Gran Canaria has rolling dunes, shelving sands and is a perfect environment for safe family friendly holiday to appeal to all ages and the good weather most of the year makes it a good option for some winter sun on your family holiday. You do have to be careful when choosing your resort though as you can get very cheap package holidays here and the non-stop partying in the major resorts such as Playa Del Ingles can be wearing for parents. It can be very attractive for teenagers however and this is something you will need to balance if you have older children.
The capital city Las Palmas has great shopping and beautiful beaches close by. The relatively undiscovered interior has volcanic landscapes and lush exotic vegetation. Gran Canaria has great sports facilities including snorkelling, boat rides, windsurfing, sailing and dolphin watching and there is a lot to see and do with the kids.
If you have younger children we would suggest that you stay away from Playa del Ingles and choose the quieter resorts of San Augustin and Maspalomas.
When and how
The bigger resorts can be busy and hot in high summer and if it is possible to travel out of high season you should try to do that. May and September are good options and you will get good winter sun and mild climates most of the year so it is great for a winter sun break.
There are several flights options from most Irish and UK airports with options ranging from the budget airlines through to scheduled flights and tour operator packages. You can book flights here. Most of the Irish Tour Operators feature this destination including Sunway, Directholidays.ie and Panorama.
If you have booked with a tour operator your holiday is likely to include transfers to and from your accommodation. Even if it does we would recommend you rent a car so that you can explore the numerous beaches and the beautiful mountains. The island is very manageable and you can explore the island. Our partnership with CarTrawler will search for the best deals and special offers for you for your car hire here.
Family friendly accommodation
Gran Canaria has a wide range of family friendly accommodation options ranging from apartments in high rise blocks (generally best avoided with kids in case there is a problem with the lift) through to five star luxury hotels and luxury family villas. You can book accommodation here with booking.com.
If you would like to book an independent luxury holiday we would suggest the Lopessan Villa Del Conde Resort and Thalasso in Maspalomas. It is located 300 m from the beach and surrounded by trendy restaurants and cafes. The children's facilities include a children's pool and a mini club for children between four and twelve. The hotel facilities include five pools three of which are acclimatised, jacuzzis, thalassotherapy, six bars and five restaurants. Seaview and junior suites are available. You can book deals and special offers here with booking.com.
You should also consider the Lopespan Costa Meloneras Resort and Spa which is also located on the beach with good access to restaurants and shops. There are four swimming pools (one with a man-made beach area), a children's pool, a mini club and animation centre, a spa and beauty centre and six restaurants. Garden view, junior and senior suites are available. You can book deals and special offers on accommodation for this hotel here with booking.com.
Families should also consider the Morasol Suites in Puerto Rico which gets good reviews from parents and is just 400m from the beach overlooking the marina. There are studios and apartments and a range of board basis. You can book special offers and deals here with booking.com.
If you would prefer to book a package with a tour operator family friendly options from Sunway include the Gloria Palace San Augustin Hotel, the Gloria Palace Amadores Hotel, the Morasol Suites(as described above) the Lopespan Costa Meloneras Resort and Spa (as described above) and the Lopessan Villa Del Conde Resort and Thalasso in Maspalomas (as described above).
If you prefer to rent a family villa have a number of family friendly villas in great locations many of which have private pools and good access to beaches. If you have a baby or a toddler you might like to consider having your supplies such as nappies sent to your destination by tinytotsaway.
What to see and do with the kids
If you are looking for family friendly things to do and see in Gran Canaria have a look at the experiences offered by isango before you go and book online. This helps you plan and saves you time and hassle on holidays. They include a camel adventure safari, a wild west adventure in Sioux City, horseback riding, dolphin watching, a jeep safari or a coach tour of the island.
Activities with the family include Aqualand which is one of the biggest water parks in the Canary Islands width an amazing 33 water slides.
Go-karting for children as young as five is available in San Augustin.
The rollercoaster rides and other theme park thrills at Holiday World can be a great thrill for older children.
The spectacular Dunes at Maspalomas are a must for exploring and have close proximity to both Playa Del Ingles and Maspalomas.
The interior of Gran Canaria really is worth exploring to see the volcanic rocks and the traditional mountain villages. There are lots of possibilities for trekking and walking.
Experience a Wild West Adventure with an evening out at Sioux city a western-theme park that offers a wild-west town with a saloon, bank, general store, sheriff's office, church, houses, Indian reserve, buffalos and more.
Go dolphin spotting on a glass bottom boat. The coastline of Gran Canaria is abundant with dolphins. Seeing the dolphins close up is a magical experience for all ages.
Las Palmas is also worth a visit. There is an IMAX theatre and interactive science Museum in Mueso Elder and children will be fascinated by the experiences of Christopher Columbus depicted in Casa De Colon. You can combine this with time on the city's beach which is close.
Take a camel ride through the desert or a horse ride through the interior.
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
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