Best Areas to Stay in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Playa del Inglés, often abbreviated “PDI,” is a tourist town located on the island of Gran Canaria’s south coast.

This coastal development is part of the Maspalomas tourist area and is one of the most visited destinations in the Canary Islands.

Most of this massive resort was planned and built during the island’s tourist industry boom in the 1960s and 1970s. PDI is especially popular among British, German, Irish and Scandinavian tourists.

As it couldn’t be any other way, the main tourist attraction in Playa del Inglés is its wide beach, renowned for its golden sand.

Along its three-kilometre-long beach, there are different sections and spaces for all tastes and travellers.

The wildest part is located in the south, near the dunes, and is frequented by surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers and bodyboarders.

If you like watersports or want to try them, this is the best area to stay in Gran Canaria for you. Playa del Inglés also offers several surf schools for beginners and a wide selection of venues to rent watersports equipment.

On the other hand, the more urban area of ​​Playa del Inglés Beach has calm waters and is suitable for families and swimming. Playa del Ingles beaches are fully serviced for a great holiday by the sea.

Despite its name, Playa del Inglés is much more than just a beach. This busy town has shopping centres, boutiques, and most of the island’s activity providers have offices in the area.

Playa del Inglés is also the hottest nightlife destination in Gran Canaria.

The main nightlife districts in POI are the Paseo Marítimo and the Kasbah Shopping Centre.

The busy Paseo Marítimo is the best place to go bar-hopping. On the other hand, the Kasbah hosts legendary nightclubs such as Pachá or The Ministry of Sound. The clubs at Kasbah are open until dawn, and its festive atmosphere makes Playa del Inglés the best area to stay in Gran Canaria for nightlife, especially for younger travellers.

The south of the town is home to the famous Dunas de Maspalomas, a natural reserve renowned for its rolling golden sand dunes.

Playa del Inglés has excellent public transport connections with the other tourist centres in the south of the island, such as Maspalomas, San Agustín and Meloneras, making it an excellent area to stay in Gran Canaria if you’re travelling without a car.

Gran Canaria airport is located about 30 km northeast of the town centre.

Maspalomas is the name given to the entire tourist area located in the south end of the island of Gran Canaria.

Although officially Maspalomas also includes the developments of Playa del Inglés, Meloneras and Sonnenland, in practice, the name is often used to designate the upscale area west of Playa del Inglés.

During the last three decades, Maspalomas has been the international benchmark for gay-friendly tourism in Spain and Europe.

Although most people in the Canary Islands are Catholic, Canarians are famous for their tolerance and cheerfulness.

Together with the local administrations’ openness, this progressive spirit helped cement Maspalomas’s reputation as one of the quintessential LGBT destinations on the planet.

The Yumbo Centrum area is the best area to stay in Gran Canaria for LGBTIQ+ travellers.

Here, you’ll find dozens of LGBT-oriented businesses. The nightlife venues in Maspalomas cater to gay audiences and all its subcultures.

At Yumbo Centrum, you can find the best gay nightclubs, drag and cabaret shows, sports pubs, cruising bars, terraces and spaces exclusively aimed at men or women.

Every year, during the second week of May, Maspalomas Pride takes place.

Orgullo de Maspalomas is one of the largest gay pride festivals in Europe and takes place in and around Yumbo Shopping Centre.

Maspalomas is also home to a gay beach, located on Maspalomas beach around beach bar number 7, and a naturist beach between the beach bars 3 and 6.

In addition to its LGBT nightlife, another reason why we have selected Maspalomas as one of the best areas to sleep in Gran Canaria is its proximity to the Special Natural Reserve of Las Dunas de Maspalomas.

This nature reserve is famous for its golden sand dunes. Near the Maspalomas Dunes, you’ll find other landmarks such as the Maspalomas Lighthouse. Maspalomas has excellent bus connections with neighbouring cities and the airport, which is about 30 kilometres away.

Meloneras is a tourist town on Gran Canaria’s south coast.

It is located directly west of Maspalomas, in the San Bartolomé de Tirajana municipality.

This coastal resort town was developed more recently than its neighbours Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. Meloneras is renowned for its uspcale hotels and resorts and its beach.

Unlike Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, which are famous for their nightlife, Meloneras has a much calmer atmosphere.

The most notable attraction in the area is the Maspalomas Lighthouse and the nearby Maspalomas Dunes.

If you are looking for an elegant, sophisticated and luxurious place to stay in Gran Canaria, Meloneras is the perfect town for you.

Meloneras is home to the best five-star hotels, resorts and villas on the island of Gran Canaria.

Some of the luxury tourist complexes in Meloneras display a Revival Canarian style.

This massive tourist town also offers a scenic seaside promenade connecting its entire coastline from the Maspalomas Lighthouse to Meloneras beach. The Meloneras promenade is lined with elegant restaurants and boutiques.

