Discover the Dunes of Maspalomas

The mesmerising dunes of Maspalomas are a must-see! Take a scenic stroll along these desert-like sands and let the blue skies lead the way. You'll find yourself surrounded by miles of velvety golden sands that slope of perfectly into the sun. The huge rippling dunes are protected as a nature reserve for their truly fascinating beauty, so it’s certainly one to tick off the list whilst you’re here.

Get your golf on

Gear up for a day of on the green action! Gran Canaria has over 7 different golf courses to try out, and with the glorious year-round sunshine, you can T off here at any time of the year. A golfing day wouldn’t be complete without a well-deserved drink afterwards, but luckily there plenty of exclusive clubs that cater for exactly what you need, meaning you can finish off the day by celebrating in style.

Movie under the moonlight

Spend a cosy evening under the stars for a unique experience at the open-air cinema in Maspalomas. Kick back for a movie experience like no other with your loved ones, there's a great choice of films, cosy seating and even a cocktail service so it’s a great way to end the day. Oh, and did we mention they do pizza too? Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, hey?

Things to do in Gran Canaria for families

There’s almost too much for kids to do around Gran Canaria. Just kidding — you can never have too many options when it comes to entertaining children. Beaches, of course, are the easy option. You’ve got Playa del Faro in Meloneras - a massive beach, backed by buzzing bars, cafés and shops, and safe water for swimming in. Round the corner, Maspalomas beach is even bigger, with golden sand and epic dunes begging to be explored. It’s here you’ll find Surf Maspalomas - a surf school which runs courses for kids. Get involved with a group session or leave the kids to it and slip off for a quiet cerveza — hey, it’s your holiday, too!

Then there’s the water parks. Aqualand Maspalomas is probably going to be the highlight of any kid’s holiday, with loads of crazy slides, adventure play areas, and a wild wave pool. For an easy day trip, you’ll find Parque Acuático Oasis Lago Taurito in Playa Taurito. With enough slides and play pools to keep the kids going till sunset, your only problem will be getting them to leave at the end of the day. Or... why not make a different kind of splash with a whale-watching tour? The ocean around Gran Canaria is teeming with gentle giants waiting to be discovered.

Looking for some evening entertainment? Holidayworld Maspalomas Center combines theme park rides with bowling and karaoke for a night to remember. Down on the seafront promenade, you’ll find tons of family-friendly bars with entertainment everyone can enjoy, too.

On holiday with older kids? Explore the depths with a diving course with Gran Canaria Divers. While this is perfect for teenagers, kids older than 10 can have a go too, and kids from eight years old upwards can get a feel for diving in the pool. If your brood are too young for the full-on diving experience, take them on the Submarine Adventure by Atlántida Submarine instead. This 40-minute journey explores the weird and wonderful underwater world around Puerto De Mogán, sinking to a depth of 25m below the surface. All kids over two years old can go.

Things to do in Gran Canaria for Couples

Book a trip for two to Gran Canaria and the romantic story writes itself. If you fancy a resort with lots going on, head to Maspalomas or Las Palmas. For something a bit quieter, we recommend Puerto de Mogan. Also known as Little Venice, this pretty fishing town is perfect for exploring hand in hand by the seafront. If you like a short hike, head to the mirador – or viewpoint – for amazing views over the sand and sea. Otherwise, just lay back on a beachfront sun lounger and soak up the sun.

Take your partner to Las Palmas. You can’t go wrong here, but couples especially love to visit the Old Town of Vegueta. There’s no shortage of pretty alleyways and quaint cobbled streets, as well as plenty of shops, nooks and bars to discover. Book a walking tour so you can really get to know the local culture and history – the guides will be able to show you some secret spots you might not have stumbled upon otherwise, too.

Why has the rum gone? This isn’t a question you’ll be asking at Arehucas Rum Distillery, where they have 4,308 oak barrels for distilling and fermenting their signature tipples. Rent or car or book an excursion from Las Palmas to get to this attraction. You can get a guided tour with tasting sessions, or hit the gift shop for some souvenir bottles that will make you both very popular with everyone back home.

Things to do in Gran Canaria on a budget

If you’re travelling on a budget, or just prefer to have a day where you aren’t counting pennies, there are plenty of things to do in Gran Canaria for free. That’s right – free! When you’re surrounded by so much beautiful natural landscape, you have lots of options. First of all, the beaches. In Gran Canaria beach access is usually free, so pack a picnic and spend a blissful day without spending a Euro.

Evening activities can be pricey, with the cost of drinks, a meal or a performance totting up quickly. So why not sit back and enjoy the greatest show on Earth? A Canarian sun set is extra special; you and your travel fam will remember if for years. And the best part is it’s free as a bird, wherever you are.

Prefer something with a bit more razzle-dazzle? The Gran Canaria carnivals are great sources of free entertainment. Although some events are ticketed, you’ll find that the parades and the atmosphere at street-level are more than enough to keep you dancing all day. Visit from mid-February to the beginning of March to take part. Although the hotels below aren’t free, they are great options for travelling to Gran Canaria on a budget…