Meloneras / Maspalomas
Meloneras / Maspalomas
The sunny south: upscale resorts beside the sand dunes and the lighthouse, with a quiet, family-friendly promenade.
You'll find here
4â5 star resorts with large pools and kids' clubs.
Gran Canaria
âA miniature continentâ: the golden Dunas de Maspalomas on the ocean, Playa de Las Canteras in Las Palmas, the historic Barrio de Vegueta, the Roque Nublo rock in the green mountains, and Puerto de MogĂĄn, nicknamed âLittle Veniceâ.
- When to go
- All year round; best from October to May
- How long you need
- 5â7 days
- For whom
- Families and couples
Chapter One
The story of Gran Canaria
A circular volcanic island of varied climates. The Castilians founded Las Palmas in 1478 CE, and Columbus stopped there on his first voyage in 1492 CE. The old âVeguetaâ district keeps traces of that era.
Figures of Gran Canaria
- d. 1481
Doramas
A native Canarian chief who resisted the Castilian invasion. A forest in the north of the island is named after him.
- d. 1481
Juan RejĂłn
The Castilian commander who set up the âReal de Las Palmasâ camp in 1478 CE, the nucleus of the city.
- 1451â1506
CristĂłbal ColĂłn
Stopped on the island in 1492 to repair the âLa Pintaâ. The Columbus House in the Barrio de Vegueta is a museum.
- 1843â1920
Benito PĂ©rez GaldĂłs
The greatest Spanish novelist after Cervantes. Born in Las Palmas, and his birthplace is a museum.
Chapter Two
Places in Gran Canaria
42 places I chose, arranged in chapters. A gold star marks one of my favourite picks.
Heritage and monuments
2Museo y Parque ArqueolĂłgico Cueva Pintada
· Gåldar
A cave decorated by the original inhabitants of the Canaries with coloured geometric designs, around which a whole village of their stone houses has been uncovered. The most important museum of the islands' civilisation before the Castilian conquest of the 15th century.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- Modern museum with accessible walkways; suitable for families and older visitors.
My tip
Take the guided tour (in English at noon). The short films are excellent for children. Closed on Monday.
Barrio de Vegueta
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The historic core of Las Palmas (1478): cobbled lanes, coloured colonial houses and wooden balconies. It includes the Columbus House; Columbus stopped on the island on his first voyage.
My tip
The neighbourhood market in the morning. Most of the lanes are for pedestrians.
Restaurants and cafés
15Amigo Camilo
A rustic seaside fish house in the La Isleta neighbourhood, described as the best fish in Las Palmas. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
- A simple place with a sea view in the old fishermen's neighbourhood, where islanders go for fresh fish at reasonable prices. Booking is essential.
TryGrilled fresh fish, octopus, lapas (rock limpets), wrinkled potatoes
Booking essential · Suits families and children, couples and friends and groups
Trattoria PizzerĂa CalabrĂš
Calabrian trattoria: Neapolitan pizza, carbonara, tiramisu. Closed MondayâTuesday.
TryNeapolitan pizza, seafood pasta, tiramisu
Booking advised · Everyday clothes · Suits families and children and friends and groups
Restaurante Samurai II
Japanese. All-you-can-eat on order: sushi, gyoza, skewers.
TrySushi, gyoza, skewers
Booking advised · Everyday clothes · Suits families and children and friends and groups
Poemas by Hermanos PadrĂłn
Refined Canarian cooking by the PadrĂłn family, tasting menu. Dinner only, closed SundayâMonday.
- â Michelin
TryTasting menu, fish, rice
Booking essential · Smart casual · Suits couples and business meetings
Tabaiba
Innovative Canarian cooking by Chef Ortega, tasting menu. Closed SundayâTuesday.
- â Michelin
TryChef Ortega's Canarian tasting menu
Booking essential · Smart casual · Suits couples and business meetings
La Aquarela
Fine dining with Canarian produce and sea views. Dinner only, closed Sunday and Monday.
