All you need to know about holidays to Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, which are known for sun, sea, sand and all day breakfasts. Cheap holidays to Gran Canaria are readily available and are most popular in the summer, at the height of the good weather, or in the winter when Gran Canaria is a really great winter sun destination. In fact, the weather here is hot and sunny all year round so there's not a bad time to book yourself into a Gran Canaria hotel. In fact, whilst you're at it you should also think about car hire too so that you can make the most of your Gran Canaria holiday.

How to get to Gran Canaria

The easiest way to get yourself a holiday to Gran Canaria is to book yourself a package holiday where the flights, transfers and accommodation are usually all included - although check what is says about transfers as these can be an added extra. This is great if you want an all inclusive holiday in Gran Canaria as everything is taken care of. You may prefer to book your own flights and hotel separately, possibly along with car hire to get your around. This way you can tailor-make your location and day trips will be super simple.

There are plenty of resorts around the south of the island which are great for a package holiday in Gran Canaria, plus the resort of Las Palmas in the north by the capital. The most popular with us Brits are Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles, Puerto de Mogan, San Agustin and Puerto Rico. In all of these you will find a great mix of cheap accommodation, all inclusive hotels, villas and self-catering apartments.

If you're looking to get a little off the beaten track but still want to make sure there will be some shops, bars and restaurants then how about up-and-coming Meloneras or out-of-the-way Taurito? With the airport in such a central location, nothing is too hard to get to though.

When to go to Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, which lie just off the coast of Morocco, so you can imagine that the temperatures are lovely all year round. Expect winter highs of around 22°C with plenty of sunshine, and summer days reaching around 28°C in the shade. This means that whenever you want to take a holiday to Gran Canaria, you can be sure that you'll have nice weather. Gran Canaria is a very popular summer destination, but during the cold winter months in the UK it's also a great winter sun haven with plenty of cheap holiday deals available to Gran Canaria. The best time of year to find a great deal is from December to February, with July and August the most expensive, thanks to school holidays and families flocking to the shores from all over Europe. Probably the best months to go are April, May, September and October when the weather is still hot and prices are reasonable.

What to do in Gran Canaria

There is no doubt that the main thing on most people's minds when they are booking cheap Gran Canaria holidays are the beaches. But there's even more sand if you're a fan - try a visit to the famous Maspalomas sand dunes, which you can explore on camel, on quad bike or you can just find a quiet spot for a day's sunbathing - just make sure you don't accidentally drive through or set up camp by the nudist area!

The capital of Gran Canaria is Las Palmas, which is a vibrant city characterised by Spanish colonial architecture that makes up the historic heart. But head away from the centre and you'll find some great beaches too - making this a great destination for your cheap Gran Canaria holiday if you like the best of both worlds.

If you hire a car you can enjoy the benefits of travelling where and where you want, meaning you're free to seek out that secluded beach (hint: you won't be able to find one at the weekend as the locals know all the best spots - so try in the week) as well as head to any or all of the island's best attractions:

Palmitos Park: What was once a bird park, today this lush landscape near Maspalomas is an animal park with animals ranging from butterflies to orang-utans and dolphins. A great family day out, you won't want to miss the birds, who have definitely not been pushed out of the limelight. Birds of prey star in regular shows which show off their incredible skills, and flying speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, whilst parrots show off their amazing colours, and birds of paradise flaunt their wild plumage.

Sioux City: This wild-west themed park is also close to Maspalomas, and it offers an unusual day out amongst the cowboys and Indians. Expect shootouts in the saloon, bank robberies and rodeos - but don't worry about your safety as they will only have eyes for each other! Plenty of country and western music will add to the atmosphere. For a more grown-up twist, visit for the Friday night barbecue and live music show.

Museo Canario: You'll find a different pace here in this museum in Las Palmas. The focus is on the history of the Guanches, who were the indigenous people of Gran Canaria, displaced when the Spanish invaded. There's everything from mummies, skeletons and jewellery to scale models of dwellings and replicas of the painted caves at Galdar.

Maspalomas Sand Dunes: Maspalomas is certainly the place to be if you want a whole range of attractions on your doorstep! These famous dunes are certainly worth a look even if you're staying further away too.

Teror: For an alternative look at life on Gran Canaria, visit the village of Teror high up in the mountains. You'll find a huge baroque Basilica as well as plenty of colonial architecture and stunning mountain views. Plus if you go on a Sunday you'll be able to visit the local market, which sells chorizo, sweet treats made by the local nuns and much more - a great place for a souvenir or two from your Gran Canaria holiday.