Book cheap holidays to Gran Canaria

Flight and hotel Gran Canaria

Welcome To Gran Canaria

Whether you're looking for miles of sandy beaches, the very best in nightlife, or a historical treasure trove, Gran Canaria has it all. Book your flight and hotel for Gran Canaria, and get to know this exciting, vibrant island. The second-most populous of the Canary Islands, package holidays in Gran Canaria offers a diverse range of entertainment, with cities like capital Las Palmas giving way to a fairly rural interior. Whether you're looking to spend your holiday golfing, hiking the island's western Biosphere Reserve, or lounging on a black sand beach, a weekend in Gran Canaria has it all.

What To Know Before Visiting Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria Airport is situated on the eastern side of the island, with a range of flights coming in from UK destinations including from Manchester and London. Once your flight to Gran Canaria has landed, you can take a shuttle bus service to your hotel. Taxis from the airport are also plentiful and reasonably priced.

Although it sits off the coast of Africa, Gran Canaria is part of Spain, so the currency is the Euro. Gran Canaria is a truly international holiday destination, and you’ll find almost everyone on the island will know at least a little English.

When Is Best to Visit Gran Canaria?

Package holidays to Gran Canaria are most popular in the summer months. The beaches, pools, bars, and restaurants are buzzing during this period, and the summer school holidays mean that its especially popular with families.

The island does, however, enjoy a warm and pleasant climate all year round, so those wishing to visit off season will still find a warm welcome, lush vegetation, and many of the bars and restaurants still open, making a sunny winter weekend in Gran Canaria a great way to escape the UK weather. Winter daytime temperatures can reach a temperate 16°C or 17°C, though do keep in mind the ocean temperatures will be too chilly for swimming.

What Are the Best Places to Visit in Gran Canaria?

• The little northern town of Firgas has a charming detail — lining the floor of its main street are lavishly coloured tiles depicting the various towns, crests, and geography of Gran Canaria.
• Also in the north of the island is the towering Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. Made from volcanic rock, this church rises dark and imposing above the historic town of Arucas.
• Pico de las Nieves, Gran Canaria's highest peak, offers unbeatable views across the island, and even of neighbouring Tenerife.
• Palmitos Park in Maspalomas is a little tropical oasis that's alive with butterflies, animals, attractions, and regular dolphin shows.
• The so-called 'Sistine Chapel' of Gran Canaria, the Painted Cave of Galdar dates back to pre-Hispanic times and is an archaeological treasure.

What Is There to Do in Gran Canaria?

The bars and beaches are enough for many people on a weekend in Gran Canaria, but while the island's nightlife is a real highlight, Gran Canaria has so much more to see and do. One of the most peculiar things you’ll find on the island is Sioux City Park. Built in the 1970s as a movie set for ‘Spaghetti Westerns', the park is now a living Old West-style town, complete with bank robberies, saloon brawls, Indian attacks, and gunfights at high noon.

City breaks in Gran Canaria can be particularly free and easy with a scooter. Vespa scooters with onboard GPS allow you to roam the island at your leisure. Simply select one of the pre-selected destinations on the GPS, or choose your own spot on the map and strike out alone. Gran Canaria has miles of paved roads around the coast, but do be careful if you're heading inland, where the roads are occasionally a little worse for wear.

Another way to discover more about the island is from the sea. Why not do it in style with a day trip aboard a classic sailing boat? The Karolka Yacht Charter company offers boat trips around the south of the island. Setting off from Puerto de Mogán, a five hour trip aboard a beautiful, sleek sailing yacht offers a glamorous way to see the island. If you'd rather rough it inland, head to Nublo Rural Park, a Biosphere Reserve home to 30 small villages.

If you also have time to explore the surrounding area, you can also rent a car in Gran Canaria.

Where to Eat and Drink In Gran Canaria

It’s well worth making the trip to the north of the island to check out one of Gran Canaria’s most beloved foodie spot, the Arte Gaia in Artenara. A warm welcome and local delicacies await you in this cafe-restaurant that is built within a cave! The Arte Gaia also houses a shop where you can buy many of the local products used in the restaurant.

The Grill Costa Mar in Puerto Base is the perfect place for those looking to enjoy local seafood. The view across the harbour at sunset is a great complement to the food. If you are looking for buzzing nightlife, head to the Mesa y López district of Las Palmas.

Bring a Piece of Gran Canaria Home

City breaks in Gran Canaria are best remembered with a piece of traditional earthenware. The island has a long pottery tradition. As the island has no rivers, it has no naturally occurring clay, so the Canarians have long made pottery from volcanic ash. All sorts of decorative objects are available, and are easy to find in local shops and craft markets.

Explore other destinations

Planning on flying to Spain? If a city break in Gran Canaria doesn't quite convince you, why not explore other exciting cities in Spain ? Check out our amazing flight and hotel packages for your next holiday adventure!

• Flight + Hotel in Almeria
• Flight + Hotel in Madrid
• Flight + Hotel in Minorca
• Flight + Hotel in Murcia
• Flight + Hotel in Palma De Mallorca
• Flight + Hotel in Santander
• Flight + Hotel in Seville
• Flight + Hotel in Tenerife
• Flight + Hotel in Valencia