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Generation after generation, Gran Canaria has been a favourite choice for families. Parents from all over Europe choose the island every year for their family holidays – and that's not something that happens by chance. In Gran Canaria you have everything you need to enjoy a holiday with your children.
The mild year-round climate has a lot to do with it, of course, with average temperatures around 24C, making it perfect for a winter sunshine break. But for family activities, Gran Canaria is a winner too. From beach fun to theme parks, to boat trips and inspiring mountain views.
Where is Gran Canaria?
Part of the autonomous Spanish community of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria lies in a part of the Atlantic known as Macaronesia, which includes the archipelagos of Madeira, Salvajes, Azores and Cape Verde. The closest point on the African coast is roughly 210km away, while Cadiz, the closest port on the European continent, lies 1,250km away.
Many UK operators feature Gran Canaria packages, including specialist walking and activity holiday companies. UK airlines including British Airways and easyJet fly regularly to the island from many regional UK airports, with an average flight time of just under 4hrs 30mins.
Family holiday highlights in Gran Canaria
With around 80 beaches and eight theme parks, there's endless variety for kids. You can be a sandcastle builder in the morning and then an outlaw after lunch. You can go on a camel ride or visit Sioux City. You can go on a submarine like Captain Nemo, sail out to spot dolphins and whales, go to the stunning world of Palmitos Park, learn to surf or paddleboard, explore coastal caves in a kayak, or hit the waterslides at the Maspalomas water park and many more things on top...
The best family-friendly things to do in Gran Canaria
From beaches to the open sea, from riding the waves to enjoying a bit of parklife, Gran Canaria has a host of family-friendly options for a happy holiday.
Hit the beach!
Gran Canaria has beaches to suit all tastes, with a choice as diverse as the changing landscapes. There are just under 60km of beaches along 236km of coastline.
There are the busiest and best known beaches, such as the large expanse of sands at Maspalomas, in the south, a long strip of golden sand that starts out at Playa del Inglés all the way along to the great lighthouse at Maspalomas, where a desert of dunes - one of the island's cherished natural wonders - is draped around the southern tip of the island.
Visitors will also find another set of beaches at the south, quieter family beaches, like at San Agustín, the glorious sandy lagoon at Amadores or the small sheltered beach at Puerto de Mogán.
Alternatively you might prefer traditional tourist enclave of Puerto Rico, or the multitude of bays along the coastline of Mogán, renowned for having one of the best climates in the country. Spend one day on the lively Las Palmas urban beach at Las Canteras, with its string of promenade cafes and ice-cream parlours, and another checking out the tiny coves at the north of the island.
Go to the park
Or parks, to be exact. Gran Canaria has eight theme parks all with something different to keep families busy and amused. For animal lovers, the botanical garden, zoo, aviary and aquarium at Palmitos Park will delight with its cast of dolphins, toucans, macaws and komodo dragons, among so many more. For fans of the Wild West, Sioux City Park will transport you back to the days of the old west, with outlaw raids, shoot-em-ups and singalongs. Aqualand Maspalomas has slides and rides galore. Angry Birds Activity Park in Puerto Rico offers 20 themed attraction ranging from shooting balls at malignant pigs, zip-wires, a ball pool, giant slide, mini-golf and pedal cars.
For something a bit different, take a submarine ride to visit the Atlantis Submarine Park - an artificial reef teeming with all kinds of fish - just off the coast at Puerto de Mogán.
Learn to Surf
Gran Canaria is a surfer's playground, so where better for kids - or anyone else, for that matter - to blow off steam and learn this thrilling water sport. The island has plenty of surfing schools, and plenty of beautiful beaches to ride the waves. One of the best spots for learning is the area called La Cícer, in Las Canteras. Moreover, Las Canteras beach is blessed with areas that are made to measure for learning to paddle surf. And finally, the island’s capital has yet another perfect beach for this type of sport: Alcaravaneras beach, right in the heart of the city.
Pupils at the surf schools can familiarise themselves with marine sports at many different points around Gran Canaria, as the currents, tides and settings are all so varied. Surf courses are constantly being improved year on year, introducing an ever-growing number of youngsters to surf culture and teaching them to appreciate the sea and the environment.
And as well as the great surfing, you can try your hand at paddleboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing and parascending!
See the Stars
Gran Canaria is blessed with perfect conditions for stargazing - high peaks, plus clear, clean and dark skies with little wind - making it an official Starlight Destination. Stargazing enthusiasts can enjoy a front row seat looking up at the sky at different vantage points all over the round island, and there's no better way to stimulate kids' interest and enthusiasm for the universe they live in.
A company called Astroeduca also offers educational activities on astronomy, as well as trips for tourists around the summit and hilly areas of the island. It has an observatory perched right in the middle of the island, called the Roque Saucillo Astronomic Centre at San Mateo, where hundreds of children go for their first astronomical experience.
Reach the Heights
Beaches and theme parks are all well and good, but to really gain perspective on a destination you need to see from way up high. Gran Canaria has a network of accessible viewing platforms and lookout points called 'balcons' from where you get spectacular panoramic views of the island's terrain and vistas stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and to Gran Canaria's island neighbour Tenerife, with Mount Teide rising up out of the sea.
The Mirador del Paso de Marinero viewpoint, also known as Mirador del Balcón, on the north-west of the island offers extraordinary views of the wildest areas of Gran Canaria and, at night, of the stars, while the island's famous high points Roque Nublo and Pico de los Pozos de la Nieve - both at the heart of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve - are accessible by car while also offering opportunities for family hikes around their vicinity.
Sail the Sea in search of Dolphins and Whales
Gran Canaria is alive with marine life - and there's nothing as spectacular as seeing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Many ports and harbours around the island are the start point for sea trips to head out in search of these cetacean marvels. Most trips last around two hours and while sightings can never be guaranteed - especially of the whales - the success rate is impressive and with the crew's knowledge of the area, you'll have every chance of seeing dolphins and blue whales, as well as the sea turtles and flying fish that abound off the island's shoreline.
Many tours also include stop-offs to enjoy a swim, so don't forget to bring costumes and goggles!
For more info about family trips to Gran Canaria, go to grancanaria.com
