Everybody is aware of the Canary Islands as nice winter solar (and summer time) locations, excellent for a seashore break and infrequently good on a price range. And as they’re a part of Spain, they’re as child-friendly as the remainder of the nation, as I found after we visited Gran Canaria with youngsters to analysis this household information to Gran Canaria.
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However what most individuals don’t know is how a lot there’s to find past the seashore within the Canary Islands – and Gran Canaria isn’t any exception to that rule. The photographs from my journey provide you with an thought or take a look at the video under.
So listed below are my prime ideas for travelling to Gran Canaria with kids – or when you simply need the perfect issues to do in Gran Canaria with youngsters, yow will discover my prime picks right here.
Gran Canaria household holidays: Getting there/round
A string of airways fly from the UK to Gran Canaria together with British Airways/Iberia, in addition to low-cost airways resembling EasyJet and Ryanair, plus tour operators like Jet2 operating package deal holidays and flights.
Mainly wherever you might be within the nation, you’ll in all probability have a flight heading out to Las Palmas.
When you arrive, there are many switch and taxi providers which may whisk you from Las Palmas airport to your lodging. I typically use Welcome Pickups, particularly if we’re arriving late.
The vast majority of guests keep on the south coast, however because the airport is on the GC-1 motorway in the midst of the east coast, it doesn’t take too lengthy to get anyplace.
If you wish to discover the island, you’ll want your individual automotive or signal as much as excursions with round half a dozen rental corporations within the terminal and others dotted across the island. Websites like Uncover Vehicles can evaluate costs, whereas Zest automotive rent is one in every of my go-to choices.
UK and EU residents don’t presently want a visa to go to Spain, together with the Canary Island. Click on right here for info on vaccinations, though for the overwhelming majority of European and US travellers, you received’t want something past the vaccinations advisable for all times at dwelling.
Gran Canaria with kids: The place to remain
With young children, I like the flexibleness of getting our personal villa – sadly Tots To Journey, whose Villa Amaranthus was our dwelling on the island, is now not working however you may also discover loads of choices with different corporations, together with Plum Information
Our personal villa had a pool behind a locked gate, set on a lodge advanced so you might additionally entry these services (though actually, we had every thing we wanted in our non-public villa), which is a good compromise of privateness and services.
When you want inns, the bulk are on the south coast, with choices for all the most important tour operators, resembling TUI and Jet2Holidays. It’s price how far every lodge is from the seashore, if that’s essential to you – some appeared comparatively shut however wanted a steep stroll down the hill to get there.
Gran Canaria with kids: What to see
Children will love the limitless seashores of the south and the clear water, in addition to the pool at your villa or lodge. However there are many different issues to entertain, together with when you’re visiting Gran Canaria with toddler or a child.
Listed here are my prime issues to do in Gran Canaria with youngsters to start out you off, together with water parks and theme parks, plus different much less well-known points of interest.
Don’t miss the large dunes at Maspalomas the place you’ll be able to take a camel trip in addition to roaming over them on foot.
The dunes themselves are protected, and the large expanse of sand appears as if it may very well be within the coronary heart of a desert… however Maspalomas with its personal seashore, outlets and cafes could be very shut at hand.
Or take a ship trip alongside the coast, with little ferry/water taxis stopping at numerous factors together with the attractive Puerto de Mogan.
It’s an ideal mini boat journey for smaller youngsters too, though there are extra adventurous choices for older kids too together with whale watching journeys to identify them and dolphins year-round.
There are a number of water parks on the island however Aqualand is definitely one of many greatest and greatest with light baby-friendly areas so it’s very best for anybody visiting Gran Canaria with toddlers, in addition to having extra thrills for teenagers and adults.
Maintain an eye fixed out for the brand new Siam Park opening on the island – there’s no opening date but because the mission has been repeatedly delayed and is unlikely to start out earlier than 2027 however the sister web site in Tenerife has been voted the world’s greatest.
Or for extra animals, head to the zoo at Palmitos Park the place it’s straightforward to whereas away a number of hours. The zoo has a give attention to conservation, however there are additionally some animal exhibits and a dolphinarium, which some households might need to keep away from.
And there’s an aquarium referred to as Poema del Mar, set on the waterfront within the capital Las Palmas with three completely different zones – deep ocean, reef and jungle – for guests to discover.
It’s undoubtedly price venturing past from the resorts within the south as effectively. The astonishing twisting mountain roads are beautiful, and you’ll cease on the uncommon cave eating places and houses alongside the way in which.
Maintain going all the way in which to the north and the picturesque city of Arucas, with the Arehucas rum distillery on the outskirts – the excursions ought to fascinate older youngsters too, the free tasting is unquestionably only for grown-ups…
Gran Canaria with kids: What to eat
You’ll discover a global combine together with Asian and Italian but in addition German eating places, for instance, so there’s a lot to select from and one thing to maintain everybody completely satisfied – even smaller fussy eaters.
In between there’s loads of recent fish and seafood at little eating places by the ocean, plus the standard Canarian potatoes, tiny and salty and accompanied by mojo sauce.
Children are welcome in every single place and infants and toddlers would be the centre of consideration, so it’s straightforward to search out choices when you’re consuming out.
Gran Canaria household holidays: Plan your go to
Try the Gran Canaria Vacationer board’s web site in addition to extra details about all of the islands on hellocanaryislands.com
Lonely Planet additionally has a information to the Canary Islands with extra recommendations on issues to do in Gran Canaria.
For extra concepts, take a look at my information to the Canary Islands with youngsters
*First printed 2015, final up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: GUIDE TO GRAN CANARIA WITH CHILDREN
Disclosure: This publish incorporates some affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
All photos copyright MummyTravels
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