Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, situated in the Atlantic Ocean 150km (93 miles) off the North West coast of Africa.
Gran Canaria enjoys fairly good weather all year round, so is extremely popular with holiday makers from all over Europe.
A flight takes around four hours from the UK, so is ideal for short breaks or one or 2 week holidays . The range of accommodation reflects this, with self catering apartments to all inclusive luxury resorts on the island.
There is a wide range of activities, sights to see and trips to take in Gran Canaria, so it attracts all kinds of holiday makers.
Younger people will enjoy sunning themselves on the beach and dancing the nights away in the range of bars and clubs; families can enjoy a range of sports, take in historical sights and see nature up close; and older travellers or those simply looking for a romantic getaway can enjoy peace and quiet in the beautiful scenery of the hills.
Most people visit the South of the island, as this tends to be warmer, sunnier and has less rain than the North side.
Best time to go
Gran Canaria enjoys excellent weather all year round, so even if you visited in the winter months you would not be disappointed.
Naturally, the summer months of May to October are the most popular, as these have the most hours of sunshine and there is very little chance of rain.
However, prices for accommodation and tourist sites are higher in the summer months, so for a budget holiday, the 'off-season', from November to April, is the best time to visit.
Sights to See
Away from the beach, there are many other sights to see.
Palmitos Park
Palmitos Park is a botanical garden and aviary with a huge variety of plant and wildlife to be seen. Situated in the mountains, the scenery is stunning . Highlights of the park include a butterfly house, dolphinarium and an orchid house.
Aqualand
For the family , you can visit Aqualand, near Maspalomas. Here the kids can ride the many water slides, take a trip down Congo River or the Rapids, while parents relax in the shade by the pool!
Sioux City
And if you fancy going back in time, head to Sioux City. Here you will find a recreation of a typical Wild Western town, complete with a saloon, a ranch, and the opportunity to be caught up in a gunfight!
Activities
Jeep Safari
Gran Canaria is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and one way to explore it is with a jeep safari.
Water Sports
Water sports are the main attraction in Gran Canaria. Beaches such as Playa de San Agustin are perfect for scuba divers with the shallow, calm waters, but almost all beaches on the island offer a of water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing.
Beaches
The island of Gran Canaria has many beaches to explore that suit everybodyâs idea of a perfect day by the sea.
Playa del Ingles
Playa del Ingles is one of the most popular and is located near to most major resorts. This 2.7km long beach offers an many water sports.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is another extremely popular beach on Gran Canaria. It is popular with families as it has a lifeguard service during the summer months. There is a golf course and water park . Here you can take a glass-bottomed boat trip to explore the marine life.
Playa Taurito
Those looking for a more peaceful beach should head to Playa Taurito, near Puerto Rico. This beach tends to be more secluded but you can still find cafes, restaurants and shops nearby.
Playa de San Agustin
Similarly, Playa de San Agustin is a small secluded beach where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the main beaches. The gentle sloping sands and calm waters also make this popular with both families and scuba divers.
Nightlife
Nightlife is centred around the main cities of the island. In the capital of Las Palmas, the bars and clubs are to be found in Plaza de Espana and Mesa y Lopez.
Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and Meloneras are also popular for seafront revelry, with the Yumbo Centre, Kasbah and Plaza being where the main action can be found!
And if you fancy a flutter you can head to Casino Las Palmas in the capital or Gran Canaria Casino in Playa de San Agustin!
Accomodation
With such a diverse array of holiday makers visiting Gran Canaria every year, there is a huge variety of accommodation available that is sure to suit every lifestyle and budget.
Self Catering Apartments
Self Catering Apartments are a popular choice as you can come and go as you please and the nearest shops, bars and restaurants are usually very close by.
Playa del Sol has apartments right in the centre of Playa del Ingles. Just 15 minutes walk from the beach, each apartment has a kitchen and there is also an on-site restaurant and bar. Yumbo Centre is close by with bars, cafes and restaurants
Apartmentos Don Diego
Apartamentos Don Diego is just 200m from the beach in Playa del Ingles, and also features a kitchen and free fresh bread each morning â" perfect for breakfast!
El Greco Apartments
The El Greco apartments are in the resort of Puerto Rico and offers direct access to the beach. As well as fitted kitchens in each studio, there is also a grill restaurant, Italian restaurant and snack bar.
Neptuno
For travellers seeking peace and quiet while still being centrally located you can stay at the Neptuno, which is an adults only hotel. There is a free shuttle bus to the beach, which is 900m away, and the site features an outdoor pool, Turkish bath and gym.
Hotel Riosol
Families will be at home at Hotel Riosol in Puerto Rico. The apartments have fitted kitchens and there is supermarket on-site for your convenience. For children, there is a pool table, video games a play area and a kids' club to keep them occupied while you enjoy the 3 swimming pools, tennis court and gym.