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Gran Canaria Holidays

Gran Canaria has earned its nickname 'a continent in miniature' due to its range of terrains and climates, from the fertile north to the rugged interior and desert south. The island is the third largest, and most populous, of the Canary Islands, situated off the African coast in the Atlantic Ocean between Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Gran Canaria holidays are well established as a holiday destination with well-developed holiday resorts and the bustling, modern capital of Las Palmas. There are beautiful beaches, particularly around the south coast with endless opportunities for swimming sunbathing and watersports, along with a famously thriving nightlife. The island enjoys a constantly pleasant climate giving it all-year-round appeal, and On the Beach has the best deals on flights and accommodation to give you a perfect Canary Island holiday!

Weather

Gran Canaria holidays enjoy a mild climate with pleasant temperatures all year round; the weather conditions on the beach feel like spring or summer whatever time you visit. Prevailing trade winds and the mountainous terrain give island a range of microclimates, earning Gran Canaria its nickname a 'continent in miniature'. The mountain peaks are sometimes capped with snow, while other parts see continental or tropical climates.

The average temperatures you can expect on holiday in Gran Canaria range from about 26° Celsius to 30° Celsius in the summer, while in the winter months they are around 22° Celsius and 24° Celsius. You can expect warm sun at any time, but in the winter you may want to wrap up warm if you are heading to the mountains.

Attractions

There are plenty of attractions to tempt you on holiday in Gran Canaria, from museums and architecture to markets and water parks. In Las Palmas the best sights are to be found in the historical quarter of Vegueta, including Casa de Colon, a house that Christopher Columbus was believed to have stayed at during his travels to the Americas, where you can see a display of relics from early transatlantic voyages. The main museum in Las Palmas is the Museo Canario that boasts the world's largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls and describes the lives of the Guanche people, Gran Canaria's first inhabitants.

To the southwest of the capital is the Jardin Botanico Canario Viera y Clavijo, a vast botanical garden, the largest in Spain, with an extraordinary range of plant species. There are three big water parks in the south of the island, all excellent for a family day out: Aquasur and Ocean Park both near Maspalomas, and Aqua park near Puerto Rico. Gran Canaria's towns and villages host interesting markets that sell a mixture of tourist goods and local produce, the best of these are to be found at Puerto de Mogan, San Fernando, Arguineguin, Teror and Vega de San Mateo.

Nightlife

Gran Canaria holidays are famous for the vibrant, noisy and extremely fun nightlife. Most of the bars and discos in the towns and resorts stay open late with many venues keeping the party going until dawn. In Las Palmas the best place to experience the nightlife is Plaza de Espana in the Mesa y Lopez district.

The towns and resorts on the south coast are even livelier than the capital, with hundreds of bars, clubs and discos to choose from, especially in Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas. You can find most nightspots around the main shopping centres in each town so head there and take your pick of where to dance the night away on holiday in Gran Canaria.

Holidays in Gran Canaria don't all have to be about dancing late through the night. For a more relaxing evening the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas is a spectacular auditorium with great ocean views that hosts concerts, orchestral performances and the Gran Canaria film festival.

Landscape

Gran Canaria is a beautiful, volcanically formed island with a rugged interior and stunning coastline perfect for exploring on your cheap holiday. There are great beaches all round the island, including the golden sands of Playa de las Canteras near Las Palmas, but the best are to be found on the south coast. Stretches of soft sands sweep all along the coast with the bustling beach at Playa del Ingles, the horse shoe-shaped bay at Puerto Rico and the volcanic sands at Puerto Morgan. The highlight of holidays in Gran Canaria has to be the breathtaking rolling dunes at Maspalomas that have now been declared a nature reserve. Take a camel ride to explore these dunes, or find a quiet spot and soak up the sun in this sandy paradise.

The island's interior is arid and rugged, but it is well worth exploring the mountains and charming hamlets if you want a break from the bustle of the towns and resorts.

Culture

Like the rest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria celebrates Carnaval in style, with three to four weeks of partying and fancy dress. In Las Palmas the action mainly takes place around Parque de Santa Catalina. Las Palmas honours its patron saint with the Fiesta de San Juan on midsummer's day in June, with cultural events, concerts and a firework display. Corpus Christi is also marked in June with the capital's streets carpeted with flowers. Festivals to mark saints' days take place in towns and villages across the island; there should be a chance to experience fiestas with your family whatever time you holiday in Gran Canaria.

There are a number of notable international festivals that take place in Las Palmas including the Festival de Musica de Canarias in January and February, Festival de Opera in Febuary and March, and Festival de Ballet y Danza in May.

Book Now!

Gran Canaria has something for everyone particularly beach lovers and thrill seekers. On The Beach has amazing deals on all your flights and accommodation with everything from self catering apartments to all inclusive hotels available at the last minute! Use our live online booking system to create a holiday tailored to suit your individual needs, so book now for an idyllic holiday in the sun and sand of Gran Canaria!

Jan - 22ºC

Feb - 22ºC

Mar - 24ºC

Apr - 25ºC

May - 25ºC

Jun - 27ºC

Jul - 28ºC

Aug - 28ºC

Sep - 27ºC

Oct - 25ºC

Nov - 23ºC

Dec - 23ºC

Gran Canaria Links

Gran Canaria Tourist Board
Canary Islands Tourist Board

Gran Canaria Holidays from £124 per person

Offer Gran Canaria Flights from £153.50 Gran Canaria Hotels from £105.04 based on 2 adults sharing for 7 nights. Price includes online booking discount. Prices were correct at 18/08/10. We do not sell package holidays, we let you choose the flight and hotel separately so that you get the best holiday to suit your requirements and more importantly your budget.