Gran Canaria is often called a 'continent in miniature', with golden sand dunes, sheltered beach resorts, green mountain villages and a lively capital, all on one island around four and a half hours from the UK. The resorts are very different from each other, so where you stay makes a big difference to your holiday.
This guide explains the best areas to stay in Gran Canaria for families, couples, nightlife, luxury and a city break, with hotel picks and links to compare prices in each area.
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The best areas to stay in Gran Canaria at a glance
| If you want… | Stay in | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Families & the dunes | Maspalomas | Golden dunes, beaches and family resorts | See hotels |
| Nightlife | Playa del Inglés | The island's liveliest resort | See hotels |
| Couples & luxury | Meloneras | Smart hotels and a seafront promenade | See hotels |
| Families & a sheltered beach | Puerto Rico | Calm bay and boat trips | See hotels |
| A pretty, relaxed stay | Puerto de Mogán | Harbour village with canals and flowers | See hotels |
| A city break & a city beach | Las Palmas | Canteras beach and the old town | See hotels |
Hotels in Gran Canaria worth a look
Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa
A large resort next to the Maspalomas lighthouse, with several pools and a spa, a short walk from the dunes.
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Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
A luxury hotel set in tropical gardens a short walk from the Maspalomas Dunes, with a spa and saltwater pool.
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Hotel Riu Palace Oasis
A beachfront hotel in large gardens, with heated pools, a spa and a children's pool and kids' club.
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Bohemia Suites & Spa
An adults-only hotel 200 metres from Playa del Inglés beach, with pools, hot tubs and a spa.
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Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Gran Canaria Mogan
A resort above Puerto de Mogán with pools, a children's pool and a spa, a short walk from the beach and harbour.
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Hotel Cristina by Tigotan Las Palmas
An adults-only hotel opposite the promenade of Las Canteras beach, with a pool, close to the city's restaurants and shops.
Check pricesWhich part of Gran Canaria?
Most holidaymakers stay in the sunny south. Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Meloneras sit side by side around the famous dunes, while Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán lie further west along the coast, in sheltered bays below the cliffs. The capital, Las Palmas, is in the north-east, with its own city beach, and the green, mountainous centre of the island is perfect for a day's exploring.
Where to stay around the dunes
Maspalomas
Home to the Maspalomas Dunes, a protected nature reserve of golden sand that runs down to a long beach. It has a wide choice of resort hotels and villas and a quieter feel than Playa del Inglés next door.
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Playa del Inglés
The island's biggest and liveliest resort, with a long beach, plenty of bars and clubs, the Yumbo Centre and lots of good-value hotels and apartments.
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Meloneras
An upmarket resort west of Maspalomas, with smart hotels, a seafront promenade lined with restaurants and the Maspalomas lighthouse. It's a short walk from the dunes.
Compare pricesWhere to stay on the south-west coast
Puerto Rico
A resort in a sheltered bay below steep hills, with a calm, sandy beach and a marina for boat and dolphin-watching trips. Amadores beach is just next door.
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Puerto de Mogán
A pretty harbour village of whitewashed houses and flower-covered streets criss-crossed by little canals, with a sandy beach and a popular Friday market. It's one of the island's most charming places to stay.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in the north
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The island's lively capital, with the long golden sweep of Las Canteras beach, the historic old town of Vegueta and plenty of restaurants and shops.
Compare pricesGran Canaria holiday packages
Booking your flight and hotel together can work out cheaper, especially in the school holidays, and flight-inclusive package holidays from UK travel companies are ATOL protected.
Arriving in Gran Canaria and getting around
Flights from the UK to Gran Canaria (LPA) take around four and a half hours. The airport is on the east coast, around 30 minutes from Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, around 25 minutes from Las Palmas and around 45 minutes to an hour from Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán.
Global buses link the airport, the southern resorts and Las Palmas, but a hire car is the best way to explore the mountains and villages of the interior.
Car hire in Gran Canaria
When to visit Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is warm all year, which makes it one of the most popular winter-sun destinations from the UK. The south is usually sunnier and drier than the north, and the trade winds keep summer temperatures comfortable. For more winter sun ideas, see Winter sun within 6 hours of the UK.
Things to do in Gran Canaria
- Dolphin-watching catamaran: a cruise with a snorkelling stop.
- Buggy tour: off-road through the canyons.
- Peaks of Gran Canaria hike: to the island's high summits.
- Camel ride in the dunes: a guided ride across Maspalomas Dunes.
- Palmitos Park: with dolphin and bird shows.
- Puerto de Mogán Friday market: local crafts and produce.
Travel insurance for Gran Canaria
Book your cover as soon as you've paid for your trip, so you're protected if you need to cancel. Gran Canaria is part of Spain, so take your GHIC too, but it isn't a substitute for travel insurance.
Cover for any tripCoverwiseGet a quote
Flexible coverExplorerGet a quote
Compare insurersTravelSupermarketCompare quotesGran Canaria FAQs
Which is the best area to stay in Gran Canaria?
Where should families stay in Gran Canaria?
Is the north or south of Gran Canaria better?
How far is the airport from the resorts?
When is the best time to visit Gran Canaria?
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