Its main beach, Playa de Meloneras, has fine grey sand and pebbles. It is approximately 570 metres long and is located near the beaches of Maspalomas, El Faro, Las Mujeres and Pasito Blanco.From the nearby Puerto Deportivo Pasito Blanco, you can hire sightseeing and whale-watching tours, as well as jet skis and watersports equipment.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, often shortened simply as “Las Palmas” or “LPGC”, is the capital and largest city of the island of Gran Canaria and the Province of Las Palmas.

This major city is also co-capital of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands (a title it shares with Santa Cruz de Tenerife).

Las Palmas is located on the northeast coast of the island, between two coastal strips: the one formed by Avenida Marítima and Playa de Las Alcaravaneras on one side, and Playa de Las Canteras on the other.

Founded in 1478, it is one of the oldest cities founded by the Spanish in the Canary Islands.

Las Palmas Old Town is located in the southeast of the city. Centred around the beautiful Plaza de Santa Ana, this historic district is home to some of the best examples of neoclassical, baroque, Mudejar and art nouveau architecture in the archipelago.

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Las Palmas Old Town include the Santa Ana Cathedral, the Town Hall, the Colon House-Museum, the Convent of San Agustín, the Church of San Francisco de Borja and the Pérez Galdós Theater.

Central Calle Triana is the most important commercial thoroughfare in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and offers historic architecture and several art-nouveau buildings.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also home to the leading cultural institutions in the Canary Islands. Some of the most important museums on the island include the Museo Canario, which contains the most extensive collection of prehistoric remains of Gran Canaria, the Atlantic Center of Modern Art (CAAM) and the Museum of Sacred Art.

At the city’s northern end lies the famous Las Canteras beach; with its 3-km-long stretch of golden sand, it is the most visited beach in the city.

Nearby are other local attractions such as the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology and the Parque de Santa Catalina.

Other beaches in Las Palmas include Las Alcaravaneras, La Laja, and El Confital.

Thanks to its status as a major city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers a cosmopolitan and urban vision of the island.

The island capital is also a significant financial and logistics centre, making it a recommended place to stay in Gran Canaria for business travellers.The public transport network in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria consists of a 40-line urban bus system that connects its different districts. Additionally, Las Palmas Airport (LPA) is about 20 km away.

San Agustín is a tourist town located on the south coast of Gran Canaria.

This beautiful resort town is located right next to the famous Playa del Inglés.

San Agustín is much quieter than Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, making this town an area especially recommended for visitors looking to escape the tourist crowds.

This town stands out for its urban, golden sand beach. Playa de San Agustín is 600 metres long and offers calm waters and weak currents.

The gentle waves of San Agustín beach are perfect for kids and make it the best area to stay in Gran Canaria for families.

The main beaches in the area are Las Burras, San Agustín, El Águila, Bahía Feliz and Tarajillo.

Another reason why San Agustín is the best town to stay in Gran Canaria with children is its proximity to Sioux City Park San Agustín, an amusement park with a Wild West theme.

San Agustín has good bus connections with Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Las Palmas and the airport.

Travel time by bus between Las Palmas Airport and San Agustín is about 27 minutes.

Puerto de Mogán is a picturesque fishing village and marina located in the municipality of Mogán.

Puerto Mogán is located at the mouth of a steep valley on the southwestern coast of Gran Canaria and is considered the westernmost tourist development on the island’s south.

Nicknamed “Little Venice” or “Venice of the Canary Islands” because of the canals that link the marina with the fishing port, Puerto de Mogán also has a small but charming historic centre. The church of San Antonio was built in 1814 and is home to beautiful wood carvings and statues of San Antonio de Padua and the Immaculate Conception.

Its main beach, Playa de Mogán, is sheltered by the town’s port and has very gentle waves, making it perfect for families with children. The calm waters and golden sand make it a perfect place for swimming.

The coastline of the rest of the municipality consists mainly of cliffs. The many ravines that reach the sea form some of the most spectacular beaches on the island of Gran Canaria.

Puerto de Mogán marina has moorings for all vessels, from luxury yachts to small fishing boats. From here, you can hire tourist excursions and sailboats.

Both the port and the beach area are lined with numerous restaurants and bars.

Puerto Mogán has a wide range of accommodations.

While most of the hotels in Puerto de Mogán are mid-range and high-end properties, there are also several cheaper tourist apartments.

Arguineguín is a traditional fishing town located in the municipality of Mogán, in the southeast of Gran Canaria.

Like many other Canarian coastal towns, Arguineguín originated as a small fishing village and has grown to become one of the most populated urban centres on the island’s south coast.

Although Arguineguín is becoming a tourist destination, this town has a more local and less touristy atmosphere than other places in the south of the island. For this reason, it is an excellent place to stay in Gran Canaria for visitors looking for a less foreign alternative to the typical GC holiday resorts.

Arguineguín is the best area to stay in Gran Canaria for those looking for a more local atmosphere..

The main beach in the city is Playa de las Marañuelas, with dark sands and about 400 metres. Las Marañuelas is also sheltered by the breakwaters of the nearby fishing port, is fully serviced and suitable for families with children.

Santa Águeda, located a few kilometres to the south, is home to less crowded beaches, a natural pool and the charming Ermita Cueva de Santa Águeda.

