Gran Canaria is one of Spain's most emblematic tourist destinations, with excellent weather, breathtaking natural beauty and a range of leisure options that few places can match, not to mention its historical, cultural and artistic heritage.
The island of Gran Canaria has more than 230 kilometres of coastline filled with coves and beaches, protected natural spaces and cliffs. The interior of the island is rural and mountainous, crowned at its centre by the Pico de las Nieves mountain with a height of 1,956 metres.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of both the island and the province of Las Palmas, is located some 20 minutes from Gran Canaria International Airport. The city can also be accessed by sea at the La Luz Port, from where a whole host of international cruises depart, as well as connections to the rest of the islands in the archipelago and the Spanish mainland.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is an ideal location for business or pleasure. What sets the capital of Gran Canaria apart is its white sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes and wide variety of leisure options. The city has five beaches, of which the largest is Playa de Las Canteras. Located in the north of the city, it is the largest urban beach in the Canary Islands archipelago and one of the most outstanding in Europe, evidenced by its UNE-EN ISO 14001 certificate first issued by AENOR in June 2004.
This golden sandy beach has a unique 100,000-year-old reef system that stretches for 3 kilometres. This reef means the water is always clear and calm as it acts as a natural breakwater and also creates a unique natural ecosystem. Only one of the various hotels on Playa de Las Canteras beach has 5 stars: the Hotel Cristina by Tigotan Las Palmas. The 308 charming rooms in this exclusive hotel boast views of the sea, the port and the city and guests have access to the hotel's extensive communal spaces and halls, a swimming pool with views of the sea overlooking Playa de Las Canteras beach, and bars and restaurants. Thanks to this strategic location, guests can not only enjoy relaxing days and sunny weather, but also a whole host of leisure activities and gastronomic delights around the hotel, not to mention the capital's nightlife.
When you want it all, you can have it all: seafront, swimming pool with sea view, the very epitome of a great place for both leisure and work, and all close to the centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Do you want it all?
Places of interest for your holiday in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is an ideal holiday destination for engaging in open-air sports all year round, because the temperature on the island is consistently mild and agreeable. An outstanding feature to the south-west of the island is its Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO due to its ecosystem, biodiversity and the value of its areas of special scientific interest.
Havens of golden sand
Beaches to suit all tastes, from hidden-away coves, with beaches such as Faneroque, Güi Güi and Guayedra harbouring unspoilt and exotic landscapes ideal for the most adventurous; to more famous and popular beaches such as Playa de las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Playa del Inglés located within the Dunas de Maspalomas nature reserve.
Wide range of marine and adventure activities.
Mountain and sea life enthusiasts will find endless reasons for enjoying the holidays of their dreams. Activities such as diving, sailing and windsurfing; hiking, climbing and cycling; as well as golf played on immaculate courses offer sports enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy a spell of disconnecting from daily life amid extraordinary landscapes.
The island is famous for its shopping districts such as the one in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which also boasts the services and leisure districts of Triana and Mesa y López with their Modernist-style buildings, large shopping centres such as Las Arenas, Los Alisios, 7 Palmas and El Muelle, where leisure centres and retail establishments add endless days of shopping to the city's numerous tourist attractions.
The numerous alternatives on offer on the island suffused with a youthful, fun and friendly atmosphere accompaned by the mild nocturnal climate, ensure that nights of clubbing and partying under the star-studded sky of Gran Canaria go on for ever.
The nightlife takes place in the streets
The historic quarter of Vegueta is the preferred meeting point for those wanting bars and discos. In the area around the port there is also an ample leisure offering, without forgetting the district around the Santa Catalina park.
Fiesta of Official National Tourist Interest
This is the island's foremost event, with a fame that extends across Spain and abroad; held between January and February, there are galas to elect the Carnival queen and drag queen as well as a wide range of open-air concerts and activities.