of the island?

Gran Canaria is often described as a miniature continent, thanks partly to its staggering diversity of landscapes; with everything from huge sandy beaches and Saharan like dunes, dense forests and green valleys to impressive mountain ranges, canyons and dusty desert and partly due to the fact that it has many different microclimates dotted around its regions. These unique contrasts and the abundance of unusual fauna (there are more than 100 species of plant that are unique to the island), led to UNESCO declaring almost half of the island to be a World Biosphere Reserve.

With all this glorious natural beauty and year-round sunshine, not to mention its numerous beaches, Gran Canaria holidays are perfect for explorers, and those who just want to relax, at any time of the year.

Why book Gran Canaria holidays?

Dunas de Maspalomas - Without doubt the most iconic image of Gran Canaria is that of these famous dunes. Simply a must visit.

Roque Nublo - Yes, it’s a rock. But no ordinary rock. This is a 67 metre tall (220ft) monolith. Best visited in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Barranco de las Vacas - A small and picturesque ravine. The colours of the rocks as the sunlight hits make for some amazing photo opportunities.

Mirador del Balcon - This viewpoint, in the far west of the island, hangs out over the sea at the top of a steep cliff, giving spectacular views out over the ocean.

Guayadeque Ravine - This ravine is one of the island’s best known and eye catching canyons. 11 kilometres long and with cliffs hundreds of metres high, it’s a good spot for escaping the heat.

When to Go

Due to its favourable subtropical climate, any time of year is a good time for a holiday in Gran Canaria. Of course, the winter months are cooler, but you’ll still find temperatures of around 16°C, and still with plenty of sunshine and blue skies. If you’re holidaying in Gran Canaria at this time of year, conditions for surfing and windsurfing are optimal. The coolest winter month is February. For the highest temperatures, the best time to visit is between July and September, when you can expect an average daily maximum of 29°C and an average low of 23°C.