- â Michelin
- With a view
- Romantic
TryCanarian tasting menu
Booking essential · Casual · Suits couples and business meetings
Nature and walks
7Dunas de Maspalomas
· Maspalomas
- One of the most beautiful places in Spain
A protected area of golden sand dunes covering 400 hectares, meeting the ocean. Like a small desert beside the sea, with a coastal lagoon, a palm oasis and a lighthouse.
- Moderate effort
- Many buses, or a car with parking near the lighthouse or the Mirador. Walking on hot, soft sand is tiring, and the distance to the sea is 1â2 km. There is no shade and no water inside the dunes. Restaurants are at the edges.
My tip
The best time is at sunset. Bring water, a hat and sandals, because the sand is hot, and keep to the marked paths.
Roque Nublo
· Tejeda
A towering volcanic rock (80 m) at an altitude of 1813 m, the symbol of Gran Canaria and sacred to its original inhabitants. It overlooks the island's peaks, with Teide on the horizon.
- Moderate effort · needs a car
- By car only, to the La Goleta car park (small, and it fills up). About 1.5 km uphill on a rocky trail, 1.5 hours there and back; not suitable for pushchairs. No shade or water, wind and fog, and it closes on fire-risk days.
My tip
The trail takes about an hour and a half there and back. It is sometimes closed on fire-risk days, and parking is limited, so go early.
Playa de Las Canteras
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
A 3 km golden urban beach in the heart of Las Palmas, sheltered by a natural rock barrier so its waters stay calm, with a long promenade lined with cafés.
My tip
The promenade is wonderful for an evening walk. Swimming is calmer near the rock barrier.
Roque Nublo
· Tejeda
A volcanic monolith 80 m high above the peaks of Gran Canaria, the island's symbol. A short trail from La Goleta offers a view across the sea to Teide.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- La Goleta car park (GC-600, very small) or a bus from Tejeda. Round trip.
- Distance
- 3 km · 150 m climb · 1:30 hours
My tip
Sometimes closed on fire-risk days. The car park is small and stopping on the road is forbidden. The bus from Tejeda is a good alternative.
Tejeda â Cruz de Tejeda
· Tejeda
A village among the âmost beautiful villages in Spainâ, in the heart of Gran Canaria, overlooking a volcanic crater with the Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga rocks at its centre. Cruz de Tejeda is the island's crossroads and the start of the walking trails.
What to see
The Cruz de Tejeda viewpoint · Roque Bentayga and its interpretation centre · traditional almond sweets · the Abraham Cårdenas museum · the view of Roque Nublo
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- Winding mountain roads, and the village is slightly steep. Parking at the viewpoint.
My tip
Taste the almond dessert in the village bakeries, stop at the Cruz de Tejeda viewpoint, then Roque Bentayga. The drive from Las Palmas takes an hour.
Caldera y Pico de Bandama
· Santa BrĂgida
A volcanic crater about one kilometre across and 200 metres deep, with an old farm at its bottom. From the summit of Bandama there is a panoramic view over Las Palmas and the east coast.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- The viewpoint is easy. The rim trail is steep and slippery with volcanic gravel.
My tip
Drive to the top, then you can walk around the rim (3.5 km) or go down to the floor. 20 minutes from Las Palmas.
Day trips
4Puerto de MogĂĄn
· Puerto de Mogån
The âLittle Veniceâ of Gran Canaria: a yacht harbour and small canals, white houses covered in colourful bougainvillea, and a quiet beach.
What to see
The canals and small bridges · the harbour and flowering lanes · the tourist submarine trip · Mogån beach · the weekly market on Friday
- How to get there
- Global 91 bus from San Telmo in Las Palmas (â1 hr 15 min); by car â1 hr
- Easy to reach
- Buses from Maspalomas, or a car with paid parking (it fills up on Friday). Flat ground around the harbour, suitable for pushchairs. Many restaurants and cafés.
My tip
The Friday weekly market is crowded. Go in the evening for dinner at the harbour.
Teror â BasĂlica del Pino y casco histĂłrico
· Teror
A mountain town at the spiritual heart of Gran Canaria, with paved streets lined with the finest Canarian wooden balconies. At its centre is the small âPinoâ cathedral, the island's patroness.
