1. Maspalomas & Meloneras

Holidays to Gran Canaria - Maspalomas Dunes by picasaweb.google.com/niccolloo

Maspalomas is a unique resort, low key and low-rise, built on the edge of the world-famous dunes of Gran Canaria.

The resort itself has been developed very carefully, with most of the accommodation being arranged in complexes of self-contained little bungalows around a central pool.  Because there are no tall buildings here, you often get a stunning view of the mountains even whilst sunbathing around the pool.  The whole place is tranquil, relaxed and – just easy to be in.

The beach here is stunning – in my opinion the best beach that holidays in Gran Canaria can offer.  There are miles of golden sand so it never feels crowded, and the kids will love running up and down the desert-like slopes of the dunes.  There are sections of beach with sunbeds and other sections without, so take your pick – and one part of the beach is naturist so if you fancy an all-over tan, go for it!

The golf course makes Maspalomas the destination of choice for many taking holidays to Gran Canaria.  It’s an 18-hole, par 73 course, set among palm trees – very beautiful.  Equipment hire and instrustion is on offer, as is a driving range and practice green.

Meloneras is actually a small area at the end of Maspalomas next to the sea just beyond the lighthouse.  It has recently developed into a sophisticated place for shopping and eating out, with a great choice of designer shops and most of the main cuisines of the world on offer.

If you want a bit of life in the evenings, Meloneras is the place to go and it’s a leisurely stroll or a short taxi ride away from most bungalow complexes.  Alternatively, you can choose to stay in one of the hotels right here in Meloneras if you prefer to be nearer your favourite restaurant  or those stylish boutiques.  Despite its great restaurants and bars, Meloneras is certainly not a place for all-night partying.  If that’s what you are after, read on..

2. Playa del Ingles

This is the busiest of all Gran Canaria resorts, and the place to come if you want a full-on sunny beach holiday in a town

Gran Canaria Holidays - Playa del Ingles by wikimedia.org user: Kriki

packed with shops, bars and restaurants.

With so many places competing for your money, prices are kept lower than in many other resorts, so if you’re on a tight budget but you’re still determined to escape to the sun, Playa del Ingles offers some of the cheapest, most cheerful holidays to Gran Canaria.

Did you know that “Playa del Ingles” means “beach of the English”?  The beach here is certainly the main attraction during the day.  It’s a long stretch of beautiful golden sand with room for everyone, at one end bordering the famous dunes of Maspalomas.

In town, you could probably go to a different bar for every day of the year – the nightlife here really is full-on.  The Yumbo centre, a shoppers’ paradise by day, turns cabaret at night with loads of gay bars and drag acts that will have you in stitches.

3. Puerto Rico

This resort, built on two hills surrounding a gorgeous golden-sand beach, has a wide range of amenities  and is very popular with families taking holidays to Gran Canaria.

The beach is well geared-up for holidaymakers, with sunbeds and umbrellas and no end of water sports including windsurfing, sailing, parascending and even diving.  You can also take one of the famous trips to see the dolphins through a glass-bottomed boat.

Away from the beach, there is a whole load of activities to keep the kids occupied – mini golf, tennis, and a water park for starters.  And if shopping is your thing, there is a great choice here in Puerto Rico with several purpose-built shopping centres.

At night, there is a good choice of pubs and clubs here, and yes, karaoke is on offer!  The lively areas are well away from the hotels though, which is one of the benefits of staying in a modern, carefully-designed resort.  In fact, many of the hotels in the town are up one of the hills, just out of the main town centre.  There are walkways away from the traffic so you can quickly get to the beach – although you may prefer to take a short taxi ride on the way back!

4. Puerto Mogan

Holidays in Gran Canaria - Puerto Mogan by wikimedia.org user: Konrad_Lackerbeck

Many people taking holidays to Gran Canaria will have visited this picturesque resort without thinking about making it the base for their holiday, but it might be something to consider if you are looking for a quieter, more relaxed style of holiday.

Puerto Mogan is the smallest of the resorts in our top four.  Located at the mouth of the Mogan valley, this picturesque resort has a charming small-town atmosphere – little streets lined with bouganvillea-covered shops, restaurants and cafes.  It’s a working fishing village, but on a Friday morning, the weekly market takes over the quayside if you fancy a bit of tourist-style show-haggling!

All of the appeal of this town and the little port has been carefully preserved and it really is a quaint little haven away from the bustle of the more lively resorts. With its little waterways and bridges, people often call it “little Venice”!  You will find delightful places to eat offering fish fresh from the sea and litle cafe/bars where you can forget all about cold old home for a while and bask in the warm sun.  In the evenings, night-life centres around dining in one of the many great places to eat or relaxing over a cocktail in the piano bar. It’s not a party resort – no late-night music and noise here.

Finally, kids of all ages will be pleased to know that there is a lovely little beach here – small, quiet and sandy.

Well I hope you can now start to decide which of these places you will be happiest in for your Gran Canaria holiday.  Next, you can find the best deals on your chosen resort by clicking the link: holidays to Gran Canaria.