Gran Canaria holidays

2:34pm Friday 25th June 2010 in Holiday information

The 'Mini Continent' of Gran Canaria

Magnificent Gran Canaria is the third largest of the Canary Islands located off the North West coast of Africa. This island has so much variation throughout it from lush forestlands and inland mountainous ranges to craggy rocks and rolling sand dunes, due to this the island is often referred to as the 'mini continent'.

The capital of this island is Las Palmas situated on the north eastern tip and makes an interesting and varied base for your Gran Canaria holidays. As you would expect from a capital the shopping and dining facilities are second to none. With everything from small stalls selling locally produced goods to chic boutiques selling designer clothing you really are spoilt for choice. You then have the old town which is full of culture and heritage and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. The city also has the added bonus of two fantastic sandy beaches to enjoy lazy days on the soft sands, cooling off in the sparkling sea by day and then enjoy the bright lights and city atmosphere on an evening.

Although the capital is in the north of Gran Canaria the majority of travellers spend their holidays in the south of the island with its warmer drier climate that can be enjoyed all year round. Playa del Ingles is the largest and most vibrant resort on the island, extremely popular with young and lively tourists wanting to head off to Pacha and Cream nightclubs within the resort. Families also holiday here to enjoy the fantastic stretch of golden beach which has been awarded the European Blue Flag for cleanliness. Maspalomas just a little further down the coast is well known for its impressive sand dunes which attract a flurry of visitors from other resorts throughout the island. A camel trek is the best way to enjoy these magnificent dunes and uses a lot less energy than pulling on a pair of hiking boots. Maspalomas is much more laid back than its noisy neighbour but does offer a small assortment of bars and restaurants for the whole family to enjoy on an evening. Once a sleepy little fishing village the resort of Puerto Rico has now evolved into a modern and lively tourist resort. If you spend your Gran Canaria holidays here you can stroll along the picturesque harbour admiring the luxury yachts that bob gently from side to side or you may even take one of the many pleasure boat rides that are offered. The sandy beach of the resort is often very busy as is the shoreline with people taking part in the numerous water sports on offer. There are also several great shopping centres just waiting to be explored within the resort.Evenings offer great diversification with bars and clubs to suit all tastes as well as delicious restaurants serving cuisine e for every palette.

There is so much more to Gran Canaria holidays than lazing on the beach all day or by the hotel pool, although this is certainly a good way to start. The selection of day trips and excursions that can be taken on this magnificent island just adds to its appeal. With everything from horse riding and go-karting to three water parks available around the resort it may be hard to fit everything in during your stay, and that's not all. There are dolphin and whale spotting trips, camel treks across the magical dunes along with forest and mountain trails to name just a few.

As with the resorts and excursions that are on offer in Gran Canaria the accommodation is just as varied and suitable for all budgets. Some fantastic self catering apartments can be found around the island as well as family hotels, luxurious hotels and basic bed and breakfast resides. Whatever your taste and your budget you certainly will enjoy your holidays here.