What to see
The wooden balconies on Real de la Plaza street · Plaza del Pino · the house-museum of the island's patroness · Sunday market · the Bishop's garden
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- A small, almost flat centre; suitable for pushchairs.
My tip
Visit on Sunday morning for the local produce market (cheese and âChorizo de Terorâ sausage). 30 minutes from Las Palmas.
Agaete â Puerto de las Nieves
· Agaete
A white and blue fishing harbour, the island's most important port until the 19th century. Ferries sail from it to Tenerife. On its cliff stood the famous âFinger of Godâ rock, until a storm broke it in 2005.
What to see
The harbour quay · the natural pools Las Salinetas · the âFinger of Godâ cliff · the Agaete valley and its orchards · the botanical garden âHuerto de las Floresâ
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- A level promenade. The natural pools âLas Salinetasâ are rocky.
My tip
Combine it with the green Agaete valley (mango and coffee orchards) and the Cueva Pintada museum in GĂĄldar. Fish restaurants on the quay.
Arucas â Iglesia de San Juan Bautista
· Arucas
A northern town with a huge neo-Gothic church of black basalt that looks like a cathedral, the symbol of the town. The old town has black stone streets, gardens and a volcanic hill.
What to see
The basalt church · the historic district with its black stone · the municipal garden · Arucas hill · the Marquesa botanical garden
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- An almost flat centre. Parking is difficult in the middle.
My tip
Go up Arucas hill for the view, and combine it with Teror (15 minutes). The Marquesa de Arucas botanical garden is nearby.
Experiences and family
5Palmitos Park
· Maspalomas
A zoo and botanical garden in a valley in the south of Gran Canaria, with parrot and bird-of-prey shows and dolphins, a butterfly house, an aquarium and paths among palms and cacti.
- Ages
- 2â14
- Setting
- Outdoors
My tip
Plan your day around the three show times. The valley is hot, so bring hats. It takes roughly a full day. Hire a pushchair for little ones.
Cavalier & Blue Marlin Fishing Charters
· Puerto Rico (Mogån)
From the Puerto Rico harbour in the south of Gran Canaria, deep-sea Atlantic fishing trips have run for decades for blue marlin, tuna and swordfish. Canary waters are among the best-known marlin fishing grounds in the world.
- Easy to reach
- Puerto Rico harbour by bus or car. A long sea trip with a risk of seasickness. Book in advance.
My tip
Marlin season runs from May to October. Shorter half-day trips are available for families.
Poema del Mar
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
One of the finest aquariums in Europe, in the port of Las Palmas. It has the largest curved viewing panel in the world, a tropical forest, a river and sharks.
- Ages
- 2â14
- Setting
- Indoors
My tip
Booking online is about 10 euros cheaper. Two hours. Reasonably priced restaurant inside.
Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la TecnologĂa
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
An interactive science museum in an old port warehouse in Las Palmas, where children can enter a fighter jet and a real passenger plane. It has experiments, a planetarium dome and simulators.
- Ages
- 4â16
- Setting
- Indoors
My tip
Cheap ticket. Two hours. Next to Poema del Mar and Playa de Las Canteras.
Lopesan Baobab Resort
· Meloneras (Maspalomas)
A resort in African style in the south of Gran Canaria, with heated pools, a lazy river and a small children's disco every evening. The kids' club is excellent, and the weather is mild all year.
My tip
Suitable in winter and at New Year, when mainland Spain is cold. The beach is a 15-minute walk. Book a family room, because the bathroom in standard rooms has no door.
Mosques and halal
3Mezquita Rey Khalid (Las Palmas)
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
A mosque in a residential building. The sermon is in Arabic.
My tip
Friday prayer is usually around 13:30â14:30 (it may be delayed to 15:00 in summer), so check the mosque first. Some visitors have found it closed at Friday prayer times, so call before you go.
Mezquita Imam Malik (Las Palmas)
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
An active mosque near Playa de Las Canteras and El Confital, with good facilities and a wudu area.
My tip
Friday prayer is usually around 13:30â14:30 (it may be delayed to 15:00 in summer), so check the mosque first. According to visitors, there is no women's prayer area on Fridays. It provides cover-up clothing for those dressed in shorts.