Most of the accommodation offered in Arguineguín is made up of tourist apartments. That said, many 3, 4 and 5-star hotels have been built in recent years.

Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria is a tourist town located on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria.

This town was planned and built in the 1960s to accommodate the island’s growing tourist industry.

Located between the mountains and the ocean, Puerto Rico has a unique microclimate and is known for being the sunniest place in Gran Canaria.

Additionally, the mountains in the centre of the island protect Puerto Rico from the trade winds coming from Africa.

Puerto Rico has two main beaches. Playa de Puerto Rico is an artificial beach in the town’s centre and was built along with the village.

Playa de Puerto Rico offers all the services of an urban beach, a promenade, several restaurants and terraces on the beachfront.

Further west there is another artificial beach called Playa de Armadores, separated from Puerto Rico by a mountanous cape.

Puerto Rico is also known as the island’s nautical sports epicentre. Puerto Rico’s Deep Sea Fishing Championship is the oldest in the archipelago.

This town is connected with the rest of Gran Canaria (including the airport and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) by the GC-1 motorway.

Telde is a historic town located in the northeast of the island of Gran Canaria.

Located just 4 kilometres from the coast and about 20 kilometres south of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the historic centre of this charming town is made up of the neighborhoods of San Juan, San Francisco and San Gregorio. Telde stands out for its beautiful colonial architecture.

The main tourist attractions in Telde include the León y Castillo House-Museum, birthplace of Fernando León y Castillo and his brother Juan, the Basílica de San Juan Bautista, built in Sevillian-Portuguese Gothic style, and Parque Urbano de San Juan.

The nearby Cuatro Puertas archeological site, also known as Montaña Bermeja, is the most iconic cave complex in Gran Canaria thanks to its uniqueness and location. Its main cavern, known as La Gran Sala, has prehistoric engravings on its walls.

Other attractions around Telde include El Bufadero, the beaches of El Hombre, Melenara and Hoyo del Pozo, and the Telde Landscape Corridor.

San Bartolomé de Tirajana is a small village and municipality in the southeast of the island of Gran Canaria.

The small historic town of San Bartolomé de Tirajana is also the administrative centre of the coastal regions of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, which makes this municipality the largest in Gran Canaria.

This region is known for its fruit plantations and local liqueurs. Some of San Bartolomé’s specialties include Chilli, a cherry liqueur, and Mejunje, a blend of honey, rum, and lemon.

San Bartolomé is also a excellent destination for wine lovers. This inland area is one of the most important wine producing regions in Gran Canaria. The main wineries around San Bartolomé de Tirajana include those of Las Tirajanas, Tunte and La Tabaibilla.

Many of the Caminos Reales (ancient aboriginal roads) pass through this area. These ancient routes were the only way to get around the centre of Gran Canaria during pre-Hispanic times. In recent years, many of them have been restored and reopened to hikers in order to promote eco-tourism. Thanks to its Caminos Reales, San Bartolomé is the best area to stay in Gran Canaria if you like hiking and nature.

The charming mountain villages that make up this area are the ideal starting point to discover impressive natural wonders such as the Mirador de Cruz Grande, the Roque Nublo, the Pico de las Nieves or the Caldera de los Marteles.

The accommodation in this inland area consists mainly of charming mountain villas and rural houses and hotels.

Agaete is a traditional town in the northwest of the island of Gran Canaria, it is located approximately half an hour from Las Palmas.

Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Gran Canaria, Agaete’s historic centre is renowned for its colonial architecture, whitewashed houses, Canarian balconies and quiet squares surrounded by palm trees. The main attractions in Agaete’s old town include the Iglesia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, the Museo de La Rama and the Botanical Garden.

Agaete has managed to preserve its traditional essence despite the tourist overdevelopment in the rest of the island.

About a 15-minutes-walk from Agaete lies Puerto de Las Nieves. This coastal town is home to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, attributed to the 16th century Flemish painter Joos Van Cleve.

Puerto de las Nieves is also an ideal place to take a walk and swim in the clean waters of the Atlantic. The most visited beach in the area is Playa de Las Nieves, located between the marina and the old pier. Playa de las Nieves is a pebble beach with calm waters and a promenade lined with restaurants and small shops.

The Salinas de Agaete, used to be salt mines (hence the name) and now serve as seawater pools suitable for bathing. The Salinas are connected to Puerto de Las Nieves by a hiking trail.

The nearby Valle de Agaete is one of the least known natural areas in Gran Canaria. This beautiful valley stands out for its and vineyards.

Other must-see attractions in the municipality of Agaete include the Maipés necropolis and the Tamadaba Natural Park.

Taurito is a small tourist enclave located next to Puerto de Mogán, on the southwestern coast of Gran Canaria.

Its small beach has dark sand, a moderate swell and offers many services.

In the centre of the enclave lies the Oasis Lago Taurito Water Park, the only water park in Gran Canaria with saltwater pools.

The accommodation offer in Taurito is made up of several luxury hotels and aparthotels.

There are buses connecting Playa Taurito with most places on the island and there are parking spaces and a taxi rank.