Directo a la Mesa (Halal)
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
A halal butchery: all its meat is halal. Minced meat and excellent ribeye at good prices, opposite the mosque.
My tip
Closed on Sunday, and it may close before 20:00, so go early.
Where to stay
6Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
· Las Palmas
- One of the city's best hotels
- Romantic
A historic hotel (1890) in Canarian style, in Doreste park, Las Palmas.
My tip
The upper pool is reserved for suite guests.
Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia
· Maspalomas
- One of the city's best hotels
A small, quiet hotel in Canarian style among palm gardens near the Dunas de Maspalomas.
My tip
Formal dress is required at dinner.
Boutique Hotel Cordial Malteses
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Boutique
A boutique hotel in a renovated historic building in the Triana district near Vegueta, with modern suites and a quiet rooftop. A walk from the cathedral and the Columbus House.
My tip
The classic rooms are small and some have no windows, so book the suites.
Hotel Suites 1478
· Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
- Boutique
A boutique suites hotel in a palace in the historic Barrio de Vegueta, decorated with artworks, with high-quality breakfast. An excellent location near the museums.
My tip
The street is noisy by day. Visitors' opinions of the management vary, so read the latest reviews before booking.
Lopesan Costa Meloneras, Resort & Spa
· Meloneras
A huge resort with tropical gardens and many pools on Meloneras beach in the south of the island. One of the highest-rated hotels for families in Gran Canaria.
My tip
Unique rooms come with extra perks. Ask for a room away from the nightlife side.
Hotel Cordial MogĂĄn Playa
· Puerto de Mogån
A resort with botanical gardens and calm pools in Puerto de MogĂĄn, the most beautiful of the south-west's towns. Quiet, safe and popular with families.
My tip
Dinner is a buffet at two fixed times. A breakfast-only plan is enough alongside the harbour restaurants.
Chapter Three
When to go to Gran Canaria
My view in brief: All year round; best from October to May. Pick a month to see its weather and events.
Among my best months An event or holidayBars: lowest and highest temperature
January15° to 21°
Spring-like (15â21°C) and sunny, an ideal winter destination. We recommend the Dunas de Maspalomas.
No events listed in January. A quiet month, and prices are often lower.
Chapter Four
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
Where I wouldn't stay
The area around the Yumbo centre in Playa del InglésPlaya del Inglés (Yumbo)
A noisy nightlife area with bars. Not suitable for families.
Hotels I recommend in Gran Canaria
- Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel â â â â â
- Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia â â â â â
Chapter Five
What to bring home
What deserves to come home with you from Gran Canaria: the genuine article, and what carries a protected origin.
- DOP
Flor de GuĂa cheese
Queso de Flor de GuĂa DOPSheep's cheese curdled with vegetable rennet from wild artichoke flower, from the town of GuĂa in the north of the island. One of the rarest Spanish cheeses.
Agaete coffee
Café de AgaeteThe only coffee grown commercially in Europe, in the Agaete valley in the north-west of the island. Production is limited and the flavour is mild.
Bienmesabe de Tejeda
Almond cream with honey and egg yolk, from the mountain town of Tejeda. Its name means âit tastes good to meâ, and its roots are Andalusian.
Tejeda marzipan
MazapĂĄn de TejedaBaked almond marzipan, for which Tejeda is famous, along with other almond sweets.
- IGP
Canary bananas
PlĂĄtano de Canarias IGPA small, sweet banana. Gran Canaria is one of its largest producers.
- IGP
Canarian gofio
Gofio Canario IGPTraditional toasted-grain flour, bought from artisan mills.
Chapter Six
Getting around Gran Canaria
On Gran Canaria, the blue âGlobalâ buses run between towns: line 60 from the airport to Las Palmas in about 30 minutes, and lines 66 and 91 to the south (Maspalomas and Meloneras) in about 40â50 minutes. Within Las Palmas, the yellow âGuaguas Municipalesâ buses. A taxi from the airport to the south costs about 40â50 euros. Renting a car is useful for exploring the mountainous interior and its villages. The taxi is the main alternative, and transport apps are limited. Tips: mountain roads wind, and the wind is stronger in the east.
Last reviewed1 October 2026